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July 3, 2025 12:24 PM UTC
The account of the June 3-5 Council meeting just about left the door open for a move at the July 24 policy verdict given the array of news (probably negative particularly regarding tariffs but also bank lending) due beforehand. But the account adds to the impression we has initially that a pause
July 2, 2025 8:30 AM UTC
We are concerned that DM central banks are underestimating the lagged impact of 2021-23 tightening and ongoing QT, which impacts the transmission mechanism of monetary policy. Central banks need to consider cyclical and structural issues, but also need a more rounded view of the stance and implica
July 1, 2025 9:32 AM UTC
Despite its updated its monetary policy strategy detailed yesterday, inflation – now at target – is very much a side issue for the ECB at present, albeit with oil prices possibly accentuating Council divides. Admittedly, the flash June HICP rose a notch to 2.0% matching the -consensus, but up
June 24, 2025 8:57 AM UTC
Inflation – now below target – is very much a side issue for the ECB at present, albeit with oil prices possibly accentuating Council divides. Indeed, we see the flash June HICP staying at May’s below-consensus, eight-month low and below-target 1.9% (Figure 1). More notably, having jumped
June 23, 2025 8:30 AM UTC
• We see the U.S. yield curve steepening in the next 6-18 months. 2yr U.S. Treasury yields can step down with cautious Fed easing on a modest/moderate growth slowdown and also if the Fed keeps an easing bias in H2 2026. 10yr U.S. Treasury yields face a tug of war between lower short-dated y
June 20, 2025 9:24 AM UTC
· Amid what may still be tightening financial conditions and likely protracted trade uncertainty, we have pared back the EZ activity forecast for 2026. However, the picture this year appears to be slightly better but this is largely a distortion and we think that the economy has instead
June 10, 2025 2:25 PM UTC
Further ECB easing is on the cards, the question being whether this should start to encompass toning down quantitative tightening (QT) plans too! Notably, the two ppt fall in the discount rate cuts has come against a backdrop where the ECB has continued unconventional tightening by scaling back its
June 6, 2025 10:26 AM UTC
Given what now looks to have been an outstanding first quarter, the ECB’s assertion at this month’s Council press conference that it is a good position to navigate the uncertain conditions looks more tenable. After all, GDP jumped 0.6%, twice the previous estimate. But this is no indicator o
June 5, 2025 1:58 PM UTC
This widely seen 25 bp deposit rate cut (to 2.0%) now means the previous degree of tightening has been effectively halved. Notably, it comes alongside an ECB policy and economic outlook/bias little changed from that of recent months. The door is thus left open for a move at the July 24 policy ve
June 3, 2025 9:42 AM UTC
EZ HICP inflation met our below-consensus expectation in dropping to an eight-month low and below-target 1.9% (Figure 1) helped by rounding and a further m/m fall in fuel prices. More notably, having jumped 0.5 ppt to 4.0% in April, very probably due to the impact of the timing of Easter affecting
May 28, 2025 2:30 PM UTC
What is widely seen as an eighth 25 bp deposit rate cut in the current cycle on June 5 may be overshadowed by the ECB’s implicit if not explicit shift about the outlook thereafter. The door will be left open for a move at the July 24 policy verdict given the array of news (probably negative part
May 27, 2025 11:17 AM UTC
Exceeding expectations, EZ HICP inflation failed to fall in April, instead staying at 2.2%. More notably, services inflation jumped 0.5 ppt to 4.0%, very probably due to the impact of the timing of Easter affecting airfares and holiday costs. As already seen in flash French May numbers, and as was
May 27, 2025 9:22 AM UTC
At least within markets there is some relief that President Trump has deferred his ramped up 50% tariff threat from early June to July 9. Unambiguously positive is the fact that a better line of communication, if not rapport, now seems to exist between the U.S. president and EU Commission Presiden
May 23, 2025 1:35 PM UTC
After a protracted period of elevated EZ cost and price pressures, a reversal seems to be very much underway. Headline and underlying HICP inflation have moved back toward target, but to reinforce this downtrend there are an increasing array of softer cost pressure signals. ECB wage tracker and
May 22, 2025 12:46 PM UTC
The account of the April 16-17 ECB Council meeting suggested that the policy decision was more of a clearly agreed consensus, this papering over continued divides regarding the outlook; the risks from tariffs; and where inflation risks lie. The seventh and widely expected 25 bp deposit rate cut (w
May 22, 2025 9:00 AM UTC
The May flash composite PMI data may have fallen into apparent contraction territory as the index dropped to 49.5 in May from 50.4 in April, below the 50.0 no-change mark for the first time in five months and thereby signalling a reduction, albeit a marginal one. We do not take much issue whether
May 19, 2025 10:07 AM UTC
The European Commission (EC) Spring Forecast projects real EZ GDP growth in 2025 at 0.9%, some 0.4 ppt below its previous (autumn) view. There is also a downgrade to the 2026 growth picture by 0.2 ppt to 1.4%, projections that carry downside risks and where we think they are still too optimistic
