Global Outlook: Risk Control is Working
Transcription
Global Outlook: Risk Control is Working
Global Outlook: Risk Control is Working - Low oil prices: big boost for Western world, tough luck for Russia - US: consumers and companies in good shape = solid growth after weak Q1 - China: sufficient growth despite slowing trend, risks well contained - Eurozone: oil, exchange rate and ECB boost growth as tail risks fade - Britain: solid recovery but mind the politics, Brexit risk? - Tail risks: Emerging market Grexit, euro politics? April 2015 Holger Schmieding Chief Economist +44 20 3207 7889 [email protected] Christian Schulz Senior Economist +44 20 3207 7878 [email protected] Economics Overview: Cheap oil helps to overcome the legacy of crisis Economic opportunities political risks The legacy of post-Lehman recession: caution reigns. Less investment, less credit and less wage growth than usual. No exuberance = long cycle in the Western world, Eurozone roughly two years behind the US and UK. US: solid momentum, trend growth - the Fed will not spoil it Households, companies and banks have repaired their balance sheets. Cheap oil and strong employment gains have turned US households into global consumers of last resort. Oil boost offsets drag from stronger dollar. Why worry about the Fed? Yellen will only reduce the stimulus if it looks ultra-safe to do so. No inflation = Fed can tailor its policy to the real economy. First hike September 2015. Very gradual hikes thereafter. Eurozone: close to 2% growth ahead, euro crisis over despite 25% Grexit risk as contagion controls work Easing up. more fiscal repair and less monetary stimulus after Lehman than US and UK = much weaker demand. But austerity is over, ECB has finally turned aggressive. Eurozone can narrow gap to US and UK. Cheap oil and weak euro = strong tailwind. Reform countries take the lead, core Europe rebounds from Putin shock, France lagging. Close to 2% growth by midswing. UK: return of animal spirits. Growth close to 3% at low inflation. First BoE hike February 2016. Political risks. China: controlled rebalancing. Trend growth slowing but demand stays close to trend. 40% savings rate, $3.8 trn fx reserves = China can use all levers of macroeconomic policy if need be. 7% growth 2015, 6.7% in 2016. Emerging markets: the good, the bad and the ugly. Oil importers with strong exports to US benefit most; oil exporters and those with a lot of dollar debt are hurt most by cheaper oil and stronger dollar. Volatility ahead. 2 The big picture: a tale of three central banks Timely asset purchases can make a difference. Central bank asset purchases and demand growth until late 2014 30% 3% Starting in early 2009, the US Fed and the BoE reacted aggressively to market turbulences and other risks. 2% The ECB held back, allowing the euro crisis to spread in 2011 and 2012. Asset purchases (% of 2013 GDP), lhs 25% Real GDP growth since asset purchase start, average qoq ann % 20% 15% 10% 1% 5% 0% 0% Eurozone US UK Left scale: total central bank asset purchases 2009-2014 (sovereign and private bonds), % of 2013 nominal GDP. Right scale: average quarterly annualised real GDP growth since the quarter after the first serious purchase programme started (ie Eurozone since Q4 2009, US Q2 2009, UK Q2 2009). Source: IMF, central banks. The ECB could have done much more to stabilise confidence and demand. The Eurozone has paid the price for the reluctant ECB response. Better late than never: from March 2015 to September 2016, the ECB wants to buy bonds worth 1.1trn (11% of GDP), 60bn per month. 3 Monetary stimulus: aggressive policy is working GDP: US and UK had left Eurozone behind Aggressive monetary policy has done its job of stimulating demand in the US and the UK. 110 108 106 UK GDP US GDP Eurozone GDP -crisis experience is similar to that of the US, with an austerity and euro-crisis induced pause around 2011. 104 102 As front-loaded austerity eased back and Draghi ended the euro-crisis, UK growth picked up through 2013 and 2014. 100 98 96 94 2006 2007 2008 Index, 2007=100. Source, BEA, Eurostat, ONS. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 The Eurozone recovered modestly after the OMT programme; QE, oil and the euro will add momentum soon. 4 The flip side: Eurozone prudence After Lehman, the debt ratio surged much less in the Eurozone than in the US and the UK. Change in public debt ratio since start of euro, in % of GDP 50 Japan would be off the charts. 40 Eurozone UK US Until 1998, the UK had been much more prudent than the future Eurozone. 30 Since then, way round. 20 The euro crisis was not primarily about debt. It was about the ECB allowing contagion to spread. 