External balance stays healthy in Philippines

Dec 08, 2015 02:35 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Several things to note about the external balance. Goods exports are likely to plunge 6% this year, while import growth may come in around 4%. No surprise then that the trade deficit widens to USD 10bn this year. Yet, this...

Uneven but gradual recovery in store in India

Dec 08, 2015 02:34 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The narrative on the Indian economy has been positive on the back of a reform-oriented government, macro-stability and easing inflation. Beyond the headline, markets are turning to ground realities. In contrast to the...

Sluggish exports weigh on Taiwan's 4Q GDP

Dec 08, 2015 02:11 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The trade data out yesterday were far weaker than expected. Contrary to the consensus forecast of an improvement, exports fell further by -16.9% (YoY) in Nov15, a deeper decline compared to -11.0% in Oct15. On the...

German economy still on an uptrend thanks to consumption

Dec 07, 2015 22:11 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

The weakness of emerging markets will increasingly weigh on the German economy in 2016. This is the main reason why the 2016 growth forecast for Germany, at 1.3%, is well below consensus (1.8%). But a predicted growth rate...

Energy takes toll on Norwegian manufacturing

Dec 07, 2015 12:42 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Fall in energy prices, Norways top exports is taking heavy toll in overall a manufacturing, extraction and mining sector. This slowdown is likely to worsen outlook for the country and its job market. Norway notably...

No sign of improvement in Taiwan exports

Dec 07, 2015 12:41 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Taiwans exports are declined by 16.9% year on year in November against -11.0% in October. This is the largest fall since August 2009. On a month on month seasonally adjusted shipment exports are dropped by 3.8%., which...

Currency War Series

Further fiscal slippage likely limited for South Africa

Dec 07, 2015 07:37 am UTC| Commentary Economy

South Africa is seeing weak growth and higher public wage settlements, which imply challenges for the governments promises of reducing budget deficit and stabilizing the debt/GDP ratio. The government presented a...