Europe Economics Update France a European bright spot despite slower growth The French economy is likely to continue to perform reasonably well this year as solid consumer spending growth partly offsets fiscal tightening and a slowdown in investment. Moreover, the pensions... 9th January 2020 · 3 mins read
Europe Chart Pack Euro-zone starts the year on a weak note Hopes that the euro-zone economy will gather pace in the coming months are likely to be dashed. The latest business surveys point to growth stabilising but not recovering in the final quarter of last... 9th January 2020 · 11 mins read
Europe Data Response EC Business and Consumer Survey (Dec.) lthough the euro-zone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) edged up again in December, the index still suggests that economic growth in the region was very weak at the end of last year. 8th January 2020 · 2 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Swiss economy sluggish, Sweden’s woes persist The latest surveys suggest that the Swiss economy is set to carry on growing at a fairly sluggish pace in the first half of this year, while Sweden’s manufacturing sector continues to struggle... 3rd January 2020 · 5 mins read
Europe Economics Update Five key questions about the French pensions reform The planned reforms to France’s retirement schemes that have provoked strikes and protests this month are important to put the country’s pensions and public finances on a more sustainable footing. But... 20th December 2019 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Focus France labour market progress not due to reforms French President Emmanuel Macron’s emphasis on overhauling France’s ailing labour market is long overdue. But while there are signs that the changes are starting to take effect, the labour market... 17th December 2019 · 13 mins read
Europe Chart Pack Economic activity still losing momentum Hopes that the euro-zone is turning a corner look premature. The latest activity data have been disappointing, with retail sales falling in October and national data pointing to another decline in... 10th December 2019 · 11 mins read
Europe Economics Update Bigger problems in France’s labour market than strikes France’s public sector strikes will probably dampen economic activity this quarter, but experience from previous, similar walkouts suggests that the hit to GDP will be small. Moreover, while protests... 6th December 2019 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Slowing housing market won’t derail Spain’s economy House price inflation in Spain is now slowing but we do not envisage a slump in property prices that would derail GDP growth. After all, economic and financial conditions are supportive and there is... 5th December 2019 · 4 mins read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Final PMIs (Nov.) November’s final euro-zone PMI is consistent with very anaemic GDP growth in Q4 and the national indices point to continued weakness in both Germany and Italy, while France and Spain remain relative... 4th December 2019 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update Services sector slowdown to gather pace The euro-zone’s services sector has held up relatively well so far this year. However, we expect spill-overs from the industrial recession and slowing employment growth to take a toll in the coming... 18th November 2019 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Weekly Domestic demand fading as main driver of growth Domestic demand appears to have been the main driver of euro-zone GDP growth in Q3 but this looks set to fade as employment growth slows. Indeed, the first surveys for November next week are likely to... 15th November 2019 · 6 mins read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Sep.) Although euro-zone industrial production edged up in September, the sector still fared very poorly in Q3 overall and the business surveys suggest that the region’s industrial recession has further to... 13th November 2019 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update Spanish political impasse to drag on The prospect of further political stalemate in Spain, following yesterday’s inconclusive election result, does not alter the short-term economic outlook. But it does mean that there is little chance... 11th November 2019 · 3 mins read
Europe Chart Pack Outlook remains bleak Although the euro-zone economy grew by more than expected in Q3, helped by solid growth in France and Spain, the overall picture remains fairly gloomy. Euro-zone GDP expanded by only 0.2% q/q, and... 6th November 2019 · 11 mins read
Europe Economics Update Spain’s economy to slow further after election Spain’s fourth general election in as many years looks likely to result in further political stasis, but we doubt that this will have a detrimental effect on the economy. Nevertheless, weaker consumer... 5th November 2019 · 3 mins read
