What started as a peaceful protest in Tottenham (in the London Borough of Haringey) on August 6 over the police shooting of a local resident, has since erupted into spontaneous riots across the capital and elsewhere in England (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have so far been largely unaffected). Given the rapidity with which new… [Read more]
While investors’ attentions are naturally focused on the meltdown in global financial markets, there are several other noteworthy developments taking place around the world that could add to the sense of global risks. The following are in no particular order: Tensions are once again rising on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea is conducting military exercises,… [Read more]
A shock fall in UK house prices during September has sharpened concerns over the ailing property market. According to data from Halifax, house prices plunged 3.6% m-o-m, marking the largest fall on record (since 1983). While certainly a woeful figure, we do not believe that this necessarily portends a looming collapse in prices. The quarterly… [Read more]
On this week’s Business Monitor Podcast, we explore key themes in political risk. Thus far, the global financial crisis has arguably had only a limited impact on political stability. That said, BMI’s Head of Political Risk Analysis Yoel Sano cautions that fiscal austerity and inflation remain key risks in developed states and emerging markets respectively,… [Read more]
In keeping with its promise to deliver an emergency budget within 50 days of coming to office, the UK’s Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government today unveiled a painful package of fiscal reforms to get public finances back on an even keel. Delivered by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne before parliament, the budget proved to be… [Read more]
Having expressed a somewhat cynical view ahead of the landmark UK general elections last week, I thought I’d offer some more sober comments this week. The coalition government between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats brings together the largest and third largest blocs within the new House of Commons, and will have a majority of 74…. [Read more]
This is it! This is it! Only two and a half days till the UK election! Don’t worry, this is not a party political broadcast. In the interests of preserving Business Monitor International (BMI)’s impartial status, I will not endorse any party ahead of the election. What I will do is offer a brief and… [Read more]
