Europe Economics Focus Core inflation dangers greater this time? Rising food and energy prices look set to prompt another period of high headline inflation in the euro-zone like that seen between 2004 and 2006. But with the economy operating closer to capacity, the... 15th November 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Recovery at a crossroads (Q4 07) The economic recovery in Europe has reached a critical juncture. The general lack of the imbalances which look set to constrain growth in the US and UK over the next year or two suggests that the... 5th November 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank strikes a more dovish tone Today’s decision by the Norges Bank to keep interest rates on hold and to lower its projection for the future path of rates could lead to a renewed weakening of the krone following the strengthening... 31st October 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Is stronger euro-zone productivity growth here to stay? The evidence suggests that the recent pick-up in euro-zone productivity growth was probably a temporary reflection of the cyclical strength of the economy rather than a permanent or structural... 22nd October 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank continues tightening cycle Today’s decision by the Norges Bank to raise interest rates for a second time since the turmoil in the financial markets is another demonstration that central banks are likely to remain focused on the... 26th September 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB hikes, but outlook blurred by market turmoil The Swiss National Bank (SNB)’s decision to hike rates adds to the evidence that the recent market turmoil does not preclude further policy tightening from central banks, especially when rates are... 13th September 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Strong Swiss growth supports case for September hike The further strong gain in Swiss GDP in Q2 suggests that capacity pressures are continuing to build. This could keep the SNB in tightening mode, despite recent financial market turbulence and still... 4th September 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank signals business as usual Today’s decision by the Norges Bank to press ahead with the previously indicated rise in its key interest rate from 4.5% to 4.75% supports our view that central banks are unlikely to be deflected from... 15th August 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Growth prospects still strengthening (Q3 07) The European economic upturn still appears to have considerable momentum. The one piece of the jigsaw still missing is a significant pick-up in activity in the consumer sector. With growing signs that... 6th August 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Measured fiscal leniency will boost French growth Recent moves towards granting France a little leniency around the EC’s strict fiscal rules suggest that the economy could receive a significant fiscal boost, over the next few years at least. We think... 1st August 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Hawkish SNB points to further rate hikes to come Today’s decision by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to raise the target mid-point for 3 month interbank interest rates (Libor) by 25bps to 2.5% came as no surprise – indeed, the 3 month Libor itself had... 14th June 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank will raise rates aggressively in H2 Today’s decision by the Norges Bank to hike Norwegian interest rates by 25bps to 4.25% leaves rates comfortably in line with the Bank’s own forecast published in March’s Monetary Policy Report... 30th May 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Can euro-zone consumers take the baton? If US consumers have been the driving force behind the world economy over the last decade or so, then European consumers might perhaps be described as a sleeping giant. But the giant could be about to... 22nd May 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Europe's demographic time bomb On the face of it, the impact of demographic change on the euro-zone economy could be pretty disastrous. But with higher immigration flows, an older retirement age, an increase in the employment rate... 11th May 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Europe takes the baton (Q2 07) Europe looks set to take over from the US as the strongest-growing region of the developed West this year, driven by the continued strength of the euro-zone and, in particular, Germany. Although the... 30th April 2007 · 1 min read
