Emerging economies likely to hold up well despite persistent sluggish world trade, says Fitch Ratings

Dec 06, 2016 09:46 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Economic activity in the Asia-Pacific region is broadly expected to hold up well, even as many emerging-market Asian (EM Asia) countries are severely hit by persistently sluggish world trade due to their relative...

South African economy registers slower pace of growth in Q3, misses market expectations

Dec 06, 2016 09:18 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The South African economy registered a slow pace of growth during the third quarter of this year, missing what market participants had earlier anticipated. South Africas economy grew by 0.2 percent in the third quarter...

Our cities need to go on a resource diet

Dec 06, 2016 08:31 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Cities are the epicentres of human activity. They cover less than 2% of the earths land surface but generate about 70% of GDP and house more than half the human population. The importance of cities is only going to...

Thailand inflation likely to remain below central bank’s target range until mid-2018

Dec 06, 2016 08:20 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Consumer inflation in Thailand is expected to remain below the central banks target range at least until mid-2018, unless investment in the private sector starts to surprise on the upside. Transport inflation came in at...

Markets are muted after Italy referendum but instability simmers under the surface

Dec 06, 2016 07:57 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

After staking his career on the promise that he would either change Italy or change jobs, Matteo Renzi has resigned as prime minister. With 60% of the popular vote going against his political reforms in a referendum that...

Central Banking Series

RBA monetary policy: Assessing future bias

Dec 06, 2016 07:54 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) chose to keep the interest rate steady at 1.5 percent. Lets look at the details of policy announcement to assess the bias of RBA. Key highlights: RBA notes that global economy is...

Australia current account deficit narrows in Q3, underpinned by strong pickup in export prices

Dec 06, 2016 06:54 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Australias current account deficit narrowed sharply in Q3, underpinned by a strong pickup in export prices and an improvement in the net income deficit. Net exports subtracted 0.2ppts from GDP growth. With commodity prices...