### Summary
The Chinese economy has slipped into deflationary mode, with retail sales, industrial production, and exports all missing forecasts. Shrinking domestic demand and a debt-fueled housing crisis are the main causes behind this slowdown.
### Facts
- 📉 Retail sales in July grew by 2.5% year-on-year, compared to 3.1% in June.
- 🏭 Value-added industrial output expanded by 3.7% y-o-y, slowing from 4.4% growth in June.
- 📉 China's exports fell by 14.5% in July compared to the previous year, and imports dropped 12.4%.
- 💼 Overall unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in July, with youth unemployment at a record 21.3% in June.
- 📉 Consumer Price Index-based inflation dropped to (-)0.3%, indicating a deflationary situation.
- 🏢 China's debt is estimated at 282% of GDP, higher than that of the US.
### Causes of the slowdown
- The debt-fueled housing sector collapse, which contributes to 30% of China's GDP.
- Stringent zero-Covid strategy and lockdown measures that stifled the domestic economy and disrupted global supply chains.
- Geopolitical tensions and crackdowns on the tech sector, resulting in revenue losses and job cuts.
### Reaction of global markets
- The S&P 500 fell 1.2% following the grim Chinese data.
- US Treasury Secretary warns China's slowing economy is a risk factor for the US economy.
- Japanese stocks and the Indian Nifty were also impacted.
- China's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate, but investors were hoping for more significant stimulus measures.
### Global market concerns
- China's struggle to achieve the 5% growth target may impact global demand.
- China is the world's largest manufacturing economy and consumer of key commodities.
- A slowdown in China could affect global growth, with the IMF's forecast of 35% growth contribution by China seeming unlikely.
### Impact on India
- India's aim to compete with China in the global supply chain could benefit if Chinese exports decline.
- However, if China cuts back on commodity production due to slowing domestic demand, it may push commodity prices higher.
### Summary
The global economy is showing signs of decoupling, with the US economy remaining strong and China's economy disappointing at the margin. The recent data suggests that the US economy is resilient, with consumption and other indicators pointing in a positive direction. However, there are concerns about the bear steepening of the US curve and the repricing of the long end of the curve. In contrast, China's economy continues to struggle, with weak data and monetary policy easing. Japan has surprised with positive data, but there are questions about whether the current inflation shift will lead to tighter monetary policy. Overall, there are concerns about a potential global economic recession and its impact on various economies.
### Facts
- 💰 Despite the decoupling of the US and China economies, concerns remain about the negative impact of a China slowdown on global growth.
- 💹 Recent data show that the US economy, particularly consumption, remains resilient.
- 🔒 The bear steepening of the US curve and the repricing of the long end of the curve are causing concerns.
- 🇨🇳 In China, weak data on consumption and investment and declining house prices continue to affect the economy. The PBoC has eased monetary policy.
- 🇯🇵 Japan's 2Q data surprised with strong export growth, but there are concerns about the impact of a potential inflation shift on global yields.
- 🌍 The global economy is at risk of recession, with concerns about the impact on emerging market economies and the US economy.
### Summary
Germany's economic decline and China's struggles indicate major changes in global politics, challenging previous assumptions about Germany's dominance and China's rise as the world's largest economy.
### Facts
- German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock's diplomatic mission to enhance Germany's status in the Indo-Pacific region was derailed when her government's jet broke down, reflecting the country's declining state.
- China's official statistics bureau announced it will stop publishing regular youth unemployment figures after the record-high rate of 21.3% for Chinese 16 to 24-year-olds in June.
- Germany's economy is in decline, with three consecutive quarters of contraction. The International Monetary Fund predicts slower growth compared to the US, France, and the UK over the next five years.
- Angela Merkel's decisions, such as relying on Russian gas and neglecting defense spending, have contributed to Germany's decline.
- China's economy, once booming and beneficial for German exporters, is now facing challenges due to a stagnant market, aging population, contracting labor force, and a massive property market bubble.
- Foreign investment in China has significantly dropped, and China's position as the world's largest economy is in question.
### Analysis
- The decline of Germany and China disrupts previous assumptions about Germany's dominance and China's rise as a global superpower.
- Germany's decline opens up opportunities for closer bilateral relations with countries like France and Poland.
- The stability and prosperity of Germany remain important for Britain, but it also presents opportunities for the country.
- The United States retains its position as the top global power, which is beneficial for Britain as a key ally.
- Britain has its own challenges, such as high inflation, slow growth, high taxes, weak infrastructure, and the need to attract dynamic entrepreneurs and innovation.
