Industries and markets

The Economist Intelligence Unit has long set the standard for country analysis and macroeconomic forecasting, and we have one of the largest and most experienced teams of country experts in the world. Building on our forecasting model, our analysts are able to forecast key industry trends by country and apply the same tools - including some econometric modelling - on which we have built our forecasting reputation. Supporting our country experts, we also have a special editorial team that concentrates on specific industries.

Many industry or market forecast series are produced with the help of econometric models developed and maintained by our in-house economics team. Main drivers for individual industries or markets are identified and used to provide country specific output from which projections can be derived. The output is incorporated into our economic country models where our team of over 80 in-house country and market analysts provide their input into the Economist Intelligence Unit's forecast building process. Our analysts offer considerable expert judgement on national markets or industries. They monitor the derived baseline forecasts and adjust the outlook where necessary taking into account their extensive local knowledge of current and expected events impacting on the market under consideration. In this way the Economist Intelligence Unit ensures that robust econometric modelling techniques and considerable expert judgement on specific countries and markets combine to provide the best possible industry or market outlook.

Each country model is closely linked with the forecast for the rest of the world. First, where macroeconomic indicators are included in the market or industry drivers, each forecast is ultimately based on our global assumptions (a snapshot of our global forecast including forecasts for 40 commodity prices, estimates for manufactured good prices, developed world exchange, interest rates and economic growth prospects). The aim here is to ensure that all Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts are fully consistent so that exactly the same global backdrop is used for different countries. Second, industries and market aggregates are monitored and revised top down to ensure accurate global or regional developments, as well as a consistent global, regional and country specific outlook.

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