Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Should Sweden be worried about deflation? Sweden is less at risk from a prolonged and damaging bout of deflation than the euro-zone, despite the fact that CPI inflation is currently lower in the former. 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Deflation dangers are greater this time While a bout of deflation in the euro-zone back in 2009 proved to be short-lived and harmless, there are reasons why a new episode of falling prices would be longer-lasting and more damaging. 4th February 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Third bail-out will not solve all of Greece's problems The news that Germany is drawing up plans for another support package for Greece, suggests that policymakers are gradually resolving some of the problems surrounding Greece’s current bail-out deal... 3rd February 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Dire household finances pose two risks for Greece Although the risk of a “Grexit” has diminished substantially, we think that the dire financial position of Greek households has the potential to trigger a renewed intensification of the country’s... 30th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Dec.13) Euro-zone bank lending remained very weak in December, suggesting that the banking sector is still a significant drag on the region’s recovery. 29th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Jan.) The latest fiscal data suggest that, last year, the smaller peripheral economies made significantly better fiscal progress than Italy or Spain. 29th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB loan buying plan won't dampen deflation risks Hints from Mario Draghi that the European Central Bank (ECB) may consider purchasing bank loans do not reduce the growing risks of deflation in the euro-zone. 28th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is Spain set for a household spending-led recovery? The Spanish economy may have ended 2013 on a relatively high note. But we would be wary of concluding that all the pieces are now in place for a solid and sustained economic recovery this year. 23rd January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Dutch banks still a weight on the recovery Although financial conditions in the Netherlands are set to improve in 2014, the country’s banking system will weigh on the recovery for a while yet. 16th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update France gets to grips with its structural problems, slowly The new “responsibility pact” is a step forward for the French economy. Taken together with other planned measures, France is now slowly tackling some of its structural problems. 15th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norway set for several years of below-trend growth The Norwegian economy will slow more than the consensus expects over the coming years as its two major tailwinds in recent years – booms in the housing and energy sectors – fade out. 13th January 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norway set for several years of below-trend growth The Norwegian economy will slow more than the consensus expects over the coming years as its two major tailwinds in recent years – booms in the housing and energy sectors – fade out. 13th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Draghi prepares the ground for more action President Draghi’s repeated assertions at today’s press conference that the ECB stands ready to use all instruments allowed by its Treaty suggested that more policy action is on the way. While another... 9th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Spanish prospects are improving, but only gradually December’s drop in Spanish unemployment will bolster hopes that the labour market has reached a turning point and the economic recovery may spread to the household sector. But while we have revised up... 6th January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Nov 13.) The fall in euro-zone bank lending accelerated in November, suggesting that the banking sector will remain a significant drag on the region’s recovery. 3rd January 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Dec 13.) The latest headline fiscal figures show that Italy and Spain, the periphery's two largest economies, may have struggled to make inroads into their budget deficits in 2013. 2nd January 2014 · 1 min read