EZ HICP Review: Headline Surges as Core Slips Back?

March 31, 2026 9:44 AM UTC

The first of the Iran War induced rise in prices has arrived but with the flash March HICP data a little below expectations, both the consensus and that of the ECB.  Instead, the headline rate spiked higher to 2.5% from February’s 1.9%, but with the core rate falling back (Figure 1) underscoring

EZ HICP Preview (Mar 31): Headline to Surge but Core to Slip Back?

March 26, 2026 1:54 PM UTC

The first of the Iran War induced rise in prices arrive in the coming week with flash March HICP data.  We see the headline rate spiking higher to 2.6%-2.7 from February’s 1.9%, the former largely chiming with that implied ECB thinking from the latter’s recent updated projections.  But both it

Eurozone Outlook: Conflicts of Interest

March 24, 2026 9:55 AM UTC

·       Under our more likely view of limited further fighting in the Middle East, we see oil and gas prices largely falling back to the pre-war levels within a year, with the current situation very different from that of 2022 and the Ukraine War in which the EZ lost access to Russian gas as

DM Rates Outlook: Mixed Policy Rate and Yield Paths

March 24, 2026 8:46 AM UTC

·        The multi quarter outlook for DM rates depends on the length of the Iran war Our baseline is that it will be a 4-8 week war (here) and a 3-4 quarter retracement of oil prices back to pre-war levels – longer from Europe and Asian gas prices. We forecast WTI down to USD80-85 by June

ECB Review: Not Such a Good Place!

March 19, 2026 2:49 PM UTC

With no change in policy expected and this being delivered unanimously, the ECB underlined its determination to ensure that inflation stabilises at the 2% target in the medium term. Unsurprisingly, it stressed how the Middle East conflict has made the outlook significantly more uncertain, creating u

ECB Preview (Mar 19): No Longer in a Good Place?

March 11, 2026 2:53 PM UTC

With no change in policy expected, what the ECB says is the most important aspect of the ECB meeting next week, both explicitly and implicitly via its updated forecasts (Figure 1).  Both are likely to underscore that rate hikes are certainly possible if the almost inevitable inflation rise proves t

EZ HICP Review: Core Rate Spikes as Upside Inflation Risks Return

March 3, 2026 10:35 AM UTC

Having dropped to 1.7% in the January data, thereby matching expectations and the short-lived Sep 24 outcome, it is likely especially in view of the Middle East conflict that the headline HICP rate may not be any lower through this year and into next.  Indeed, we headline rate rose 0.2 ppt to 1.9%

EZ HICP Preview (Mar 3): ECB Too Focused on Services Inflation as Goods May Soon Take Core Below Target

February 25, 2026 1:54 PM UTC

Having dropped to 1.7% in the January data, thereby matching expectations and the short-lived Sep 24 outcome, it is possible that the headline HICP rate may not be any lower through this year and into next.  Indeed, we see the headline rate edging up to 1.8% in the February flash mainly due to ener

ECB: Papering Over the Cracks

February 5, 2026 2:51 PM UTC

·       As widely expected the ECB kept the policy rate unchanged at the February meeting.  The broad message remains that the ECB Council is comfortable with current policy rates, which provides short-term forward guidance of no change in rates.  This message came from the ECB statement an

EZ HICP Review: Services Inflation Less Resilient as Core Hits Cycle-Low

February 4, 2026 11:19 AM UTC

Having been range bound for some 5-6 months between 2.0% and 2.2% until November but after a fall to 1.9% in December headline HICP inflation dropped to 1.7% in the flash January data, thereby matching expectations and the short-lived Sep 24 outcome.  The drop came in spite of higher food inflation

EZ HICP Preview (Feb 4): Services Inflation Less Resilient as Headline to Slip Further

February 2, 2026 12:07 PM UTC

HICP inflation had been range bound for some 5-6 months between 2.0% and 2.2% with the November and October numbers in the middle of that range. And it seemingly stayed in that range falling to 2.0% in the December flash numbers, only to be revised down a further notch to 1.9% in the final HICP figu

ECB Preview: After GDP and Before Feb Meeting

January 30, 2026 10:05 AM UTC

·       Most on the ECB council appear to be comfortable with steady policy in H1 2026, after a cumulative 200bps of cuts.  This will likely be the overall message from the February 5 ECB meeting. This will paper over differences for 2027 among ECB council members. However, we agree with the

ECB Steady Signals, But

January 19, 2026 8:55 AM UTC

•    We remain of the view that financial conditions and lending rates are worse than the current ECB depo rate level suggest and means that 2026 EZ growth does not really pick-up.  Combined with a mild undershoot in inflation, this can build the case for the ECB to deliver two 25bps cuts.  