### Summary
Growing concerns about global economic growth and uncertainties in monetary policy have led to turbulence in financial markets, with rising bond yields and a decline in equity markets. Key factors affecting growth include interest rates, bond yields, and access to funds, which may result in a credit crunch and a more risk-averse environment in capital markets. China's shift towards self-sufficiency, combined with a more prudent policy environment, slower population growth, and trade sanctions, will lead to slower and more erratic growth in the country. Although there are near-term concerns, the longer-term outlook for global growth remains positive.
### Facts
- Global economic growth is a concern, reflected in rising bond yields and a decline in equity markets.
- Policymakers, particularly in the US, are worried about overtightening monetary policy.
- Western economies, including the UK, have proven resilient despite expectations of a recession.
- Lower inflation will boost spending power, but growth will depend on where interest rates and bond yields settle.
- Businesses face challenges in raising funds due to a credit crunch, tough lending conditions, and a risk-averse capital market environment.
- The International Monetary Fund forecasts global growth to slow from 3.5% last year to 3% this year and next, with Asia being a major driver.
- Concerns about deflation in China exist, but low inflation is more likely.
- China's shift towards self-sufficiency in response to trade wars has coincided with a more prudent policy environment and the need to curb inflation and manage debt overhang.
- A shrinking population and structural changes in China will result in slower and more erratic growth.
- Private sector activity remains strong in Asia, and Japan's economy is experiencing an economic rebound.
- Western economies previously experienced a prolonged period of cheap money, which led to imbalances and misallocation of capital.
- Prudent monetary policy in some emerging economies provides more room to act in response to economic weakness.
- Concerns exist regarding rising policy rates in the US, UK, and euro area and the tightening of central banks' balance sheets.
- The definition of a risk-free asset is being questioned, as government bonds, previously considered safe, have witnessed negative total returns.
- There has been a rise in shadow banking and non-bank financial institutions, with collateral in the form of government bonds playing a crucial role.
Overall, the focus is shifting from inflation to growth, and future policy rates may need to settle at a high level. High levels of public and private debt globally limit policy maneuverability and expose individuals and firms to higher interest rates.
### Summary
NatWest expects further downside for the Australian dollar (AUD) due to weak Chinese economic activity, lack of significant policy response, and potential rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).
### Facts
- 💪 Higher long-end rates, relative US growth outperformance, sticky front-end Fed pricing, and August seasonals are all factors supporting the US dollar (USD).
- 💼 Incremental stimulus from Chinese authorities may not be enough to halt the fall of AUD, especially with a slowing global growth and lack of FX reaction to China's monetary policy easing.
- 📉 The NWM China Stress Index indicates a further slowing of economic conditions in China.
- 🏗️ Demand for construction-related activities outside of China may fade in the coming months due to higher borrowing costs and reduced steel demand outlook for the US and Europe.
- 📉 Australian employment declined in July, but it's too early to assess the strength of the labor market based on one month of weak data.
- 💰 The increase in prices raises questions about whether CPI inflation in Australia will fall back to the target range.
- 💼 The RBA has retained the optionality for further rate hikes, but weakness in data complicates future rate hikes.
- 🌍 Overall weakness in the Chinese economy will continue to weigh on AUD, but major policy response/stimulus from Chinese authorities could pose a risk to the bearish view on AUD.
- 💼 One more rate hike by the RBA may not be enough to support AUD considering the weakness in China.
### Summary
European stock markets edged higher, supported by a drop in German producer prices and a smaller-than-expected rate cut from China. German producer prices fell significantly in July, indicating a retreat in inflationary pressures. The European Central Bank is considering a pause in its hiking cycle, which could help alleviate economic difficulties in Germany. In China, the rate cut announced by the People's Bank of China was seen as underwhelming, as analysts had expected a larger cut. The U.K. housing market also slumped, with the fastest decline in August since 2018. Oil prices rebounded, supported by the Chinese rate cut and expectations of lower output from top producers in August.
### Facts
- 📉 German producer prices dropped 1.1% in July and fell 6.0% annually, indicating a retreat in inflationary pressures.
- 🇩🇪 Economic difficulties in Germany are affecting the eurozone's growth and may lead to a recession.
- 🏦 ECB President's speech at Jackson Hole will provide clues on the central bank's next move in September.
- 🇨🇳 The People's Bank of China announced a smaller-than-expected rate cut, disappointing analysts.
- 🏘️ The U.K. housing market experienced its fastest decline in August since 2018.
- 🛢️ Oil prices rose due to the Chinese rate cut and expectations of lower output from top producers.
