Aug 04, 2023

An initial ‘back of the envelope’ calculation suggests that the recent heatwave across the United States, Southern Europe, and China may have cost 0.6pp of GDP in 2023. The cost ranges from 0.1pp for France to 1.3pp of GDP for China.

Aug 01, 2023

The future will be powered by metals, but fenced in by iron curtains. Metals and critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel are crucial for the green transition, used for everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines.

Jul 28, 2023

The US economy stepped up the pace in Q2 2023, with GDP growing above-trend at +2.4% annualized, driven by soaring business investment. Q3 data continue to show positive signs, including a sharp rise in consumer sentiment and continued solid performance in the labor market.

Jul 27, 2023

There is a persistent financial literacy gender gap. Out of the nine questions we asked to assess the level of financial literacy, the mean number of correct responses from women was 3.7 (median 4), while that of men was 4.5 (median 5).

Jul 21, 2023

Half of the decline in US inflation since last year is the making of the Fed. The fall of inflation to 3% in June has cheered markets by strengthening the argument that the US economy can achieve a soft landing, avoiding a recession and normalizing inflation.

Jul 20, 2023

Will surging travel prices wash out Southern Europe’s all-important summer season? Beach holidays are the top choice for leisure trips (30.3%) but 41% of European travelers expect to spend more than EUR1,500 on their holidays this summer, up from 33% last year.