In one line: Was the rise in French private sector activity short-lived?
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Services leads the way while industry downturn is easing.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Decent; services activity is firm, even as inflation pressures ease.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The June rate cut is safe, but sticky Q1 negotiated wage growth will prevent another one in July.
- We now see the ECB easing by 25bp in June, September, October and December; no cuts in 2025.
- The May EZ PMIs add to our conviction that EZ GDP growth is continuing its tepid rebound in Q2.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Is the idea of a July rate cut sinking without a trace? Isabel Schnabel seems to think so.
- Today’s Q1 negotiated wage growth data are a wild card; one-offs in Germany are the main upside risk.
- We agree with Ms. Schnabel’s assessment that the natural rate has increased, at least temporarily.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Goods trade supported GDP last quarter
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: A solid Q1, but output will fall back in Q2.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Lifted by a leap in the primary income surplus.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The EZ goods trade surplus widened in March, and net trade in goods likely boosted GDP in Q1.
- Advance data from China as well as surveys suggest this boost is disappearing in Q2...
- ...And we think rising imports means net trade is set to weigh on growth for the rest of the year.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Were it not for the superbonus, Italian investment likely would be falling off a cliff...
- ...Interest rates faced by firms are among the high- est, credit standards tight and loan demand sinking.
- The lagged hit from rising interest rates on Eurozone investment will fade later this year, but only slowly.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ headline inflation held steady in April, matching the first estimate; core inflation fell slightly.
- The near-term outlook for energy inflation has improved, but that will change if oil prices rebound.
- Services inflation is as sticky as ever and will likely rebound in May; insurance inflation is rocketing.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ fiscal policy is now consolidating but will remainmuch looser than before the pandemic.
- We think the Italian government is too optimistic on its deficit-reduction this year, and until 2026 too.
- The path for Germany’s fiscal position will depend on spending, while revenues matter most in France.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Output still fell over Q1 as a whole.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: The core should fall a bit further over the summer, but 2% is likely the new trend.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- GDP growth in the Eurozone rebounded at the start of 2024, matching the initial estimate.
- A fall in German construction will weigh on EZ growth in Q2, but the overall upturn will continue.
- EZ employment growth slowed in Q1, but surveys suggest the worst is now over.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Soft, but beware the risk of a snap-back in services inflation in May.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
