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
Europe Data Response German Industrial Production (Dec.) December’s rise in German industrial production does not alter the likelihood that GDP fell sharply in Q4, but it does add to signs that the economy entered 2013 in a slightly better state. 7th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update The strong euro won’t be all bad - just mostly The rise in the euro is not unambiguously bad for the euro-zone economy. But the negatives are likely to outweigh the positives. 6th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Surveyors sound alarm bells for French and Dutch rents The generally weak picture of European commercial property occupier markets portrayed by the latest RICS global survey is broadly consistent with our own views on the near-term prospects for rental... 6th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Recovery still uneven The latest hard data have confirmed that the euro-zone ended 2012 on a very weak note, but survey indicators for January have brought further evidence that the pace of contraction eased at the start... 6th February 2013 · 1 min read