26 September 2017 Despite Europe’s recent economic upswing, Germany’s election result provides a stark reminder of the region’s political discontent in the aftermath of the Euro crisis, protracted unemployment, and increasing income inequality. Following the disappointing elections, can Chancellor Merkel and French President Macron produce the domestic and EU reforms needed to produce European prosperity? [...]
brookings productivity Weak productivity growth lies at the heart of sluggish US GDP gains and subpar real wage growth. The sources of lower efficiency gains are complex, and the Brookings Institute make a useful contribution tothis crucial debate.
3 September 2017 Welcome to the launch of what will be a regular strategy review. Macro-themes have dominated market moves, especially following the Brexit referendum and the US and French elections. With the Trump Presidency entering a potentially decisive six months, I believe this will remain true during the year ahead. I am a believer [...]
1 August 2017 The recent release of second quarter GDP data had something for everyone. For the post-Brexit sceptics, the meagre 0.3% gain (following a similarly paltry advance in Q1) confirmed the economic recovery was faltering. Recently, weak consumer spending has been a major headwind, resulting from modest income growth and higher prices following sterling’s [...]