Japan: Resilient, But For How Long?

Asia has been identified correctly as the most vulnerable region to both the Iran War and Trump 2.0 tariffs. Overall, recent financial market performance has reflected these risks (next Chart). Indeed, equities in most Asian countries have lagged global and US indices, and most regional currencies have weakened. Perhaps surprisingly, however, Japan has been an … Continue reading Japan: Resilient, But For How Long?

Asia: Hormuz — Energy Security & Transition

In an earlier blog "Iran: Assessing the Economic Fallout", I identified Asia as the most vulnerable region to the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequently, financial markets have reflected these risks. Indeed, countries from Pakistan to the Philippines have taken recent measures to cope with the economic fallout. Now, … Continue reading Asia: Hormuz — Energy Security & Transition

Iran War: Assessing the Economic Fallout

The US-Israeli attacks on Iran, and the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have sent oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel. With the war now two weeks old, I consider some of the economic and financial market fallout. As the consequences will increase the longer the conflict continues, the failure of the Trump … Continue reading Iran War: Assessing the Economic Fallout

Africa: Debt Crisis Looming?

7 August 2023 Africa has underperformed economically for a long time. Per capita GDP has risen less than 1% annually during the past 30 years (chart below); lagging all other emerging market regions during this period (although Latam has also slowed in the past decade). During this interval, meanwhile, output per person in the advanced … Continue reading Africa: Debt Crisis Looming?