In one line: Industry was a drag on EZ GDP again in Q4.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Improvement in industry in Q4 is partly why we think GDP growth rebounded.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Italian industrial production data for November were decent, as we expected…
- ...We continue to think Italian GDP rose in Q4, after stagnating in Q3; our 0.3% call is above consensus.
- Growth will rise in 2025 and—barring any political upheaval—the BTP-Bund spread will narrow further.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The PMIs suggest manufacturing in the Eurozone remained mired in recession at the end of 2024…
- …But we still hope US tariff front-running will lift the hard data for Q4 and Q1, in time.
- The upturn in real M1 growth continued midway through Q4; ignore this signal at your peril.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Consumer sentiment takes a hit as the Holidays approach.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Rising IESI still points to downside risks for Q4 GDP.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- President Lagarde said data in coming months—not weeks—will offer clarity on the ECB’s next moves.
- This lowers the chance of a 50bp rate cut in January; we think the Bank will opt for a smaller 25bp cut.
- Three conditions, though, may push the Bank to make the next cut a jumbo one.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Not as bad as PMIs but still in line with our view that GDP will flat-line in Q4 after the Olympics boost in Q3.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Politics still holding back consumer confidence.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
ECB HAS FURTHER ROOM TO EASE POLICY...
...BUT WE ARE CLOSER TO NEUTRAL THAN MARKETS BELIEVE
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Political uncertainty weighed on business sentiment in France in December…
- ...Politically-driven sentiment moves don’t usually translate into hard data, but growth will still slow.
- Services trade figures in the EZ current account point to downside risk to our EZ net trade call in Q4.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ inflation rose less than previously thought in November, to 2.2%—rather than 2.3%—from 2.0%.
- It will increase further in December, and risks to our call for a 2.5% print are to the upside.
- The headline will fall in early 2025, allowing the ECB to cut rates further, less than markets expect though.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Construction escaped recession in Q4.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: EZ inflation rose less than previously thought in November; another rise this month is likely.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The IFO BCI sank in December, pointing to downside risk to our call for German GDP to stagnate in Q4.
- Investor sentiment, measured by the ZEW, perked up, in line with rising equities.
- EZ trade took a hit in October; front-loading ahead of higher tariffs will prevent a Q4 drag from net trade.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: German investor sentiment recovers; EZ goods trade takes a hit in October.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Sinking to its lowest since May 2020, and the first Covid lockdowns.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The PMIs in December were still a dovish signal for ECB policymakers…
- ...and the ECB President made it clear further easing was on the way in her speech in Lithuania…
- ...But she failed in her promise to clarify the Bank’s level of restrictiveness.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
