Europe Commercial Property Update Prime Brussels offices to fare better than most More remote working is pushing all occupiers to reassess their office space, but we think that rental growth for prime offices in Brussels should hold up better than the wider market. 22nd July 2021 · 3 mins read
Europe Economic Outlook Strong rebound and temporary rise in inflation The euro-zone is on the way to an almost full recovery. We expect Germany to regain its pre-pandemic level of activity later this year and the tourist-dependent southern countries to do so next year... 16th July 2021 · 33 mins read
Europe Economics Weekly Drop back in bond yields takes pressure off ECB The fall in sovereign bond yields over the past week may make things a little easier for the ECB Governing Council when it meets on 10 th June. We think it is likely to replace its commitment to make... 28th May 2021 · 8 mins read
Europe Data Response EC Survey (Apr.) and Euro-zone Bank Lending (Mar.) The largest-ever slump in the EC Economic Sentiment Indicator in April comes as no surprise but, along with the 3.9% q/q fall in Belgian GDP in Q1, it underlines the depth of the euro-zone’s recession... 29th April 2020 · 2 mins read
Europe Economic Outlook ECB to keep pushing on a string We expect economic growth to remain sluggish this year as external demand picks up only slowly and domestic demand softens. Employment growth is slowing, which will cause household incomes and... 21st January 2020 · 30 mins read
Europe Economics Update Eight quick points about the European elections Projections of the results of the European elections confirm that pro-European parties will continue to have a clear majority in the European Parliament (EP) itself, so little will change at EU level... 27th May 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Troubling times for Belgian retail Belgium’s retail sector is under significant pressure from both cyclical and structural forces. As a result, we expect rents to fall again in 2019 and yields to tick upwards slightly. 6th February 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Missing the global tightening cycle The euro-zone should regain some momentum in the coming months, at least compared to its dire performance at the end of last year. But we think the economy will expand by just 1% in 2019 as a whole... 18th January 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What to expect from elections in Europe this year In a busy election calendar this year, the focus will be on the rise of populist and euro-sceptic parties. Elections for the European Parliament in May are the most high profile event, but there will... 17th January 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update High income returns positive for Brussels offices A positive economic outlook for Belgium and a shortage of available Grade A stock bode well for office rents in Brussels. Foreign investors, in particular, are increasing exposure to the market as it... 11th July 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Brussels simmering, but Antwerp retail on the boil Rising consumer prosperity and confidence in Belgium will support decent retailer activity in the next couple of years. However, plentiful supply in Brussels will keep rental growth subdued, allowing... 5th January 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update How will the SNB respond to ECB tapering? The Swiss National Bank will surely welcome the likely announcement later this month by the European Central Bank that it will wind up its asset purchase programme next year. This will probably help... 5th October 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Brussels prime office rental prospects looking brighter Very low Grade A vacancy and steady net absorption are likely to see Brussels rental growth forecasts for this year blown out of the water. We think rents could climb by 12% and a further 3% in 2018. 25th July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Outlook has brightened despite political risk The euro-zone has continued to perform very well and we now expect growth to be stronger than the consensus forecast this year and next. Inflation has been lower than we had assumed, meaning that... 19th April 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German, Spanish & Belgian Flash CPI (Mar.) March’s declines in headline consumer price inflation in Germany, Spain and Belgium reflected some temporary factors. But the big picture is still that underlying inflation throughout the euro-zone... 30th March 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Brussels offices offer solid returns for core investors We expect Brussels office rents to climb slowly over the next five years. But even if this proves too tall an order, we think the city’s high initial yield should make it attractive for prospective... 24th March 2017 · 1 min read
