ESMA risk dashboard : no. 3, 2014

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has today published its Risk dashboard for the third quarter of 2014. ESMA’s Risk Dashboard assess the risks associated to European financial markets looking into liquidity, market, contagion and credit risks.The Dashboard finds that in 3Q14 EU systemic stress indicators increased, after experiencing a calm 2Q14. Contagion risk augmented and liquidity and market risk remained on high levels, with potential for further increases ahead. Credit risk receded though remaining at a high level. Overall, market sentiment continued to be at odds with sluggish economic fundamentals and guarded expectations. An environment of ultra-low interest rates supported markets and preserved the current hunt-for-yield behaviour of investors.However, markets recognised resulting new balance sheet risks, as risk spreads increased, equity valuation moderated and expectations for future short-term interest rates fanned out. Due to these offsetting forces liquidity risk and market risk remained stable, preserving the risk of critical market corrections for the future. The systemic impact of such corrections could be exacerbated by liquidity bottlenecks, such as might arise from structural factors such as thin dealer markets or rising collateral requirements.