10 0 -10 1998 the other 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Increase in the ratio of gross government debt to GDP since the start of the euro, in percentage points of GDP. End-2014 ratios Eurozone 94.3%, UK 88.7%, US 104.9%, Japan 246.3%. Source: Eurostat; EU Commission projections for 2014-2016 2012 2014 2016 While the Eurozone lags far behing in terms of recent GDP growth, it is far ahead in terms of fiscal repair. 5 Labour market: Eurozone versus US and UK Until 2008, the Eurozone created more jobs than the US and the UK. Increase in employment since the start of the euro 115 After a sharp post-Lehman correction, the US labour market has rebounded. UK 112 The Eurozone adjusts more slowly. Under the pressure of the euro crisis, employment fell until spring 2013. Eurozone US 109 The US is now a little ahead. Why is US unemployment at 5.5% well below the 11.2% Eurozone rate? 106 The US participation rate has fallen sharply from 67% to 63% while rising from 67% to 72.4% in the Eurozone and from 76% to 77% in the UK. 103 100 1999 2001 2003 2005 Level of employment, 1Q 1999=100; labour force survey data. Source: Eurostat, BLS 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 In the UK, wages rather than employment took the postLehman hit. Also, the UK reduced incentives for early retirement. 6 Eurozone: reasons to expect firmer growth Euro crisis over, Putin shock fading, big stimulus in the pipeline Resilient global demand: US and UK at trend growth, China stable, other emerging markets very mixed Austerity is largely over (fiscal drag of 0.1% of GDP in 2015 after 0.2% in 2014) Putin shock fading = Germany rebounding Spain, Ireland, Portugal reap rewards of their reforms The stimulus in the pipeline: • After the stress test results, banks can lend more freely again (0.1ppt boost to GDP) • Very low bond yields; ECB rate cuts and liquidity injections (0.1ppt boost to GDP) • Effective euro exchange rate 11% below 2-year average (0.7ppt boost) • Lower oil prices, down roughly 30 from 1/2013 6/2014 average of 81 per barrel Brent crude, equivalent to a roughly 0.7ppt boost to demand over 4-6 quarters Mind the time lag: Households and companies will only spend the windfall when they feel confident to do so. 7 Eurozone: the boost from cheaper oil Direct impact of oil prices on headline inflation 36 1.6 27 1.2 18 0.8 9 0.4 0 0.0 -9 -0.4 -18 -0.8 -27 -1.2 Change in oil price, yoy, in , 1m fwd -36 -45 Jan 97 -1.6 Energy contribution to yoy inflation, rhs -2.0 Jan 99 Jan 01 Jan 03 Jan 05 Jan 07 Jan 09 Jan 11 Jan 13 Yoy change in oil price per barrel Brent crude, in ; 1 month forward, on left scale. Energy contribution to yoy rate of Eurozone HICP, on right scale. Source: Factset, Eurostat, Berenberg calculations Jan 15 A sustained rise/decline in the oil price by 25 per barrel adds/subtracts 1 point from the yoy rate of headline inflation within two months. The overall effect is bigger. Because oil prices affect the costs of production and prices for transport and other energy-intensive services, the indirect impact adds about 0.4ppt to the direct impact on headline inflation. More real purchasing power of consumers, cheaper inputs for companies = boost of 0.7% to real GDP within 4-6 quarters. Similar effects for US, UK and Japan, also nice stimulus for China and India. 8 Eurozone: the boost from the weaker euro Exchange rate can drive export outlook if global demand holds up 20 Effective exchange rate, inverted, % yoy 15 Exports, yoy % 20 15 A cheaper euro helps euro exporters gain market share and/or boost profit margins. 10 More expensive imports get substituted by domestic produce. 10 5 0 5 -5 0 -10 -5 -15 -20 1982 -10 1985 1988 1991 1994 The Euro exchange rate usually influences the medium-term export outlook strongly. 1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 Since the 2007/08 global financial crisis, the relationship has been marred by major fluctuations in global demand and extreme FX volatility. But strong US domestic demand combined with a healing euro economy raise hopes that the depreciation of the euro can boost GDP by 0.7% in 4-6 quarters. Left scale: Nominal euro effective exchange rate (inverted), yoy %,. Right scale: change in Eurozone real exports of goods and services (pre-1995 = France), yoy %. Sources: ECB, Eurostat 9 Real M1: the Power of Money Our best leading indicator for the Eurozone Feb 2015 14 12 6 5 10 4 8 3 6 2 4 1 2 0 0 -1 -2 -2 Real M1, 3q fwd, lhs -4 -3 GDP, rhs -6 Jan 92 -4 Jan 95 Jan 98 Jan 01 Jan 04 Jan 07 Jan 10 Jan 13 Major changes in real M1 money supply dynamics herald changes in GDP growth some three quarters in advance. A rebound in M1 growth from mid-2012 onwards signalled the return