German ZEW sends further signs of caution

While the World Cup trophy just landed in Berlin, the German ZEW index sends more signs of caution. The ZEW index, which measures investors’ confidence, continued its recent downward trend and decreased in June for the seventh month in a row and now 27.1, from 29.8 in June. This is the lowest level since December 2012. At the same time, the current assessment component dropped for the first time since November 2013. Latest data releases have increased concerns about a stagnation of the German economy in the second quarter. Weak industrial production, a sharp correction in the construction sector and the reversal of the positive weather effect from Q1 do not bode well for second quarter growth. This is not only bad news for Germany but for the entire Eurozone. Currently it seems as if only a return of strong net exports and/or a real consumption boom can avoid a stand-still of the economy in the second quarter. Only die-hard optimists and soccer fanatics would argue that the German victory at the soccer World Cup would be sufficient to boost private consumption. Contrary to the German Summer Fairy Tale of 2006, soccer enthusiasm is very unlikely to ignite economic confidence. Back in 2006, both the national soccer team and the economy had been written off and successes came as huge positive surprise. Combined with a very special atmosphere, a new national self-confidence and, most importantly, earlier implemented reforms, the summer of 2006 brought confidence back. Even if any macro-economic impact from soccer successes can not be supported by statistics, the magic of 2006 remains (for some it there was a correlation, for others it was only coincidence). This time around, however, even the unexplainable magical interaction between soccer and the economy should be very limited. The German economy is already doing well, consumer confidence is at a 7 ½-year high and private consumption has become an important growth driver. Despite all euphoria, the World Cup title did not come as a real surprise. It was more the final stage of continuous work and improvement over a longer time period. As much as we would like to see it, but hopes that the 2006 magic between soccer and economics can be repeated are based on wishful thinking rather than on facts. Even if cheering masses in front of the Brandenburg Gate today could give rise to different ideas, soccer is what has always been: the most wonderful pastime in the world.

Return(ed) to mainland

No more island? German industrial production dropped sharply in May, showing that earlier risk factors like slowing emerging market economies, including China, and geopolitical conflicts do have an impact on the German economy. In May, industrial production dropped by 1.8% MoM, the third consecutive drop. The last time industrial production had dropped for three months in a row was in the summer of 2012. On the year, industrial production is now still up by 1.2%. Today’s drop was driven by a decline in production in manufacturing, intermediate goods and consumer goods. Moreover, the correction in the construction sector continued (-4.9% MoM). In fact, the construction sector has by now lost all gains of the last months and is back at the level of early 2013. Today’s industrial production data adds evidence that the German industry is currently treading water. Already last week, German new orders had dropped by 1.7% MoM in May, with the sharpest drop coming from orders from outside the Eurozone. Interestingly, orders from Eurozone peers had risen for the second month in a row. To be clear, there is no reason to worry. It is more a question of level and change. The overall level of industrial activity is still strong and the safety net for the German industry, richly filled order books and low inventories, is still boding well for the coming months. However, the stimulus for a further acceleration is currently missing. In fact, latest data give the impression that the dichotomy between soft and hard data has returned to Germany. While sentiment indicators, despite recent softening, still point to solid growth, hard data is less encouraging. This dichotomy seems to be an ever-returning phenomenon of the recent German economy. Over the last quarters, the dichotomy always disappeared by itself, with statistical revisions, the weather or domestic demand eventually turning out as the missing link. This time around, it seems to need a return of strong net exports and/or a real consumption boom to avoid a stand-still of the economy in the second quarter. It could take until the third quarter before the dichotomy disappears again. Until then, today’s industrial production data show that the German island of happiness has been brought back to mainland.