Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP (Q4) & Industrial Production (Dec.) The news that the euro-zone recovery lost what little momentum it had in Q4 will add to markets’ fears about the region. GDP rose by just 0.1% on the quarter after Q3’s 0.4% gain. Q4’s outturn was... 12th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update The pain in Spain remains Q4’s GDP figures confirmed that Spain is one of a dwindling group of economies still in recession. And with its economic imbalances still largely intact, a meaningful recovery remains a distant... 11th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What would a Greek bail-out look like? Speculation that a bail-out of Greece may be imminent has moved the focus on to exactly what form a rescue package may take. The precise details of any bail-out might have important implications for... 9th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is France next in the markets’ sights? As worries about the public finances spread throughout the euro-zone, France is the latest to edge on to the radar screens. Given a relatively low stock of debt and healthy economic outlook, its... 8th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Too soon to call a recovery in euro-zone office occupier demand Although some euro-zone office markets saw a rise in take-up at the end of 2009, we do not think that this spells the end of the occupier market downturn. The fragile state of the economic recovery... 8th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly The spotlight turns on Portugal and Spain Last week, the noose around the Greek Government’s neck loosened slightly. But markets are still baying for blood – Portugal and Spain are their new targets. Neither Portugal nor Spain have quite the... 8th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB rate hikes still a very distant prospect The ECB is set to announce further plans to phase out unconventional policy support after its meeting next month. But with the Bank’s call for fiscal consolidation highlighting the downward pressure... 4th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Spanish retail rents: further to fall Spanish retail rents have held up surprisingly well given the severe downturn in the consumer sector. However, with unemployment at nearly 20%, household debt levels high and taxes set to rise this... 4th February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack A sluggish start to the year The limited economic data so far released for January suggest that the new year has got off to a pretty sluggish start. The euro-zone composite Purchasing Managers’ Index fell for the first time in 11... 3rd February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update EC’s endorsement won’t fully relieve Greek worries The European Commission’s endorsement of the Greek Government’s plan to get its public finances under control is unlikely to relieve market concerns over Greece’s position altogether. 3rd February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Retail Sales (Dec.) & Final PMI (Jan.) December’s euro-zone retail sales figures suggested that total consumer spending fell in Q4, adding to signs that the overall recovery lost pace. What’s more, January’s final PMI survey pointed to... 3rd February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is Greece close to breaking point? Fears that the further rise in Greek bond yields over the last week has stretched the public finances to breaking point may be a little over-done. Nonetheless, Greece still faces an enormous challenge... 2nd February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update French consumers leading the way France is one of few economies that seem to be experiencing a consumer revival. Sadly, fiscal tightening will prevent the recovery from gaining much momentum. But a fairly healthy household sector... 1st February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Consumer outlook still cloudy A raft of data on the euro-zone consumer sector last week left the outlook still rather uncertain. The bad news was that unemployment rose further in December and wage growth looks set to drop. But... 1st February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI & Unemployment (Jan./Dec.) January’s flash euro-zone consumer prices figures further highlighted the distinct lack of inflation pressure in the region and offered hope that euro-zone consumers will escape the squeeze on... 29th January 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jan.) December’s euro-zone money supply figures and January’s ECB Bank Lending Survey suggest that credit conditions in the region remain very tight, despite the ECB’s unlimited provision of liquidity to... 29th January 2010 · 1 min read
