Revising our euro area 2018 GDP growth forecast down

Euro area real GDP growth and EC economic sentiment index, 2005 - 2018

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Anatomy of a slowdown

Euro area economic activity was buoyant in 2017. While a slowdown this year was expected, its magnitude has surprised. Several one-off factors are seen as having hurt growth data. First, weather conditions may have distorted supply and demand. Second, a winter flu outbreak that was more severe and more long lasting than usual may have increased absenteeism in February and March, particularly in Germany, where the delay in forming a new government may also explain the significant decline in government consumption in Q1 (-2.1% q-o-q, the largest quarterly contraction since Q2 2010). Third, strikes affected important sectors (the metalworking industry in Germany, the transport industry in France). Finally, the timing of Easter may also have distorted data. While it is difficult to quantify precisely the exact impact of all these factors on growth, the first release of Q2 French GDP for example confirmed that unusual weather conditions and strikes had dampened private consumption.

But the loss of economic momentum is also the result of more persistent factors. First, supply-side constraints (delivery times, backlogs, inventories) and labour bottlenecks have restrained output growth. Second, Q1 GDP reports revealed a sharp slowdown in exports from most euro area countries. This behaviour may reflect a reversion of export growth to levels more in line with cyclical conditions following high growth last year (see chart 2), especially in the second half. The delayed effect of the euro’s appreciation late last year and the slowdown in global trade suggested by some indicators may also be hurting export growth in 2018. It cannot be excluded that part of the drop in momentum is due to a lowering of expectations linked to trade tensions.

Nonetheless, euro area economic fundamentals remain robust. In spite of the slowdown from 2017, the euro area economy is likely to continue to grow at rates above its long-term potential. Solid job creation, monetary policy that is still highly accommodative and favourable financial conditions all continue to support household spending and business investment.

Euro Area Exports Contribution to Growth, 2008 - 2018

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Italy and Spain decelerated in Q2

Some euro area countries have also published Q2 preliminary figures. Among the four biggest economies, only Germany has yet to publish its flash GDP reading (it will come out on 14 August). French GDP grew at the same pace as in Q1 (0.2% q-o-q, see our previous Flash Note for more details).

In Italy, GDP growth decelerated to 0.2% q-o-q in Q2 from 0.3% q-o-q in Q1, in line with consensus expectations. The breakdown of Italian growth by expenditure components will be published on 31 August.

Finally, in Spain, GDP growth slowed to 0.6% q-o-q (2.7% y-o-y) in Q2 from 0.7% q-o-q (3.0% y-o-y) in Q1, below consensus expectations (0.7%). It was the lowest reading since Q2 2014. The GDP breakdown was mixed. Investment (+2.6% q-o-q after 0.8% in Q1) accelerated thanks to a strong rebound in investment in equipment and machinery, but private consumption, a leading driver of the recovery, slowed to 0.2% q-o-q (from 0.7%), the lowest quarterly rate since Q1 2014. Furthermore, exports (-1.0% q-o-q after 1.3% in Q1) contracted for the first time Q3 2016. That said, Spanish economy is still out performing its euro area peers.

France, Italy and Spain Real GDP Growth, 2004 - 2018

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