Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jan.) Recent monetary data have revealed that the ECB’s generous lending has helped to reduce strains in interbank markets to some extent. However, money and credit growth have weakened further. 27th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Outlook On the cusp of a fresh downturn The recovery in capital values seen in most euro-zone property markets over the past year or so, looks set to be reversed in 2012. As the economy slides back into a deep recession, occupier demand... 26th January 2012 · 1 min read
Euro-zone departures to exacerbate the downturn The euro-zone stands on the brink of a deep recession which will encompass all member states. Emerging European economies have less scope to loosen policy in response to a drop in euro-zone output... 25th January 2012 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Global growth prospects - where we differ from consensus As the IMF released its latest forecasts yesterday and we published our Global Economic Outlook last week, this seems a good time to take stock of how our forecasts compare with others. Overall... 25th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Jan.) January’s increase in the euro-zone composite PMI is certainly an encouraging sign, but the survey still suggests that the region is in recession. 24th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Greek debt deal won’t eliminate break-up risks The Greek government appears to be close to agreeing a deal with bond-holders which should both reduce its debt burden and ensure that it gets its second bail-out in time to finance the redemption of... 23rd January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German ZEW Survey (Jan.) & Euro-zone Final CPI (Dec.) January’s sharp monthly rise in the German ZEW index is certainly an encouraging sign, but the index still points to tough times ahead. 17th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Some glimmers of hope Last week’s news on the euro-zone continued the slightly more positive tone of late. Germany and France reiterated their commitment to a new fiscal compact, Spanish and Italian bond auctions were... 16th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB stands firm on bond purchases The ECB today maintained both the level of official interest rates and its opposition to calls for it to take more decisive action to tackle the euro-zone’s debt crisis. 12th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Nov.) November’s euro-zone industrial production data provided further evidence that the economy as a whole may have fallen back into recession in Q4. 12th January 2012 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update What next for the euro? The euro fell below $1.27 against the dollar again on Wednesday – close to its lowest level since the autumn of 2010. We do not think its slide is over. Both the relative prospects for monetary policy... 11th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Divergences widen Some of the euro-zone’s survey indicators have ticked up in the past month. However, they almost unanimously warn of a renewed recession in the region, with the composite PMI, for example, pointing to... 11th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Merkel/Sarkozy summit adds to break-up risk Merkel and Sarkozy’s pledge to accelerate their contributions to the euro-zone’s bail-out fund following today’s summit was vaguely encouraging. But far more striking was their lukewarm support for... 9th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Spring bond redemptions may prove pivotal A new year may have begun, but it has not provided the euro-zone with a fresh start. The latest economic data confirm that the economy remains in a precarious position and the euro has continued to... 9th January 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Dec.), Unemployment & Retail Sales (Nov.) December’s fall in the EC survey of euro-zone economic sentiment, together with November’s drop in retail sales and the still high rate of unemployment, confirms that the euro-zone economy is in a... 6th January 2012 · 1 min read
ECB Watch ECB to continue to resist bigger bond purchases After two consecutive cuts in interest rates, the European Central Bank (ECB) looks set to hold fire at its first policy meeting of 2012 on January 12th. And while further interest rate cuts are still... 6th January 2012 · 1 min read