Bulgarian economy expands in Q4 2015 but growth faces downside risks in 2016
Mar 09, 2016 12:04 pm UTC| Commentary Economy
Bulgarias economy grew 0.7% q/q and 3% y/y in Q4, according to the second estimate. It was revised down by 0.1ppt from the initial flash estimate of 0.8% q/q and 3.1% y/y. On the demand side, consumption recovered...

Brexit likely to weigh on European GDP growth and currencies
Mar 09, 2016 07:26 am UTC| Commentary Economy
Even if the UK votes to stay in EU, the concessions that the UK has negotiated with the EU might complicate extra EU integration. Britains exit from the EU will hit the UK and also Europe. If the UK exits, EMU GDP is...
Pushing back against the politicisation of economic modelling
Mar 09, 2016 04:58 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Controversy surrounding the use of economic modelling on the impact of negative gearing suggests the politicisation of economic modelling is becoming an issue that must be tackled by the economics profession. Debate was...

Crash in oil prices will hurt the U.S. economy from Texas to Wall Street
Mar 08, 2016 23:52 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Traditionally, low oil prices have been a boost to economic growth in the U.S. The crash in oil prices over the past two years, however, has produced a decidedly mixed picture with potentially worrying implications for...
A new index for economic uncertainty: nothing to fear but fear itself
Mar 08, 2016 23:01 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
A new monthly uncertainty index has been constructed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to track the cost of different factors such as international events and government policy decisions on the economy. Uncertainty...

Any signs of weakness in Turkish economic activity may pressurise CBRT to cut rates
Mar 08, 2016 08:41 am UTC| Commentary Economy
Political pressures on the Turkish central bank might be ignited to cut interest rates if there are any signs of weakness in economic activity. Currently, the CBRT is in a mode of wait-and-see because of the increased...

China’s weak trade data shows challenging demand environment for exports in 2016
Mar 08, 2016 07:14 am UTC| Commentary Economy
Chinas exports fell 17.9% y/y for January-February period, the lowest since 2012. The countrys shipment to all major markets witnessed wide weakness. Chinas exports to ASEAN nations shrank the most. The countrys exports...