Eurozone confidence hits eight year high
The Corner | April 7, 2015 | Although the eurozone PMI for March was slightly disappointing, confidence reached its highest level since 2007, according to data released on Tuesday.
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European markets reopen
The Corner | April 7, 2015 | European markets reopen this morning, with three areas of specific interest likely to dominate events on trading floors. The first, will be the continued wrangling between Greece and its creditors, with hopes for a deal becoming increasingly slim as the acrimony between the various parties seemingly increased over the weekend. On Wall Street, quarterly results presentations will commence, while traders will also be closely monitoring a swathe of data which may offer an insight as to the future direction of the Fed’s monetary policy.
Negative rates: Ice age for savers
Asoka Wöhrmann (Deutsche AWM) | Negative interest rates are new economic territory. However, as yet, there is no sign of a major cash exodus to avoid sub-zero yields.
Unemployment in Spain falls in March
The Corner | April 6, 2015 |Figures released today show that unemployment in Spain has fallen again, with Spanish consumers more confident than ever about the trajectory of the economy.
Faster payments: The need to upgrade current payment infrastructures
BBVA Research | April 6, 2015 | Nowadays it is normal to receive immediately an e-mail sent from the other side of the world. Yet it still takes more than two days to transfer funds, even without being a cross-border transaction. The digital age demands an acceleration of payment processes.
Europe at a crossroads
April 6, 2015 | Guest post by Jean Tirole | Embroiled with the Greek crisis, European policymakers will soon have to step back and reflect on the broader question of the future of the Eurozone. Before calling for an exit or, on the contrary, for further integration, it is worth pondering over the consequences of each option.
The natural rate of interest – Past and prospective
WASHINGTON | By Michael Gavin at Barclays | In a recently published chapter of the Equity Gilt Study, we presented evidence that trends in population dynamics has been an important driver of the ‘global savings glut’ that has depressed interest rates and boosted asset prices around the world during the past 30 years. We also noted that the world now faces a demographic inflection point, and that demographic support for saving, and by extension asset prices, should fade materially in the decades to come.
Greece in the month ahead
The Corner | April 2, 2015 | Manos Giakoumis, chief analyst with Greek financial website Marcropolis, speaks to The Corner about the most pressing issues currently confronting the Greek government. He notes that the ECB squeeze on Greek banks issuance of T-bills could prove problematic in the month ahead, and says that the thorny issue of privatisations could continue to thwart negotiations with the country’s creditors.
Gains in competitiveness to continue in Spanish economy
The Corner | April 2, 2015 | La Caixa Research | Competitiveness gains in the Spanish economy are set to persist as wage increases continue to lag behind other euro zone countries.
Increase in public works contracts break negative seven year cycle
The Corner | April 1, 2015 | Public works contracts grew by €2.88 billion (25%) in 2015, bucking a negative trend that had been prevalent for the previous seven years.