Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swiss franc set for further small depreciation The Swiss franc was the worst performing major currency last month. While the franc’s depreciation has been stronger than we had anticipated, we still see it depreciating a little further against the... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Jul.) The euro-zone’s efforts to put its public finances in order continued in Q1, with the region’s budget deficit shrinking to its lowest level since mid-2007. And timelier central government fiscal data... 1st August 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish political scandal lowers chance of tax hikes After last week’s political scandal, Sweden’s Government needs to boost its popularity. So the Government seems likely to row back from planned tax hikes ahead of next year’s general election. 31st July 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Mixed performances for Nordic and Swiss currencies After fairly big rises in yields in June, July was a quieter month for Nordic & Swiss government bonds. There was more action in the currency market, with the Norwegian krone and Swedish krona rising... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Jun.) June’s euro-zone money and credit data point to downside risks to growth. But firms and consumers have scope to fund extra spending without borrowing, and with confidence high, we remain optimistic... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update How will the ECB react to the euro’s rise? The renewed rise in the euro since yesterday’s ECB press conference may increase speculation that the Bank will have to change tack. But we doubt that it will be too worried about the currency at... 21st July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB taper announcement likely in October Today’s ECB press conference made us more confident that tapering will come next year. An announcement of the policy now seems most likely to come in October, rather than at the next meeting in... 20th July 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update How will the Riksbank react to the strengthening krona? The krona’s recent rise means that exchange rate effects will detract from Swedish inflation in 2018. But with domestic inflation set to rise further above 2%, this should not prevent the Riksbank... 17th July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update How important is the EU-Japan trade deal? The EU-Japan trade deal is unlikely to have a major impact on euro-zone GDP growth. In the context of US President Trump’s protectionist leanings and the UK’s impending exit from the EU, the deal is a... 6th July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Market moves unlikely to prompt ECB to delay QE tapering The euro’s rise has not yet been sharp enough to cause a significant tightening of monetary conditions and we doubt that it will dissuade the ECB from tapering QE next year. But a further appreciation... 5th July 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Riksbank drops easing bias from forward guidance By indicating that it no longer expects to cut interest rates, the Riksbank has taken a small step toward monetary policy normalisation. While the Bank indicated that it will continue to guard against... 4th July 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Will Nordic and Swiss bond yields keep rising? Government bond yields in the Nordic and Swiss economies have risen recently, and for the most part we expect this to continue. Yields in Sweden are likely to rise the furthest, while those in... 3rd July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Jun.) The latest fiscal data revealed a mixed performance by the euro-zone’s peripheral countries, with Ireland faring particularly well. Meanwhile, Greece reached a deal with its creditors but, in the... 30th June 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Bond yields rise on prospect of tighter global monetary policy Bond yields across the Nordic and Swiss economies increased in June, in line with global market moves following major central bank speeches that prompted investors to bring forward their expectations... 30th June 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Gloomy French fiscal outlook leaves Macron with work to do The warning from France’s fiscal watchdog that the country’s budget deficit is set to exceed 3% of GDP this year and next puts pressure on Emmanuel Macron to find extra savings in order to avoid... 30th June 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will the euro continue to climb? We think that the euro’s latest rise against the US dollar was a justified reaction to Mario Draghi’s hints that QE will be tapered early next year, despite warnings from the ECB that the comments... 28th June 2017 · 1 min read