to economic growth in spring 2013. Real M1 lost momentum for a while after mid-2013, signalling somewhat slower growth for mid-2014. But the pace has turned up again sharply, pointing to a major gain in cyclical dynamics in mid-2015. Real M1 suggests that the more aggressive ECB stance will work. Yoy changes in %, real M1 advanced by 3 quarters. Source: ECB, Eurostat, Berenberg 10 ECB easing already working Since June 2014, the ECB has announced a series of easing measures, including rate cuts, a negative deposit rate and purchases of ABS and covered bonds. Eurozone SME borrowing costs fall faster since ECB stepped up easing 7 6 The stimulus is working already. Nominal Eurozone SME borrowing costs have dropped significantly since May 2014. 5 Inflation expectations have also declined, but borrowing costs have fallen more, providing a real boost for businesses. Germany 4 Spain Italy 3 Jan 2003 Jan 2005 Jan 2007 Jan 2009 Jan 2011 Jan 2013 Jan 2015 Sovereign bond purchases will now add to the stimulus. Effective interest rate on new loans to non-financial corporations up to €1m, 1 to 5 years maturity. In %.. Source: ECB 11 Eurozone: low inflation can be good for debt dynamics A theoretical risk: Unexpectedly low inflation or even outright deflation can worsen debt dynamics. Real yields fall with core inflation 4.0 While nominal debt stays constant, nominal income falls short of expectations. 3.5 3.0 But lower costs to finance the debt can more than offset the hit. 2.5 That has happened in the Eurozone: real financing costs for governments have come down dramatically. 2.0 1.5 Low inflation lessened the German resistance against more forceful ECB action. 1.0 Real 10yr yield That has allowed the ECB to start buying sovereign bonds. 0.5 Core inflation 0.0 Jan 2005 Jan 2007 Jan 2009 Jan 2011 Jan 2013 Jan 2015 Core inflation ex food and energy, yoy rate in %; weighted average of 10year sovereign yields in the Eurozone adjusted for core inflation. Source: Bloomberg, Eurostat. 12 Eurozone: recovery benefits from low inflation Households purchase more when inflation is low -1 0 -5 0 -10 1 -15 2 -20 -25 3 HICP inflation, %, lhs (inverted) -30 4 Consumer major purchases at present, rhs 5 2003 -35 -40 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Left scale (inverted): Eurozone HICP yoy, %. Right scale: Eurozone consumer survey major purchases at present, balance, sa, long-term average: -16.4. Source: Eurostat, European Commission. No coincidence: households spend more as prices rise more slowly. No deflationary spiral at all: households are not postponing purchases. Instead, the readiness to make major purchases has surged to ist highest level since May 2001. Inflation has probably bottomed out. But due to significant slack in the economy (unemployment rate at 11.2%), inflation will stay close to 0 for much of 2015 until the base effects from the late 2014 oil price plunge kick in. Inflation will revert to the 2% target only very slowly. 2015 13 Eurozone: reform countries overtake Germany Economic sentiment: Germany stable, reform countries strong, Eurozone edging up 120 120 The erstwhile crisis countries have moved up nicely. Sentiment in the periphery is now higher than in the core. 110 110 100 100 90 80 Eurozone Periphery Germany Think Spain, not Greece. Spain is almost six times as big as Greece. The surge in confidence in Spain more than offsets the latest plunge in Greece. 90 In exportoriented industry, concerns about Russia caused a setback from June 2014 onwards. 80 This also affected other parts of the Eurozone, but to a lesser extent. 70 70 Jan 05 Jan 06 Jan 07 Jan 08 Jan 09 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Sentiment stabilised at the end of 2014 and move up sharply in early 2015. Economic sentiment, Eurozone, Germany and weighted average for Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus; no data for Ireland. Source: European Commission 14 Germany: surging consumption, investment wobbly German private consumption Buoyant consumption, Putin hit to investment fading 108 Most observers seem to believe that private consumption is the weak spot of the German economy. That is wrong. Supported by strong employment gains, consumption has trended up nicely since 2006. The post-Lehman recession caused only a minor dip. After slowing down temporarily when the euro crisis escalated in late 2011, consumption growth firmed again. Buoyant consumer confidence, low oil prices and strong retail sales project healthy gains for 2015. Index 2005=100 106 104 102 100 98 Mar 02 Mar 04 Mar 06 Mar 08 Mar 10 Mar 12 Mar 14 Volume index; 2005=100; Smoothed for 2007 VAT hike. Source: Eurostat Uncertainty hurts: the euro crisis