Europe Data Response EC Business & Consumer Survey (Nov.) November’s EC consumer and business survey supported the message from other survey indicators released earlier this week that after Q3’s slowdown the eurozone’s economic recovery may have regained... 27th November 2015 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Will the ECB meet expectations? The question is not whether the ECB’s Governing Council will loosen monetary policy at its meeting on December 3rd, but rather whether it will do so decisively enough to meet the very strong... 26th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB to limit but not prevent franc appreciation The latest comments from Chairman Thomas Jordan suggest that the Swiss National Bank will act decisively to limit franc strength, including through further direct intervention in FX markets. But we... 26th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Oct.) Euro-zone monetary data showed some signs of improvement in October, but continue to point to low inflation and slow growth, strengthening the case for the ECB to increase its stimulus next week. 26th November 2015 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB to limit but not prevent franc appreciation The latest comments from Chairman Thomas Jordan suggest that the Swiss National Bank will act decisively to limit franc strength, including through further direct intervention in FX markets. But we... 26th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Historic policy split to push euro below parity The prospect of a historically large divergence between US and euro-zone monetary policy looks set to push the euro below parity versus the US dollar for the first time since late 2002. 25th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update What explains the slowdown in Spanish property investment? The impact of Spanish REITs on investment last year, and the growth of mergers and acquisitions this year, explain why headline figures appear to show a slowdown in Spanish property investment. Yet... 24th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek outlook improves but crisis still not over Greece has cleared another hurdle with the disbursement of its latest bailout tranche and funds to recapitalise its banks. But until its debt burden is properly addressed, its crisis is not over. 24th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Nov.) & GDP Breakdown (Q3) November’s German Ifo survey supported the message from other survey indicators that the economy is still growing at a healthy pace. And the breakdown of Q3 GDP showed that, unusually for Germany... 24th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is a housing bubble inflating again in Ireland? Comments from the outgoing governor of Ireland’s central bank that he “knows” that there won’t be another housing bubble smack of hubris. While there does not appear to be a bubble in the housing... 23rd November 2015 · 1 min read
Non-Euro Europe Commercial Property Outlook Yield compression to slow in 2016 Since our last Analyst, the greatest change has been to our yield forecasts, which are now expected to decline further than previously expected in the next couple of years. We also envisage them... 23rd November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Nov.) November’s solid rise in the euro-zone composite PMI suggests that the region’s recovery might regain some pace in Q4 after Q3’s slight slowdown. But we doubt that the outlook has improved enough to... 23rd November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Outlook Capital value growth set to peak in 2015 Compared to our last Analyst, we have increased our expectations for yield compression over the next two years. Yet in most markets, lower yields in 2017 will lead to greater upward yield pressure in... 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Paris tragedy will have limited economic effects It goes without saying that the loss of life and the social impact of the Paris attacks dwarf any consideration of their economic consequences. But we doubt that the near-term economic impact will be... 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will the Paris attacks loosen Europe’s fiscal shackles? While fiscal authorities may tolerate increased security spending by some governments after the Paris terror attacks, suggestions that Europe’s budget rules will be swept aside are over the top. 18th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Has Italy really been the biggest beneficiary of QE? Recent suggestions that Italy has gained the most from QE paint a pretty bleak picture of the policy’s effectiveness. As it happens, we are not convinced that Italy has been the biggest winner. Either... 18th November 2015 · 1 min read