Europe Economics Update PMIs highlight France’s stuttering recovery The French economy is probably faring a little better than June’s dreadful PMIs suggest. But more austerity and weak competitiveness mean that it will continue to weigh on the euro-zone’s recovery. 23rd June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norges Bank opening its eyes to weakening economy As we expected given signs of a slowdown in the energy sector, the Norges Bank pushed back its first projected rate hike until 2016. Although the krone weakened on the news, the economic slowdown may... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB on hold for now, but further action will be needed The Swiss National Bank (SNB) today maintained its strongly supportive policy stance, pledging to enforce the ceiling on the Swiss franc with “the utmost determination”. We think that the SNB will be... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB on hold for now, but further action will be needed The Swiss National Bank (SNB) today maintained its strongly supportive policy stance, pledging to enforce the ceiling on the Swiss franc with “the utmost determination”. We think that the SNB will... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank opening its eyes to weakening economy As we expected given signs of a slowdown in the energy sector, the Norges Bank pushed back its first projected rate hike until 2016. Although the krone weakened on the news, the economic slowdown may... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Finland struggling to re-orientate its economy Finland has gone from being one of the euro-zone’s strongest performers pre-crisis to one of the worst, following the demise of its key industries. Reforms to boost growth will take time and effort... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Finland struggling to re-orientate its economy Finland has gone from being one of the euro-zone’s strongest performers pre-crisis to one of the worst, following the demise of its key industries. Reforms to boost growth will take time and effort... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update More austerity pain to come for euro-zone The EC’s latest batch of country reports shows that the euro-zone has already achieved substantial structural reform and fiscal consolidation. But the region faces several more years of painful reform... 11th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB finally tackling deflation risks, but needs to do more The ECB unveiled an array of policies to boost bank lending and counter deflationary risks today. But there are uncertainties over how effective these policies will be. And while it is good news that... 5th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Housing & energy still constraints on Norwegian growth Although we have nudged up our forecasts in light of recent data, Norway’s economy is still set to expand by less than the Norges Bank expects. This may prompt it to delay raising rates until 2016. 5th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (May) Although progress is still slow, the latest euro-zone fiscal data provided more evidence that peripheral governments are gradually strengthening their fiscal positions. 2nd June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Apr.) April’s euro-zone monetary data highlighted the fragile nature of the region’s banks and should spur the ECB to ease policy further at its meeting next week. 28th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Weak euro-zone recovery will sustain populist anger Although populist parties will remain a minority at the European Parliament, the euro-zone’s weak recovery will sustain support for these parties, undermining national reform efforts across the region... 27th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB lending scheme would have serious limitations The ECB seems increasingly likely to unveil a new scheme to boost lending to the private sector, perhaps as soon as its June policy meeting. We would welcome such a scheme, but its effectiveness will... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Sedlabanki on hold, but rates to rise later this year Iceland’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged at 6% at its meeting today, despite raising its medium-term forecasts for GDP growth. We continue to think that the Sedlabanki will have to raise... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update EP elections to show rising reform fatigue Euro-sceptic parties are set to perform strongly at elections for the European Parliament. Although the result may have little impact on the institution itself, it risks undermining national... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read