One reason for the latest sharp fall in commodity prices is the fear of an economic slump in China. However, up to the end of June at least, China’s demand …
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Hong Kong Currency Peg Will Remain Intact Despite Growth Concern
Growth Bound to Head Lower in Q4 Hong Kong’s economy is set to face a gloomy outlook: • The ‘Occupy Central’ protests have not ended. The retail sector and food/beverage …
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UK (2013): Thatcher’s Economic Legacy
Following the death of Margaret Thatcher on April 8, Britain’s first female prime minister and the longest serving in over 150 years, we take a look at her legacy and …
Portugal (2013): Caught Between Court and Troika
Government Taking Refuge in Saving Promises Constitutional Court Stops Part of the Austerity Package Within the scope of the EUR 78bn rescue package granted by the troika [made up of …
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Challenges Confronting the Bank of Japan’s Attempted Reflation (2013)
Markets are too aggressively assuming that the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) latest attempt at reflating the Japanese economy will succeed. The Bank of Japan’s aggressive monetary easing faces numerous hurdles …
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India (2013): Pragmatic Budget, Tough to Meet
The federal budget FY13/14 tabled on February 28, 2013 was pragmatic and balanced, though meeting the targets will depend on recovery in growth, conducive external markets and a political will …
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UK (2013): Budget – Fiscal Slippage and Monetary Flexibility
– The Budget confirms that the UK’s fiscal position is worse than the OBR’s previous outlook, both in cash terms and structural terms. The Chancellor has not sought to offset …
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Why Gold’s Lustre Will Fade (2013)
It’s been a glorious run. The gold price climbed by nearly 500% from 2002 to present, making it one of the best performing assets. But already, many of the forces …
UK (2013): The Economic Issues Surrounding an EU Exit
Prime Minister David Cameron’s commitment to hold a referendum on the UK’s EU membership by 2017 has thrust the issue into the limelight. Here we focus mainly on the likely …
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Venezuela (2013): No Surprise, No Relief
While the precise timing of Venezuela’s move to devalue the bolivar fuerte from 4.290 to 6.292 was unknown, the move had long been anticipated by Venezuela watchers as well as …