Germany's business activity has seen a sharp decline, leading to concerns of a recession, as the country's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dipped to its lowest level in over three years. This decline in activity is impacting the wider eurozone economy as well, with the region at risk of slipping into recession. This economic downturn is accompanied by a worrying uptick in inflation and slow growth, particularly in Germany.
China's economic challenges, including deflationary pressures and a slowdown in various sectors such as real estate, are likely to have a global impact and may continue to depress inflation in both China and other markets, with discounting expected to increase in the coming quarters.
China's economy is at risk of entering a debt-deflation loop, similar to Japan's in the 1990s, but this can be avoided if policymakers keep interest rates below a crucial level to stimulate economic growth.
Germany's economy stagnated in the second quarter of 2023, but it has officially emerged from the recession; however, the Bundesbank predicts that the economy will continue to stagnate in the third quarter and the IMF forecasts that Germany will be the only major advanced economy to shrink this year.
The contraction in euro area business activity has intensified, particularly in Germany, leading to expectations that the European Central Bank will pause its interest-rate hike campaign; US mortgage applications for home purchases have hit a three-decade low due to rising borrowing costs; South Korea's exports continue to decline, indicating lackluster global trade; Turkey's interest-rate increase has triggered a rally in the country's assets; shrinking water levels at the Panama Canal due to climate change may cause delays in restocking inventories before Christmas.
The US economy is expected to slow in the coming months due to the Federal Reserve's efforts to combat inflation, which could lead to softer consumer spending and a decrease in stock market returns. Additionally, the resumption of student loan payments in October and the American consumer's credit card addiction pose further uncertainties for the economy. Meanwhile, Germany's economy is facing a contraction and a prolonged recession, which is a stark contrast to its past economic outperformance.
German inflation beats forecasts, complicating the ECB's task, while US labor data eases and GDP is revised lower, causing the dollar to weaken and the euro to strengthen.
The global economy is expected to slow down due to persistently high inflation, higher interest rates, China's slowing growth, and financial system stresses, according to Moody's Investors Service, although there may be pockets of resilience in markets like India and Indonesia.
China's economic slowdown is being caused by a property market downturn, softening demand for exports, and low household spending, which poses risks to financial stability and could lead to deflation and deeper debt problems. Economists are uncertain if the government's current measures, like interest rate cuts, will be enough to boost consumption and meet growth targets. Structural reforms and measures to increase household consumption are needed to address the imbalance in the economy.
Germany, once hailed as Europe's economic powerhouse, is now facing structural problems and could be on the verge of decline, according to experts, with factors such as stagnant GDP, high inflation, an aging population, overdependence on exports, and underinvestment contributing to its current predicament.
China's economy is showing signs of slowing down, including a decrease in GDP growth rate, declining exports, deflationary consumer price index, high youth unemployment, a weakening yuan, and a decrease in new loans, which could have global implications.
Deutsche Bank strategists warn that the U.S. economy has a greater chance of entering a recession within the next year due to high inflation and the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hike campaign.
Germany is predicted to experience a prolonged recession this year, making it the only major European economy to contract in 2023, according to the European Commission, with its growth expectations also being cut for 2024; this is attributed to struggles following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the need to end energy dependency on Moscow.
The European Commission has revised down its economic forecast, citing high prices for goods and services as a significant factor, leading to reduced growth projections for the European Union and the eurozone. Germany is expected to experience a downturn, while inflation is projected to exceed the European Central Bank's target. Weak consumption, credit provisions, and natural disasters are also contributing to the loss of momentum in the economy. However, the report highlights the strength of the EU labor market with a low unemployment rate.
The Wall Street Journal reports a notable shift in the stance of Federal Reserve officials regarding interest rates, with some officials now seeing risks as more balanced due to easing inflation and a less overheated labor market, which could impact the timing of future rate hikes. In other news, consumer credit growth slows in July, China and Japan reduce holdings of U.S. Treasury securities to record lows, and Russia's annual inflation rate reached 5.2% in August 2023.
The euro zone's economy is expected to grow slower than previously forecasted due to high inflation and Germany slipping into recession, according to the European Commission.
Germany's economy is expected to contract by 0.4% in 2023 due to higher inflation, rising interest rates, and weaker consumer spending, making it the worst-affected major country in the eurozone, according to the European Commission. The overall eurozone economy is expected to expand by 0.8% in 2023 and 1.3% in 2024, leading to a potential halt in the European Central Bank's tightening of policy. Inflation in the eurozone is projected to average 5.6% in 2023.
