Financial conditions are tightening noticeably as credit spreads widen, all of which will constrain overall economic activity. … READ MORE >
United Kingdom
European energy crisis: A quandary with no good policy options
Short-term price caps as the best way—or, put more accurately, the least bad way—to mitigate the price shocks of the energy crisis in Europe and to prevent wider declines in aggregate demand. … READ MORE >
RSM UK launches Middle Market Business Index
RSM UK on Tuesday launched the Middle Market Business Index (MMBI), the first of its kind index to focus solely on middle market businesses in the UK. The index follows the development of a similar reading — the RSM US Middle Market Business Index — in the United States, which has been active for more than five years, and demonstrates RSM’s increasingly global understanding of middle market business trends. … READ MORE >
RSM UK Financial Conditions Index: Holding steady
Financial conditions in the UK remain accommodative, signaling confidence that the policies of the monetary and fiscal authorities have created the framework for a sustained economic recovery. … READ MORE >
Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to focus on economic risk as energy prices surge
At its meeting on Thursday, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee should be more concerned about the negative impact on the economic recovery from soaring energy prices than about the upward impact on headline inflation. … READ MORE >
RSM UK Financial Conditions Index: Gimme shelter
The RSM UK Financial Conditions Index has moved to its highest level since 2014, reaching 1.1 standard deviations above levels of risk that are normally priced into financial assets. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Shipping costs reach 11-year high
The rise of the delta variant in Asia combined with surging demand around the world have sent shipping costs higher, which will show up in higher costs of imported goods as supply chain problems persist. … READ MORE >
RSM UK Financial Conditions Index remains stout despite risk of virus resurgence
The RSM UK Financial Conditions Index stands just below one standard deviation above neutral, implying that conditions are ripe for a robust recovery of the British economy heading into the latter portion of the year and an economic expansion next year. … READ MORE >
RSM UK Financial Conditions Index: A milestone after 7 years of stress
Despite the public health risks around the delta variant, financial conditions imply rising risk appetite and are supportive of growth as the economy enters the third quarter of 2021. … READ MORE >
UK economic chartbook: Consumers gain more confidence
Mass vaccinations have stimulated a revitalization of the domestic U.K. economy in recent months, which is resulting in a rapid normalization of consumer behavior. … READ MORE >