Top Stories

In Europe

Tsipras Juncker TC

In Europe 9th March 2015

Morning briefing-ECB to begin buying sovereign bonds

The Corner | March 9, 2015 | The ECB will finally begin its purchasing of sovereign bonds today, but as ever, the Greek question continues to loom in the background. Greece will return to the forefront of events today at the meeting of the Eurogroup of finance ministers in Brussels. Weekend remarks from the Syriza led government seemed to spell out just how precarious the government’s financial situation now is. Yet once again, the country and its creditors appear polls apart on how best to proceed.

BCE reflejoTC1

In Europe 6th March 2015

ECB optimism a good omen for traders

The Corner | March 6, 2015 | Markets are likely to be buoyed by the positive assessment of Mario Draghi yesterday, which will probably be backed up by euro zone growth figures for Q4, released later this morning. In other news, Spanish 10-year bonds are up for auction too, while Spain’s industrial sector is expected to return to positive territory

ECB's QE country breakdown

In Europe 5th March 2015

Memento: How QE will work

The Corner | March 5, 2015 | Whatever it takes, don’t miss the mechanics of the European Central Bank’s next purchase programme starting on Monday. 

Juncker and Rajoy

In Europe 5th March 2015

OECD: “There are risks of persistent stagnation over the Eurozone”

BRUSSELS | March 5, 2015 | By Alexandre Mato | When presenting its annual report, ‘Going for growth’ in Brussels, the Paris-based institution raised some doubts about the ongoing recovery in Europe. Structural, long-term unemployment and low productivity in some Member States are becoming the main economic issues of concern, with neither investment nor fiscal adjustments seen as the antidote.

Greece's PM Alexis Tsipras

In Europe 5th March 2015

Greece: The gathering storm

ATHENS | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | As the dust settles from Greece’s negotiations with its lenders and the arduous work of implementing their agreement begins, it is becoming increasingly evident that the next four months will be an extremely testing experience for everyone concerned.

draghi contentitoTC copia

In Europe 5th March 2015

ECB to detail QE plans

The Corner | March 5, 2015 | Markets are again looking to the ECB for a gauge as to where the continent is headed, with Mario Draghi expected to announce more detailed descriptions of the bank’s QE plan. Elsewhere, data from Germany, Italy and Greece are likely to highlight the divergent fortunes of countries within the single currency area.

shoppers retail sales gro 014

In Europe 4th March 2015

Euro area retail sales expected to rise

The Corner | March 4, 2015 | Data released today are expected to confirm that retail sales are on the rise in the euro area. Forecasters are predicting a rise of between 1.5 and 2.0% for the year to January. However, markets are eagerly awating further indications on the finer details of the European Central Bank’s quantitative easing programme, which will be announced in Nicosia on Thursday. Markit composite figures are due today, but traders are more likely to be mindful of tomorrow’s scheduled announcement.

No Picture

In Europe 3rd March 2015

The education of Alexis Tsipras

ATHENS | March 3, 2015 | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | There was a defining moment in the recent election campaign. It wasn’t New Democracy’s decision to go full negative by running a campaign ad that suggested Armageddon was around the corner. Nor was it To Potami’s claim that it would unveil its plan for reaching an agreement with Greece’s lenders after the elections. Instead, it came on a mild Thursday night in Omonia Square.

Spanish economy's challenges

In Europe 3rd March 2015

Unemployment falls in Spain

MADRID | March 3, 2015 | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | The creation of  13,500 new jobs in January is in line with encouraging figures elsewhere in the Spanish economy. While there will rightly be optimism in the wake of the latest data, the worrying plight of the youth and long-term unemployed continue to cause concern.

tsipras

In Europe 3rd March 2015

The unedifying row between Alexis Tsipras and Mariano Rajoy

MADRID | March 3, 2015 | By JP Marín-Arrese | Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has unwisely accused Spain and Portugal of intentionally trying to block a solution for his country’s troublesome discussions with the Euro group at a Syriza party meeting. The reaction has gone beyond any reasonable limit. The two targeted nations filed formal claims to the European Commission asking it to take action against Greece. One wonders why their Foreign Ministries did not warn of the utter ridicule such a step would precipitate. Worse still, the row between EU partners might leave longstanding scars.