In the euro area, there is mixed evidence that the GDP per capita of lower-income economies has been catching up with that of higher-income economies since the start of monetary union. The significant real convergence performance of some of the most recent members contrasts with that of the...

This paper assesses the nowcasting performance of confidence in a one-equation model based on the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). We look at the interactions between the PMI and confidence and the reasons why confidence affects real GDP growth besides the PMI. Moreover, we explain why our model...

We estimate the impact of fiscal measures adopted in response to the COVID-19 crisis at the euro area level, combining standard macroeconomic data with an index on the strictness of ‘lockdown style’ policies. Given the multitude of shocks occurred simultaneously during the pandemic, the...