July collections fell 23% month-on-month, slightly better than the previous three years when average collections were 28% lower. But while July was relatively on trend, actual collections were 35% below the previous three-year average.

The planned acquisition of Ceconomy AG by Chinese retailer JD.com could mark an important shift in European consumer-electronics retailing by creating a more formidable, deep-pocketed player in an already highly competitive sector.

Housing, the main collateral for covered bonds, contributes more than a third of Europe’s GHG emissions. Yet while climate change can significantly amplify credit risk in covered bonds, mitigation can add more credit risk than actual climate impacts.

Europe’s data centres continue to demonstrate strong credit fundamentals and the growth outlook is positive, underpinned by demand and an under-supply of physical space and power capacity.

Scope Ratings has published the performance overview of notes issued by Marzio Finance, a EUR 10bn securitisation programme backed by ‘cessione del quinto’ and ‘delegazione di pagamento’ (CQS) loans originated by IBL Banca.

Scope’s 12-month trailing ratings drift for structured finance transactions continued its shift into positive territory in the second quarter of 2025, with a positive ratio of upgrades over downgrades not seen since early 2022.

Collections fell 28% in the first half of 2025 compared to H1 2024, confirming the downward trend that began in 2023. All collection strategies contributed to the decline: judicial proceeds fell 30%, DPOs by 27% and note sales by 20%.

Higher mortgage rates have increased pressure on housing affordability. Longer fixed-rate mortgages periods limit the risk of shocks to the banking system and support the resilience of euro-area mortgage markets.

The credit outlook for Spanish non-financial corporates is markedly favourable compared with the rest of Europe but the shallowness of domestic debt capital markets remains an obstacle for investment and growth at smaller companies, says Scope Ratings.

The methodology is now final following a call-for-comments period and will apply to all issuer and debt ratings of chemicals companies. The methodology might have a positive impact of one notch for one rated entity.