Europe Economics Weekly Greek debt issue doesn't end the broader crisis Greece’s return to the bond markets last week might appear to mark the end of the euro-zone crisis which began when the true extent of the same country’s fiscal problems came to light in 2010. But... 14th April 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greece's return to the market may not be all positive Greece’s successful bond issue highlights the progress that the country has made in recent years. But an increased use of market funding creates its own risks for Greece’s recovery. 10th April 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Austerity easing faster than expected The fiscal drag in advanced economies is fading more rapidly than previously forecast, which should provide some support for the global recovery in the coming year or two. But the longer-term outlook... 10th April 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Can Mr Osborne declare victory? While the UK economy may have withstood the fiscal consolidation rather better than the IMF and other critics anticipated, there are reasons why George Osborne may want to think twice before declaring... 10th April 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Deflation dangers persist The recovery in the European economy appears to have picked up a bit of speed in the early months of 2014. The euro-zone now looks set to expand by 1% or more this year, a significant improvement on... 10th April 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Falling inflation enhances recovery prospects The last month has brought more good news on inflation. CPI inflation eased from 1.9% to 1.7% in February, the lowest rate since October 2009. Meanwhile, past falls in commodity and import prices... 3rd April 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Rehashed spending commitments don’t equal stimulus Policymakers everywhere have to be seen to respond to economic concerns. But the measures unveiled in Beijing last night are simply reheated versions of previous announcements that shouldn’t change... 3rd April 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Euro-zone recovery gradually building momentum The key euro-zone surveys of activity and sentiment continued to pick up in Q1, particularly in the periphery, suggesting that GDP growth in the region as a whole may have been a bit stronger than in... 2nd April 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Mar.) Recently published data show that Italy and Spain made little headway in strengthening their fiscal positions in 2013, but Portugal exceeded its targets. More encouragingly, most of the periphery... 1st April 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Cyprus: one year on Although the Cypriot economy has proven surprisingly resilient over the past year, its future still looks bleak. In common with a number of euro-zone economies, Cyprus is at risk of a prolonged period... 1st April 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Fiscal consolidation continues despite “record” spending The “record” ¥95.9 trillion in budgeted expenditure for the coming fiscal year does not mean that the government has given up on fiscal consolidation. But its medium-term targets are still likely to... 24th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Strong growth should finance Mr Osborne's gambles It has become increasingly clear that the Chancellor’s Budget was not quite as fully-financed as it first appeared. Many of the permanent giveaways were paid for by takeaways which will provide only a... 24th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Public Finances (Feb.) February’s public finances figures confirmed that the UK’s budget deficit is continuing to make steady but slow downward progress. But the fiscal consolidation still has a very long way to go. 21st March 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Fiscal drag still easing in most advanced economies In yesterday’s Budget, the UK government pledged to press on with its austerity plan for at least five more years. But the UK is an exception. In most advanced economies the fiscal drag is easing and... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Fiscal squeeze will intensify despite Budget giveaway The meagre giveaway to consumers in yesterday’s Budget did little to change the reality that fiscal policy will impart a moderate squeeze on households’ incomes over the next few years. Indeed, the... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Budget 2014: Mr Osborne keeps the shackles in place This was a fiscally neutral Budget which, from a macro-economic standpoint, changes very little. With the fiscal consolidation set to continue for at least another five years, the responsibility for... 19th March 2014 · 1 min read
