Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Riksbank signals further rate increases The decision by the Riksbank to raise interest rates from 4.25% to 4.50% was widely expected, but the Bank’s signal that rates could rise twice more this year shows that it believes the economy will... 3rd July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Nasty mix of slowing growth and rising inflation The latest data have provided further evidence of a marked slowdown in euro-zone economic activity. The key business surveys turned down in June, suggesting that growth in Q2 will nowhere near match... 2nd July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Industrial sector adding to Spain’s woes Spanish football may be flying high at the moment, but Spain’s industrial activity indicators have recently divebombed, adding to the economy’s mounting woes. 1st July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Ireland heading for recession The contraction in the Irish economy in Q1 confirmed that the boom of the last decade has finally turned to bust. It seems very likely that the economy is heading into a property-led recession. 30th June 2008 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Rate hike will prove to be a one-off The ECB will deliver the signalled interest rate hike this month, despite further evidence of a slowdown in economic activity in the euro-zone. Inflation fears could keep the Bank in hawkish mode for... 26th June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norges Bank responds to inflation concerns The Norges Bank’s decision to raise interest rates again today clearly shows that it remains concerned about rising inflationary pressures. This will support the Norwegian krone in the near term. 25th June 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank responds to inflation concerns The Norges Bank’s decision to raise interest rates again today clearly shows that it remains concerned about rising inflationary pressures. This will support the Norwegian krone in the near term. 25th June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Will the credit crunch prompt a Swiss recession? nd’s dependence on the troubled financial services sector points to the risk of an extremely hard landing. We think that the consensus forecasts for Swiss GDP growth are much too complacent and see... 24th June 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Focus Will the credit crunch prompt a Swiss recession? Switzerland’s dependence on the troubled financial services sector points to the risk of an extremely hard landing. We think that the consensus forecasts for Swiss GDP growth are much too complacent... 24th June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB on hold; next move still likely to be a cut The Swiss National Bank’s decision to leave its target range for three-month interest rates on hold (at a mid-point of 2.75%) was a relief amid concerns that inflation fears might force the Bank to... 19th June 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB on hold; next move still likely to be a cut The Swiss National Bank’s decision to leave its target range for three-month interest rates on hold (at amid-point of 2.75%) was a relief amid concerns that inflation fears might force the Bank to... 19th June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Swedish consumers starting to flag The further fall in Swedish house prices in May adds weight to our view that household spending growth will slow sharply this year. This should ultimately prompt the Riksbank to cut rates in 2009. But... 16th June 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish consumers starting to flag The further fall in Swedish house prices in May adds weight to our view that household spending growth will slow sharply this year. This should ultimately prompt the Riksbank to cut rates in 2009. But... 16th June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Lisbon Treaty rejection could highlight growing divergences A “no” vote in Thursday’s Irish referendum on the EU’s Treaty of Lisbon would put a spanner in the works of the Treaty’s ratification process. Just as importantly, it may add to concerns that the... 11th June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB signals intention to hike The European Central Bank sent a strong signal today that it is likely to raise interest rates in July or August. But the Bank’s inflation phobia clearly increases the risks of a sharp slowdown in the... 5th June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Q1 GDP lays the foundation for a solid year The strong pick-up in euro-zone GDP in Q1 brought further evidence that the region is performing well compared to the slowing US and UK economies. Admittedly, part of the 0.8% quarterly increase... 4th June 2008 · 1 min read
