Europe Economics Focus Investment won’t drive a strong euro-zone recovery The euro-zone’s fledgling economic upturn has so far been driven largely by the short-term boost to consumer spending from lower oil prices and weak inflation. If it is to be sustained, the biggest... 11th June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP Breakdown (Q1) The second estimate and breakdown of euro-zone GDP in Q1 confirmed that growth in the early months of the year was driven by domestic demand, presumably partly reflecting the positive effects of lower... 9th June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Euro-zone office rental values set to grow at strongest rate since 2008 The boost to euro-zone office rents stemming from a pick up in economic growth and employment over the next year or so will be partially offset by high vacancy rates. Nevertheless, the fact that... 8th June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Greece on the brink Greece’s decision to emulate Zambia and bundle its June IMF payments has allowed another “make or break” moment to pass without either. But the continued divergences between the country and its... 5th June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Outlook Capital values look set for their strongest annual gain since the crisis Compared to our last Analyst, we have moved up our rental growth forecasts for 2015 and 2016, reflecting limited development pipelines and upgrades to our macroeconomic forecasts. The rental upgrade... 4th June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Outlook for periphery’s exporters is improving The depreciation of the euro over the past year or so appears to be finally starting to help euro-zone exporters. The latest data show that annual growth in euro-zone export values picked up to 7.3%... 3rd June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Draghi sends dovish message that ECB may extend QE ECB President Mario Draghi gave a dovish message today that the Governing Council remains cautious over the strength of the euro-zone economic recovery and intends to implement its quantitative easing... 3rd June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (May) The latest euro-zone fiscal data showed that most of the peripheral countries made fiscal progress at the start of Q2, after a mixed performance in Q1. But Greece’s position is still looking... 2nd June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI & German Unemployment (May) May’s rise in euro-zone HICP inflation will offer some relief to the ECB, but with underlying price pressures still very weak and the recovery seemingly slowing, strong monetary policy support will be... 2nd June 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Apr.) April’s euro-zone monetary data suggest that the region’s economic recovery will continue. But the continued lack of an agreement between Greece and its creditors poses a significant risk to the... 29th May 2015 · 1 min read
ECB Watch ECB to keep foot hard on the QE pedal While no policy changes are in prospect at the ECB Governing Council meeting on 3rd June, markets will be watching closely for President Mario Draghi’s latest thoughts on the effectiveness of the Bank... 28th May 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response EC Business & Consumer Survey (May) The European Commission’s monthly Business and Consumer survey for May offered some assurance that the modest euro-zone recovery has continued despite the ongoing Greek crisis. 28th May 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update How vulnerable is the ECB to a Greek default? The ECB’s exposure to Greece is not huge and ultimately lies with the euro-zone governments that would have to recapitalise it. But a Greek default to the ECB would be a serious blow to the Bank’s... 28th May 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Has the ECB saved the euro-zone again? After saving the day with its pledge to “do whatever it takes” in 2012, the ECB has arguably now brought on a recovery with its quantitative easing programme. But we expect the policy’s effects to... 27th May 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB minutes reaffirm intention to see QE through The minutes (or “account”) of the ECB’s monetary policy meeting on 14th and 15th April underscored the message already given by Mario Draghi and colleagues, in the press conference after the meeting... 21st May 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (May) May’s flash euro-zone PMI survey echoed the message from other recent business surveys that growth in the currency union appears to have slowed again after the slight pick-up seen earlier in the year... 21st May 2015 · 1 min read