Commodities Update Subdued demand will undermine cocoa prices The latest European and North American cocoa grinding data continue to point to subdued demand. Combined with a rebound in Ghanaian production, we think that the price of cocoa will fall this year. 17th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Spanish households face tougher years ahead Spanish households will struggle to maintain their recent impressive rates of spending growth. And with households facing years of stagnant wages and high unemployment, opposition to further economic... 17th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Growth to slow as temporary boosts fade The broader European economy has continued to weather the Greek crisis well, helped by lower oil prices and, in the euro-zone itself, the decline in the euro exchange rate. But these positive forces... 16th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Draghi dovish, but cautious on Greece ECB President Mario Draghi maintained a distinctly dovish tone at today’s Governing Council meeting, reiterating the Council’s willingness to step up its QE programme if the economic outlook or... 16th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Further yield hardening means peripheral markets will be vulnerable Greece’s future in the euro-zone is still far from secure, and upcoming general elections in Portugal, Spain and Ireland could lead to significant political changes. Nevertheless, given that property... 16th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Trade (May) May’s euro-zone goods trade data suggested that the depreciation of the euro over thepast year is still only providing a modest boost to export growth. 16th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response French CPI (Jun.) France’s June inflation data confirmed that price pressures remain very subdued in the euro-zone’s second-largest economy. And the substantial slack in the labour market means that core inflation is... 15th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update The wait for signs of renewed vigour in Brussels offices goes on Subdued economic growth and similarly weak office sector demand have resulted in muted take-up volumes in Brussels. The slow first half of the year means that we have trimmed our rental growth... 14th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek “deal” still has major hurdles to clear While yesterday’s announcement of an agreement to provide Greece with a third bailout was greeted with understandable relief, there are still very big hurdles to be cleared before the deal is... 14th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (May) & German ZEW (Jul.) May’s weak industrial production data and the fall in German ZEW investor sentiment in July suggested that the euro-zone’s fragile recovery may be slowing. 14th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Swedish Consumer Prices (Jun.) The fall in Sweden’s headline inflation rate below zero in June vindicated the Riksbank’s decision earlier this month to cut its policy rate further and extend its bond-buying programme. But we think... 14th July 2015 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish Consumer Prices (Jun. 15) The fall in Sweden’s headline inflation rate below zero in June vindicated the Riksbank’s decision earlier this month to cut its policy rate further and extend its bond-buying programme. But we think... 14th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek deal will only delay the inevitable Today’s tentative deal for a new Greek bailout clearly reduces the risk of a near-term exit from the single currency. But significant hurdles must be overcome before the deal is finalised. And the... 13th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly New Greek bailout would just delay the inevitable There appears to be a chance that Greece and its creditors will come to a last minute agreement on a new bailout which avoids an imminent Greek departure from the currency union. But there are many... 10th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Would OMTs contain post-Grexit contagion? If a Greek exit from the euro-zone resulted in substantial market turmoil, the ECB would probably respond by unleashing its fabled OMTs. This is a potentially powerful tool to limit contagion. But... 10th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response French & Italian Industrial Production (May) The rebound in French and Italian industrial production in May came as a welcome relief after Q2’s weak start and the disappointing German data earlier in the week. But across the euro-zone as a whole... 10th July 2015 · 1 min read
