Europe Economics Update Monti’s declaration will not end political uncertainty Mario Monti’s widely expected decision to head a “centrist alliance” probably increases the chances of Italy continuing its reform process, but the political situation remains uncertain. What’s more... 2nd January 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update 2013: Another challenging year for the euro-zone The intervention of the European Central Bank helped to prevent the euro-zone debt crisis from escalating further in 2012. But the currency union still faces a number of major challenges in 2013. 20th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update How encouraging are recent current account trends? The narrowing of the southern euro-zone economies’ current account deficits implies that economic imbalances within the region are shrinking. But the rebalancing process is far from complete. 19th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update 2012: Day of reckoning postponed by the ECB Our fears that 2012 could be the “crunch year” for the euro-zone were not borne out – barring catastrophe in the next week or so! However, the fact that the economic news has been largely as we... 18th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Negative ECB rates might do more harm than good Given the dubious benefits and possible costs of cutting deposit rates below zero, we still see ECB interest rates remaining on hold for the foreseeable future. 18th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Swedish Riksbank lowers rates and further cuts to come We doubt that the latest interest rate reduction by the Swedish Riksbank will be the last in the current cycle. While the Bank has concerns about the longer-term effects of a prolonged period of low... 18th December 2012 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish Riksbank lowers rates and further cuts to come We doubt that the latest interest rate reduction by the Swedish Riksbank will be the last in the current cycle. While the Bank has concerns about the longer-term effects of a prolonged period of low... 18th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update How long will the Greek relief last? The news that Greece will get its next and long-awaited bail-out loan payment within days will provide Greek and euro-zone policymakers with a bit of breathing space. But we doubt that this will bring... 13th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Italy back in the spotlight The intended resignation of Italian technocrat Prime Minister Mario Monti is a timely reminder thatthe euro-zone debt crisis still goes way beyond the problems of Greece. 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB on hold despite prospect of long recession At its press conference today, the ECB again refused to make any firm commitments about the amount of support that it might be prepared to offer the Spanish Government if it requested a bailout. And... 6th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Negative bank rates won't depress the Swiss franc for long Credit Suisse’s announcement that it will charge other banks for holding large Swiss franc deposits with it has helped to ease the pressure on the currency for now. But while we have revised down our... 4th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Debt buyback won't transform Greece's fiscal outlook While early signs indicate that Greece’s debt buyback will be a success, it will not bring an end to the country’s fiscal crisis. 4th December 2012 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Negative bank rates won’t depress the Swiss franc for long Credit Suisse’s announcement that it will charge other banks for holding large Swiss franc deposits with it has helped to ease the pressure on the currency for now. But while we have revised down our... 4th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Nov.) Although Greece, Portugal and Ireland are making some fiscal progress, Italy and Spain are still struggling to cut their budget deficits 29th November 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Oct. 12) The latest euro-zone monetary data revealed a further small acceleration in the growth of money and bank lending in the region. But weak credit growth remains a major constraint on economic activity... 28th November 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek deal delays the day of reckoning Euro-zone policymakers have found a bit more money down the back of the sofa to buy another sticking plaster for Greece. But the relatively easy options are running out fast. 27th November 2012 · 1 min read