Friday, May 8, 2015

8/5/15: Euro Area Growth Indicator for April: Weak, but Improving


The €-coin index of growth indicators for Euro area published by Banca d'Italia and CEPR posted another rise in April, marking the fifth consecutive month of increases. Eurocoin printed 0.33 in April, up from 0.26 in March. Per Banca d'Italia, "the indicator was mainly buoyed by the increase in industrial production and rising share prices." In other words, welcome to the marvels of QE.


Forecast 3mo on 3mo growth rate is now at 0.3-0.35%, the highest since April 2014. However, April 2015 reading of 0.33 is still below April 2014 reading of 0.39.

The monetary policy remains firmly lodged in a low-growth, low-inflation corner, while rates are at their zero bound:



Growth conditions signalled by Eurocoin (not actual growth data, yet) signal 12mo growth returning to close to long-term average:


This is hardly impressive, since historical growth records for the Euro area are exceptionally anaemic and current major monetary policy push for growth should be expected to drive rates of growth much higher. This is not happening so far.

Euro area business confidence surveys indicate either weak (EU Commission) or falling (PMIs)

But actual PMIs are a more upbeat:



While Consumers continue to stay away from the shops:


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