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
Nordic & Swiss 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 Belgian elections unlikely to break the reform deadlock Upcoming elections in Belgium are unlikely to deliver a decisive victory to any one party. With the main parties divided over fundamental economic and political reforms, we doubt that a new coalition... 20th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Fragile recovery hampering Italy's belt tightening The unexpected drop in Italy’s GDP in Q1 underlines the fragility of the country’s recovery and further undermines attempts to bring down its crushing public debt load. 20th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Markets' faith in Portugal seems misplaced Portugal’s clean exit from its bail-out at the weekend was soured by the news that the economy contracted in the first quarter. The GDP figures are not as worrying as they seem, but the Portuguese... 19th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Dismal Q1 suggests Finland will stagnate at best in 2014 The 0.4% fall in Finland’s trend output indicator over Q1 is a clear indication that the country is struggling to exit recession. We expect the Finnish economy to stagnate this year, undermining... 19th May 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Dismal Q1 suggests Finland will stagnate at best in 2014 The 0.4% fall in Finland’s trend output indicator over Q1 is a clear indication that the country is struggling to exit recession. We expect the Finnish economy to stagnate this year, undermining... 19th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB to cut rates and maybe more next month The ECB signalled very strongly at today’s press conference that policy will be loosened next month. A small cut in the main refinancing rate seems like the least that the Bank could do and is... 8th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Growth slowdown to delay rate hikes in Norway until 2016 The Norges Bank left its monetary policy stance unchanged today and we continue to think that a slowdown in the economy will prevent the Bank hiking until 2016. 8th May 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Growth slowdown to delay rate hikes in Norway until 2016 The Norges Bank left its monetary policy stance unchanged today and we continue to think that a slowdown in the economy will prevent the Bank hiking until 2016. 8th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Deflation to trump Riksbank's household debt concerns The Riksbank’s report on household indebtedness underscores the magnitude of the problem and the need for it to be addressed. But we continue to think that the Bank will cut interest rates as... 7th May 2014 · 1 min read
