Europe Economics Focus Have the peripheral economies regained competitiveness? Official figures appear to suggest that the peripheral countries are successfully restoring competitiveness through internal devaluation. Since peaking in 2008/09, whole economy unit labour costs... 18th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update German exports to outperform despite stronger euro The recent rise in the euro exchange rate is likely to hit Germany and Finland hardest given their strong trade links with non-euro-zone countries. But with exports from the south and periphery set to... 18th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Should office and retail yields in Oslo be lower? The outperformance of the Norwegian economy is evident in above-average growth in office and retail rental values, but not in initial yields. However, rather than being a sign that property in Oslo is... 18th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly GDP slump underlines currency threat While the export-driven slump in euro-zone GDP in Q4 did not itself reflect the strength of the euro exchange rate, it further underlined the economy’s vulnerability to the currency’s recent... 18th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Can the ECB follow words with actions? Mario Draghi’s hints that the ECB might respond to the threat posed by the strength of the euro begs the question of just what action it could take. While there are plenty of policy options still... 14th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP (Q4) Q4’s bigger than expected fall in euro-zone GDP underlined the fact that, while sentiment towards the region has improved, the hard news on the economy remains distinctly weak. 14th February 2013 · 1 min read
Non-Euro Europe Commercial Property Outlook 2013: a softer year ahead for property Our forecasts envisage that European commercial property markets outside of the single currency region will benefit from the recent lull in the euro-crisis. Although the fundamental economic drivers... 14th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Outlook Weak occupier fundamentals to drag down property The current lull in the debt crisis has come too late to prevent a marked deterioration in economic and occupier market conditions in most euro-zone property markets. And the slowdown in economic... 14th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Dec.) December’s rise in euro-zone industrial production does not alter the fact that GDP probably contracted pretty sharply in Q4. 13th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update More rate cuts to come from the Swedish Riksbank The Swedish Riksbank’s decision to leave interest rates on hold reflects concerns that further rate cuts may prompt household debt to rise further with potentially damaging longer-term consequences... 13th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Norwegian GDP (Q4 12) The Norwegian economy rebounded in Q4 after contracting the previous quarter on account of the energy sector, but mainland growth slowed significantly. 13th February 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Norwegian GDP (Q4 12) The Norwegian economy rebounded in Q4 after contracting the previous quarter on account of the energy sector, but mainland growth slowed significantly. 13th February 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update More rate cuts to come from the Swedish Riksbank The Swedish Riksbank’s decision to leave interest rates on hold reflects concerns that further rate cuts may prompt household debt to rise further with potentially damaging longer-term consequences... 13th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Mariodona’s words won’t be enough Mario Draghi halted the rise of the euro last week merely by hinting that the ECB might respond to the currency’s strength. But with other central banks taking action to weaken their currencies, we... 11th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Four reasons not to get carried away by better real estate equity prices The recent strength of European real estate equity prices would be consistent, on past form, with increases in physical property capital values this year. But we think there are four reasons why it is... 8th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB softens its tone slightly, but makes no promises The European Central Bank (ECB) took a slightly softer tone this month, acknowledging that a stronger exchange rate might alter the inflation outlook. But President Draghi stopped a long way short of... 7th February 2013 · 1 min read
