Europe Chart Pack Monetary weakness casts doubts over recovery Survey-based euro-zone activity indicators like the composite PMI have continued to strengthen in recent months, raising the prospect that the currency union’s economy may finally emerge from its near... 31st July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Jul.) & Unemployment (Jun.) The latest news on euro-zone unemployment and inflation injected a slight note of caution after the recent run of better news from the region. 31st July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Jul.) July’s EC survey added to evidence that the downturn in the euro-zone is easing, but it certainly did not point to a strong recovery. 30th July 2013 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Moving towards a rate cut? With indicators of economic activity improving slightly, the ECB is unlikely to cut interest rates this month. Meanwhile, divisions within the Governing Council might prevent it from clarifying last... 25th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jun.) The further weakening in the key euro-zone monetary aggregates in June has further strengthened the case for additional policy stimulus from the ECB. 25th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What to expect from the ECB’s Asset Quality Review The ECB’s planned review of banks’ balance sheets is key to resuscitating the euro-zone’s struggling banking sector. Forthcoming stress tests are likely to be more credible than previous rounds, but... 18th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (May 13) May’s euro-zone industrial production data show that the sector cannot be relied upon to generate a strong and sustained recovery. 12th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook A fragile recovery The European economy has shown tentative signs of improvement in recent months, with activity indicators in both Germany and some of the peripheral euro-zone countries regaining a firmer tone after... 9th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly ECB still at the back of the pack The ECB joined the great forward policy guidance race last week. But when it comes to the broader provision of monetary policy support, it remains firmly at the back of the pack. 8th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update The ECB joins the forward guidance club The ECB’s unprecedented step in joining other central banks in providing forward guidance on future policy is a welcome one. But it won’t transform the outlook for the euro-zone economy. 4th July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Market pressures threaten fragile recovery Euro-zone activity indicators have maintained a slightly firmer tone over the last month, providing tentative signs of an upturn in the region’s economy. Nonetheless, those indicators generally... 3rd July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Jun.) Although the peripheral economies remain mired in recession, some fiscal progress is being made, particularly in Greece. 2nd July 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Jun.) & Unemployment (May) The latest euro-zone inflation and labour market figures brought a slight note of caution after the recent improvement in some of the region’s activity indicators. 1st July 2013 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Still mulling more support; exit remains distant With the news that the US Fed is set to taper its QE programme hitting euro-zone financial markets, President Draghi should provide reassurance about ongoing ECB policy support at the forthcoming... 27th June 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Jun.) The EC consumer and business survey for June made pretty encouraging reading, but it remains too soon to conclude that the euro-zone is on the cusp of an economic recovery. 27th June 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (May 13) May’s monetary data revealed that bank credit contracted again, reinforcing our belief that the ECB will be forced into further action by the end of the year. 27th June 2013 · 1 min read