Europe Economics Weekly ECB dovish as PMI confirms growth slowdown Following this week’s ECB meeting, and the latest data on economic growth in the currency union, the chance that the Bank raises interest rates next year has fallen. 14th December 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly SNB outdoves itself, Nordics more hawkish Central bank meetings in Norway and Iceland this week suggested that interest rate hikes are on the horizon in both economies. By contrast, the Swiss National Bank again signalled that it won’t raise... 14th December 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly GDP growth slowing, but wage growth rising The latest data on economic activity in the euro-zone have been weak, but policymakers at the ECB will have been encouraged by the continued acceleration in wage growth. At its meeting on Thursday... 7th December 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Swiss-EU tensions rise, Iceland’s economy stagnates Switzerland’s Federal Council has been debating this week on whether to align itself more closely with the EU, a decision with serious implications for the country’s status as an international... 7th December 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Calm in Italy won’t last We think that this week’s decline in Italian bond yields will be reversed before long, weighing on the economy. Meanwhile, data released this week showed that core inflation in the euro-zone edged... 30th November 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Weak Q3 data bode ill for Switzerland and Sweden Data released this week which showed that Swiss GDP contracted in Q3 support our view that the SNB will keep interest rates on hold longer than investors currently expect. Meanwhile, other data showed... 30th November 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Swedish housing risks won’t stop rate hikes The Riksbank’s Financial Stability Report highlighted the risks that higher interest rates would pose to the housing market and to households. But we continue to expect a first rate hike in December... 23rd November 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Fall in oil prices to boost consumer spending The sharp drop in oil prices this month supports our long-held view that lower inflation will give consumer spending a boost. And we doubt that the sell-off in the equity market will do much damage to... 23rd November 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Riksbank still on course for December hike October’s weaker-than expected inflation data, published this week, are unlikely to deter the Riksbank from raising interest rates in the coming months, with a December hike most likely in our view... 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Europe considers response to Italy The EU looks set to launch disciplinary proceedings against Italy, perhaps as soon as next week. But unless the situation in Italy escalates dramatically, the ECB is unlikely to respond. Instead, the... 16th November 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Central Bank of Iceland hikes, Riksbank to follow The Central Bank of Iceland this week raised interest rates slightly sooner than we had anticipated and we expect it to tighten policy further in the coming months. The Riksbank is also set to raise... 9th November 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Italy-EU tensions set to intensify Tensions between Italy and the EU are likely to escalate next week. Indeed, the Government has until Tuesday to submit a re-drafted budget, and despite coming under pressure from European policymakers... 9th November 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Swiss outlook darkens, Riksbank rate rises ahead Surveys published this week suggest that the Swiss economy is faltering after a strong first half of 2018, while inflationary pressures remain weak. This supports our view that the SNB will keep... 2nd November 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly GDP growth to rebound in Q4 Delays to car production appear to have had a big impact on GDP in Q3, particularly in Germany and Italy. But these effects should be temporary, so we expect growth to rebound in Q4. This suggests... 2nd November 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Weekly Riksbank and Norges Bank signal rate rises ahead While both the Riksbank and the Norges Bank kept monetary policy unchanged this week, they signalled in their policy statements that they intend to raise interest rates in the coming months. With... 26th October 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly ECB unfazed by weak surveys, Italy in the spotlight Euro-zone surveys published this week painted a pretty gloomy picture of the economy at the start of Q4. Some of that weakness probably reflected temporary factors and the ECB didn’t appear to be too... 26th October 2018 · 1 min read
