In one line: A drop, as expected, but the details point to robust domestic demand.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The ECB eased policy further, as expected, but it is now likely closer to neutral than markets think.
- EZ GDP stagnated in Q4, held back by declines in the two largest economies, Germany and France.
- The first national inflation figures for January lead us to raise our call for EZ core inflation, due out today.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Ignore headline fall; M1 growth is still accelerating.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Poor, but far from conclusive for consumption growth in Q1.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Spanish GDP rose by 0.8% q/q in Q4, and by 3.2% over 2024 as a whole, beating expectations.
- Growth will likely slow this year but remain stellar, such that Spain outperforms the big three, again.
- The IESI suggests Italian GDP growth will remain decent in Q1, after likely rebounding in Q4.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Political uncertain forces banks to tighten lending standards again.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: A rebound, but still subdued overall.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
ECB HAS FURTHER ROOM TO EASE POLICY...
- ...BUT WE ARE CLOSER TO NEUTRAL THAN MARKETS BELIEVE
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Rising political uncertainty likely contributed to tightening credit standards in Q4…
- …But we need more data to tell whether this is the start of a sustained shift; we doubt it.
- French consumer confidence rebounded in January but still signals upside risk to unemployment.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- High gas prices and low inventories in the EU risk higher Eurozone inflation in Q2 and Q3.
- Russian gas imports will likely dwindle further; the US, Norway and Qatar can cover some of the gap…
- ...But at what price? And what will happen if Chinese or domestic US demand ramps up?
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Up marginally, supporting our view of a modest rebound in Q1.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Up, supporting our call for faster GDP growth in early 2025, but not enough to deter an ECB rate cut next week.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Great, but beware the likely seasonal boost in services.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Downturn stalled, but no upturn in sight.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: New year relief, but still subdued.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The ECB will cut its deposit rate by 25bp this week; discussions on the level of neutral will intensify.
- Upside risks to energy, downside risks to the core in the national CPI and HICP data this week.
- EZ PMIs firmed in January, supporting our call for stronger EZ GDP growth in the first quarter.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Poor, but details better than the headline.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Our baseline assumes a mild US tariff rate increase and therefore limited impact on EZ exports and GDP.
- If the US raises tariffs on all goods apart from EU goods, GDP could rise by twice as much this year.
- A big universal tariff increase instead could see a Eurozone recession and GDP falling by 1% or so.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
