In case you missed it: Collision course with Brussels

Italy is defying the EU's demand to rein in debt, Brexit talks remain at an impasse and Swedish politics have settled into trench warfare. Where will it all end? Our analysts gaze into their crystal balls. Plus, a look at the diverging views on Fed policy in 2019 and a special report on the very strange attitudes to financial risk

In this bundle

Italy

Italy: Politics trumps fiscal discipline

The Italian government's choice to mark a break in the fiscal adjustment path was partly expected, but the scope and, more importantly, the…

United States

Federal Reserve: Onwards and upwards

The Fed voted unanimously for another 25 basis point rate rise and while policy is no longer described as “accommodative” the “gradual…

Brexit blog: Why ‘no deal’ may still be avoided

Plus: What markets should look out for in this year's political party conferences, and is the UK economy heading into another rough patch?

Sweden

Swedish politics: Will it all be over by Christmas?

As Swedish politics settles into trench warfare, the key question is whether anyone can form a sustainable government. New elections early next year could…

Aluminium: Yet another extension for Rusal

LME aluminium continues to trade at depressed levels. This is despite expectations of yet another ex-China deficit in 2019, a buoyant alumina market, and…

Sweden

New Riksbank call: Earlier hike likely, but dovish bias remains

After the September meeting and recent communication from policy-makers, we revise our view of Riksbank policy and think they are more likely to hike…

Report

War and Peace: Making sense of Asian macro and markets

That trade wars make most people poorer is about the only thing most reputable economists agree on. So how did we get to this point and what does it mean…

eZonomics

Higher risk, lower reward? Attitudes to financial risk are seriously skewed

Most people are risk-averse and many have the counterintuitive belief that the more risk you take on, the lower the returns will be. These findings from…