EM Valuations Monitor Valuations suggest another currency slump is unlikely Emerging market (EM) currencies were remarkably calm in June despite growing turmoil in the euro-zone. Our synthetic EM exchange rate against the dollar depreciated by 0.5% last month. But the big... 2nd July 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Faltering consumer will drag on growth The dramatic fall in South Africa’s consumer confidence index in Q2 provides yet another sign that consumer spending growth will slow over the course of the year. This is a particularly worrying... 2nd July 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Slump in BRICs manufacturing bottoming out June’s manufacturing PMIs suggest that the slump in manufacturing across the BRIC economies may be bottoming out. It’s a mixed picture across smaller EMs, with those in Central Europe doing well, but... 1st July 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response Kenya GDP (Q1) Kenyan GDP growth slowed to 4.9% y/y in Q1 due to a contracting tourism sector and tepid growth in the agricultural industry. However, we think that the slowdown has bottomed out and that growth will... 1st July 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Manufacturing PMI (Jun.) South Africa’s manufacturing PMI rose to 51.4 last month, providing another signal that the economy picked up a little in the second quarter. 1st July 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Domestic factors dominate African markets This month has seen most key African currencies depreciate and key equityindices fall. But while Europe’s latest crisis may have had some marginal effect oninvestor risk sentiment, the key drivers of... 30th June 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Activity Monitor EM growth still slowing, but non-BRICs are picking up EM growth continues to slow and, according to our GDP Tracker, is now at its weakest pace in almost sixyears. However, the slowdown has almost entirely been driven by further weakness in the BRICs... 30th June 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update A selection of our key calls This note summarises our key calls for emerging markets, emphasising where we differ from the consensus. Detailed projections (with specific numbers) are available in our regular publications on the... 30th June 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Grexit, the euro-crisis and the risks for EMs Beyond a handful of economies in Emerging Europe, the direct links between Greece and the rest of the emerging world are limited. What matters for most EMs is not so much the crisis in Greece itself... 29th June 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa dodges power price hike, but crisis will linger South Africa’s energy regulator has rejected a proposed hike to electricity prices, sparing South Africa’s overstretched consumers the pain of higher prices. But the decision will only exacerbate the... 29th June 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack Rate hikes to add to pressure on South Africa’s economy April’s activity data hinted at an uptick in South Africa’s economy, but we believe that thecontinent’s most developed economy will continue to face significant headwinds over the comingmonths. Growth... 29th June 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Financial Risk Monitor Risks building in China, Venezuela in crisis The relief rally in Chinese equities prompted by additional policy stimulus has turned global sentiment around, but a sustained recovery in commodity prices will probably require hard evidence that... 26th June 2015 · 1 min read
Frontier Markets Wrap European frontiers vulnerable to mounting threat of “Grexit” The growing threat of a Greek exit from the euro-zone has cast a shadow over the outlook for European frontier markets. Admittedly, the reaction in financial markets has so far been muted. And the... 25th June 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Tackling unemployment requires structural reform South Africa’s official unemployment rate hit a ten year high of 26.4% in Q1 2015, hammering home the scale of the country’s jobs challenge. Indeed unemployment in the country is more widespread than... 25th June 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economic Outlook Slower growth in key economies Most economies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are struggling under the weight of low commodityprices, weakening currencies, and slowing growth in China. In 2015 regional growth will slow to itsweakest... 24th June 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: Further FX restrictions a worrying sign The Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to further tighten restrictions on foreign exchange market will not succeed in reducing demand for dollars. Faced with weak export earnings and tumbling FX... 24th June 2015 · 1 min read