hit investment from mid-2011 to early 2013. After the euro crisis faded, investment growth picked up strongly after the spring of 2013. Investment data for Q2 and Q3 showed a Putin effect: a decline in investment that goes well beyond the mere correction of the Q1 boost to construction from a mild winter. After Russia scaled back its intervention in Ukraine last September, German business expectations started to recover in late 2014. Investment edged up again in Q4 2014, boding well for 2015. German gross fixed capital formation 120 Machinery 115 Construction 110 105 100 95 90 Mar 02 Mar 04 Mar 06 Volume index; 2005=100. Source: Eurostat. Mar 08 Mar 10 Mar 12 Mar 14 15 The blueprint for European reforms: the German turnaround Core employment: strong increase since 2006 stupid. 30 After four decades of rising joblessness, Germany turned its labour market around with the reforms of 2004. 29 Since early 2006, core employment has risen by 4.3 million (+16%) to a new record of 30.6 mn. 31 More employment = more taxpayers = balanced budget In million 28 The German experience shows: labour market reforms work after a little lag. Some 30% of recent new hires are immigrants. 27 26 Jan 92 Jan 95 Jan 98 Jan 01 Jan 04 Jan 07 Core employment: subject to social security contributions, in million. Source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Bundesbank Jan 10 Jan 13 Strong employment gains bode well for German consumption. With the euro supporting exports, the overall 16 outlook is excellent. European politics: tough love at work The EU and the euro are political projects European integration has delivered the longest period of peace and prosperity for major parts of Europe since the days of the Roman Empire. Preserving European integration is a dominant national interest of almost all euro members. Putin has reminded many countries of that big picture. Tough love: euro members help each other but set conditions for such support. Anti-European backlash ? • Support for the EU and the euro has fallen in many opinion polls. • Slashing inflation or fiscal deficits and reforming labour markets is tough and unpopular. • Thatcher in Britain (early 1980s) and Schröder in Germany (2003-2005) also faced a major rise in unemployment and massive protests until the results of their reforms became obvious with a lag. • The euro-periphery is going through the same experience. The positive results are starting to show. But politics lag. • The facts on the ground: the grand bargain holds Tough love: all crisis countries have so far done what they had to do. But Greece is now wavering. Berlin and the ECB have granted the support needed and become more flexible over time. But Europe will not let Greece get away with reneging on its commitments. Political risks ahead. 17 Euro periphery adjustment progress (I): external adjustment The five euro crisis countries have turned their external accounts around very nicely. Turnaround in the external account 2 They balanced their joint current account in late 2012 and achieved a surplus (1% of GDP) in 2013. 1 Current account (% of GDP) 0 -1 Individually, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Ireland now have a current account surplus. -2 -3 The erstwhile crisis countries no longer need to import capital. -4 -5 -6 -7 Jan 2003 Jan 2005 Jan 2007 Jan 2009 Current account balance in % of GDP, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland; 12-month moving average. Source: Eurostat, Berenberg calculations Jan 2011 Jan 2013 Jan 2015 Imports are starting to pick up again. But lower prices for oil imports and stronger receipts from tourism and shipping services (Greece) help. 18 Adjustment progress (II): Labour costs Turnaround at the euro Real unit labour costs: the great convergence 140 labour costs are falling sharply. Turnaround in Germany as 130 Germany labour costs are now rising at an aboveaverage pace. Portugal 120 In the base year 2000, Germany still was the Spain 110 Portugal and Spain have probably achieved all the convergence they need. 100 If they bring down their unit labour costs even further relative to 90 2000 2002 2004 Nominal unit labour costs, 2000=100. Source: Eurostat 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 a significantly better place to invest than Germany. 