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
- Swiss inflation has fallen thus far in Q1, so the SNB will trim rates this week...
- ...But another jumbo 50bp cut is highly unlikely; we look for a 25bp cut, taking the policy rate to 0.25%.
- The Swiss monetary easing cycle likely ends there, with inflation set to rise over the coming months.
Claus Vistesen (Chief 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
In one line: Revised up thanks to a solid showing from domestic demand.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Stung by plunge in major orders; core orders should rise in coming months.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Domestic demand drove growth in the Eurozone in the second half of 2024; can it continue?
- Inventories and net trade will be important swing factors for growth in the first half of 2025.
- Our new forecasts put us well above the ECB; trade policy uncertainty is the dark horse.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Not the start to Q1 we’d hoped for. .
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Construction downturn intensifies midway through Q1.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Italian growth fared better than previously thought in Q4, and should now pick up.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The ECB is playing it safe; trade uncertainty outweighs upside risks from fiscal stimulus, for now.
- April is wide open, but the ECB will pause its easing unless it perceives US tariffs on a sustained basis.
- The ECB has pushed out the point at which inflation hits 2%; it will soon have to abandon the idea entirely.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
