UK Economics Weekly Rise in rate expectations casts doubt on pre-election tax cuts We would be surprised if the Chancellor is unable to find any cash to deliver some popular sweeteners to the electorate ahead of the next general election. But the latest data are a setback for the... 18th August 2023 · 6 mins read
Europe Economics Weekly Spanish politics, Swiss industrial production This week saw Spain take a tentative step towards forming a new government, but there is a long way to go, and another general election may yet be needed. We also learnt this week that Swiss... 18th August 2023 · 6 mins read
Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack (Q3 2023) Our Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack has been updated with the latest data and our analysis of recent developments. The slowdown in rent growth in the first half of this year is likely to persist... 18th August 2023 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Our revised yield model suggests the peak is close Property yields have risen less sharply this year, but there remains considerable uncertainty about where they will peak. We returned to our yield model for guidance and, while a re-specified equation... 18th August 2023 · 3 mins read
UK Economics Rapid Response UK Retail Sales (Jul. 2023) The 1.2% m/m fall in retail sales volumes in July probably had more to do with the unusually wet weather than the impact of higher interest rates on consumer spending. But with the Bank of England’s... 18th August 2023 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Arrears edge higher as BTL mortgage rates hit 6% Mortgage arrears were still low in Q2, but the number of Buy-to-Let (BTL) mortgages in early arrears increased at an alarming pace. We suspect that will continue in Q3. A growing number of landlords... 17th August 2023 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Update Only one more Norges Bank hike to come Norges Bank is very close to the end of its tightening cycle. After today’s 25bp hike, taking the deposit rate to 4%, we expect one final 25bp increase in September. We have then pencilled in a faster... 17th August 2023 · 3 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Norges Bank Policy Announcement (August 2023) Norges Bank is very close to the end of its tightening cycle. After today’s 25bp hike, taking the deposit rate to 4%, we expect one final 25bp increase in September. We have then pencilled in a faster... 17th August 2023 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone industry running out of steam The support to industrial production from the end of major supply chain disruption has run its course. And while the drop in gas prices over the past year could give a boost to some firms, output... 16th August 2023 · 4 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Euro-zone GDP (Q2 2023 2nd est.), Employment (Q2 2023) and Industrial Production (June) Despite euro-zone industrial production having increased in June on a monthly basis, it remained well below its Q1 average. And with demand having fallen sharply in recent months, we expect output to... 16th August 2023 · 2 mins read
Emerging Europe Rapid Response Central & Eastern Europe GDP (Q2 2023) Q2 GDP figures for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) generally came in below expectations and suggest that the region continued to suffer the ill-effects from high inflation and interest rates last... 16th August 2023 · 2 mins read
UK Economics Rapid Response UK Consumer Prices (Jul. 2023) CPI inflation fell to a 17-month low of 6.8% in July, as the effects of the lower utility price cap kicked in. But with services price inflation rising from 7.2% to 7.4% (Bank of England forecast 7.3%... 16th August 2023 · 3 mins read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia: macro stability risks now crystalising The decision by Russia’s central bank to increase its policy rate by 350bp, to 12.00%, at an unscheduled meeting today underscores the challenges that policymakers are now facing to maintain... 15th August 2023 · 4 mins read
Emerging Europe Rapid Response Russia Interest Rate Announcement (Aug.) The Russian central bank’s 350bp interest rate hike, to 12.0%, at today’s unscheduled meeting is likely to be followed by further increases in the coming months. But there’s little the central bank... 15th August 2023 · 2 mins read
UK Economics Rapid Response UK Labour Market (Jun./Jul. 2023) The fall in employment in the three months to June and further rise in the unemployment rate will be welcomed by the Bank of England as a sign labour market conditions are cooling. But with wage... 15th August 2023 · 3 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Sweden Consumer Prices (July) The unchanged readings for both headline inflation and the Riksbank’s target variable suggest that a further interest rate hike in September is highly likely. 15th August 2023 · 2 mins read