19 Adjustment progress (III): Structural reforms Who is implementing progrowth structural reforms? Crisis countries more responsive to OECD reform proposals 0.0 Greece Ireland Estonia Spain Portugal United Kingdom Slovakia Poland Euro18 Austria Finland Italy Sweden France Slovenia Netherlands Germany Belgium Luxembourg 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 The OECD regularly makes detailed reform proposals. Once a year, the OECD checks whether countries are heeding such advice. The bailout countries are enacting sweeping reforms while Germany does very little. OECD reform responsiveness indicator 2010 - 2013 Responsiveness to Going for Growth recommendations across OECD countries, average of 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13. Score from 0 (no reforms) to 1 (serious reforms in all policy areas identified by the OECD). Source: OECD 2014 20 Eurozone progress: labour market has turned up Unemployment is falling fast 400 2,500 Youth unemployment, lhs 300 2,000 Total unemployment, rhs 1,500 200 1,000 100 500 0 0 -100 -500 -200 -1,000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 The worst is over for the labour market of the reform countries. Since the peak in March 2013, the number of unemployed in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland has fallen by 1.1mn to a still-high 7.5 mn. Youth unemployment remains very high, with a total of 1.13 million. But the number of unemployed in the 16-24 age bracket has declined by 270 since the peak. The labour market reforms support sustainable jobs growth. The challenge for 2015: preventing reform reversals. 2014 Change in total unemployment in Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Greece, 12-month sum, based on monthly nsa data. Source: Eurostat 21 Eurozone periphery the pain was not in vain Employment: reform countries are recovering fast 0.8 Employment growth, qoq %, 2014 Q1 - Q4 average 0.6 Crisis countries 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.2 Average qoq change in employment, in % . EE: Estonia, EL Greece, IE Ireland, ES Spain, PT Portugal, DE Germany, FI Finland, BE Belgium, SI Slovenia, SK Slovakia, MT Malta, LU Luxembourg, NL: Netherlands, LV: Latvia, IT: Italy, FR: France, Source: Eurostat It was very tough. But the bitter medicine is working. Most of the reform countries have started to reap the rewards of their efforts. Jobs growth in Portugal, Greece, Spain and Ireland reached a very health pace in 2014, ahead of most of core Europe. Paying the price: France and Italy had very slow jobs growth in 2014 because they had not made their sclerotic labour markets more flexible. But Italy could soon be catching up after Renzi finally passed his serious labour market reform in early 2015. The warning: a reform reversal could still undo the progress. Is Greece listening? 22 Greece: A remarkable fiscal adjustment until late 2014 Greece achieved a primary surplus. Dramatic expenditure cuts, almost stable tax intake After a massive increase in public spending until the autumn 2009 75 70 since the start of the Greek crisis were savage. 65 Despite higher tax rates, revenues were hit by the huge adjustment recession until the situation stabilised in 2013. 60 55 50 With the return to growth in early 2014, the underlying situation was gradually improving without extra austerity. Primary outlays, 12mo sum Revenues, 12mo sum 45 Jan 07 Jan 08 Jan 09 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Government budget, revenues and primary expenditures, 12-month rolling sum, revenues adjusted for July 2013 transfer of ESCB profits from Greek bonds. Source: Bank of Greece Jan 15 Tspiras has probably put an end to this. Tax revenues dropped 14% yoy in the first two months of 2015. 23 The Greek tragedy: Populism takes a devastating toll The rise of Syriza aborts the Greek recovery The Syriza threat appeared in early December when Greece brought its presidential elections forward, leading to snap parliamentary elections in late January. The situation before the rise of the Syriza: on the recovery track GDP rebound at 2.3% annualised pace in first 3 quarters of 2014 1.6% yoy rise in employment in Q3 Primary fiscal surplus of around 1% of GDP 2.8% yoy gain in real wages in Q3 7.0% yoy rise in real exports in Q3, driven mostly by shipping and other services Greece had regained market access with a 5-year bond On top of the IMF programme running until mid-2016, Greece would have needed no more than a pre-cautionary credit line from Europe to stay afloat after the end of the European support programme in early 2015. Since the rise of Syriza: heading for the abyss • Capital flight of roughly 50bn (28% of GDP) in 3 months December to February, visible in Target2 balances • Serious drain in bank deposits of roughly 30bn • 14% yoy drop in tax revenues in January/February • Relapse into recession • Major drop in leading indicators for businesses while consumers (=voters) celebrate expected tax cuts 24 Greece: From Samaras recovery to Tsipras recession? Business sentiment: Greek rebound faltering while Spain roars ahead 1.5 Recession over: on the back of a major surge in confidence, Greek GDP expanded at a 2.3% annualised pace in the first 3 quarters of 2014, in line with Spain. 