China Economics Focus Introducing our new China Activity Proxy (CAP) For over a decade, we have tracked the performance of China’s economy independently from the official GDP figures using our China Activity Proxy (CAP). We are now introducing a revamped version of... 10th September 2020 · 30 mins read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Jul.) While machinery orders rose in July we still expect non-residential investment to weaken further in Q3. And with business sentiment set to remain weak for the forseeable future, any rebound in... 10th September 2020 · 2 mins read
Latin America Economics Update What to make of Mexico’s 2021 budget The frugal 2021 budget proposed by Mexico’s government underlines policymakers’ fixation about public debt risks and concerns about their credit rating. Meeting policymakers’ new and ambitious targets... 9th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update New Zealand - Lower spending by National would be a drag Jacinda Ardern’s incumbent Labour party looks set to win a solid victory at New Zealand’s upcoming election. That might keep business confidence subdued, but it probably wouldn’t be as much of a drag... 9th September 2020 · 4 mins read
Africa Data Response South Africa GDP (Q2) The huge fall in South Africa’s GDP in Q2 confirms our pessimistic outlook for the economy and, with fiscal austerity on the horizon, the recovery will be weak. Policymakers at the central bank will... 8th September 2020 · 2 mins read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP & Employment (Q2) The third estimate of euro-zone GDP showed that the plunge in economic activity in the second quarter was broad-based, with investment and exports faring particularly poorly. The rapid rebound in Q3... 8th September 2020 · 2 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Norway GDP (Jul.) Data released this morning show that the rebound in economic activity in Norway lost a bit of steam in July, which is in keeping with signs elsewhere in Europe. Nonetheless, given that the plunge in... 8th September 2020 · 2 mins read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (Jul.) & GDP (Q2 Revised) Wage growth improved in July and household incomes are likely to rebound further as more workers who lost their jobs during the state of emergency find employment again. Meanwhile, the second estimate... 8th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: Slow recovery despite virus success Despite Thailand’s success in containing the coronavirus, the country is likely to record one of the biggest falls in GDP in the region this year. A collapse in tourism and a slump in automotive... 7th September 2020 · 4 mins read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi recovery stutters Saudi Arabia’s economic recovery has faltered in recent months and the backdrop of fiscal austerity, the partial suspension of pilgrimages and oil production cuts mean that it is likely to remain slow... 7th September 2020 · 2 mins read
Europe Data Response German Industrial Production (July) German industry eked out a meagre increase in production in July, leaving output still well below its pre-crisis level. Production is likely to have increased again in August, but we now seem to be... 7th September 2020 · 2 mins read
Africa Economics Weekly US aid to Ethiopia on ice, debt relief state of play The US’s move to suspend some aid to Ethiopia amid tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam risks further actions that would limit Ethiopia’s fiscal space. Meanwhile, momentum to expand a... 4th September 2020 · 7 mins read
Latin America Economics Weekly A PMI puzzle, Brazil’s GDP oddities & budget A string of eye-catching economic data releases this week has fuelled yet more optimism about the strength of Brazil’s recovery. But digging into the details suggests that there may be less to some of... 4th September 2020 · 6 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Slow recovery in the Philippines, Taiwan-US FTA A long and strict lockdown meant the Philippines suffered one of the biggest falls in GDP in the region in the second quarter. The most recent data suggest that it is also experiencing one of the... 4th September 2020 · 6 mins read
India Economics Weekly Economy to contract by 10% this year The shocking GDP data for Q2 and signs of a weak recovery have led us to revise down our expectations for growth in 2020. We are now forecasting GDP growth of -10% (previously -5.5%). Further ahead... 4th September 2020 · 4 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Withdrawal of policy support a headwind to activity With a record plunge in output, Australia entered its first recession in 29 years last quarter. Huge public support payments resulted in an increase in both corporate profits and household income and... 4th September 2020 · 4 mins read