Europe Economics Update EFSF/ECB support for Spain: some unanswered questions The ECB’s statement last week that it might buy Spanish bonds if the government first applies for EFSF support has left many questions unanswered, which we address in this Update. In short, it seems... 6th August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB fails to do “whatever it takes” President Draghi’s comments at today’s ECB press conference were a blow to hopes that the Bank might quickly make huge bond purchases to address the euro-zone’s escalating debt crisis. While the Bank... 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Why Latvia is not a blueprint for the euro-zone's periphery Despite the fact that Latvia’s economy has returned to growth, it is still far from clear that it has undergone the necessary “internal devaluation” required to fully restore competitiveness. What’s... 1st August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Jul. 12) Recent fiscal data suggest that a large number of peripheral and core economies are struggling to make inroads into their budget deficits. And with the growth outlook continuing to deteriorate, many... 31st July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jun.) The latest monetary data provide no indication that the ECB’s earlier liquidity measures are prompting banks to lend more to the wider economy. 26th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Weaker currency won't save the euro-zone While the depreciation of the euro exchange rate is a helpful development for the euro-zone economy, suggestions that it alone can save the currency union look very hopeful. 25th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Spanish bail-out will leave little in the pot A Spanish sovereign bail-out would leave little left in the pot to provide further assistance to Portugal and Ireland and, much more crucially, to deal with serious problems in Italy. 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is Greece about to move back into the spotlight? The formation of a ‘pro bail-out’ government may have recently shifted the markets’ spotlight away from Greece. But the Troika’s visit to Athens, which begins tomorrow, looks set to prompt renewed... 23rd July 2012 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Could Finland be the catalyst for a euro-zone break up? Finland’s continued hardline stance on the provision of support to the peripheral economies increases the risk that the euro-zone will not implement the measures needed to maintain the existing... 19th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Could Finland be the catalyst for a euro-zone break up? Finland’s continued hardline stance on the provision of support to the peripheral economies increases the risk that the euro-zone will not implement the measures needed to maintain the existing... 19th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will the weaker euro rescue Ireland? Ireland’s extraordinarily open economy and strong trade links outside the euro-zone mean that it stands to gain more than other peripheral economies from the depreciation of the euro. But the currency... 18th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Spanish sovereign bail-out still looks very likely The measures announced at last night’s finance ministers’ meeting to support Spain don’t alter our view that the country will require a full sovereign bail-out in the fairly near future. 10th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Why is Portugal the ‘Odd Man Out’? Government bond yields in Portugal have trended lower throughout this year. This contrasts with countries such as Spain and Italy, which have seen increases in recent months. We think this is because... 6th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB cuts rates but signals inability to do more July’s ECB interest rate cut did little to alter the euro-zone’s bleak economic outlook, particularly as the Bank indicated that it is unlikely to pursue any bolder unconventional measures for now. 5th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update French Budget scotches growth lobby François Hollande’s supplementary budget is in stark contrast to his vow to favour growth over austerity. With market pressures and a weakening economic outlook forcing even France to pursue budget... 4th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Could Greece finance itself after a euro-zone exit? We have long argued that it may be in the best interests of Greece to leave the euro-zone. And while some commentators have suggested that Greece would benefit from waiting until it can fully cover... 3rd July 2012 · 1 min read