Europe Economics Weekly Christine Lagarde’s wishful thinking on AI This week’s inflation data and ECB decision were in line with expectations. In this Weekly we take a look at Christine Lagarde’s claim that there is a significant AI-related pick-up in investment in... 6th February 2026 · 5 mins read
Europe Rapid Response German Industrial Production (December) The slump in German industrial production in December pours cold water on the hopes of an industrial recovery. And though the recent pick-up in industrial orders suggests the outlook for the start of... 6th February 2026 · 2 mins read
Capital Daily Weighing up the implications of today’s MPC and ECB meetings A dovish UK MPC meeting prompted big falls in both short-dated Gilt yields and sterling today, whereas there wasn’t so much reaction in the markets to the ECB’s gathering. We think there is scope for... 5th February 2026 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Update ECB on hold for several more months While the ECB left rates on hold today and put a positive spin on the outlook for the economy, we think its next move is likely be a rate cut, albeit not until much later in the year. 5th February 2026 · 3 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Euro-zone HICP (January 2026) January’s declines in headline and core inflation left both below the ECB’s forecasts for Q1. This is consistent with our view that inflation will be lower than the central bank expects in 2026, but... 4th February 2026 · 2 mins read
Europe Commercial Property Update Lending conditions improving, but refinancing challenges to persist Survey data point to an improving commercial real estate lending environment in H1 this year. This will support investment activity, though our updated estimates suggest refinancing challenges will... 4th February 2026 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update Analysing public debt sustainability in the euro-zone Among the largest euro-zone countries, public debt looks most worrying in France because it is on an upward trajectory and Italy because it is likely to remain very high. Government debt is also set... 3rd February 2026 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Update ECB Bank Lending Survey (Q4 2025) The ECB’s Q4 Bank Lending Survey, published this morning, suggests that banks have become more cautious about lending to companies while consumers remain reluctant to spend. It also showed that the... 3rd February 2026 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update How the EU-India trade deal will affect the euro-zone The recently signed EU-India trade deal promises big tariff reductions which should support EU export growth. However, the starting level of exports is low, the phase-in will be gradual, and imports... 2nd February 2026 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Weekly French bond rally looks overdone The French government's survival after bypassing parliament to implement the 2026 budget has done nothing to improve the country's long-term debt dynamics. So we think that the recent narrowing of... 30th January 2026 · 8 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Euro-zone GDP (Q4 2025) & Unemployment (Dec. 2025) Euro-zone GDP growth remained around its trend rate in Q4 and we expect it to maintain that pace in 2026. 30th January 2026 · 2 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Germany, France, Italy & Spain GDP (Q4 2025) National data published this morning suggest that euro-zone GDP grew by a slightly stronger-than-expected 0.3% q/q in Q4. Spain remained the star performer, while Germany, France and Italy also... 30th January 2026 · 2 mins read
ECB Watch ECB to leave policy unchanged again Nobody is expecting the ECB to change its policy stance or written guidance next week so the focus will be on the press conference. Christine Lagarde will be asked about the recent tariff threats... 29th January 2026 · 7 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Euro-zone EC Survey (January 2026) January’s EC survey suggests that the economy got off to a fairly strong start to the year, with the services sector growing while industry continues to struggle. But the labour market has loosened... 29th January 2026 · 2 mins read
