Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB interest rate hike not around the corner Despite growing domestic price pressures, the Swiss National Bank left its interest rate target at 0.25% at today’s meeting. While the Bank’s tone was a bit more upbeat than expected, the inflation... 17th March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB interest rate hike not around the corner Despite growing domestic price pressures, the Swiss National Bank left its interest rate target at 0.25% at today’s meeting. While the Bank’s tone was a bit more upbeat than expected, the inflation... 17th March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What does the "Euro Pact" mean for Portugal? Contrary to prior expectations, Portugal was not pushed into accepting a bail-out at this weekend’s euro-zone summit. Instead, the “Euro Pact” and Portugal’s announcement of new fiscal measures eased... 15th March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will the "Grand Bargain" prove to be a turning point? Measures announced by European leaders late last Friday to try to resolve the region’s fiscal problems have provided the markets with a boost. But the measures are not as far-reaching as had been... 14th March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is Greece still facing a funding crisis? Recent financial market developments suggest that Greece is as far away as ever from convincing investors that it can get its public finances on a stable footing without defaulting. What’s more, there... 9th March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Iceland's troubles are far from over Q4’s renewed contraction in Icelandic GDP is a reminder that the economy will struggle to sustain a decent recovery. While the end of the Icesave saga provides some signs of hope, we doubt it will... 8th March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB signals April rate hike The ECB gave a crystal clear signal today that it has already made the decision to raise interest rates in the near future. We have pencilled in quarter-point hikes in rates in both April and July. 3rd March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Bond purchase stand-off bodes ill for grand policy plan The apparent impasse between the ECB and Germany over the purchase of peripheral government bonds not only makes it very likely that Portugal will have to accept a bail-out but also questions the... 2nd March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Feb.) Most of the peripheral euro-zone governments made some progress towards getting their public finances under control in 2010. But those economies are set for another painful squeeze this year and... 2nd March 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update New Irish Government faces daunting challenges News that Fine Gael and Labour are likely to form a coalition Government with a healthy majority will reduce political uncertainty in Ireland. But the new Government faces a major battle to improve... 28th February 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Feb.) The latest euro-zone money and credit data continue to suggest that underlying inflationary pressures remain subdued. But needless to say, the recent surge in the oil price, coupled with the fact that... 25th February 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is a Portuguese bail-out just around the corner? The recent increase in Portuguese bond yields will increase the pressure on the Government to accept a bail-out. Nonetheless, the Government may resist requesting outside support for a little while... 24th February 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Has Spain won over the markets for good? There have recently been signs that Spain may be starting to persuade the markets that it is not in as dire a position as some of the other peripheral economies. While this provides some hope that the... 22nd February 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Worsening economic outlook adding to Greece's problems The recent news that the Greek economy remains deep in recession will add to fears that the Government may struggle to meet its budget deficit goals and will do nothing to ease concerns about Greece’s... 17th February 2011 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish Riksbank becoming more hawkish As expected, the Swedish Riksbank responded to the economy’s ongoing robust revival by raising interest rates and revising up its interest rate forecast. Nonetheless, we still think that weaker than... 15th February 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Swedish Riksbank becoming more hawkish As expected, the Swedish Riksbank responded to the economy’s ongoing robust revival by raising interest rates and revising up its interest rate forecast. Nonetheless, we still think that weaker than... 15th February 2011 · 1 min read
