Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish Riksbank continues to strike an upbeat tone The Swedish Riksbank’s decision to raise interest rates for a second meeting running reflects concerns that domestic imbalances may be building. Further hikes seem likely in the near term, but the... 2nd September 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB more upbeat, but maintains policy support While the ECB struck a slightly more upbeat tone towards the economy at today’s press conference, it nonetheless maintained its support for the region’s banking sector and remains a long way from... 2nd September 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP (Q2) The second release relating to Q2 euro-zone GDP gives a fairly encouraging picture, but does not alter our view that the recovery will soon falter. 2nd September 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Swedish Riksbank continues to strike an upbeat tone The Swedish Riksbank’s decision to raise interest rates for a second meeting running reflects concerns that domestic imbalances may be building. Further hikes seem likely in the near term, but the... 2nd September 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Swiss GDP (Q2) Q2’s GDP release confirmed that the Swiss economy is still performing very well. However, the breakdown of growth cast doubts over whether the recent pace of expansion can be maintained over the... 2nd September 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Economic divergences widen yield spreads Q2’s 1.0% quarterly rise in euro-zone GDP confirmed that the region as a whole performed well by international standards last quarter. But Q2’s growth surge was largely down to a huge 2.2% quarterly... 1st September 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Time to be more positive on German retail property? Recent economic data suggest that the export-led recovery in Germany is spreading to domestic demand. However, there are reasons to remain cautious and our view remains that the scope for the German... 1st September 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Aug.) & Unemployment (Jul.) August’s small fall in euro-zone CPI inflation confirmed that price pressures in the region are very subdued. And although unemployment has continued to edge down, this is unlikely to prompt any... 31st August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Yield spreads to remain elevated Deteriorating global growth prospects and increased risk aversion have prompted a further fall in German 10-year government bond yields to a post-reunification low of around 2.1%. While fears have... 30th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German CPI (1st Est. Aug.) August’s fall in German HICP inflation confirmed the absence of price pressures in the euro-zone’s largest economy. Indeed, we still see the headline rate there falling to near zero next year. 27th August 2010 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Still pretty downbeat despite a strong Q2 The ECB is likely to maintain a very dovish stance at the forthcoming meeting. Admittedly, recent positive data might have led the Bank to revise up its growth forecast for 2010. But the slowdown in... 26th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Aug.) The latest money figures add to evidence that annual credit growth is picking up. But with credit conditions still tight and many peripheral banks still looking vulnerable, the ECB will need to... 26th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Spanish GDP (Q2) The latest Spanish GDP figures confirmed that the economy continued its modest revival in Q2. But with the full effects of the fiscal squeeze yet to be felt and global demand set to slow, the recovery... 26th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Can Spain take the pain? Markets may have become more confident that Spain can get its public finances under control. But if Spain is to restore external balance within the euro-zone, it may have to accept a decade of... 25th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Aug.) August’s rise in the German Ifo is good news after falls in some of the other surveys lately. But the slight decline in expectations highlights concerns for the future. 25th August 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Does the euro-zone cycle lag behind that in the US? The euro-zone’s relative resilience has prompted some optimism lately, but note that the region’s business cycle typically lags behind that of the US. Euro-zone growth will almost certainly follow... 24th August 2010 · 1 min read
