Focused Thinking

Articles

Central Banks

Are the Major Central Banks Trapped?

The policy reaction function of many of the world’s major central banks looks to have changed and a number have yet again made a dovish shift. We argue that these central banks could be “trapped” in an ultra-loose monetary policy stance and are losing their ability to normalize policy.

2 min read | July 2019

Central Banks

Global midyear economic outlook 2019

Central bankers step up to the plate as the tug-of-war between monetary easing and rising business uncertainty is set to intensify.

4 min read | July 2019

Emerging Markets

China Video Surveillance: Secure Ground in the Homeland

For video surveillance companies in China, we believe there are a few ways to increase sales growth momentum: the first is to expand the market from video surveillance to the more broad-based security product market by providing access control, intruder alarm systems and physical security and other security-related products and services.

2 min read | July 2019

Economics

US-China Trade Diversion: Who Benefits?

The ongoing and escalating US-China trade friction is no doubt negative for the world economy.

2 min read | June 2019

Economics

NIFA featured article - New Equilibrium: US-China Tensions and the Fate of Free Trade

5 min read | June 2019

Central Banks

NIFA featured article - Will the Renminbi Crack Seven?

The downward pressure on the renminbi since last June is a function of market sentiment rather than the trade dispute, with the slowing of China's growth last year driven entirely by domestic factors.

5 min read | June 2019

Central Banks

NIFA featured article - Out of Ammo: Why the Next Slowdown may be Difficult to Counter

The biggest risk currently facing the global economy is the lack of sufficient tools – both fiscal and monetary – available to policymakers to counter another downturn.

4 min read | June 2019

Economics

Japanese economy to remain at low ebb

Our main scenario is that recession and additional policy response will be avoided

3 min read | June 2019

Economics

What Drives the Oil Price Rise Matters

We found that a sustained rise in oil prices affects emerging markets more than developed markets, and can drive major differentiation in EM economic performance. In the event that oil prices continue to rise, there are likely to be clear winners and losers in EM.

2 min read | May 2019

Technology

How will asset managers survive in a data driven world?

Asset management’s next phase of disruption has arrived with big data creating the imperative for a radical re-imagination of technology in the investment processes.

6 min read | May 2019

Economics

China Home Appliances: Structural Positives, Near-Term Challenges

In view of a slower economy, overseas exposure has naturally become the key differentiator that will help home appliance makers arrest the growth slowdown, despite our cautious take, on the effectiveness of the forthcoming nationwide incentive package on home appliance sales.

2 min read | April 2019

Volatility

Low volatility, but can it last?

Apart from Brexit, US-China trade talks, and the potential for Fed cuts, one of the big themes of 2019 thus far has been the surprising state of market volatility.

9 min video | April 2019

Economics

Chinese Hog Cycle and Inflation

While Beijing’s policymakers are trying to boost growth by ramping up monetary and fiscal stimulus, the last thing they want is a rapid rise in inflation.

2 min read | April 2019

Economics

What does rising household debt mean for the UK economy?

While household debt outstrips incomes across the country, is the UK unusual among its peers?

2 min read | April 2019

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