Europe Economics Update How big a problem for Italy are rising yields? We think that Italy’s bond yields will rise more quickly than most expect. But as long as the Government waters down its fiscal plans, and is committed to the euro, its interest costs should remain... 25th June 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Krone to weaken despite Norges Bank tightening Today’s policy announcement by the Norges Bank shows that it is on the brink of raising interest rates. But once it has started, it will tighten policy only very slowly. And because we forecast oil... 21st June 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB sticks to its dovish script amid political concerns Despite the ECB calling time on its asset purchase programme last week, the Swiss National Bank today left its monetary policy stance unchanged and cited worries about franc strength, political... 21st June 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek deal essentially a restatement of old fudges The Eurogroup seems set to agree the payment of Greece’s final loan tranche tomorrow and to offer a cash buffer to help it through the early months after it exits its bailout in August. But mooted... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Could the ECB still hike if the Fed started cutting? We expect the ECB to start raising interest rates in September 2019, not long before we judge that the US Fed will start to cut. Such divergence between the two central banks would be almost... 18th June 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB strikes dovish tone as asset purchases set to end The ECB announced today that its asset purchase programme will end in December. But its other communications reinforced our long-held view that interest rates will not rise until at least September... 14th June 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Central Bank of Iceland on hold but rate rises coming The Central Bank of Iceland left policy unchanged today and reiterated that a tight monetary policy stance is still needed, given the strong economy and pressures in the labour market. We think that... 13th June 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What will happen to Italy’s TARGET2 liabilities? Although Italy is likely to stay in the euro-zone for the foreseeable future, recent political developments have resurrected the possibility of it leaving at some point and raised the issue of how... 7th June 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Is Italy a worry for Switzerland and the Nordics? Political turmoil in Italy has rocked Swiss and Nordic financial markets over the past few weeks, but the economic fallout is likely to remain limited. That said, if the situation in Italy worsens... 5th June 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Italy turmoil boosts Swiss franc and government bonds The recent political turmoil in Italy gave the Swiss franc and Nordic & Swiss government bonds a boost at the end of May as investors sought safe havens. Stronger exchange rates weighed on equities in... 31st May 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will turmoil in Italy spark contagion? The fallout from the latest political turmoil in Italy has so far been contained, with limited impact on other euro-zone countries’ financial markets. There are good reasons to expect this to remain... 30th May 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update TARGET2 imbalances highlight Italy’s fragile situation If sentiment towards Italy deteriorates as a result of the current political situation, we could see renewed capital flight and a further worsening of Italy’s already-high TARGET2 liabilities. But... 29th May 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Key questions about Italy After the President refused to appoint a eurosceptic finance minister, Italy is heading for a fresh election. Provided that Five Star Movement and the League do not call for a referendum on euro... 29th May 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Apr.) April’s euro-zone money and lending data provide further evidence that economic growth has peaked. While households’ and firms’ demand for loans is still fairly strong, the deteriorating situation in... 29th May 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update A snap election would be good for Spain Spain’s Government is teetering and a snap election is on the cards. Given the rise of populists in Italy, an increase in political uncertainty in Spain seems concerning. But while the situation is... 25th May 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Will Swedish wage growth ever pick up? We expect wage growth in Sweden to pick up to around 3% by the end of the year. This should be enough for the Riksbank to start raising interest rates in December. 23rd May 2018 · 1 min read