1.0 0.5 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 -1.5 After the ECB finally stopped the rot in August 2012, sentiment turned up. Greek corporate confidence Spain corporate confidence But when the Syriza threat came to the fore in December 2014, Greek confidence started to crumble. While Spain roars ahead, Greece has apparently fallen back into recession. -2.0 Jan 2000 Jan 2002 Jan 2004 Jan 2006 Jan 2008 Jan 2010 Jan 2012 Jan 2014 Corporate confidence: average of industrial, services, retail and construction confidence, standardised. Source: European Commission, Berenberg calculations 25 Grexit ? The plight of populism: scenarios for Greece -out to end-June. If Greece completes the pending review of its reform progress, the last 7.2bn instalment may be enough to keep Greece afloat. Then Greece will need a third bail-out. Scenario 1: Tsipras turns half-Lula soon, strikes necessary deals with troika (50% probability) Continues current policies with small amendments only, accepting a face-saving compromise offered by Europe. Greece gets back on track after some hiccup. Populists across Europe deflated. Scenario 2: Reality shock tears Syriza-led government asunder within six months (25%) Heightened uncertainty, new coalition or new elections to usher in a more realistic government Scenario 3: Grexit (25%) Having to choose between ditching its unaffordable election promises and risking euro exit, Greece refuses to accept the deal its creditors can offer. Greece reneges on its obligations to its creditors and defaults, ECB stops accepting Greek assets as collateral and can no longer authorise emergency liquidity assistance to Greek banks. Greece may have to print its own money (Grexit). Scenario 4: Default within euro? Highly unlikely Greek banks would be bust if Greece defaults on its creditors. Only Europe/ECB could supply Greek banks with euros. For that, Greece has to strike a deal with Europe and accept European conditions. But if it accepts conditions, it need not default in the first place. 26 Grexit ? The European angle Three Euro crisis basics: 1. Tough love. Conditional mutual support for countries that play by the rules. 2. Contagion control. It is not about Greece. It is about controlling contagion risks. 3. Whatever it takes: ECB and Berlin ready to act decisively to keep all compliant countries in the euro. The Achilles heel of the Eurozone: political will to play by the rules, that is to accept the conditions attached to mutual support. Contagion control: Eurozone in much better position to cope with turbulences up to potential Grexit. 1. ECB is buying sovereign bonds anyway to combat deflation risk = little contagion through bond markets 2. ESM support funds 3. Banking union and cleaner bank balance sheets = little contagion risk through bond markets 4. Political contagion? The mess Syriza is creating in Athens reduces the allure of populists elsewhere Key events 20 April: 24 April: Eurogroup to decide on Greek reform list By end April: completion of bail-out review under troika supervision, release of 7.2bn? By end June: third bail-out necessary to keep Greece afloat, probably 30-50bn 27 Spain: the turnaround House prices and employment rebounding fast 20 The boom-bust cycle is over. House prices, Spanish Ministry of development (yoy, %, lhs) House prices, INE, yoy % (lhs) 15 10 Employment yoy, %, rhs) 8 6 4 5 2 0 0 -5 -2 -10 -4 -15 -6 -20 2005 -8 2007 2009 2011 After hitting bottom in early 2013, the Spanish real estate market has turned up again. This is part and parcel of a rebound in consumption, investment and employment. 2013 Yoy changes in %. Source: INE 28 Spain unemployment: the worst is over Unemployment is falling fast 1400 1200 Spanish unemployment, year-onyear change, in 1000s 1000 800 600 400 200 The worst is over for the Spanish labour market. The collapse of construction industry in 2008/2009 and the austerity hit have run their course. After a five-year rise in Spanish unemployment, the number of jobless started to fall in mid-2013. The labour market reforms support sustainable jobs growth. Spain is reaping the rewards of its reforms. 0 -200 -400 Jan 2001 Jan 2003 Jan 2005 Jan 2007 Jan 2009 Jan 2011 Jan 2013 Jan 2015 Change in total unemployment 12-month sum, based on monthly nsa data. Source: Eurostat 29 Spain: Greek-style populist upset unlikely Challenger party Podemos beyond its peak already ? 70 60 While drawing some traditional mainstream parties, the Popular Party and the PSOE, much of the support has come from the ex-communists. 