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4 Dec 2023

Political position of the largest party in each European country

(map by try.balkan/instagram) Source: OnlMaps

1 Dec 2023

The German labor market is now sending out alarm signals despite the shortage of skilled workers

Germany’s unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to 5.9% in November, the highest level in 2.5 years. Joblessness increased by 22k. Source: Bloomberg, HolgerZ

30 Nov 2023

Eurozone inflation cooled more than expected, putting 2% target in sight:

Headline CPI rose 2.4% YoY in November down from 2.9% in October. Core CPI, which excludes volatile components like fuel & food, moderated for a 4th month to 3.6% from 4.2% in October. Markets are now pricing 1st ECB rate cut to take place at the April meeting. Source: HolgerZ, Bloomberg

30 Nov 2023

ECB QT continues. ECB balance sheet back <€7tn, shrank by €5.3bn to €6,996bn, lowest since Jan2021

Total assets now equal to 50% of Eurozone GDP vs Fed's 28% & BoJ's 128%. And Lagarde has warned that the timeline for ending PEPP reinvestments and so QT could be accelerated. Source: HolgerZ, Bloomberg

30 Nov 2023

German inflation sinks more than expected as energy retreats & costs of fuels & travel fell sharply from prior mth

Headline CPI slows to 3.2% YoY in Nov from 3.8% in Oct & vs 3.5% exp. Food inflation slows to 5,5% from 6.1%, Core CPI dropped from 4.3% to 3.8%, so a long way to go to 2% goal. Source: Bloomberg, HolgerZ

27 Nov 2023

During 25 years before joining the Euro Italian Lira lost 83% against Deutsche Mark. Last 25 years they have been pegged. How much value would the Lira have lost against Deutsche Mark without the peg?

Source: Bloomberg, Michel A.Arouet

27 Nov 2023

German exports of motor vehicles and parts (blue) to Kyrgyzstan are up 5500% since Russia invaded Ukraine

Is Kyrgyzstan suddenly in a massive boom or are these vehicles and parts just transiting through Kyrgyzstan? Source: Robin Brooks

24 Nov 2023

French and German economies are slumping

Source: Bloomberg

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