May 7, 2025 9:34 AM UTC
With the EZ jobless rate nestling at record lows, it would support the ECB assessment that the EZ labor market is strong, the central bank seeing only a small rise in the jobless rate this year and on to be reversed from early next year onwards. However, that glosses over the fact that the labor m
May 2, 2025 9:46 AM UTC
EZ HICP inflation failed to fall back toward the 2% target in flash April data, instead staying at 2.2%. More notably, services inflation jumped 0.4 ppt, very probably due to the impact of the timing of Easter affecting airfares and holiday costs. As was the case when this Easter effect last happe
April 24, 2025 8:39 AM UTC
EZ HICP inflation is likely to fall back to the 2% target in flash April data, this six-month low would largely reflect a fall in fuel prices, but with services largely consolidating the clear fall seen last time around (Figure 1). All of which would mean a stable core reading of 2.4% but where th
April 23, 2025 9:18 AM UTC
Continuing a series of upside surprises, EZ GDP overshot both consensus and ECB expectations in Q4), albeit only after what was a cumulative 0.2 ppt upward revisions compared to the flash. We see a further rise in Q1 data (Figure 1), partly reflecting recent m/m increases in both manufacturing and s
April 17, 2025 1:48 PM UTC
A seventh and widely expected 25 bp deposit rate cut was overshadowed by the ECB’s communication shift about the outlook hereafter, no longer talking about how restrictive policy may be. This shift is entirely appropriate not least given the manner in which financial conditions are now tightenin
April 15, 2025 11:14 AM UTC
The ECB can draw comfort from signs that credit demand and supply for EZ households continues to improve. But the ECB’s latest bank lending survey (BLS) also offers worrying signs in regard to firms as well as questioning the alleged neutrality of the QT program. It shows a further (admittedly
April 9, 2025 8:03 AM UTC
It is surely not a question of whether the ECB cuts rates again at its Apr 17 decision, but what it communicates about policy thereafter. Not least given the manner in which financial conditions have tightened, the then-notable change in rhetoric last month to suggest the policy stance had become
April 3, 2025 2:22 PM UTC
The Account of the Governing Council meeting on 5-6 March 2025 seemingly dwelt more on the downside risks posted by trade uncertainties than the upside risks posed by fiscal expansion plans across much of the EU. It noted that not all members supported the proposal to lower the three key ECB inter
April 3, 2025 10:24 AM UTC
The U.S is imposing a widespread tariff on the EU of 20%, higher and broader than expected, this based on U.S. calculation of an effective tariff rate of in effect 39 per cent, a figure the EU puts at about 1 per cent. Moreover, rather than including factors such as VAT, and hygiene restrictions o
April 1, 2025 9:45 AM UTC
Largely as expected, there was more supportive news in the March flash HICP numbers (Figure 1), with the headline down a notch and core down 0.2 ppt (the former to 2.2% and hence the lowest since last autumn). Perhaps more notably services inflation slowed more clearly, dropping 0.3 ppt to 3.4%, a
March 25, 2025 1:43 PM UTC
February HICP inflation numbers did deliver better news and broadly and less marginally so after revisions with the headline dropping 0.2 ppt to an as-expected 2.3%. This ended a run of three successive rises and came about despite a rise in food inflation. Regardless, the core also eased 0.1 pp
March 25, 2025 9:30 AM UTC
• 2yr U.S. Treasury yields can step down with cautious Fed easing on a modest/moderate growth slowdown and also if the Fed keeps an easing bias. 10yr U.S. Treasury yields can be helped by this easing and see a move down through 2025. However, the budget deficit will likely be 6.5-7.0%
March 24, 2025 10:45 AM UTC
· For once in a long while, we have upgraded the EZ activity forecast and for 2026 actually to a notch above consensus thinking. However, the current backdrop still suggests that while the economy has been growing afresh it is doing so timidly, with downside risks persisting more clearl
March 18, 2025 9:05 AM UTC
· The crucial date for more clarity is the June 24-26 NATO summit. Donald Trump might attend but will ask for more spending. NATO head Rutte’s desire is for above 3% of GDP for NATO countries, but the politics and budget suggest that a 2.5% minimum may only be agreed with Germany
March 14, 2025 12:08 PM UTC
It does seem as if effective German Chancellor-elect Merz now has enough parliamentary support to amend the so-called debt brake and unlock more spending and borrowing to be directed toward added defense and infrastructure. Thus, it does seem as if Germany and its economy are undergoing a sea-chan
March 6, 2025 3:01 PM UTC
Unsurprisingly, the ECB verdict was less important that the rhetoric. A sixth 25 bp discount rate was widely expected – and delivered - to 2.5%, but how wide the door is left open for further cuts may be more opaque. This both reflects gauging the extent of any lingering degree of policy restric
March 5, 2025 12:56 PM UTC
