Europe Economics Update ECB still talking tough After leaving interest rates unchanged for a tenth consecutive month today, the European Central Bank maintained a tough stance on inflation. But with the economy clearly slowing and the Bank hinting... 10th April 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update On the way to 3.5% The continued problems in the financial markets and the associated tightening of credit conditions in the end made today’s 25bps cut in interest rates to 5% almost a sure thing. We think that interest... 10th April 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update On the way to 3.5% The continued problems in the financial markets and the associated tightening of credit conditions in the end made today’s 25bps cut in interest rates to 5% almost a sure thing. We think that interest... 10th April 2008 · 1 min read
BoE Watch The next step towards 3.5% The dilemma facing the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has not got any easier to resolve. Inflation expectations have risen further and yet borrowers have started to suffer even more at the hands of... 3rd April 2008 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Not ready to signal rate cut The ECB seems likely to maintain a hawkish tone at April’s Governing Council meeting and press conference, suggesting that it has no immediate plans to cut interest rates. But as the economy slows... 3rd April 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update UK interest rates heading for 3.5% No, it’s not an April fool’s joke. With the UK economy facing very similar economic imbalances to those unwinding with such devastating effect in the US, we now expect GDP growth to average just 1% in... 1st April 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update UK interest rates heading for 3.5% No, it’s not an April fool’s joke. With the UK economy facing very similar economic imbalances to those unwinding with such devastating effect in the US, we now expect GDP growth to average just 1% in... 1st April 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Letter threat an unhelpful distraction for the MPC The threat of having to write a letter to the Chancellor explaining why inflation has moved more than 1% above its target could cause the MPC to focus on the near-term outlook for inflation just when... 26th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norges Bank signals the possibility of a further rate rise The Norges Bank’s decision to leave interest rates on hold but signal that it expects to raise interest rates once more this year is likely to lead to a further strengthening of the krone. 13th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB highlights weaker growth prospects After leaving interest rates on hold as expected (at a mid-point of 2.75%) the Swiss National Bank stressed that it expects economic activity to slow sharply this year. While strong price pressures... 13th March 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB highlights weaker growth prospects After leaving interest rates on hold as expected (at a mid-point of 2.75%) the Swiss National Bank stressed that it expects economic activity to slow sharply this year. While strong price pressures... 13th March 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank signals the possibility of a further rate rise The Norges Bank’s decision to leave interest rates on hold but signal that it expects to raise interest rates once more this year is likely to lead to a further strengthening of the krone. 13th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB to tackle strong euro by cutting rates, not intervening Jean-Claude Trichet’s expressions of concern over the strength of the euro yesterday have prompted speculation that the ECB might intervene directly in the currency markets to prevent the currency... 11th March 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update US recession underlines downside risks to BoE/ECB rates Recent news on the US economy, most notably February’s sharp drop in non-farm payrolls, has left us even more pessimistic over the outlook for the US. We now forecast GDP growth of just 0.5% in 2008... 10th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update US recession underlines downside risks to BoE/ECB rates Recent news on the US economy, most notably February’s sharp drop in non-farm payrolls, has left us even more pessimistic over the outlook for the US. We now forecast GDP growth of just 0.5% in 2008... 10th March 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Does it matter who governs the Bank of Japan? The Bank of Japan left rates on hold today, as universally expected. The real interest lies in the dispute over the replacement for Governor Fukui, who retires later this month. We think that the... 7th March 2008 · 1 min read
