Asia Economics Update India’s auto industry highlights weakness of domestic demand Domestic demand in India remains lacklustre, overshadowing the encouraging performance of exports. Trends in the auto industry provide a case in point, as healthy passenger vehicle exports have not... 18th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Current account deficits narrow, Turkey an outlier Turkey’s current account deficit widened sharply at the end of last year, but the recent tightening of monetary policy means it could now start to narrow substantially. Elsewhere in the region... 13th February 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Rates hikes in Sweden remain a distant prospect The Swedish Riksbank reiterated at its meeting today that it does not expect to raise interest rates until early next year. But we think that the expected start date of its tightening cycle will... 13th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Trade Monitor EM exports picking up, but recovery uneven Surprisingly strong export growth from China last month has raised hopes of a broader recovery in EM exports. However, the country level data suggest that export performances are highly uneven, with... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Export sector to drive Malaysia’s growth The acceleration in Malaysia’s economy in the final quarter of 2013 reinforces our view that the central bank is likely to tighten monetary policy sooner rather than later. While policy tightening... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
China Data Response Trade (Jan.) China's exports did far better than expected in January. Over-invoicing as a way to evade capital controls is being touted as one explanation but we can't find much evidence of that – indeed, if... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Improvement in export growth to be modest The breakdown of Canada's sluggish export performance reveals that some of the weakness in the second half of last year should prove temporary. The persistent weakness in some industries such as autos... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Current Account (Dec), Consumer Confidence & Economy Watchers Survey (Jan) The current account deficit reached a record high in December, but should narrow once domestic demand slows after the upcoming consumption tax. Indeed, today's sentiment surveys point to weakening... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Is Japan facing a repeat of 1997-98? While some emerging market assets have seen a sharp sell-off in recent weeks, it is premature to speak of a general crisis sweeping the emerging world. In any case, Japan’s exposure to most of the... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Industrial Production & Trade (Dec.) December’s figures on industrial production and trade offered mixed signals on the economy’s attempts at rebalancing. And this so-so picture is unlikely to change anytime soon. 7th February 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response International Merchandise Trade (Dec.) The surprisingly large increase in December's trade deficit provides further evidence supporting our view that Canada's economy isn't benefitting fully from the steadily improving US economy. 6th February 2014 · 1 min read
US Data Response International Trade (Dec.) The rebound in the monthly trade deficit to $38.7bn in December, from $34.6bn, means that fourth-quarter GDP growth will likely be revised down slightly to about 2.9% annualised in the second estimate... 6th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update What next for the hryvnia? The hryvnia has fallen sharply over the past few days, reaching 9/$ earlier today, its lowest level since 2009. We estimate that the currency needs to fall by a further 15% or so, to around 11/$, in... 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Brighter signs don't preclude need for more policy action Despite the recent bout of disappointing global economic news and financial market turbulence, economic indicators like the PMI suggest that the euro-zone’s fragile recovery gained a bit of a momentum... 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Outlook for 2014 still bright The economic recovery appears to have remained strong at the start of 2014. Although the composite CIPS/Markit activity index weakened again in January, it still points on the basis of past form to... 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Fed right to ignore emerging market turmoil The Fed is only concerned with the US economy's performance and the recent bout of emerging market turmoil poses little threat to that. It is worth remembering that despite the currency crises which... 3rd February 2014 · 1 min read