Eurozone economic sentiment falls to 10-month low September 29, 2014 Eurozone economic sentiment has fallen to its lowest level in 10 months, and below the long-term average, on the back of falling consumer confidence. Sentiment in the region dropped by 0.7 points to 99.9 – below the long-term average of 100 – while sentiment from within the EU also fell, by 1 point to 103.6, [...]
Weak German outlook bodes ill for Eurozone September 24, 2014 German businesses are at their most downbeat in almost two years, influential survey data showed yesterday, indicating the driving force behind any Eurozone recovery may itself be running out of steam. European Central Bank boss Mario Draghi offered further reassurance that interest rates would remain at rock bottom. His intervention helped push up shares and push the [...]
The Eurozone optimists are playing a dangerous game – Investment Comment September 23, 2014 Despite a continuing stream of woeful economic data from the Eurozone, a number of investors and fund managers have become more sanguine about the currency bloc in recent months. Writing in these pages in August, JP Morgan’s Blake Crawford argued that a combination of economic revival, continued low interest rates and supportive monetary policy should [...]
Draghi hits out at Eurozone’s lack of reform September 22, 2014 EUROPE’S sick economies need massive structural reforms if they ever hope to become competitive once more, European Central Bank (ECB) boss Mario Draghi urged yesterday. “Courageous structural reforms and improvements in the competitiveness of the corporate sector are key to improving the business environment,” Draghi told the European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee. “This [...]
G20 states call on Eurozone to sort itself out September 21, 2014 FINANCE ministers from around the world used this weekend’s G20 meeting in Australia to demand European officials act promptly to get the Eurozone economy back on track. The ministers and central bank chiefs discussed financial regulation, tax avoidance and the ways they were going to add an additional 1.8 per cent to their collective growth [...]
Ireland economy booms 7.7 per cent despite ailing recovery in Eurozone September 18, 2014 Ireland’s economy grew by an exceptional 7.7 per cent in the year to June as it apparently missed the news that the recovery was stalling on the continent. Not only was it the fastest annual growth of any Eurozone member, but it had also the fastest quarterly growth at 1.5 per cent, according to the [...]
Relief for the eurozone as inflation stays stable at 0.4 per cent September 17, 2014 Finally, a bit of relief for eurozone watchers: figures published this morning show inflation in the 18-country bloc stayed at 0.4 per cent in August, rather than falling to 0.3 per cent as originally feared. The European Union's statistics agency revised its "flash" estimate upwards – but it remains the eurozone's lowest rate of inflation [...]
Sluggish Eurozone recovery hit by falling exports September 15, 2014 Worries about the Eurozone’s stuttering recovery worsened yesterday as new data showed weakening exports. A 0.2 per cent fall in goods export values and 0.9 per cent rise in import values from June to July narrowed the bloc’s trade surplus from €2.8bn (£2.2bn) to €1.7bn. Only economic powerhouse Germany showed signs of a widening trade [...]
OECD slashes its Eurozone growth forecast by a third September 15, 2014 The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has cut its 2014 GDP growth forecast for the Eurozone by a third, from 1.2 per cent to 0.8 per cent. It also reduced its 2015 outlook for the area, from 1.7 per cent in May to 1.1 per cent now. In its interim economic assessment, [...]
British exports rebalance away from Eurozone September 9, 2014 British firms are weaning themselves off their historic reliance on sales to EU countries, finding alternative markets further afield instead, official figures showed yesterday. The sustained economic malaise in the Eurozone has pushed UK exporters to other countries, with sales to the US, and the UAE rising particularly sharply in July. Exports of goods to non-EU countries [...]