Don’t count on cheap oil and money to stave off a new Eurozone crisis forever January 15, 2015 The Eurozone is in a vulnerable state once again. Five years ago, the euro crisis – that bête noire of the region’s economy – unfolded. Since then, much has been done to repair and strengthen the Eurozone’s architecture, ranging from the establishment of a bailout fund and the creation of a banking union, to European [...]
Greece deflation worsens as vital general election nears January 13, 2015 Inflation has delved deeper into negative figures in Greece, figures released yesterday show. Greek inflation was minus 2.6 per cent as measured by the year-on-year change in the consumer price index, according to data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority. The figure marks a steep drop from November’s figure of minus 1.2 per cent. Greece has now [...]
Eurozone enters deflation giving Draghi upper hand January 7, 2015 THE EUROZONE has slipped into deflation as prices fell by 0.2 per cent year-on-year in December. It marks a significant fall from November when prices rose by 0.3 per cent, according to Europe’s official statistical office Eurostat. Economists have raised their expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) will begin a large programme of asset [...]
Why QE alone won’t stop the Eurozone’s descent into the deflation trap January 7, 2015 We’re caught in a trap” is the opening line of Suspicious Minds, a song most memorably sung by Elvis Presley, born 80 years ago today. However, it could well be the latest conversational ice-breaker for Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank (ECB), with colleagues or other policymakers across the continent. Europe risks entering [...]
Eurozone deflation: Euro area posts negative rate for the first time since 2009 January 7, 2015 There was yet more misery for the Eurozone this morning as it entered deflation for the first time since 2009. Eurozone inflation dropped to -0.2 per cent compared with a year earlier, according to official data released by Eurostat. This was more than the -0.1 per cent economists had forecast for December. It's largely due [...]
Business predicts 2015: UK wages to rise, Eurozone will avoid deflation and HS2 could be scrapped January 1, 2015 If 2014 was eventful in business, politics and the economy, this year is sure to prove just as eventful. A UK general election, geopolitical crisis, Eurozone woes and candidates putting themselves forward for the race to the White House will leave no shortage of news. With this in mind the influential business group the Institute [...]
All eyes on Mario Draghi as Eurozone inflation slides to a five-year low 0.3 per cent for November November 28, 2014 Eurozone inflation slumped to a five-year low in October, turning up the heat on the European Central Bank to act in order to avoid a damaging deflationary spiral. The flash figure of 0.3 per cent for November was down from 0.4 per cent in October, Eurostat said. This was in line with economists' estimates according [...]
Eurozone inflation hits expectations – but it’s still in the ECB’s “danger zone” October 31, 2014 Inflation in the Eurozone ticked up a tenth of a percentage point in October, which will do little to allay fears about the state of the economy in the single currency zone. According to the latest flash estimate (which will be confirmed next month) the rate was 0.4 per cent in October, compared with 0.3 [...]
Eurozone inflation falls to 0.3 per cent October 16, 2014 More disinflation for the Eurozone. The flash estimates were correct and inflation in the Eurozone has slowed to 0.3 per cent in the year to September. With second-quarter GDP growth also sclerotic at 0.2 in the euro area, there isn’t much to cheer. Industrial production has been weak and France looks on collision [...]
Eurozone inflation rate: Mario Draghi calls on governments to help fight deflation October 9, 2014 Mario Draghi is determined to tackle low inflation in the Eurozone, and has called upon governments to also play their part in the fight against possible deflation. The president of the European Central Bank (ECB) today announced a new package of credit easing measures, including targeted long-term refinancing operations and a bond-buying programme. [...]