Brazil Q1 15 real GDP better than expected, inventories build up help
May 29, 2015 14:57 pm UTC| Commentary
Q1 15 real GDP came in better than expected, helped by a meaningful inventories build up (+0.8% q/q sa). Without inventories, Q1 real GDP would have contracted -1.0% q/q sa. In addition to that, there was a positive net...
Second estimate of Q1 US GDP modestly better than expected
May 29, 2015 13:57 pm UTC| Commentary
Second estimate of Q1 US GDP fell 0.7% q/q saar, versus consensus (-0.9%) expectations for a larger downward revision. The composition of the revisions was largely as expected, with net trade dragging growth lower by 1.9pp...
IGC expects balanced wheat market and supply deficit on corn market
May 29, 2015 10:40 am UTC| Commentary
The International Grains Council (IGC) published new estimates for the global wheat and corn markets in 2015/16 yesterday. The estimates for wheat are now closer to those of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).Wheat...
Thailand posts weaker domestic demand, BoT unlikely to cut on 10 June
May 29, 2015 10:35 am UTC| Commentary
The Bank of Thailands April economic report indicates domestic demand remained weak, with consumption and investment falling further, but that strong tourism growth, and a pickup in fiscal spending that began in March, are...
Russia’s retail sales declining in mom terms
May 29, 2015 10:13 am UTC| Commentary
Russias consumer indicators for April give a mixed impression. On the one hand, a continued decline in consumer demand confirms the recessionary trends in the Russian economy. On the other hand, a slowdown in the retail...
South Korean exports likely contracted, supporting BoK rate cut in June
May 29, 2015 10:01 am UTC| Commentary
A significant contraction in exports is anticipated in May, based on the interim numbers up to 20 May. Societe Generale forecasts exports to fall from USD46.2bn in April to USD40.5bn in May, which is a substantial decline...
Chinese gold imports fell to 8-month low in April
May 29, 2015 09:49 am UTC| Commentary
After dipping briefly to a 2½-week low of $1,180 per troy ounce yesterday, the gold price is trading around $10 higher again this morning. It thus remains below the psychologically important $1,200 per troy ounce...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Economist Chris Richardson on an ‘ugly’ inflation result and the coming budget
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight