In one line: Disappointing, but don’t write off Q2 consumption just yet.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ services inflation snapped back in May; it will come down eventually, but this will take a while.
- The ECB will cut its policy rate this week, but hopes of a July cut are now lost; September is at risk too.
- EZ consumers’ spending, ex-services, fell in April, but this was mainly due to Easter seasonals in food.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: The EZ labour market is in a good spot.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Inflation in the Eurozone likely rose a touch in May, to 2.5%, in line with the consensus.
- The EZ labour market is in rude health but poses no threat to the slowdown in wages and inflation, yet.
- The Swiss economy performed better than initially estimated in Q1, boosted by services.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Jump in services inflation stands out like a sore thumb.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: German core and headline inflation rebounded in May.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Looking up in Germany, but stalling in France.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Services inflation in Germany jumped in May; it will be grist to the mill of ECB hawks urging caution.
- Money supply growth in the Eurozone accelerated further in April, but lending growth remains slow.
- German consumer confidence adds to our optimism that a Q2 rebound in consumption is coming.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Some ECB policymakers are trying to keep the July rate cut alive; it likely will die this week, all the same.
- We’re lifting our growth forecasts for France to take into account the boost from the Paris Olympics.
- The inventory cycle in France will soon turn up, lifting GDP growth, even factoring in declining net exports.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- German GDP growth was propelled by construction and net exports in Q1; neither will be sustained…
- …but growth in manufacturing capex is bottoming out and real income growth is accelerating.
- We think GDP growth will slow in Q2, to 0.1%, as construction investment and net exports fall back.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Construction and net trade propelled growth in Q1; neither will last.
Claus Vistesen (Chief 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: 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
- 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
