- Front-loaded fiscal stimulus can add 0.5pp to German growth this year, in the best-case scenario.
- Defence spending is poised to accelerate after a slow start to the year, but the multiplier is low.
- Front-loading of infrastructure spending via €100B in funding for local government is a key upside risk.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- A temporary reprieve in the US–China trade war is worth far less than financial markets are assuming.
- Early signs suggest Mr. Trump will go hard on the EU, keeping uncertainty for the EZ economy elevated.
- Isabel Schnabel is coming out swinging for ECB hawks, but will her argument carry the day?
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The EU’s announcement of retaliation against US tariffs is an attempt to get Washington to the table.
- Brussels’ WTO case against the US indicates that it won’t accept 10% as a floor for tariffs.
- EU purchases of energy, agricultural products and defence goods are the clearest route to a deal.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Soaring; Q1 GDP growth on track for an upward revision.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Swiss inflation fell to a lower-than-expected zero in April, with a knock-on effect on our forecasts…
- ...We now see deflation until mid-2026; the SNB will cut its policy rate below zero in June in response.
- We look for a 50bp rate cut at the next meeting, taking the key policy rate to -0.25%.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Germany CPI looks softer than we anticipated, but core inflation rose.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Supporting our above-consensus EZ call.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Growth slowed in Q1 after a strong H2-24.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Barely growing, and trade uncertainty could well keep it that way in 2025.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The Eurozone economy was stronger in the first quarter than both we and the ECB expected.
- The pick-up in growth will prove short-lived, as trade uncertainty bites down on investment.
- Country data point to EZ inflation at 2.1% in April; we still see a chunky upside surprise in the core.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: EZ inflation expectations jumped on the eve of the tariff shock.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Spanish growth slowed in Q1 but still comfortably outperformed growth in the rest of the big four.
- The SNB is easing policy without cutting rates, signalling a desire to steer clear of negative rates.
- Money and credit data remain positive on outlook for the EZ economy but tariffs still threaten.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
UNCERTAINTY OVER GLOBAL TRADE WILL WEIGH ON GROWTH...
- ...A SHORT TECHNICAL RECESSION IN H2 IS NOW OUR BASELINE
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Market expectations for the ECB’s deposit rate to stay below 2.0% next year are a sitting duck.
- Bunds are fairly valued at 2.5%; fiscal policy poses upside risk, but trade wars pull in the other direction.
- EURUSD is overshooting our models; EZ equities are set to struggle for a while longer.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: French industry intends to make hay while the sun is still shining.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Our forecasts for Q1 GDP and the April HICP imply upside risk for ECB rate expectations this week.
- Robust national business surveys point to upside risk to our Q2 forecasts for GDP in Germany and France.
- Tariff front-running seems to be just what the doctor ordered for manufacturing in France.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Resilient, but labour market prospects remain difficult.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
