Europe Economic Outlook Recovery prospects clouded by Greece Recent indicators have brought signs of a renewed recovery in the euro-zone economy, reflecting the beneficial effects of lower oil prices and the decline in the euro exchange rate. But the picture... 8th April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Retail Sales (Feb.) February’s euro-zone retail sales data showed that while the consumer recovery remained fairly strong, it did not pick up further pace. 8th April 2015 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update ECB trumps Bank of Japan? Although the asset purchase programme announced by the ECB this year is smaller than that announced by the Bank of Japan in 2013, the initial response of financial markets has, if anything, been... 3rd April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Greece & the ECB both have a lot more work to do The more detailed list of proposed reforms submitted by Greece last week potentially provided the basis for an agreement that will allow it to meet its near-term financial obligations. But the tussles... 3rd April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Mar.) Recently published data show that Spain, Portugal and France made headway in reducing their general government deficits in 2014. But progress among the peripheral countries at the start of 2015 has... 2nd April 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will the ECB’s QE provide more fuel for euro-zone bonds? While the anticipation and launch of looser unconventional monetary policy in the euro-zone appears to have depressed the yields of bonds issued by the region’s more troubled governments, the boost... 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Markets still under-pricing “Grexit” risks The latest surveys continue to suggest that only a minority of investors expect Greece to leave the euro within the next twelve months. Admittedly, the proportion is still significant, which shows... 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Mar.) & Unemployment (Feb.) The latest data on euro-zone inflation and unemployment did not lift the threat of a prolonged period of deflation in the currency union. 1st April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Time is quickly running out for Greece Greece is running out of time to produce a list of reforms that will satisfy its creditors and secure the additional bail-out payment it requires to meet its near-term financial obligations. But even... 31st March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Mar.) March’s EC business and consumer sentiment indicators supported the evidence from other surveys that euro-zone economic activity picked up slightly in the first quarter. But growth still looks likely... 31st March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Euro-zone consumers look ready to start spending Buoyed by falling unemployment, rising equity prices and a boost to their spending power from a lower oil price, euro-zone consumers have become increasingly confident, with the EC’s measure of... 27th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Feb.) February’s euro-zone monetary data add to the evidence from activity surveys that economic growth in the euro-zone will pick up in the coming months. But troubles in the Greek banking sector remain a... 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Can the euro-zone converge with the US? While lower inflation and the drop in the euro might boost growth in the euro-zone relative to that in the US, structural constraints, respective policy conditions and the effects of the Greek crisis... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Will consumer optimism translate into stronger retail rental growth? Euro-zone consumer confidence is at its highest level since 2007. While the long-term consumption outlook remains challenging, elevated sentiment should nevertheless help support retail rental value... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China & Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Mar.) Today’s disappointing PMI readings from China could have a silver lining for commodities: the data are not bad enough to justify market fears of an imminent “hard landing”, but they may prompt... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Mar.) March’s further rise in the euro-zone composite PMI adds to the signs that the region’s economic recovery may have picked up a bit of pace in Q1. But growth remains pretty sluggish and France is still... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