50 40 30 Pro-European parties (PP, PSOE, C's) Podemos Ciudadanos) has surged around 15% at the expense of the Popular Party, the PSOE and to some extent even of Podemos. 20 10 0 Jan 2014 Podemos, a Syriza-style radical left protest party, has made waves in Spain, rising to almost 30% in the opinion polls in late 2014. Apr 2014 Jul 2014 Oct 2014 Jan 2015 Voting intention for national elections; pro-European parties centre-right Popular Party, centre-left PSOE, new liberal Ciudadanos party. Average of the last 5 polls, in %. Sources: various pollsters The liberal party is pro Europe. Taken together, the pro-European parties are far ahead of Podemos. The Greek mess now seems to hurt Podemos. 30 Portugal: paying back the debt Portugal is among the most leveraged European countries. 2013 public debt was 128% of GDP, private debt 203%, (up from 68/185% in 2007). Loans to companies and households falling 80 The Eurozone had to bail out Portugal in 2011 when markets stopped rolling over the public debt. 70 Now, debt is on a firm downward trend. Companies and households are repaying loans. The fiscal deficit will fall below 3% this year. 60 50 MFI loans to non-financial corporations (% of GDP) 40 Jan 2003 MFI loans to households (% of GDP) Jan 2005 Jan 2007 Jan 2009 Jan 2011 Jan 2013 Jan 2015 Monetary and financial institutions (MFI) loans to households and non-profit institutions servings households (NPISH) as % of GDP, and MFI loans to non-financial corporations, as % of GDP. Source: ECB, INE Austerity and reforms work. Having cooperated fully with the troika, Portugal has regained full market access and prepared the ground for a sustainable recovery. Elections later this year are only a minor risk with mainstream parties still dominating. 31 Italy: the Renzi effect Italian economic sentiment rebounds in early 2015 Since 2010, sentiment in Italy has usually lagged behind that of the Eurozone. 110 When Renzi came to power in early 2014, sentiment briefly rose to the Eurozone average. 100 But it fell back sharply toll and reform drive stalled in parliament. 90 Sentiment rebounded strongly from December 2014 onwards. 80 Renzi has finally delivered the labour market reform. Eurozone Italy 70 Jan 07 Jan 09 Index levels, rebased to 2005 = 100. Source: Istat Jan 11 Jan 13 Jan 15 That confidence boost adds to the stimulus from oil and the exchange rate. 32 France versus Spain: who is competitive? While Spanish exports have risen strongly in the last 13 years Real exports of goods and services 160 behind. 150 140 France is the one major economy in the Eurozone which is not competitive. Spain exports France exports, 1Q02 = 100 France has serious 130 much about them. 120 110 100 90 Jan 2002 Jan 2004 Jan 2006 Jan 2008 Real exports of goods and services, GDP definition (ESA2010), Q1 2002 = 100. Source: Eurostat Jan 2010 Jan 2012 Jan 2014 33 But France is not a crisis country Sluggish growth but not a candidate for an acute crisis France is less reliant on exports than other countries. Export ratio = 29% of GDP (Germany 47%) France suffered less in the Lehman and Euro crises than most of its neighbours - and benefitted less from upturns. French growth in the middle 15 13.4 11.2 10 7.2 4.6 5 3.2 2.1 0 Structural problems: inflexible labour market, bloated government sector, excessive tax burden = weak trend growth Reform laggard: we expect below-average growth in 2015 and 2016. Financially, France is not a crisis country. It does not suffer from the debt problems of the crisis countries. Real GDP 2014 over 2007, % change -5 -7.9 -10 Canada US Fiscal austerity and household deleveraging will weigh less on growth than in other countries. Promised spending cuts by 50bn until 2017 and tax cuts by 40bn are positive steps after two modest labour market reforms. The recent Loi But is that enough? The rise of the ultra-right Front National (now around 25% of the vote) poses long-term risks. But France has no reason for early elections and Le Pen is very unlikely to win in 2017. Germany UK France Japan Spain Italy Real GDP change 2014 over 2007, national currency, in %. