Euro Growth Indicator

Euro Growth Indicator September 2016

 

Quarter 2015 :01 2015 :02 2015 :03 2015 :04 2016 :01 2016 :02 2016 :03 2016:04
Euro Growth Indicator 1.2 1.9 2.0 1.9 1.5 1.8 1.6 1.6
Eurostat 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.6    

 

 

Rising pessimism in the euro area

by Hervé Péléraux

OFCE Paris

on September 6th, 2016

According to the Euro Growth Indicator calculated by the EUROFRAME group in early September, euro area real GDP should grow by 0.4 both in the third and fourth quarters of this year. The estimate for the third quarter has been revised downwards (–0.2 percentage point, from 0.55 to 0.36 pc), while the estimate for 2016Q4 is the first one run with the indicator. On a y-o-y basis, these forecasts imply a stable momentum, 1.6 percent both in 2016Q3 and 2016 Q4.

The downward revision in GDP growth prospects in 2016Q3 reflects mainly the change in sentiment in the industrial sectors which affects the indicator coincidentally. While industrial confidence fluctuates around a flat trend since late 2013 (one reason for the rather sluggish recovery in the euro area), August survey results bring back the confidence indicator to the low limit of the range. The contribution of the industry survey for 2016Q3 turned from positive in July to zero in August. Both the sentiment in the industry and in households’ surveys decreased in August at the euro area level. The Brexit vote probably generated some immediate pessimistic sentiment among firms in the euro area, although the economic consequences of such an event regarding real activity cannot be fully effective at that stage, two months after the referendum. A correction of this bad mood may happen in the coming months, leading to upward revisions of the indicator forecasts in 2016Q3 and 2016Q4.

The other contributions of the variables entering the indicators are broadly positive in 2016Q4. The positive contribution of the construction survey reflects better developments in the sector started one year ago. The contribution of the consumer survey will turn positive, whereas the impact of the real euro/dollar exchange rate should turn negative, reflecting, with a lag of two quarter, the – moderate – appreciation of the euro during spring months.

 

 

 

Indicator methodology

The Euro Growth indicator forecasts the euro area GDP quarterly growth rate two quarters ahead of official statistics using a bridge regression. Regressors are chosen among survey data and financial data, i.e. series which are rapidly available and not revised. The monthly series are converted to a quarterly basis by averaging their monthly values. Series selection is conducted on an econometric basis starting from the set of monthly business and consumer survey results released by the European Commission: industry, construction, retail trade, services and consumers. From this large dataset, a few series are significant stemming from industry (production trend and expectation), construction (confidence indicator) and households surveys (major purchases). Two financial series are also significant, i.e. the growth rates of the real euro/dollar exchange rate and of a Euro area stock market index.

Some of these regressors are leading by at least two quarters, and may be used as such to forecast GDP growth. Some others are not leading or are leading with a lead which does not suit a two-quarter-ahead forecast horizon. These series have to be forecast, but over a short time-horizon which never exceeds four months. All these forecasts are implemented using monthly autoregressive equations.

The Euro Growth indicator is run each month, soon after the release of business and consumer survey results.

 

For any further information, please contact Hervé Péléraux
You may find this information in other languages: French

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