DM Government Debt: 2026 Supply & Voters’ Resistance To Fiscal Consolidation

January 14, 2026 11:55 AM UTC

·        We see the most persistent issue being supply (budget deficit + QT) in 2026, which should lessen into 2027 with a slowdown in ECB/BOE QT and a partial U turn by the BOJ.  However, governments are also struggling with electorates that are resistant to higher taxes or lower governmen

EZ HICP Review: Services Inflation Still Resilient But Core Goods Soften Further

January 7, 2026 10:44 AM UTC

HICP inflation has been range bound for the last 5-6 months between 2.0% and 2.2% with the November and October numbers in the middle of that range. And it stayed in that range falling to 2.0% in the December flash numbers, albeit where adverse rounding pre vented a fall to 1.9%.  We see this as th

German HICP Review: Headline and Core Down Afresh

January 6, 2026 4:25 PM UTC

Germany’s disinflation process resumed with a bang as December saw a larger-than-expected fall in both headline and core inflation.  Indeed, the headline HICP fell 0.6 ppt to a five-month low of 2.0%.  This was largely food and energy driven but still with some fall in core at least according to

EZ HICP Preview (Jan 7): Is Services Inflation Problematic?

December 19, 2025 11:10 AM UTC

HICP inflation has been range bound for the last 5-6 months between 2.0% and 2.2% with the November and October numbers in the middle of that range. But we see the headline rate falling out of that range in December to 1.9%, this preceding what may be a short-lived fall toward 1.5% in H1 2026.  Som

ECB Review: On Hold Message to Convert to Easing on Disinflation

December 18, 2025 3:09 PM UTC

·       The ECB increased its 2026 GDP and inflation forecast and appears happy with current policy rate levels.  However, still tight financial conditions, plus easing wage growth, point to disinflation and growth disappointment.  We see this switch the ECB from an on hold message to easin

DM Rates Outlook: 2026 Yield Curve Steepening Before 2027 Flattening

December 17, 2025 9:21 AM UTC

·       Multi quarter, we still look for 50bps of further Fed easing by end 2026, which will likely initially bring 2yr yields down to 3.35%.  However, once the Fed Funds rate get closer to 3.0-3.25% and the assumed slowdown turns into a soft landing, the 2yr will likely move to a premium ve

Eurozone Outlook: Running to Keep Fiscally Still?

December 11, 2025 10:09 AM UTC

·       Amid what may still be tightening financial conditions and likely protracted trade uncertainty, we retain our below consensus activity forecast for 2026 but see a fiscally driven pick-up into 2027. However, the picture this year appears to be slightly better but the economy has actual

ECB Preview (Dec 18): Still in Good Place – or Even Better?

December 9, 2025 7:52 AM UTC

A fourth successive stable policy decision will be the almost inevitable outcome of the ECB Council meeting verdict on Dec 18, with the discount rate left at 2.0%.  The likely unanimous vote will mask splits about whether policy has troughed or not, this mainly a result of differences within the Co

December 2, 2025 10:51 AM UTC

With what were previously unfavourable energy-related base effects reversing, EZ inflation edged down 0.1 ppt to 2.1% in October, largely in line with consensus thinking, but with the main core rate stable at 2.4%.  This reversed in the flash November numbers in what was an outcome a notch above bo

Eurozone: Tighter Corporate Credit Standards Continues and More Loans Applications Rejected

November 27, 2025 1:36 PM UTC

Given the early January timing of the survey, which far from fully embraced the added uncertainty caused by President Trump’s trade threats, it was still hardly a surprise despite that the reported net tightening credit standards merely accentuates trends in the three previous Bank Lending Surveys

November 24, 2025 2:19 PM UTC

The HICP inflation picture has clouded somewhat of late at least to some. With what were previously unfavourable energy-related base effects reversing, EZ inflation edged down 0.1 ppt to 2.1% in October, largely in line with consensus thinking, but with the main core rate stable at 2.4%.  The latte

German HICP Preview (Nov 28): Headline and Core To Edge Down Further?

