- EZ GDP rose less than expected in Q2, mainly due to downward revisions to French and Irish GDP.
- Consumption and investment held back growth, while net trade did all the heavy lifting.
- Compensation-per-employee growth eased, in line with other measures of wage growth.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- France’s budget deficit won’t shrink much this year, but tough negotiations on the 2025 budget loom.
- September is a key month for budget negotiations; a hung parliament points to high risk of a stalemate.
- The composite PMIs for Spain and Italy, despite rising in August, point to slower GDP growth in Q3.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ inflation fell to its lowest since July 2021 in August, marginally above the ECB’s target...
- ...The Bank will find it hard to justify its current restrictive stance, especially with wage growth easing.
- We think a September rate cut is more likely than not and keep our October cut in too, for now.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
THE ECB WILL CUT INTEREST RATES TWICE MORE THIS YEAR
- SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER LOOK MOST LIKELY TO US
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Solid, but not enough to reverse the plunge in July.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The downturn in the EZ composite PMI was halted by the Olympics in France; only temporarily we think.
- The PMIs point to firming growth in services, while manufacturing is still stuck in recession.
- A big drop in Q2 wage growth seals the deal for a September cut, and helps our call for an October cut.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Services boosted by the Olympics; manufacturing is sinking without a trace.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Global
In one line: Services boosted by the Olympics; manufacturing is sinking without a trace.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Construction output jumped in June but still fell over the second quarter as a whole…
- ...This is consistent with a drop in construction capex, which accounts for nearly half of investment in GDP.
- The outlook for the sector is bleak; it will remain a drag on growth for the rest of this year.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ inflation data suggest market pricing for 70bp-worth of easing this year is much too ambitious.
- The ECB will cut by 25bp in September; we still see a second cut in October, but this is a very close call.
- Inflation in food, core goods and energy are all set to firm in Q4, and services inflation will fall only slightly.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Energy inflation will back in August and September; the core will remain high.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Global
In one line: Energy inflation will back in August and September; the core will remain high.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: A record high, but not sustainable; net portfolio flows are shifting.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The Eurozone’s trade surplus rebounded in June, but net trade in goods likely dragged on growth in Q2.
- We’re expecting this net trade drag on growth to continue for up to 12 months.
- The trend in import growth, however, remains much weaker than implied by our consumption forecasts.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Q2 GDP increase confirmed, despite another drag from industry.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The 0.3% increase in Eurozone GDP in Q2 was confirmed, despite industry remaining in recession.
- The service sector again drove growth; we do not trust the reported fall in service production in May.
- Productivity is not sliding as fast as in recent quarters; the ECB will welcome this development.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
