Latin America Economics Focus How will Venezuela exit hyperinflation? In the 16 cases of hyperinflation since 1980, countries have either a) implemented “shock therapy”, b) dollarised or c) adopted a currency board in order to stabilise the economy, all of which seem... 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
China Economics Weekly FDI defying trade tensions, property price data quirks The recent strength of direct investment into China is a reminder that, despite rising US tariff barriers, the country remains an attractive destination for foreign firms. Even so, policymakers... 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
China Data Response Hong Kong GDP (Q3) Hong Kong’s GDP growth slowed in Q3 to a two-year low in year-on-year terms, a trend we think will continue over the quarters ahead as headwinds from tightening monetary conditions and rising global... 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Turkey Industrial Production (Sep.) The weaker-than-expected Turkish industrial production data for September add to the evidence that the economy is entering a deep recession. Our GDP growth forecasts lie well below the consensus. 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Data Response Malaysia GDP (Q3) We think that there is little chance of a sustained rebound following Malaysia’s weak Q3 GDP figures. Softer external demand coupled with a number of domestic headwinds means that economic growth is... 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Economy contracting, Japan still loves cash The contraction in Q3 GDP that was confirmed this week is likely to be followed by a rebound over coming quarters. But the bigger picture is that growth momentum has weakened since last year and... 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Chart Pack Strength of Nordic activity surveys won’t last Economic growth in Switzerland, Sweden and Norway looks set to slow next year. In fact, survey evidence in Switzerland suggests that the economy has already shifted down a gear, with the KOF Economic... 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Latin America Data Response Colombia GDP (Q3 2018) Colombian GDP growth edged down from 2.8% y/y in Q2 to 2.7% y/y in Q3, and while the consensus expects growth to be stronger next year, we expect it to slow further in 2019. 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Japan Chart Pack Wage gains revised away The contraction in Japan’s economy in Q3 should prove short-lived. But the income data released alongside the GDP figures provide a more lasting reason for concern. The Bank of Japan had been able to... 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
US Data Response Retail Sales (Oct.) Looking beyond the 0.8% surge in headline retail sales, which was boosted by a price-related rise in gasoline sales, there are signs that underlying spending growth has begun to slow. Even accounting... 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Chances rise of an “orderly” no deal News that Theresa May could soon face a leadership challenge is the latest twist in the Brexit saga, but even if she survives, the key point is that the chances of her deal being passed by parliament... 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Weekly Oil slumps, more political twists in Tunisia and Lebanon The drop in oil prices over the past week probably has further to run, which is a key reason why we think that the economic recovery in the Gulf will peak in the middle of 2019 and perhaps even sooner... 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Oct.) October’s official retail sales figures were weaker than expected. But a continued acceleration in real earnings, if a Brexit deal is signed (which admittedly, is looking less likely by the minute)... 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Uganda: Policy tightening to add headwinds to growth The Bank of Uganda will probably buck the regional trend next year by tightening policy further in response to a widening current account deficit. This will add to headwinds for economic growth. 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Oil price slump won’t cause repeat of 2015 Recent declines in oil prices will not by themselves cause a repeat of the 2015 economic slump. But they are a reason to doubt that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates repeatedly. 14th November 2018 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update S. Africa: Economy probably escaped recession in Q3 September activity data released over the past week has been pretty downbeat. But conditions still seem to have improved in recent months, supporting our view that the economy returned to growth in Q3... 14th November 2018 · 1 min read
