Europe Commercial Property Update GDP data flatter the euro-zone occupier market outlook The surprisingly strong rise in euro-zone GDP in Q2 2010 is probably less supportive for occupier markets than it appears at first sight. For a start, the region remains vulnerable to a slowdown in... 13th August 2010 · 1 min read
China Data Response Hong Kong GDP (Q2) After another decent performance in Q2, Hong Kong’s economy seems to be on track for steady growth in the months ahead. The property market is looking frothy, but the government is already acting to... 13th August 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update The recovery gains pace, but is still likely to fade The raft of preliminary Q2 GDP releases from Emerging Europe this morning paint a broadly positive picture. But given the significant headwinds still facing the recovery, this may be as good as it... 13th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP (Q2) Q2’s GDP figures confirm that the euro-zone performed surprisingly well, both by its own and international standards. But the recovery remains dependent on exports from the core economies, which look... 13th August 2010 · 1 min read
UK Markets Outlook Markets disregard double-dip risks... for now On the whole, markets have so far shrugged off recent concerns over a double-dip in the UK and global economies. Equity prices have recovered sharply over the last couple of months, partly on... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Will regional office markets follow London’s lead in 2011? Notwithstanding some less encouraging recent news (e.g. yesterday’s reports of looming job cuts at Barclays Capital), London’s City and West End office occupier markets are in recovery mode. Past... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek fiscal squeeze taking its toll on the economy Recent news has confirmed that the Greek central government is meeting its ambitious deficit reduction goals, adding to evidence that it will receive its second tranche of euro-zone and IMF funds in... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea's pause to be short-lived The Bank of Korea (BoK) held its policy rate at 2.25% today but maintained its tightening bias. The broad-based domestic economic recovery should continue despite external risks, while inflation is... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Jun.) Despite a small drop in production in June, the industrial sector remains the eurozone’s main engine of growth. But there remain stark divergences in industrial performance within the region. 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response CML Buy-To-Let Lending (Q2) The recovery in buy-to-let (BTL) lending in the second quarter was noticeably stronger than in the wider mortgage market. But it will be a long time before BTL lending regains the market share it... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Arrears and Possessions (Q2) Mortgage arrears and possessions continued to improve in the second quarter of the year. But with tax increases and public sector spending cuts set to intensify the pressure on household incomes and... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Baltic States: recovering, but a long slog still lies ahead In light of stronger than expected Q2 GDP data from the Baltic States over the past few weeks, we have raised our GDP growth forecasts for this year and next. But with domestic demand set to remain... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Jul.) A small fall in consumer confidence last month still leaves the headline measure at a high level, while the survey detail provides further evidence that the labour market is not as weak as the... 12th August 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Bank of England Inflation Report (Aug.) The Bank of England’s August Inflation Report confirmed that the MPC still expects inflation to fall back sharply once temporary upward forces fade. As such, a policy loosening still looks more likely... 11th August 2010 · 1 min read
