Europe Economics Update SNB highlights weaker growth prospects After leaving interest rates on hold as expected (at a mid-point of 2.75%) the Swiss National Bank stressed that it expects economic activity to slow sharply this year. While strong price pressures... 13th March 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB highlights weaker growth prospects After leaving interest rates on hold as expected (at a mid-point of 2.75%) the Swiss National Bank stressed that it expects economic activity to slow sharply this year. While strong price pressures... 13th March 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank signals the possibility of a further rate rise The Norges Bank’s decision to leave interest rates on hold but signal that it expects to raise interest rates once more this year is likely to lead to a further strengthening of the krone. 13th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB to tackle strong euro by cutting rates, not intervening Jean-Claude Trichet’s expressions of concern over the strength of the euro yesterday have prompted speculation that the ECB might intervene directly in the currency markets to prevent the currency... 11th March 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update US recession underlines downside risks to BoE/ECB rates Recent news on the US economy, most notably February’s sharp drop in non-farm payrolls, has left us even more pessimistic over the outlook for the US. We now forecast GDP growth of just 0.5% in 2008... 10th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update US recession underlines downside risks to BoE/ECB rates Recent news on the US economy, most notably February’s sharp drop in non-farm payrolls, has left us even more pessimistic over the outlook for the US. We now forecast GDP growth of just 0.5% in 2008... 10th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Zapatero's victory won't change the outlook for Spain Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s victory in Sunday’s general election paves the way for the implementation of a new fiscal package aimed at reviving Spain’s ailing economy. But on its own, this will not... 10th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update UK to slip down housing table in 2008 The latest annual European Housing Report published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) echoed other evidence pointing to a general slowdown in the pace of activity and price... 7th March 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update UK to slip down housing table in 2008 The latest annual European Housing Report published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) echoed other evidence pointing to a general slowdown in the pace of activity and price... 7th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB resists the pressure, for now The European Central Bank today poured cold water on suggestions that it might cut interest rates as soon as next month. But with the economy clearly slowing and the euro hitting new record highs, it... 6th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Italian bond spreads could widen further The further widening in Italian bond spreads seen over the last few days appears partly to reflect suggestions that the downturn in the economy will once again raise questions over Italy’s future in... 5th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Stronger euro raises pressure on ECB The renewed surge in the euro to all-time highs against the US dollar and sterling has intensified concerns about the prospects for the industrial and external sectors. The tradeweighted euro is... 5th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Industrial slump adds to Spain's pre-election woes Evidence of a major slump in Spain’s industrial sector has further worsened the outlook for the economy ahead of this weekend’s general election. We remain concerned that, whatever the outcome of the... 3rd March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus France to outshine Germany this year With the export-driven recovery in Germany faltering as global demand weakens, a healthy consumer sector should stand France in good stead to make up ground on its larger neighbour. While German GDP... 3rd March 2008 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Cracks in ECB's hawkish stance to widen We suspect that suggestions that the ECB will signal an imminent cut in interest rates at March’s Governing Council meeting will be disappointed. Nonetheless, with the new staff economic forecasts... 28th February 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update German pay deal will add to the ECB’s inflation concerns The news that Germany’s largest trade union, IG Metall, has won a 5.2% pay rise over the next 14 months has added to concerns over a build-up in medium-term inflationary pressures. While we think that... 20th February 2008 · 1 min read
