European weather map (FT)

European weather map

Published: October 20 2008 21:35 | Last updated: October 20 2008 21:35

Stormy conditions prevail across Europe’s economies after the arrival of a full-blown banking sector crisis this month sent confidence plummeting and threatened widespread-economic damage.

The FT’s latest European economic “weather map” shows the extent of the deterioration since July and April. In July the continent’s economies had largely avoided a credit crunch but were being hit by sudden and steep rises in energy prices, compounded by the effects of a strong euro. In October, inflation is ebbing and the euro has softened.

The weather symbols were compiled by Ralph Atkins, Frankfurt bureau chief, and draw from official data as well as his own analysis. Click on a period to see the forecast.