The implications of the European Union's new fiscal rules

June 20, 2024--Executive summary
European Union countries are required by the EU Treaty to keep their budget deficits within 3 percent of GDP, and their public debt within 60 percent of GDP. A new framework to enforce these rules is based on country-specific debt sustainability analyses (DSA) and uses a single indicator, a measure of public expenditure, as the annual fiscal policy target. These changes are welcome.

To assess the sustainability of public finances, it is much better to focus on the likely evolution of the debt path than to rely on simple numerical rules. Public expenditures net of changes to tax policy are a far better target for fiscal policy than the deficit, since they are under the control of the government and cannot give rise to pro-cyclical fiscal policy (excess spending in good times, fiscal cuts in bad times). These features could increase the framework’s efficiency and improve compliance.

ESMA publishes latest edition of its newsletter

January 9, 2025-- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's financial markets regulator and supervisor, has today published its latest edition of the Spotlight on Markets Newsletter.

Amundi to shut its original 'multi' smart beta ETF

January 8, 2025--The fund made returns of nearly 20% last year but has failed to retain sufficient assets to be 'economically efficient'
Amundi is to close a multi-strategy smart beta exchange traded fund, the product it launched to enter the space a decade ago.

ESMA launches selection of the Consolidated Tape Provider for bonds

January 3, 2025-- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's financial markets regulator and supervisor, is launching the first selection procedure for the Consolidated Tape Provider (CTP) for bonds. Entities interested to apply are encouraged to register and submit their requests to participate in the selection procedure by 7 February 2025.

ECB-Monetary developments in the euro area: November 2024

January 2, 2025--Annual growth rate of broad monetary aggregate M3 increased to 3.8% in November 2024 from 3.4% in October
Annual growth rate of narrower monetary aggregate M1, comprising currency in circulation and overnight deposits, increased to 1.5% in November from 0.2% in October
Annual growth rate of adjusted loans to households stood at 0.9% in November, compared with 0.8% in October