November 24, 2025 9:00 AM UTC

Germany’s disinflation process hit a further and more-than-expected hurdle in September, as the HICP measure rose 0.3 ppt for a second successive month, thereby even more clearly up from July’s 1.8% y/y, that having been a 10-mth low.  But a notch of this rise was reversed in the October number

ECB – In a Good Place or Just Complacent?

November 14, 2025 11:55 AM UTC

The ECB is of the view that downside growth risks have dissipated somewhat, this possibly helped by its recent actions which it suggests leave its current policy stance in a good place.  However, amid a hint of what we think is a complacent upgrade about the EZ’s alleged resilience, we think, the

EZ Rates: 2026 ECB Easing But 2027 French Crisis?

November 11, 2025 9:45 AM UTC

·       Financial conditions are tighter than suggested by a 2% ECB depo rate, which will both dampen an EZ economic pick-up and cause further disinflation.  We see the ECB delivering two further 25bps cuts to a 1.5% ECB depo rate, which can mean a further decline in 2yr Bund yields.  Howev

EZ HICP Review: Services Inflation Problematic?

October 31, 2025 10:39 AM UTC

With what were previously unfavourable energy-related base effects reversing, EZ inflation edged down 0.1 ppt to 2.1% in October, largely in line with consensus thinking, but with the main core rate stable at 2.4%.  The latter reflected a slight pick-up in services (up 0.2 ppt to a six-mth high of

ECB Review: Hedging its Bets, Hoping to Stay in a Good Place

October 30, 2025 3:23 PM UTC

There ie nothing tangible in the ECB update today to suggest that a further easing is likely at the next meeting on Dec 17-18.  However, amid a hint of what we think is a complacent upgrade about the EZ’s resilience alongside a perceived reduction in global risks, the easing window has not been c

October 30, 2025 10:25 AM UTC

 It continues to be the case that, for an economy that has seen repeated upside surprises and apparently above trend growth, now some 1.3% in the year to Q3, GDP data do not seem to have had much impact is shaping, let alone dominating, ECB policy thinking save to encourage a Council view of EZ eco

Eurozone: Tighter Credit Standards By EZ Banks Confirmed

October 28, 2025 9:44 AM UTC

Hardly a surprise despite the ECB suggestions to the contrary as the reported net tightening credit standards merely accentuates trends in the two previous Bank Lending Surveys (BLS).  This updated BLS therefore echoes what we have seen in other ECB surveys and in actual credit dynamics and thus un

ECB Monetary Worries Emerging as Corporate Credit Dynamics Weaken More Clearly

October 27, 2025 10:36 AM UTC

As a foretaste of the Bank Lending Survey BLS) due tomorrow, the ECB released two associated pieces of data today, both corroborating and continuing an ever worrying pattern, namely weakness in corporate credit. The data showed growth in later has fallen to its lowest in almost two years (Figure 1).

EZ HICP Preview (Oct 31): No Halloween Horror from HICP Update

October 23, 2025 12:09 PM UTC

Mainly due to unfavourable base effects, EZ inflation has edged up in the last few months, but we think that this is temporary and that a fresh fall, possible to below the 2% target may occur in the October flash numbers – with a formal forecast of a 0.3 ppt drop to 1.9% and the core falling almos

Eurozone Flash GDP Preview (Oct 30): Resilience in the Dock?

October 22, 2025 9:11 AM UTC

As we highlighted repeatedly of late, for an economy that has seen repeated upside surprises and apparently above trend growth, now some 1.4% in the year to Q2, GDP data do not seem to have had much impact is shaping, let alone dominating, ECB policy thinking. But we think this may shift as the ECB

October 21, 2025 12:55 PM UTC

As with recent Council meetings, what is important when the ECB gives its next (almost certain) stable verdict on Oct 30, is not what it says.  Instead, in particular, it is how much the impression is left that the easing window has not closed. The ECB is clearly split about whether policy has trou

October 20, 2025 4:36 PM UTC

Germany’s disinflation process hit a further and more-than-expected hurdle in September, as the HICP measure rose 0.3 ppt for a second successive month, thereby even more clearly up from July’s 1.8% y/y, that having been a 10-mth low.  But we see most, if not all, of this rise being reversed in

October 17, 2025 10:24 AM UTC

The ECB is clearly split about whether policy has troughed or not, this mainly a result of differences within the Council as to where inflation risks lie.  Hawks perceive upside risks emerging while the dovish camp feels the opposite.  These divisions are likely to magnify when the ECB updates its

Eurozone: Data Disappointments Off the ECB Radar

October 10, 2025 12:35 PM UTC

Although not fully high-profile,and mostly off the radar that the Council focuses on. the last few days have brought a series of data releases that will disappoint the ECB, certainly the hawks.  These range from weak services production data, further signs of a loosening in the labor market and mor

ECB Council Meeting Account Review: Complacency Rules the Day as Financial Conditions Tighten!