Germany's deep economic troubles, including three consecutive quarters of negative growth, could have significant global implications, especially considering its role as the main driver of economic growth in the euro zone and its high exposure to the Chinese economy.
Germany, once an economic powerhouse, is now the worst-performing major developed economy due to factors such as the loss of cheap Russian natural gas, a slowdown in trade with China, and government inaction on chronic problems, leading to concerns of deindustrialization and the need for urgent solutions.
The OECD forecasts that a stronger U.S. economy will help offset the global slowdown this year, but a weakening Chinese economy will have a bigger impact next year.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen states that U.S. growth needs to slow to its potential rate in order to bring inflation back to target levels, as the robust economy has been growing above potential since emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Yellen also expects China to use its fiscal and monetary policy space to avoid a major economic slowdown and minimize spillover effects on the U.S. economy.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has lowered its forecast for global economic growth in 2024 to 2.7%, while predicting inflation to remain above central bank targets despite interest rate hikes; fears of a slowdown in China and reduced growth in the US contribute to the pessimistic outlook.
Central banks around the world may have reached the peak of interest rate hikes in their effort to control inflation, as data suggests that major economies have turned a corner on price rises and core inflation is declining in the US, UK, and EU. However, central banks remain cautious and warn that rates may need to remain high for a longer duration, and that oil price rallies could lead to another spike in inflation. Overall, economists believe that the global monetary policy tightening cycle is nearing its end, with many central banks expected to cut interest rates in the coming year.
Germany, once the beating heart of the European economy, is facing structural challenges and a sense of decline, with forecasts predicting slow growth and contraction in the coming years due to its heavy reliance on manufacturing and struggle to transition to renewable energy and a service-based economy.
German economic institutes are predicting that the country's GDP will contract by 0.6% in 2023, due to rising interest rates and high inflation, causing slower recovery in industry and private consumption.
Germany's inflation rate in September slowed to the lowest level since Russia invaded Ukraine, potentially leading the European Central Bank to reconsider its interest rate hikes.
The strain from interest rate hikes is starting to impact the real estate market, particularly in Germany and London, as well as the Chinese property sector; corporate debt defaults are increasing globally; banking stress remains a concern, especially regarding smaller banks and their exposure to commercial real estate; and the Bank of Japan's tighter monetary policy could lead to a sharp unwind of investments, potentially impacting global markets.
Europe's economy is facing trouble as interest rates rise and debt servicing costs increase, particularly in the eurozone where the European Central Bank will struggle to provide support due to the constraints of the euro; fiscal deficits and breaches of budget deficit limits persist, with countries like Italy and France openly defying spending cuts, while Germany's reluctance to break from balanced budgets and increase investment spending exacerbates the contracting economy.
China's growth is expected to slow down in 2024, with the World Bank attributing the gloomy outlook to a slowdown in China, weak indicators, stagnant house prices, increased household debt, and trade tensions with the US.
Long-term interest rates have risen significantly in the US and Europe, posing challenges for governments and economies that are already slowing down, creating a double burden for governments who need to cover their budget deficits, while central banks are draining liquidity from the financial system to rein in inflation caused by the pandemic.
Central banks need to relax their 2% inflation targets and adopt a more pro-growth stance in order to prevent a global recession, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), which warns that the recent interest rate hikes have increased inequality and reduced investment without effectively combating inflation. Unctad forecasts a slowdown in global growth and emphasizes the need to address a looming debt crisis in poor countries that is exacerbated by higher interest rates in advanced economies. The report also calls for reducing inequality and prioritizing comprehensive social protection.
Germany is projected to experience a deeper recession than previously forecasted, with its economy expected to contract by 0.5% this year due to inflation, manufacturing decline, weakness in interest-rate-sensitive sectors, and slower trading-partner demand, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF predicts that the world economy will grow at a slower pace of 2.9% in 2024 due to ongoing risks from higher interest rates, the war in Ukraine, and the eruption of violence in the Middle East, highlighting the need for tight monetary policy to combat inflation.
Germany's government expects the country's economy to shrink by 0.4% this year due to the energy price crisis and global economic weakness, contrasting the previous forecast of 0.4% growth.
Germany has revised its economic forecast for 2023, projecting a 0.4% decline in GDP due to the energy price crisis, inflation concerns, and weakening global economic partners, such as China.
Germany faces a contraction in economic growth, with the economy expected to shrink by 0.4 percent in 2023, making it the only major world economy to post negative growth figures this year, due to factors including the energy price crisis and weakening global economic partners.
