UK Commercial Property Update Investment expected to edge higher in 2022 Investment activity has bounced back sharply after the initial COVID-19 shock and is on track to hit a three-year high in 2021. But we expect more modest growth in 2022 as softer economic activity and... 15th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Markets Chart Pack Investors spooked by Omicron risks The discovery of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in late November rattled UK markets. Equities tumbled, sterling weakened and corporate credit spreads jumped. And, while the initial reaction was not... 15th December 2021 · 8 mins read
UK Economics Consumer Prices (Nov.) Inflation is close to being further above the target than at any point since the UK started targeting inflation in October 1992. This makes tomorrow’s interest rate decision look closer, but on... 15th December 2021 · 3 mins read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hawkish MNB signals that tightening has further to go The decision by Hungary’s central bank (MNB) to raise its base rate by 30bp, to 2.40%, at today’s meeting is largely symbolic. The key point is that the central bank struck a clear hawkish tone and... 14th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Economics December looking dismal, but lockdown the real risk Reports that the surge in Omicron COVID-19 cases is causing some people to stay away from work, schools, pubs and restaurants increases the downside risks to our December and January GDP forecasts... 14th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update End of affordability test opens door to larger mortgages While mortgage lending slowed in Q3 as the stamp duty holiday was tapered, an easing of deposit requirements supported first-time buyer demand. Meanwhile, the Financial Policy Committee’s plan to... 14th December 2021 · 3 mins read
Non-Euro Europe Commercial Property Outlook Scandi & Swiss: 2021 as good as it gets for returns The near-term economic outlook has weakened, though GDP in the region had already surpassed its pre-virus levels by Q3. Meanwhile, inflation is set to fall back next year, allowing most central banks... 14th December 2021 · 18 mins read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Oct.) The rise in euro-zone industrial production in October means euro-zone industry started Q4 on a decent note. But supply-chain problems remain acute and, in any case, any improvement is likely to be... 14th December 2021 · 2 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Sweden Consumer Prices (Nov.) The increase in Swedish CPIF inflation in November strengthens the hand of the hawks at the Riksbank and supports our view that policymakers will reduce the size of the balance sheet next year. But... 14th December 2021 · 2 mins read
UK Economics Labour Market (Oct./Nov.) Even though the fallout after the furlough scheme was smaller and shorter than the Bank of England had feared, concerns over the deteriorating COVID-19 situation will probably prevent it from raising... 14th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Will the squeeze on real incomes hit real house prices? Consumers will feel a squeeze on their finances next year as inflation and taxes rise. That will take some wind out of the housing market’s sails, but it will not cause a correction. Note: Central... 13th December 2021 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Five questions and answers on Draghi’s future Italy will elect its next president in January, with prime minister Mario Draghi widely touted as a favourite to take up the post. If he did so, the current government would probably fall apart... 13th December 2021 · 3 mins read
Emerging Europe Data Response Turkey Industrial Production & Retail Sales (Oct.) Turkey’s industrial production and retail sales data for October suggest that the economy made a strong start to Q4, but these predate the recent currency crisis and we think the economy is likely to... 13th December 2021 · 2 mins read
Emerging Europe Economics Weekly Russia-Ukraine tensions and the latest sanctions threat The newswires have been abuzz this week with reports of a potential Russian military conflict with Ukraine and the US has threatened sanctions which, if imposed, would clearly cause pain for Russia's... 10th December 2021 · 9 mins read
UK Commercial Property Update London office construction expected to slow further Office space under construction declined for a third consecutive quarter according to the Winter London Crane Survey, despite an uptick in new starts. Given the challenges the office sector faces, we... 10th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Economics The hit from “Plan B”, the MPC and better news on shortages The government’s recently-imposed “Plan B” COVID-19 restrictions mean there is a good chance that the economy contracted in December. If the pressure on the NHS increases, restrictions might be... 10th December 2021 · 8 mins read
