DWS | After experiencing a slight fall during the second quarter, German gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a slightly positive rate in the third quarter of the year. This means that Germany has been spared, by the hair, of falling into a technical recession. However, it is likely that the most recent data fail to reassure skeptics.
There are a few paradoxes in Europe’s biggest economy unquestionable economic slowdown. Labour market remains solid. The last macro data shows a lower deterioration than expected, thanks to the expansion of other neighboring economies such as the French. Also, Berlin malaise has not hit the stock market. The DAX has outperformed other European indexes this year.
David Kohl (Julius Baer) | US growth appears to be more resilient than feared. Trade-related uncertainty and weaker global industrial activity dampened business investment, but private consumption remained strong and the return of residential investment as a positive growth contributor improves the 2020 growth outlook.
Caixabank Research | Having grown at an acceptable 2,8% in 2017, Germany slowed sharply in 2018 and, in the last four quarters, interannual growth has on average been a miserable 0.8%. In the second quarter, in fact, growth was negative, and everything point to this tendency being maintained in the third quarter, which would mean entering a technical recession. Below we analyse why.
The Spanish economy grew 0.4% in the second quarter, one tenth less than in the previous quarter and also a tenth less than advanced at the end of July. It is the lowest rate of quarterly growth in three years, according to the National Accounts published this Monday by the National Institute for Statistics (INE).
A. Menut and A. Tentori (AXA IM) | Italian politics are back at centre stage, with Lega party leader Matteo Salvini unexpectedly triggering a government crisis and making way for what in many ways is yet another spurious coalition. The positive political climate, more European Union-friendly, together with non-negative – although weak – growth should be encouraging for markets.
BBVA Research | The recovery of the Spanish economy will continue during the two years 2019-2020. In fact, and despite the risks which still hang over the scenario, growth expectations have been revised upwards one tenth to 2.3% for 2019 and remain at 1.9% for 2020.
Philippe Waetcher (Ostrum AM – Natixis) | Spain has recovered strongly since 2013. Probably as a reaction to the deep fall of the Spanish economy in 2008 and after the 211-2012 period. This reaction explains the strong performance of the Spanish economy observed in recent years.
Joan Tapia (Barcelona) | The possibility of new elections in November is beginning to sound the alarm about the ability of Spanish political parties to form coalitions. The Spanish economy is an animal of great strength which, once set going, is resistant and difficult to stop. So said to me a few months ago a distinguished Spanish economist who presides over one of the most respected think tanks.
Low growth below the 2% threshold coupled with below-target inflation has led our macros to believe that the ECB is taking extra stimulus for granted. This would mean the return of the centra banks’ asset repurchase program, experts at Morgan Stanley point out..