Germany’s Path Ahead

Monday 23 December 2024

Cross Asset

   

Germany’s Path Ahead

December 2024 | German real gross domestic product has been stagnating for five years (up by just 0.1% since 2019) as a result of several factors. Notably, its automotive sector is in crisis and global trade is no longer as supportive of its exports as it was in the past. Germany is also facing a number of challenges simultaneously: industrial competitiveness is suffering from rising energy costs and increasing competition from high-quality products from China. Additionally, the rapid ageing of its population – faster than in the rest of the eurozone – is also eroding its economy’s potential growth, estimated at 0.8%. Furthermore, if US tariffs are implemented, they could cost the German economy 0.6pp of growth, according to the Bundesbank. Disagreement over the budgetary measures to be taken to deal with threats and challenges is largely responsible for the break-up of the ruling coalition.

01 |  The German economy has been lagging behind other eurozone countries due to structural changes in its economic model and global trade. A huge investment effort would be needed to relaunch it.

02 |  While a major fiscal stimulus plan in Germany should not be anticipated next year, even modest reforms could influence positively investor sentiment, particularly if paired with a new off-budget fund for defense spending.

03 |  If US tariffs are implemented, they could cost the German economy 0.6pp of growth, according to the Bundesbank.

Cross Asset: Germany’s Path Ahead

Important Information

Unless otherwise stated, all information contained in this document is from Amundi Asset Management as of December 16, 2024. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. The views expressed regarding market and economic trends are those of the author and not necessarily Amundi Asset Management and are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance that countries, markets or sectors will perform as expected. These views should not be relied upon as investment advice, a security recommendation, or as an indication of trading for any Amundi product or service. This material does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security, fund units or services. Investment involves risks, including market, political, liquidity and currency risks. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Amundi US is the US business of Amundi Asset Management.

RO ID# 4117929
©2024 Amundi Asset Management

Other news

October24 Cross Asset
10/10/2024 Cross Asset

A call to action for Europe's competitiveness

A recent report in Europe shows the region's productivity and investment gap with the United States is widening, and a similar trend is emerging in connection to China. The risk of Europe becoming irrelevant is escalating, particularly in light of advancements in the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI). In the US, the Fed gave strong forward guidance on rates, which is in contrast to its recent approach of staying data dependent on inflation. This, coupled with some concerns on growth, led us to lower our terminal rate expectations. Its 50bp cut underscores the Fed's willingness to pivot after the recent labor market softening and diminishing upside risks to inflation. We expect further 50bp cuts by year-end.

Sept2024 Cross Asset
09/17/2024 Cross Asset

Japanese yen: what's next?

A series of weak US data in July questioned the market narrative of a soft landing and brought back fears of recession. The rise in the July unemployment rate to 4.3% (latest reading in August is 4.2%) triggered a significant market concern about a possible weaker-than-expected US labor market, raising the risk of an impending recession. We do expect a significant slowdown of the US economy, but not a recession. We expect a significant deceleration in the next few quarters, consistent with a broader weakening of many labor market indicators.

julyAugust Cross Asset
07/29/2024 Cross Asset

How long can the central banks’ divergence last

The global macro backdrop – inflation scares, geopolitical tensions and recession worries – together with US economic resilience, have supported the dollar versus core currencies, but the latter are not weak relative to recent history. Moreover, the difference in market expectations of terminal rates in Europe are now substantially higher than before the pandemic, and not materially different from expected US terminal rates. This should limit any sustained weakness in European exchange rates.

Untitled Document

Before investing, consider the product's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Contact your financial professional or Amundi US for a prospectus or summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully. To obtain a free prospectus or summary prospectus and for information on any Pioneer fund, please download it from our  literature section.

Securities offered through Amundi Distributor US, Inc.
60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
Underwriter of Pioneer mutual funds, Member   SIPC.   

Not FDIC insured | May lose value | No bank guarantee Amundi Asset Management US, Inc.  Form CRS         Amundi Distributor US, Inc.  Form CRS