- Inflation in Germany and Spain undershot consensus in November; will EZ HICP do the same?
- German inflation will snap back in December due to base effects in energy; the core is falling rapidly.
- Core inflation in Spain declined sharply in November, and the downturn has further to run.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
THE EZ ECONOMY IS SLIPPING INTO RECESSION...
- ...WHEN WILL THE ECB’S MESSAGE SHIFT?
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Solid headline, but unemployment fears are rising.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Depressed, despite an improving outlook for real income growth.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Money supply is not falling as fast as it was earlier in the year, but it is still declining...
- ...Lending growth, meanwhile, is fading, which bodes ill for our call for a rebound in GDP in H1 2024.
- The package holiday CPI can be volatile in November; risks are tilted to the downside this week.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Still-rising, but will the fiscal impasse hit the December data?
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: French GDP is headed for a decline in Q4.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Global
In one line: French GDP is headed for a decline in Q4.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- German GDP fell in Q3, and we look for a further decline in Q4, pushing the economy into recession.
- Real disposable income growth remains weak; we still think it will improve next year as inflation eases.
- The fiscal impasse will be resolved, eventually, but a near-term hit to growth is now likely.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The EZ PMI for November indicate that the slowdown in activity eased midway through Q4…
- ...But we still think the Eurozone economy is now in a technical recession.
- ECB accounts shows that policymakers are surprised over how quickly financial conditions are tightening.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Europe is sitting pretty on energy so far this winter; prices are low and gas inventories are full to the brim.
- The current trend in oil and gas prices indicates EZ inflation could hit 1.5% by the middle of 2024.
- Asia and North America have taken over from Russia as marginal energy suppliers to Europe.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Negotiated wage growth in the EZ accelerated slightly in Q3, likely boosted by Germany.
- Market expectations and ECB communication are now wildly at odds; something has to give soon.
- We still see scope for easing early next year, but this call depends on a shift in language in December.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Today’s negotiated wage figures likely will show that wage growth eased in Q3, but only marginally.
- Construction output edged up in September; survey data suggest this was reversed in October...
- ...We think the sector will be a drag on growth again in Q4; luckily it accounts for only 5% of EZ GDP.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: The path to a March rate cut remains clear, to us.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Global
In one line: The path to a March rate cut remains clear, to us.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Solid, but the headline likely will roll over soon.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Inflation in the EZ is falling quickly, and the threat from a rebound in energy inflation is receding.
- Core inflation remains on track to undershoot the ECB’s September forecasts, especially in Q1.
- Sticky wages is a risk to our call for easing early next year, but the path to a March cut is still clear.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Higher real interest rates will likely keep precautionary savings high, raising the savings rate further...
- ...If it rises gradually beyond our baseline by end- 2025, say to 18%, spending would fall next year...
- ...But it would need to rise much further, and much quicker, for the EZ recession we expect to last longer.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Real rates in the EZ are now rising, even as the ECB stops hiking; we still see room for easing in Q1.
- The private sector’s interest rate costs will rise in 2024, even if the ECB holds or even eases slightly.
- Core inflation in France is now falling, EZ industry is still in recession, and EZ net trade likely rose in Q3.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
