Bank of Japan Watch Pressure to stem yen strength increasing The main concern for the Bank of Japan’s Policy Board at its August meeting, concluding next Thursday (9th), is likely to remain the situation in Europe. The slowdown overseas threatens to further... 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Asia's central banks back in rate-cutting mode Central banks in the Philippines, Korea and Vietnam have cut their policy rates over the past month in response to the deterioration in global demand. Q2 GDP data out so far in Asia have been soft... 31st July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Export slowdown continues Recent data from the external sector have confirmed that export growth has continued to slow. Indeed, the annual growth rate of export values fell to its lowest level in two and a half years in May... 31st July 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response GDP by Industry (May) The modest 0.1% m/m increase in Canada's monthly GDP in May supports our existing estimate that the economy expanded at a disappointing 1.7% annualised pace in the second quarter. That would mark the... 31st July 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan’s poor export outlook to prompt policy stimulus Taiwan’s export-oriented economy is struggling amid the global slowdown. We expect the global backdrop to remain difficult, while local inflation should stay among the lowest in Asia. Accordingly, we... 31st July 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Recession bites as Argentina's 'model' begins to unravel The economic outlook for Argentina just keeps getting worse. Not only do we think that the country fell into a recession in Q2 but, judging by the extent of the recent slowdown, it now appears... 31st July 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Recession bites as Argentina's 'model' begins to unravel The economic outlook for Argentina just keeps getting worse. Not only do we think that the country fell into a recession in Q2 but, judging by the extent of the recent slowdown, it now appears... 31st July 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s rates on hold as balance of payments troubles persist The decision by Egypt’s Central Bank (CBE) to keep interest rates on hold was unsurprising. Although the economy is weak and inflationary pressures subdued, political instability will keep pressure on... 26th July 2012 · 1 min read
China Economics Update An end to renminbi appreciation? The renminbi’s rise against the dollar stalled at the beginning of 2012 and the currency has fallen back in the last few weeks. The scale of depreciation to date is small – little more than 1% since... 26th July 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Threat of FX intervention building Japan’s merchandise trade figures, released today, showed a reduction in the seasonally-adjusted deficit in June, but the country remains firmly on course to end the year in the red. At the same time... 25th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Weaker currency won't save the euro-zone While the depreciation of the euro exchange rate is a helpful development for the euro-zone economy, suggestions that it alone can save the currency union look very hopeful. 25th July 2012 · 1 min read
US Chart Pack Spring slowdown flows into summer The economic slowdown that began in the spring months has continued into the summer. We estimate that GDP grew at an annualised rate of around 1.5% in the second quarter, down from 1.9% in the first... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chavez pumps the economy ahead of Venezuelan election With the outcome of the Venezuelan presidential election still delicately balanced, the authorities are taking steps to pump economic growth. But while that raises the chance that President Chavez... 23rd July 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Colombia: Disappointing activity data point to rate cuts The latest activity data from Colombia indicate that the economy slowed further in Q2. As a result, while policymakers may await concrete evidence that the recent consumer credit boom has ended, it... 20th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Could Finland be the catalyst for a euro-zone break up? Finland’s continued hardline stance on the provision of support to the peripheral economies increases the risk that the euro-zone will not implement the measures needed to maintain the existing... 19th July 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Price pressures have eased across the Middle East Inflation pressures are easing in most countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. The drop in global commodity prices has led to a fall in food price inflation across the region. Meanwhile... 19th July 2012 · 1 min read
