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
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank won’t wait long to continue tightening Although the Norges Bank unexpectedly kept rates on hold at 4% today, we do not think that this represents a fundamental change in the outlook for Norwegian interest rates ahead. 25th April 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus French election unlikely to end economic malaise There are hopes that the Presidential election will rid France of its tag as the new “sick man of Europe”. But while the leading candidate Nicholas Sarkozy has proposed measures to tackle the problems... 16th April 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response SNB hints that tightening cycle is nearing peak Today’s decision by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to raise the target mid-point for the 3 month Libor by 25bps to 2.25% was fully expected – indeed, the 3 month Libor itself had already reached 2.25%... 15th March 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norge Bank signals significant further tightenin The Norges Bank hiked interest rates today by 25bps to 4.0%, marking a fourth consecutive move and the ninth step in the tightening cycle which began in June 2005. This also keeps rates a step ahead... 15th March 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Modest growth eases pressure on SNB to hike Data released earlier today showed Swiss GDP growth picking up only slightly in Q4, to 0.5% q/q from Q3’s disappointing 0.4%. The outturn was below the consensus forecast, which had been for arise of... 6th March 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook European recovery has plenty of momentum (Q1 07) The European economy has begun the new year in good health. Euro-zone GDP expanded at its fastest rate for six years in 2006 and most forward-looking indicators suggest that growth is set to remain... 26th February 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus When will ECB rates no longer be "low"? The European Central Bank’s stance that euro-zone interest rates are still “low” suggests that it might have to raise them significantly further to contain inflation. But the existence of some spare... 20th February 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Can the euro-zone investment boom continue? Recent strong increases in euro-zone investment have been at odds with the continued weakness of consumer spending. But positive conditions in the corporate sector suggest that firms have not over... 6th February 2007 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Surprise hike by Norges Bank and plenty more to come Today’s surprise hike in interest rates by the Norges Bank lifts the official rate by 25bps to 3.75% andreopens a positive interest rate differential with the euro-zone for the first time in three... 24th January 2007 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Slovenia: A role model for Emerging Europe? On 1st January next year, Slovenia will make history by becoming the first of new EU member states to join the euro. But while the short-term prospects for the Slovenian economy look good, slow... 15th December 2006 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB signals further rate hikes to come Today’s decision by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to raise the target mid-point for the 3 month Libor by 25bps to 2.0% came as no surprise whatsoever. After all, the press statement accompanying its... 14th December 2006 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus German VAT hike won't derail the economy There have been widespread fears that the imminent increase in VAT in Germany will bring the recent recovery in the euro-zone’s most important economy to a grinding halt. But an examination of... 13th December 2006 · 1 min read
