Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Jul.) July’s EC survey added to evidence that the downturn in the euro-zone is easing, but it certainly did not point to a strong recovery. 30th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update When will office rents in Milan and Paris turn the corner? In contrast to most euro-zone markets, the downturn in Milan and Paris office rental values was extended in the second quarter. The comparatively high level of rents in each market, the rising trend... 30th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Swedish GDP (Q2 13) Credit growth slowed last month, a sign that the cash crunch delivered some of what policymakers were hoping for. But credit is still expanding more than twice as fast as economic output, which means... 30th July 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish GDP (Q2 13) The fall in Swedish GDP in Q2, which mainly reflected a sharp slowdown in household spending, supports our long-held view that the consensus expectation for a steady acceleration in economic growth... 30th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly The ECB’s monetary pillar is still very weak Last week’s euro-zone data revealed a further pick-up in some measures of real economic activity, with the composite PMI for July raising the prospect that the region’s two-year recession could come... 29th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack Property yields still holding their ground Despite recent signs that the euro-zone recession is easing, the tone of the latest occupier market data remains soft and there has been no observable upward shift in investment market activity. Even... 26th July 2013 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Moving towards a rate cut? With indicators of economic activity improving slightly, the ECB is unlikely to cut interest rates this month. Meanwhile, divisions within the Governing Council might prevent it from clarifying last... 25th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jun.) The further weakening in the key euro-zone monetary aggregates in June has further strengthened the case for additional policy stimulus from the ECB. 25th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Jul.) July’s small rise in the German Ifo added to evidence that the economy is gathering momentum, but the recovery is likely to be relatively modest. 25th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Jul.) & ECB Bank Lending Survey (Q2) The rise in the euro-zone PMI in July provides further evidence that the region may be exiting recession. But with credit conditions still tight and fiscal policy set to remain contractionary, a... 24th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Are euro-zone retail rental values at a turning point? Agency data show that prime euro-zone retail rental value growth came to an abrupt halt in Q2. With the underlying macroeconomic drivers of retail occupier demand still poor, we think that retail... 23rd July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Has the euro led to convergence or divergence? The formation of the single currency has prompted many of the euro-zone economies’ nominal economic variables, such as inflation, to become more similar. But real economic variables, such as the... 23rd July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Spanish house prices still have much further to fall There is little sign that the Spanish housing downturn will come to an end any time soon. Not only does this spell bad news for households, it will also pile even more pressure on the troubled banks. 22nd July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Mounting strains on the ESM The lending capacity of the euro-zone’s bail-out funds is coming under strain again. €289bn of the ESM’s €500bn lending capacity has already been committed and developments in Portugal, Greece and... 22nd July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Falls in Brussels office yields look unsustainable Preliminary data that show prime office yields in Brussels fell in Q2 are hard to square with the weak picture of underlying occupier demand. Given this, we would not be surprised if the fall in... 19th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What to expect from the ECB’s Asset Quality Review The ECB’s planned review of banks’ balance sheets is key to resuscitating the euro-zone’s struggling banking sector. Forthcoming stress tests are likely to be more credible than previous rounds, but... 18th July 2013 · 1 min read
