Europe Economics Update SNB action unlikely to stem the franc’s rise The Swiss National Bank’s decision to cut interest rates to almost zero and embark on a renewed bout of quantitative easing to stem the franc’s appreciation looks pretty bold. But we still think that... 4th August 2011 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB action unlikely to stem the franc’s rise The Swiss National Bank’s decision to cut interest rates to almost zero and embark on a renewed bout of quantitative easing to stem the franc’s appreciation looks pretty bold. But we still think that... 3rd August 2011 · 1 min read
Stalling recovery will keep monetary policy loose The euro-zone fiscal crisis has not been resolved and will continue to act as a drag on euro-zone economic growth. While the prospects for economic growth look weakest in Portugal and Greece, there is... 3rd August 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Producer Prices (Jun.) The continued slowdown in producer price inflation, combined with July’s unexpected fall in headline consumer price inflation, supports our view that the ECB will probably keep interest rates on hold... 3rd August 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Can the new rescue package solve Greece’s problems? The new details on the second rescue package for Greece that have emerged over the past week or so have not altered our view that Greece’s outstanding debt burden remains unsustainably high. A second... 2nd August 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Jul.) It is becoming increasingly clear that some of the peripheral economies will struggle to meet their budget deficit targets this year. And the new Greek package, like its predecessors, is unlikely to... 2nd August 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Unemployment (Jun.) & Manu. PMI (Final, Jul.) June’s euro-zone unemployment figures provide further evidence that the labour market is starting to weaken in response to the slowdown in the wider economy. 2nd August 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Slowdown spreads to Germany Data last week brought perhaps the firmest signs yet that the slowdown in euro-zone economic activity has spread to the region’s core. With exports weakening in response to slowing world demand and... 2nd August 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Belgian GDP (Q2) Q2’s flash Belgian GDP figure, the first release from a euro-zone economy, revealed that the economy expanded at a pretty strong pace. But this does little to change our view that growth in the euro... 30th July 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Jul.) July’s euro-zone flash consumer prices figures came as something of a pleasant surprise and provide some support for our view that the ECB may not raise interest rates again over the coming months. 30th July 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Swedish GDP (Q2) Q2’s GDP figures confirm that Sweden continues to expand at breakneck speed. Although growth will ease in the second half of the year, Sweden will remain one of Europe’s top performers. 30th July 2011 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish GDP (Q2 11) Q2’s GDP figures confirm that Sweden continues to expand at breakneck speed. Although growth will ease in the second half of the year, Sweden will remain one of Europe’s top performers. 29th July 2011 · 1 min read
ECB Watch ECB to remain in hawkish mode for now At August’s press conference, the ECB is likely to keep its options open over the likely near-term path of interest rates. But given the further decline in business and consumer sentiment and growing... 29th July 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Will Czech retail rental values recover this year? Over recent weeks, the downside risks to our forecasts for a modest recovery in retail rental values in Prague this year have increased. But, if we are right, some of the factors weighing on Czech... 29th July 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Jul.) July’s fall in euro-zone economic sentiment adds to the evidence of a broad-based economic slowdown. The decline in the economy-wide Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI), from 105.1 to 103.2, was... 29th July 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jul.) The latest ECB Bank lending survey suggests that conditions in the euro-zone banking sector remain far from normal, supporting our view that domestic demand in the region as a whole will struggle to... 29th July 2011 · 1 min read
