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ECB Attentive to money market conditions and inflation outlook

In Europe 10th January 2014

ECB: Attentive to money market conditions and inflation outlook

LONDON | By Barclays analysts | The ECB left monetary policy unchanged as expected and strengthened the downside bias of its forward guidance somewhat. Mario Draghi insisted on the fragility of the economic recovery and repeated that the ECB would be ready to act should downside risks materialize. We still think that monetary policy should be kept unchanged at least for the next two years, but we acknowledge the risk of further easing should inflation and inflation projections fall further. Besides, liquidity measures could be introduced to support the financing of the economy.

No Picture

In Europe 8th January 2014

France: Where reforms need to be made

LONDON | By Barclays analysts | France’s macroeconomic situation does not look that bad and on average the country compares well with other developed economies. It does not suffer from a major imbalance in terms of yearly flows (trade, finances, etc). However, weaknesses, perniciously accumulating over the years, have now been laid bare by the crisis.

Eurozone

World economy 7th January 2014

After Austerity, Capital Inflows Will Ease Euro Zone’s Pain

THE CORNER TEAM | Although fiscal austerity and structural reforms implemented have inflected some euro zone countries a severe pain, they will bring them external capital inflows, Chinese rating agency Dagong Credit predicts for 2014. This combined with the potential increase in Germany’s import demand will mean that the euro zone economies will rebound a little and see pressure of sovereign debt crisis ease further.

ECB Doctrine (e.d. Bundesbank’s)

In Europe 6th December 2013

ECB Doctrine (e.d. Bundesbank’s)

MADRID | By Luis Arroyo | ECB’s policies have damaged more than helped the European economy. After all, the FED has managed to steer the US towards the path of growth, while the ECB is unable to make its policies work. But the truth is, they are not entirely the ECB’s but the Bundesbank’s procedures commanded by Ms Angela Merkel.

No Picture

In Europe 2nd December 2013

Steady for now: the ECB and the euro area

LONDON | By Laurent Fransolet at Barclays  | While the debate about the ECB policy options and the state of the euro economy continues, and euro area financial markets have been stuck in a tight range recently, some important monetary, activity and inflation data have been released in the past few days. Overall, they point to the recovery proceeding, in a low inflation environment, and the ECB staying on hold for now.

No Picture

In Europe 29th November 2013

How to call fear of bubbles? Paranoia maybe?

MADRID | By Luis Arroyo | The shadow of deflation looming over the euro zone economy have seemingly gone away on Friday. The statistical office Eurostat anticipated an estimated 0.9% yearly inflation rate, two percentual points under last October registers. However, being afraid of deflation is not a nonsense because next banking recapitalisation points that credit is to tighten.

In Europe, World economy 26th November 2013

“Japanizing” the Eurozone?

MADRID | By Francisco López | Everyday, more and more analysts warn about the risk of a “Japanization” of the Eurozone, and they even foresee the possibility to watch a long period of low growth in an environment of high indebtedness and reduction in prices. But, what exactly are those risks?

EU Brussels budget

In Europe 18th November 2013

Brussels budget scrutiny in the Eurozone

MADRID | By JP Marin Arrese | The European Commission has undertaken a thorough review of national budgets following the sweeping powers conferred to it to ensure consistency across the Eurozone. When enacted, this move was heralded as breaking into new territory. Yet the opinions now delivered flatly fail to meet its ambitious goal.