In one line: Construction kept going at the start of 2025.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: The end of the road for the SNB’s current easing cycle?
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The SNB cut rates for the fifth straight meeting, as expected, taking the policy rate to 0.25%.
- The lack of changes to the decision statement and forecasts means June’s meeting is wide open…
- ...But we maintain that the Bank has more reasons to keep its powder dry than cut again.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Headline inflation in the Eurozone fell to 2.3% in February, which is as good as it will get this year.
- Non-energy goods is a wild card for inflation in March; base effects point to a big jump.
- A blanket and sustained EU retaliatory tariff would lift inflation, but we doubt this is on the cards.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: First signs of tariff front running by US firms, but also by EU firms.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Up and away; let’s hope the fiscal stimulus package passes today.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ trade data show a jump in exports to the US in January, as Mr. Trump fired off tariff threats.
- February and March figures are likely to show further increases in exports across the Atlantic…
- ...But we see some offsetting impact from tariff front-running by EU firms.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Germany needs a budget deficit of 4% of GDP over three years to lift defence spending quickly to 3.5%.
- Defence and infrastructure spending require more Bunds; €100B per year over the next decade?
- Rising uncertainty will weigh on Bund yields in Q2, but they’re right to fear the new fiscal plans.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Rebounding; likely escaping recession in Q1.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Unchanged from initial estimate; will rebound in March.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Downward revision to HICP rate signals bigger fall in EZ headline in February.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: An increase thanks to German rebound.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Almost reversing the jump in December.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- EZ manufacturing is on track for a strong Q1, but trade uncertainty looms over the rest of the year.
- The EU’s retaliation against US metals tariffs still leaves a small overall share of trade directly affected.
- EU import tariffs point to upside risk to consumer price inflation in core goods, in theory.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Growth in compensation-per-employee and the ECB’s wage tracker are easing…
- ...in line with other measures of EZ wage growth, pointing to a sustained slowdown this year.
- We doubt that wage growth will fall to close to 1%, as implied by the ECB’s wage tracker.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Surging, thanks to Germany’s “whatever it takes” moment.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Solid rise in industrial output, but net trade remains subdued.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Services production was up sharply in Q4, thanks to continued strength in IT services.
- Surveys remain positive on the outlook for services, and the sector will lead the increase in GDP in Q1.
- Our nowcast model is looking ugly, but we reiterate our call for a pick-up in EZ GDP growth, for now.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The range of economic outcomes in the Eurozone is widening; be ready for whiplash in the surveys.
- High-stakes negotiations between the EU and the US in Q2, on tariffs, Ukraine, NATO and Greenland.
- Mixed economic data in Germany; is industrial production finally rebounding?
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
