Europe Economics Update Should the ECB fear deflation? There are some good reasons why the ECB should be worried about the prospect of a bout of consumer price deflation in the euro-zone. But it is not clear that it has the firepower to prevent it. 4th November 2013 · 1 min read
ECB Watch A softer stance With the economic recovery still pretty fragile, the euro climbing higher and inflation falling sharply, President Draghi may adopt a slightly softer stance at the ECB’s interest rate press conference... 31st October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Oct.) & Unemployment (Sep.) The latest euro-zone inflation and unemployment figures provide another clear signal that the recovery is still very fragile and will increase pressure on the ECB to take further action to support the... 31st October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey, German Unemp. (Oct.) & Spa. GDP (Q3) October’s rise in the EC’s euro-zone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) suggests that the region’s modest recovery continued in the early stages of Q4. 30th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Oct.) On balance, the smaller peripheral economies in the euro-zone are still making inroads into their budget deficits, but there are some signs that Italy and Spain are faring a bit less well. 29th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Euro-zone still on track for a grinding recovery Although the Bank of Spain’s Q3 GDP estimate suggested that Spain may have exited its two-year recession, the fall in the euro-zone composite PMI in October highlighted that the region’s economic... 28th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Sep.) September’s euro-zone monetary data perhaps offered tentative signs that the fall in bank lending is easing, but a decent pick-up in credit remains a distant prospect. 25th October 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will the euro-zone recovery lift equity earnings? The depressed level of euro-zone aggregate corporate earnings largely reflects the weakness of the region’s economy. While we continue to think that the recovery in GDP will be unspectacular, a... 24th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Oct.) Despite falling in October, the euro-zone PMIs suggest that the region’s modest expansion continued at the start of Q4. 24th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash Consumer Confidence (Oct. 13) The rise in euro-zone consumer confidence in October adds to signs that the euro-zone recovery is gradually improving. However, we think that a strong and sustained recovery in consumer spending is... 23rd October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Can the euro-zone enjoy a "creditless recovery"? The recent pick-up in the euro-zone economy stands in marked contrast to the accelerating contraction in bank credit. Given the importance of banks to the region, a “creditless recovery” will not be... 21st October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What will happen after next year's bank stress tests? Euro-zone Finance Ministers made little progress on Banking Union at their summit this week. If next year’s stress tests find large holes in bank balance sheets, there is still no clear mechanism to... 17th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Does Europe still face default? Despite the euro-zone economy’s recent recovery, likely constraints on future rates of economic growth and limits to further austerity mean that more of the region’s economies could yet choose, or be... 15th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Aug 13.) Despite a rise in production in August, the euro-zone industrial sector is unlikely to have provided much of a boost to the wider economy in Q3. 14th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly US shutdown underlines uncertain global backdrop The US federal government shutdown is unlikely to have major direct effects on the European economy and financial markets provided that it is resolved fairly quickly. Nonetheless, the episode has... 14th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Growth prospects improve, but crisis unresolved The European economy has shown further signs of recovery, with the euro-zone finally emerging from recession in the second quarter and other parts of the continent also faring better. But growth in... 8th October 2013 · 1 min read