In one line: Another data point in favour of ECB hawks.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Germany has fired a fiscal bazooka, which won’t go unnoticed by the ECB today.
- Swiss inflation fell further in February, to 0.3%; we think this is a trough, for now.
- We expect the SNB to cut by 25bp later this month, marking the final reduction in this easing cycle.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The EU’s first defence package contains only a small element of joint loans; more will be needed soon.
- EZ unemployment remains pinned at a record low, though we think it will start rising soon, slowly.
- Markets see tariff risks as dovish for ECB policy, but the economic data are pulling in the other direction.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Consistent with another 0.5% q/q increase in GDP in Q1; price pressures rising.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The ECB will cut its policy rates by 25bp, but the argument for further easing is now much tougher.
- February inflation data mean the ECB’s forecast for Q2 inflation at 2.1% is now a Hail Mary.
- ECB doves will focus on downside risks to growth and employment from tariffs; they have a point.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Consistent with a below-consensus EZ print on Monday.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: EZ inflation expectations ease back; further increases in German unemployment are on the way.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Consistent with the national CPI undershooting the consensus.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Inflation pulled lower by energy, but the core softened too; setback in spending after a strong finish to 2024.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Eurozone headline and core inflation likely undershot the consensus in February.
- Today’s data should be the first clear sign that EZ services inflation is now falling, from a trend of 4%.
- EZ consumers’ spending on goods saw a slow start to 2025, but don’t write off Q1 just yet.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Business sentiment eases despite improvement in manufacturing.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Upturns in real M1 growth and credit impulse continue.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Decent headline, but rising unemployment fears is a red flag.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Swiss GDP rose by 0.5% on the quarter in Q4, much better than the measly 0.1% growth in EZ GDP.
- Growth will slow, falling in line with that in the EZ, as net trade drags on GDP and spending growth slows.
- The US President has fired another tariff threat at the EU, but we are still in waiting mode.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
