Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Mar.) Recently published data show that Spain, Portugal and France made headway in reducing their general government deficits in 2014. But progress among the peripheral countries at the start of 2015 has... 2nd April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Will stronger industrial output drive CE industrial rental growth? A combination of strengthening industrial output and further growth in the logistics sector will underpin industrial rental levels in Central Europe this year and allow them to pick up from 2016. 2nd April 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will the ECB’s QE provide more fuel for euro-zone bonds? While the anticipation and launch of looser unconventional monetary policy in the euro-zone appears to have depressed the yields of bonds issued by the region’s more troubled governments, the boost... 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Markets still under-pricing “Grexit” risks The latest surveys continue to suggest that only a minority of investors expect Greece to leave the euro within the next twelve months. Admittedly, the proportion is still significant, which shows... 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Consumers drive the recovery The euro-zone economic recovery has gained some pace thanks to a pick-up in consumer spending growth. The annual growth rate of retail sales volumes rose to near a ten-year high in January, due partly... 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Mar.) & Unemployment (Feb.) The latest data on euro-zone inflation and unemployment did not lift the threat of a prolonged period of deflation in the currency union. 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update European gas prices heading back down We expect European natural gas prices to fall this year as greater supply and the impact of lower oil prices more than offset higher demand. 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Time is quickly running out for Greece Greece is running out of time to produce a list of reforms that will satisfy its creditors and secure the additional bail-out payment it requires to meet its near-term financial obligations. But even... 31st March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Are we overestimating the scope for retail rental growth in Dublin? Irish household debt looks high relative to both international and historical comparisons. Yet servicing costs are low, and rising house prices will boost net worth. Together with the positive... 31st March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Flash CPI (Mar.) March’s rise in German HICP inflation will add to hopes that recent price declines were a temporary phenomenon that will have positive effects on the economy. But with core inflation still very low... 31st March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Mar.) March’s EC business and consumer sentiment indicators supported the evidence from other surveys that euro-zone economic activity picked up slightly in the first quarter. But growth still looks likely... 31st March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Euro-zone consumers look ready to start spending Buoyed by falling unemployment, rising equity prices and a boost to their spending power from a lower oil price, euro-zone consumers have become increasingly confident, with the EC’s measure of... 27th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Feb.) February’s euro-zone monetary data add to the evidence from activity surveys that economic growth in the euro-zone will pick up in the coming months. But troubles in the Greek banking sector remain a... 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Mar.) March’s rise in the German Ifo index provided further evidence that the recovery in the euro-zone’s largest economy continued in Q1 as firms shrugged off fears over Greece and the weaker euro started... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Can the euro-zone converge with the US? While lower inflation and the drop in the euro might boost growth in the euro-zone relative to that in the US, structural constraints, respective policy conditions and the effects of the Greek crisis... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Will consumer optimism translate into stronger retail rental growth? Euro-zone consumer confidence is at its highest level since 2007. While the long-term consumption outlook remains challenging, elevated sentiment should nevertheless help support retail rental value... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read