Europe Economics Update Forward guidance – the experience of Sweden Some central banks are beginning to make greater use of “forward guidance” to signal that interest rates will remain low for the foreseeable future. The evidence from Sweden, where the Riksbank has... 18th July 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Forward guidance – the experience of Sweden Some central banks are beginning to make greater use of “forward guidance” to signal that interest rates will remain low for the foreseeable future. The evidence from Sweden, where the Riksbank has... 18th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Swiss occupier markets: what do the latest macro data tell us? Switzerland’s robust domestic economy is supporting retail occupier demand and rental values. By contrast, falling exports and slowing employment growth mean that the office and industrial occupier... 17th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update EFSF downgrade adds to pressure on core countries Fitch’s downgrade of the EFSF has limited implications for the time being. But it will add to pressure on the euro-zone’s core countries who guarantee the various bail-out mechanisms to continue with... 16th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German ZEW Survey (Jul.) & Euro-zone Trade (May) German investor sentiment weakened in July as disappointing hard data and troubles in Portugal reminded investors that the euro-zone crisis is far from over. And May’s sharp fall in euro-zone exports... 16th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is the Spanish labour market really on the mend? Some commentators have pointed to the recent run of encouraging Spanish unemployment figures as evidence that the green shoots of recovery may be emerging there. But we are far from convinced that the... 16th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will Portugal be granted another bail-out? The risk of Portugal needing more financial support is growing. Even if a second bail-out can be agreed in the run-up to the German election, it is likely to involve private sector losses. And the ECB... 15th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Ominous signs for German exports Last week’s German trade data revealed a sharp drop in exports, suggesting that the economy’s export engine is not performing particularly well. Much attention has focused on the deteriorating outlook... 15th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (May 13) May’s euro-zone industrial production data show that the sector cannot be relied upon to generate a strong and sustained recovery. 12th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Can Germany solve the euro-zone crisis? As the German economy struggles to grow, the Government will continue to resist the permanent transfers that the euro-zone’s periphery needs. But it will probably back further extensions to deficit... 11th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norwegian rate cut still likely despite FX depreciation We have long argued that the strength of the Norwegian krone would push the Norges Bank into further monetary easing. While the currency’s recent sell-off might ease pressure on the Bank somewhat, we... 10th July 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norwegian rate cut still likely despite FX depreciation We have long argued that the strength of the Norwegian krone would push the Norges Bank into further monetary easing. While the currency’s recent sell-off might ease pressure on the Bank somewhat, we... 10th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook A fragile recovery The European economy has shown tentative signs of improvement in recent months, with activity indicators in both Germany and some of the peripheral euro-zone countries regaining a firmer tone after... 9th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update German logistics capital values set to disappoint Our view that logistics property in Germany will underperform the other main commercial property sectors over the coming years is underpinned by the fact that, in both an international and historic... 9th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Industrial Production & Trade (May 13) May’s falls in German exports and industrial production add to evidence that the recovery in the euro-zone’s largest economy will be very modest. 8th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly ECB still at the back of the pack The ECB joined the great forward policy guidance race last week. But when it comes to the broader provision of monetary policy support, it remains firmly at the back of the pack. 8th July 2013 · 1 min read