As the EU/EZ prepares for an almost certain trade spat if not trade war with the U.S. as the latter levies well-flagged and probably significant tariffs, we consider what is actually behind President Trump’s ferocity regarding bilateral trade. As has been suggested widely, the EZ does not actual
March 5, 2025 7:42 AM UTC
Germany’s likely new Chancellor Friedrich Merz has (and as has been flagged since his election win last week) announced plans to amend the country’s constitutional fiscal restraints, the so-called debt brake and within the confines of the current parliament. Merz said Tuesday evening the motto
March 3, 2025 4:17 PM UTC
February HICP inflation numbers may did deliver better news and broadly but only marginally so (Figure 1) with the headline dropping 0.1 ppt to a higher-than-expected 2.4%. This ended a run of three successive rises and came about despite a rise in food inflation. Instead, the core also eased’
February 27, 2025 1:55 PM UTC
As has been the case at most recent Council meetings, the ECB verdict is less important that the rhetoric. A sixth 25 bp discount rate is widely expected, to 2.5%, but how wide the door is left open for further cuts may be gleaned from any clear change in regard to how near(er) neutral policy the Co
February 26, 2025 12:14 PM UTC
It is clear that, especially with another official rate cut due at the looming ECB Council meeting (Mar 6), the existing debate about how restrictive policy will be may only intensify. Indeed, the debate is already quite vocal, led by the hawks who are trying to argue for policy pause at least.
February 26, 2025 8:30 AM UTC
· EZ equities still have further scope to outperform U.S. equities in the remainder of 2025 helped by further ECB easing/hopes of a Ukraine peace deal and U.S. equity market overvaluation restraining the U.S. However, this can be volatile with uncertainty over the scale of U.S. tari
February 25, 2025 11:40 AM UTC
They say that good things often come in threes. For the ECB, Q4 data on negotiated wages just released adds to both INDEED compiled wage indicator and the central bank’s own wage tracker data in suggesting softening if not very muted cost pressures, something we attribute to the rising EZ labor
February 24, 2025 3:34 PM UTC
February HICP inflation numbers may deliver better news and broadly so (Figure 1) and thus contrast with the mixed messages in the higher-than-expected January flash HICP numbers. Indeed, for a third successive month in January, the headline rose but by ‘only’ 0.1ppt, to a six-month high of 2.
February 24, 2025 8:53 AM UTC
The German election delivered few surprises with the electorate swinging even more clearly away from the political middle ground. It clearly means that many difficult decisions lie ahead with questions over the effectiveness of the likely new government. The result is only likely to inflame US c
February 24, 2025 8:27 AM UTC
· Our baseline remains of a Russia-friendly peace deal in Ukraine, but this need not lead to a weaker European security situation. This is our baseline (Figure 1), but does require Europe to make concessions to the Trump administration on defence spending increases and trade. However,
February 21, 2025 10:21 AM UTC
The February composite PMI data may have not fallen (stable at 50.2) and the weaker-than-expected outcome was dominated by sharp addition weakness in France, but the data will be uncomfortable reading for the ECB. The data very much suggest that the better news regarding EZ consumer spending see
February 20, 2025 8:03 AM UTC
It is highly likely in April that the U.S. will announce a 25% tariff on EU cars and pharmaceuticals (here) and also reciprocal tariffs against the EU. The majority could be implemented given Trump’s desire to raise revenue/dislike of the EU as well as negotiate trade deals. This
February 18, 2025 3:29 PM UTC
As Europe is forced to consider a massive and rapid ramp up to its relatively mediocre defence spending (Figure 1) as it contemplates a reduction in military support from the US, key questions emerge as the economic effect(s). Will it boost or inhibit growth, add to inflation, and how will/should
February 13, 2025 12:33 PM UTC
European politicians are surprised and angry at the U.S. stance on a peace deal for Ukraine and less military support for Europe, but eventually they will have to accept the new reality. Europe is too divided to provide security guarantees to Ukraine on its own. A further increase and acceleration
February 11, 2025 8:30 AM UTC
The ECB staff forecasts on March 6 will be revised upwards for 2025 and 2026, due to the surge in wholesale gas prices. However, the ECB will likely take the view that 2 round effects from higher gas prices on balance are unlikely to boost core inflation (especially given wage tracker softness) an
February 7, 2025 1:14 PM UTC
A well-advertised research paper from the ECB suggests that the real neutral rate of interest for the EZ has not changed very much in the last few years but with a likely range of between -0.5% and +0.5%, but still well below estimates for what is so-called r* prior to the pandemic (Figure 1). The
February 5, 2025 9:06 AM UTC
President Trump has made it clear that the EU is going to face US tariffs in the not too distant future. Admittedly, tariff threats have been used as the basis for negotiation elsewhere, this may be the case for the EU too – as was the case during Trump’s first term. As for the EU, it does h