Europe Economics Update French consumers leading the way France is one of few economies that seem to be experiencing a consumer revival. Sadly, fiscal tightening will prevent the recovery from gaining much momentum. But a fairly healthy household sector... 1st February 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Jan.) & French Consumer Spending (Dec.) January’s sharper than expected increase in German Ifo business sentiment came as a relief after the deterioration in some other surveys lately. The rise in the composite Business Climate Index, from... 26th January 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Commercial property outlook rosier for France than Germany Over the next two years we think that the German economy will deliver slightly stronger growth than France. Even so, we think that the downside risks to French rental values are less, while a higher... 25th November 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Rise in French industrial output is unlikely to support rental values On the face of it, the fourth consecutive monthly rise in French industrial output in August provides some grounds for hope that an improvement in industrial occupier demand might be imminent. However... 12th October 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Why have French yields risen more than Italian and Dutch yields? At first glance it seems a little surprising that initial yields in France are now above those in Italy and the Netherlands. Foreign investors’ share of the French investment market has fallen... 8th October 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Can France maintain its lead? France is likely to give up its recent status as the euro-zones star performer in the next two years, losing ground mainly to Germany. But with household finances and the banking sector in a fairly... 30th September 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Paris further through the office rental value correction Paris has been among those Western European cities which have seen the sharpest declines in office rental values to date. However, we do not think that Paris has suffered disproportionately. Rather... 21st August 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Fundamentals for French retail property are still relatively strong According to Agents’ reports, prime retail rental values have yet to fall in France. While this is far from unique within the euro-zone, recent consumer confidence and retail sales data show the... 21st May 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Property equities support relative optimism on France & Netherlands Real estate equity markets currently appear to be anticipating that commercial property capital values will fare worse in Germany and Italy this year than in France and the Netherlands. Those broad... 24th April 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update New French Government forecasts still look too optimistic Despite today’s downward revisions, the French Government’s projections for GDP growth and the public finances still look much too optimistic. The fact that the Government seems prepared to allow... 6th November 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus French consumers – slowdown, not slump Recent data on the French household sector have flattened hopes that healthy consumer spending growth would prevent a sharp economic slowdown. With inflation soaring, consumer confidence at a record... 12th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Sarkozy one year on In the year since his election, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has failed to live up to the French public’s great expectations, but he has achieved more than he is given credit for. Provided that he... 6th May 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus France to outshine Germany this year With the export-driven recovery in Germany faltering as global demand weakens, a healthy consumer sector should stand France in good stead to make up ground on its larger neighbour. While German GDP... 3rd March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update France won't succumb to pressure to reduce deficit The latest pressure on the French government to bring its finances into order is unlikely to alter its fiscal plans in the near term. Indeed, with tough talk from other euro-zone ministers confirming... 12th February 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Measured fiscal leniency will boost French growth Recent moves towards granting France a little leniency around the EC’s strict fiscal rules suggest that the economy could receive a significant fiscal boost, over the next few years at least. We think... 1st August 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus French election unlikely to end economic malaise There are hopes that the Presidential election will rid France of its tag as the new “sick man of Europe”. But while the leading candidate Nicholas Sarkozy has proposed measures to tackle the problems... 16th April 2007 · 1 min read
