Currency War Series

Improving headline CPI and wage inflation to pave the way towards the first BoE rate hike in 2016

Jan 07, 2016 16:10 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

UKs economy in 2016 is likely to see a decent growth at 2%, down from an estimated 2.2% in 2015 and 2.9% in 2014, supported by growth in consumer spending. However as real income gains slow on the back of gradually rising...

Australia’s trade deficit narrowed to $2.9bn in November

Jan 07, 2016 01:56 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Australias trade deficit came in at $2.9bn for November, a $341mn improvement on a $3.2bn deficit for October (mkt median -$3.0bn). Imports edged 0.6% lower, down $182mn, as anticipated. Export earnings surprised,...

US trade deficit narrows as imports slump

Jan 06, 2016 18:10 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Although the trade deficit narrowed to an eight-month low of $42.3bn in November, from $44.6bn, the decline was due to decline in imports at a faster pace than exports, which is hardly a positive sign. Exports fell by...

China Crisis Series

Authorities in China back on the defensive

Jan 06, 2016 17:27 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Continued negative sentiment towards China has put the authorities back onto the defensive in recent days. It emerged on Wednesday that a ban on the selling of equities by large investors had been extended indefinitely....

End of 2015 brought in a modest acceleration of consumer price inflation in South Korea

Jan 06, 2016 00:26 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The end of 2015 brought in a modest acceleration of consumer price inflation in South Korea, with the headline CPI rising by 1.3% y/y in December, up from 0.6% at the end of the third quarter. We will likely see a further...

Monetary conditions continue to ease in Taiwan

Jan 05, 2016 23:51 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

In mid-December, the central banks policymakers decided unanimously to reduce the benchmark interest rate by 12.5 basis points to 1.625%. The previous rate cut of the same magnitude took place in September. The decision...

Deflationary pressures persist in Thailand

Jan 05, 2016 23:17 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Thailands headline consumer price inflation closed 2015 at -0.9% y/y, recording the 12th consecutive month of deflation. Prices are expected to continue to decline at least until the second quarter of 2016 after which...