The US is pushing through another big military aid package for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Germany has massive INDIRECT EXPORTS to Russia - see charts below. What are US taxpayers supposed to think when they see this? Source: Robin Brooks
German economy has returned to growth.
German Composite PMI Index moved back to >50 growth threshold in Apr for 1st time in 10mths, driven by a buoyant services sector. At 50.5, up from 47.7 in March, it signaled a modest expansion rate in private-sector business activity. Service PMI recorded its strongest growth since Jun2023 (index at 53.3). The manufacturing PMI meanwhile remained in sub-50 contraction territory at 42.2. Source: HolgerZ, Bloomberg
Mind the gap...
France debt to GDP ratio ihas been diverging in a meaningful way vs. Germany debt to GDP. Rating agency Fitch already cut country's credit rating from AA to AA- last year, rating agency S&P has placed France under review... Source: Bloomberg, HolgerZ
German inflation slowed to 2.2% in March from 2.5% in February as expected but core CPI more sticky.
Core inflation slowed to 3.3% from 3.4% in Feb. Source: Bloomberg, HolgerZ
The worst seems behind the economy.
This is indicated by the Ifo Business Climate Index, which has jumped to 87.8 in March, highest level since June 2023 vs 86.0 expected. Current conditions rose to 88.1 in March from 86.9 in Feb, Ifo business confidence to 87.8 from 85.7 in Feb. Suggests that we could see a recovery as households begin to spend their real income gains. Employment is robust and nominal wage growth comfortably exceeds inflation again. There could be some green shoots in the export sector, and even the deep slump in construction may have bottomed out. Source: Bloomberg, HolgerZ
Disinflationary forces continue in Germany.
Wholesales Prices drop 0.1% MoM in Feb after +0.1% MoM in Jan, plunge 3% YoY which is a good leading indicator for German food price CPI. Sources: Bloomberg, HolgerZ
Germany Stock Exchange Firm Deutsche Boerse Launches Crypto Trading Platform
Germany-based Deutsche Boerse announced fully regulated crypto trading platform Deutsche Boerse Digital Exchange (DBDX). The spot trading platform is targeted for institutional clients said the Deutsche Boerse. The new Deutsche Boerse Digital Exchange is the latest step in its digital strategy to deliver a fully regulated and secure environment for institutional trading, settlement, and custody for this digital asset class. The German exchange group last year committed to introduce an integrated digital asset platform as part of its Horizon 2026 program. The initial trading will be request-for-quote basis and gradually moving to multilateral trading. Deutsche Boerse will offer trading venue and Crypto Finance (Deutschland) to provide digital asset clearing and settlement services. source : coingape
The stock market rally continues in Germany.
The Dax is heading for its 9th daily gain in a row. The rally is being driven by the Dax "Glory 5" stocks - an index consisting of SAP, Siemens, Allianz, Munich Re, and Deutsche Telekom. These 5 stocks have outperformed the Dax Price Index by almost 100%-pts over a 10 year period. Source: HolgerZ, Bloomberg
