Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Riksbank to front-load rate hikes and accelerate “QT” As expected, this morning’s 50bp interest rate hike by the Riksbank, to +0.75% saw it join the ranks of the “50bp club”. But while policymakers resisted the urge to join “Club Fed” with a 75bp hike... 30th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Domestic price pressures in the euro-zone are strong High inflation in the euro-zone isn’t all down to energy prices and global demand-supply imbalances. Domestic price pressures are also very strong, bolstering the case for tighter monetary policy. 28th June 2022 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update Gas crisis heightens German recession risk Recent developments have further increased the chance that there is a complete end to Russian exports of gas to Germany. If this occurred, it would lead to a substantial fall in manufacturing output... 28th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank joins the “50bp club” This morning’s decision by the Norges Bank to raise its key policy rate by 50bps, to 1.25%, was in line with our non-consensus forecast. Also, as we predicted, the Bank all but confirmed that it will... 23rd June 2022 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update Loss of majority curtails Macron’s second term plans French President Emmanuel Macron faces five difficult years after losing his absolute majority in parliament. Proposed reforms, including to pensions and benefits, will be diluted if they happen at... 20th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update New ECB instrument, same old problems The best way for the ECB to contain peripheral bond spreads would be via a new programme of unlimited, flexible bond purchases. This may be what happens eventually, but we suspect it will take longer... 17th June 2022 · 4 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Erik Thedéen a safe pair of hands to succeed Ingves The appointment of Erik Thedéen as the new Governor of the Riksbank will only strengthen the relationship between the Bank and the financial regulator, and could result in more macroprudential powers... 17th June 2022 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update Consumption to increase despite low confidence Despite consumer confidence remaining extremely low, we now think household spending in the euro-zone will edge up in Q2. Excess savings and a tight labour market have helped to cushion the blow from... 17th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Demand for labour to remain strong in the euro-zone Strong demand for labour, not a lack of potential workers, has driven the euro-zone’s unemployment rate to a record low. Employment gains have been biggest in public services and we expect demand for... 16th June 2022 · 4 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB steals a march on the ECB After the excitement of yesterday’s ECB emergency meeting and 75bp hike by the US Fed, the SNB kept its end up by unexpectedly raising its policy rate by 50bps this morning – its first rate rise since... 16th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Pressure is on for ECB spread-fighting tool in July The ECB’s press release following its unscheduled meeting fell short of announcing a fleshed out spread-fighting tool that could provide a permanent solution to the problem. Flexible PEPP... 15th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update ECB emergency meeting (June 2022) News that the ECB Governing Council is holding an emergency meeting today shows that policymakers are taking the threat of rising peripheral yields more seriously than they were last Thursday at their... 15th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Spreads will keep widening before ECB takes action We suspect that the spread between 10-year Italian and German government bonds would need to widen by another 100bp or so, to around 3.5%, to force the ECB to make a stronger formal statement of... 14th June 2022 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Greece’s rebound has further to run Greece has already made a more complete recovery from the pandemic than most of its peers and the short-term outlook still looks relatively good. The country is less exposed to Russia-Ukraine risks... 13th June 2022 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Update ECB tightening unlikely to cause house price crash Tighter ECB policy could cause house prices in the euro-zone to fall, but we think that a housing crash will be avoided even in the Netherlands where the risks are largest. BoE Preview Drop-In (14th... 10th June 2022 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Update No majority would hinder, not upend, Macron’s plans The latest polls for this month’s legislative elections in France raise the possibility that Macron’s party and allies may not win a majority. But even so, support from the centre-right might avoid a... 9th June 2022 · 3 mins read
