Global Markets Update How do the valuations of US and European equities stack up? Is the stock market in the US overvalued or undervalued relative to its counterpart in Europe? The answer largely depends on which metric is chosen and how earnings evolve. 23rd May 2016 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish inflation outlook dependent on krona strength The rise in Swedish inflation will prove short-lived if inflation expectations stay below 2%. In order to boost such expectations, the Riksbank must ensure that the krona does not appreciate strongly. 21st May 2016 · 1 min read
Non-Euro Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack Economic uncertainty slows yield falls and rental growth The start to the year has seen a slight easing of economic growth in much of the region, in part due to a rise in uncertainty. This caused investment activity to fall back significantly and rental... 20th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack Marked slowdown in capital value growth With all-property rental values rising by a little under 0.5% q/q in Q1, it was further yield compression that once again drove capital value growth. But with yields declining by just 5bps, capital... 20th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Has the EC become more lenient on fiscal policy? On the face of it, last week’s decisions by the European Commission to allow Italy greater flexibility in its budget, and not to fine Spain and Portugal for their large deficits, suggest that it has... 20th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will Dutch consumers keep on spending? Despite the recent falls in consumer confidence, there are a number of reasons to be positive about the outlook for household spending in the Netherlands over the coming years. Nevertheless, worries... 18th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update French strikes darken the economic outlook This week’s French protests over a watered down labour market law highlight just how hard it will be to reform the economy. This suggests that France’s economic weakness will be prolonged... 17th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Trade (Mar.) While the euro-zone trade surplus widened in March, this reflected a drop in the value of imports rather than export strength. Subdued global demand growth and the recent appreciation of the euro... 17th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Mounting risks bode ill for Italy Like much of the rest of the euro-zone, Italy’s economy got off to a decent start to the year. However,the outlook for growth remains weak and the risks to the recovery are mounting. Eventually... 16th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Valuation Monitor Falling property yields draw closer to fair value Property yields ticked down marginally in Q1, but are now 80bps below their 10-year average. Changes in alternative asset pricing – with bond yields falling and dividend yields rising – mean that... 16th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Euro-zone growth will slow from here Despite the downward revision to Q1 euro-zone GDP, the 0.5% quarterly gain still got the year off to a solid start. But there are good reasons to expect growth to be slower in Q2 and beyond. And the... 13th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP (Q1 Prov.) While Q1’s 0.5% quarterly gain in euro-zone GDP provides a reasonably solid start to the year, there are good reasons to expect growth to slow in Q2 and beyond. 13th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Mar.) March’s contraction means that industry looks likely to have accounted for about 0.2%-points of the euro-zone’s 0.6% q/q GDP growth rate in Q1. But the underlying trend in output is weak, and surveys... 12th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Limited further upside for Swiss office values Lacklustre economic growth this year and next due to the strength of the Swiss franc is likely to drag Swiss office rents down further. But with negative bond yields and interest rates, this is... 12th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norges Bank policy unchanged, but rate cut on the way The Norges Bank left its key policy rate unchanged today, but with the economy weak and inflation set to fall this year, we think that further loosening is on the way. 12th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Swedish inflation outlook dependent on krona strength The rise in Swedish inflation will prove short-lived if inflation expectations stay below 2%. In order to boost such expectations, the Riksbank must ensure that the krona does not appreciate strongly. 12th May 2016 · 1 min read