Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Riksbank signals that interest rates have peaked The decision by the Riksbank to raise interest rates from 4.50% to 4.75% clearly shows that it remains concerned about the emergence of ”second-round inflation” effects. But while the Bank did signal... 4th September 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB unlikely to rip up the lending rulebook Thursday’s ECB press conference provides the Bank with a chance to provide greater details about any proposed changes to its collateral requirements for lending in its open market operations. While we... 3rd September 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB’s optimism likely to prove misplaced Upbeat comments from Swiss National Bank Chairman Jean-Pierre Roth in this morning’s press are atodds with our own view. While it is true that some aspects of the Swiss economy appear robust fornow... 19th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Spanish house prices to fall by 25% The recent run of terrible economic news from Spain and the sharp falls in house prices in a number of other developed economies have led us to revise down our forecast for Spanish house prices. We... 13th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Sun not about to set on Greece Recent news from Greece has provided some encouraging signs that it is escaping the economic slowdown which now appears to be engulfing the other Club-Med economies. 11th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB on hold for some months yet Comments from the European Central Bank have retained a relatively hawkish tone, suggesting that it will be some time before the Bank is prepared to bolster the flagging economy with interest rate... 7th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone could be first to enter recession Our view that the euro-zone economy would fare relatively well in the global downturn has been undermined by the latest news on Germany and the deterioration in the business surveys. It now looks... 6th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Pick-up in German wages growth won't last long The latest evidence of rising German wages growth suggests that households’ real incomes are receiving some much-needed support. But we still expect slowing activity to prevent wages growth from... 29th July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Falling house prices pile further pressure on Spain The latest housing market data from Spain revealed that house prices have begun to fall. Over the coming quarters, we expect the slowdown to pick up pace, causing a further downturn in the... 15th July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB not pre-disposed to further rate hikes A softer tone from the European Central Bank has supported our view that today’s interest rate hike will not be the first in a series. Indeed, given more signs lately of a marked slowdown in economic... 3rd July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Riksbank signals further rate increases The decision by the Riksbank to raise interest rates from 4.25% to 4.50% was widely expected, but the Bank’s signal that rates could rise twice more this year shows that it believes the economy will... 3rd July 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Riksbank signals further rate increases The decision by the Riksbank to raise interest rates from 4.25% to 4.50% was widely expected, but the Bank’s signal that rates could rise twice more this year shows that it believes the economy will... 3rd July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Industrial sector adding to Spain’s woes Spanish football may be flying high at the moment, but Spain’s industrial activity indicators have recently divebombed, adding to the economy’s mounting woes. 1st July 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Ireland heading for recession The contraction in the Irish economy in Q1 confirmed that the boom of the last decade has finally turned to bust. It seems very likely that the economy is heading into a property-led recession. 30th June 2008 · 1 min read