October 9, 2025 12:52 PM UTC

Unsurprisingly there was little in the account of the ECB Council Meeting of 10-11 September to suggest any rush to change policy with it clear that members on both sides of the hawks vs doves debate wanted more data amid what was considered to be great uncertainty.  Thus, the ECB offered little in

France:  Prime Minister – Another One Bites the Dust

October 6, 2025 9:01 AM UTC

Either side of the English Channel, politicians are competing to see whether France or the UK can provide a prime minister with the shortest time in power.  In the UK that was Liz Truss whose 49 days at the helm of the government in 2022 has now been surpassed by French PM Lecornu who has resigned

DM Central Banks: Wider-Ranging Conditions More Than Neutral Rates

October 2, 2025 6:55 AM UTC

·        Neutral policy rate estimates and forward guidance provide some help at the start of easing cycles, but less so at mid to mature stages.  For the Fed, ECB and BOE we look at a wider array of economic and financial conditions, alongside our own projections over the next 2 years to m

EZ HICP Review: Headline Inflation Moves Higher as Services Ticks Up From Cycle-low

October 1, 2025 10:28 AM UTC

A second successive upside surprise is unlikely to make inflation any more of an issue for the ECB at present.  Instead, moderate concerns whether the apparent resilience of the real economy may yet falter should remain the order of the day, this possibly a result of a still somewhat unresponsive t

German HICP Review: Headline Higher And Core Rises Due to Fresh Services Push?

September 30, 2025 12:25 PM UTC

Germany’s disinflation process hit a further more-than-expected hurdle in September, as the HICP measure rose 0.3 ppt for a second successive month, thereby even more clearly up from July’s 1.8% y/y, that having been a 10-mth low (Figure 1).  This (again) occurred largely due to energy base eff

EZ HICP Preview (Oct 1): Headline Inflation to Edges Higher as Services Slows to Fresh Cycle-low

September 24, 2025 10:54 AM UTC

As we have underlined of late, HICP inflation – at target for the last three months – is very much a side issue for the ECB at present, offset instead by moderate concerns whether the apparent resilience of the real economy may yet falter.  This mindset will not be altered by the flash HICP dat

German HICP Preview (Sep 30): Headline Higher But Core to Fall Further?

September 23, 2025 2:21 PM UTC

Germany’s disinflation process hit a slightly more-than-expected hurdle in August, as the HICP measure rose 0.3 ppt from July’s 1.8% y/y, that having been a 10-mth low (Figure 1).  This occurred largely due to energy base effects with food prices also contributing slightly. The result was that

DM Rates Outlook: Steepening Yield Curve The Old Normal?

September 23, 2025 7:53 AM UTC

•    We continue to forecast further yield curve steepening across the U.S./EZ and UK, driven by cumulative easing.  For the U.S. this can see a modest further decline in 2yr yields, but the prospect is for a move to a premium of 2yr to Fed Funds (unless a hard landing is seen).  10yr yields

Eurozone Outlook: Resilience or Irrelevance?

September 22, 2025 9:49 AM UTC

··       Yet again, and amid what may still be tightening financial conditions and likely protracted trade uncertainty, we have pared back the EZ activity forecast for 2026. However, the picture this year appears to be slightly better but this is largely a distortion and we think that the ec

September 11, 2025 2:08 PM UTC

A second successive stable policy decision was the almost inevitable outcome of this month’s ECB Council meeting resulting in the first consecutive pause in the current easing cycle, with the discount rate left at 2.0%.  Also as expected, the ECB offered little in terms of policy guidance; after

France: Kicking the Fiscal Can (Again)

September 9, 2025 8:41 AM UTC

That France has seen the departure of yet another prime minister is no surprise, hence why financial markets took the confidence vote in its stride.  Admittedly, French sovereign spreads and yields have risen in the last month, but even so the actual level of bond yields remains well below that of