Russian economy to shrink 0.6 pct in 2016; consumer demand unlikely to expand before Q3

Jun 20, 2016 09:50 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The Russian economy in the first quarter of this year contracted 1.2 percent year-on-year, as compared with contraction of 3.8 percent year-on-year in the last quarter of 2015. Given the Brent year average of USD 48.6 per...

Chile’s economic activity remains weak; economy to expand between 1.25 pct and 2 pct in 2016

Jun 20, 2016 09:34 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Chiles economic performance is below its potential. Overall, the countrys economic activity continues to be weak. According to the latest data, Chiles real GDP grew 1.7 percent in Q1. This shows a still active phase of...

Poland’s retail sales and industrial output data soften in May; keeps door open for rate cuts

Jun 20, 2016 09:11 am UTC| Commentary Economy Central Banks

Polands retail sales and industrial output data for May came in below expectations. In seasonally adjusted terms, industrial output declined 0.9 percent on sequential basis as compared with the 2.4 percent month-on-month...

Currency War Series

RBI Governor to return to academia; August rate cut decision to depend on June inflation figures

Jun 20, 2016 07:02 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks Economy

On Saturday, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan told the RBI staff that he will return to academia after his term with the RBI ends on September 4. There were some negative reactions in the local markets as the exit of Rajan...

Nigeria: a corrupt culture or the result of a particular history?

Jun 20, 2016 06:59 am UTC| Insights & Views Law Economy

Just before the anti-corruption summit in London, British Prime Minister David Cameron made his now infamous public gaffe in a rather a silly, schoolboyish way. He boasted to the Queen: Weve got some leaders of some...

South Africans pay the price for a poorly regulated telecoms sector

Jun 20, 2016 06:57 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Telecommunications clearly facilitate economic growth and participation. As such, countries should care about competitive outcomes in this sector. When competition works it can result in expanded services and lower prices,...

US housing starts fall slightly in May; homebuilding activity outlook remains favorable

Jun 20, 2016 05:58 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Housing starts in the USdropped slightly by 3,000 units in May to 1,164k as compared with the consensus projections of a deeper decline to 1,150k. Meanwhile, Aprils figures were revised downward, subtracting 5,000 from the...