BoK has room to ease further even amid a US rate hike

Jun 03, 2015 06:22 am UTC| Commentary

Fed Chair Yellens comment in May signalling that a US rate hike was "appropriate" within this year caused renewed concern in emerging markets, including South Korea. Potential capital outflow has been a key issue for local...

RBI's policy rate cut despite concerns over inflation

Jun 03, 2015 06:06 am UTC| Commentary

The RBIs second bi-monthly monetary policy meeting of the current financial year yielded no surprises for the market as the first rate cut of the financial year was implemented (the previous two cuts were in January and...

Australian retail sales chugging along steadily, if unspectacular

Jun 03, 2015 05:54 am UTC| Commentary

Australias nominal disposable income growth may not be spectacular - at 3.6% yoy in Q4 and averaging 4.0% in 2014 - but that has not kept Australian consumers out of the shops. In Q1, nominal retail sales were up 4.1% yoy,...

UK's services PMI to soften slightly in May

Jun 03, 2015 05:45 am UTC| Commentary

UKs services activity has been very strong according to the PMI but has gone through a very weak patch at the start of the year according to the official data. However, even the latter point to a strong rebound since then....

Euro-area services PMI to remain stable

Jun 03, 2015 05:41 am UTC| Commentary

The final estimate of the euro-area services PMI in May should inch upwards to 53.4 from the flash estimate of 53.3. Moreover, the final composite PMI is likely to confirm the flash estimate of 53.4. The improvement in...

Mexico – Playing the waiting game

Jun 03, 2015 05:20 am UTC| Commentary

Banco de Méxicos (Banxico) is likely to leave rates at 3.0% when it meets on 4 June. No significant change in policy guidance is expected, says Stnadard Chartered. Growth has been sluggish but inflation has stayed...

BOE expected to keep bank rate unchanged

Jun 03, 2015 05:11 am UTC| Commentary

The Bank of England (BoE) to keep the bank rate unchanged at 0.5% at its meeting on 4 June. Headline CPI inflation dipped into negative territory, -0.1% y/y, in March, notes Standard Chartered. Core CPI inflation also fell...