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2014 Debt-to-income ratio 0 Neither the state nor households are excessively indebted. -3.0 50 100 150 200 Netherlands Cyprus Portugal Spain Luxembourg Belgium Finland Eurozone Malta France Italy Greece Germany Austria Slovenia Slovakia Debt-to-income ratio 2011, in %. Source: Eurosystem Household Finance and Consumption Survey, April 2013 34 Political risks in Europe The politics of populism Populist protest parties are a nuisance across the Western world, from the US (Tea Party) to the UK (UKIP), from Sweden to Spain (Podemos), from France (Front National) to Greece (Syriza, Golden Dawn). They rail against the centre (Washington, Brussels), immigration and other indignities of modern life. But key institutions in Europe (EU, euro) are more fragile than those in most nation states (US federal government, US dollar). As a result, populists could do more damage in Europe than in the US. Key elections and political risks to watch in 2015: UK: general election 7 May 2015. Hung parliament? What coalition? Brexit risk? Greece: radical left won snap elections 25 January, coalition with right-wing populists. Syriza promised the turns, bail-out extension but will the deal last or will Greece print its own money (=Grexit)? Spain: national election between 25 October and late November. Podemos populists currently on par with centre-right, reformist Citizenry Party catching up. But with further major falls in unemployment, pro-reform parties likely to win. Podemos may moderate over time. Otherwise, mainstream could join forces to stay on pro-European path. But Podemos may make headlines with a protest vote at regional elections in May. Portugal: election between 20 September and 11 October. No major anti-European populist protest party yet. Current centre-right government may still win as centre-left opposition tainted by corruption scandal. Italy: PM Renzi maintains control. Grillo on the way down, Berlusconi weakened, but Lega Nord on the rise. French tail risk: if current government were to lose parliamentary majority, snap parliamentary elections could see surge in support for ultra-right and ultra-left populists. France ungovernable? Just a small tail risk. 35 Core Europe: The Putin Effect German exports to Russia are falling fast Russia is inefficient. It needs high and rising oil prices to pay for more imports. 60 50 Before Putin started his war against Ukraine, stable or falling oil prices had already curtailed capacity to import in 2013. 40 30 The key reason for falling German exports to Russia is weaker demand from Russia, not the sanctions. 20 10 0 -10 German exports to Russia and Ukraine equal 1.5% of its GDP. The drop in exports to the region reduced German 2014 GDP by a mere 0.2%. Russia and Ukraine -20 Total ex Russia and Ukraine German exports to other regions of the world picked up modestly in 2014, more than offsetting the loss in trade with Russia. -30 -40 -50 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 German goods exports to all countries excluding Russian and Ukraine, and to Russia plus Ukraine, 3-month moving averages of the year-on-year change, in %. Source: Destatis 36 The Russian risk: a badly wounded bear Oil and real wages in Russia it has started to hurt Oil price (WTI, $) 20 • In February, real wages were down 9.9% yoy. 140 Russia real monthly wages, yoy 15 120 10 • So far, Putin seems be popular and in firm control, having whipped up nationalist sentiment. • But for how long will Russians put up with that? 100 80 60 40 Feb 2007 • Cheap oil, a costly war and sanctions erode Russian living standards. 5 • Russians may be very patient but even Russia can stage a revolution. 0 • Serious turmoil in Russia is not imminent. But it is a risk for the future like the risk that the wounded bear lashes out again with a new major military offensive. -5 Feb 2009 Feb 2011 Feb 2013 Left scale: oil price (WTI, $). Right scale: Total remuneration (in cash or in kind) paid to employed in return for work done (or paid leave), adjusted for inflation. Sources: Bloomberg, Russian Federal Service of Statistics. -10 Feb 2015 • So far, Putin has acted rationally on tactical level, only going as far as he can get away with. 37 UK economy: confidence is back • One of the biggest changes over the past year and a half has been the return of animal spirits. • As well as seeing output grow rapidly now, firms are confident in the future. • That means: 1. Interest rates are gaining more traction. 2. Cycle can start. 3. Little reason why pace of recovery will slow much from here. Manufacturing and services weighted by their share in value added. Source: British Chambers of Commerce, Berenberg calculations. 38 UK politics: the big uncertainty Labour and Conservatives neck on neck in the polls • The stronger economy is not giving much bounce to Tories yet. • Hung parliament likely. But possible tactical voting, rising real wages and Tory lead on economic competence suggests 55% chance that Tories will lead the next government. • As it gets serious, UKIP and Greens lose some support. • We look for another stable coalition, but some bad outcomes are possible (e.g. Labour/SNP or even Tories/UKIP). 45 40 35 30 25 Conservative Labour 20 Lib Dem UKIP 15 Greens 10 5 0 01.07.2010 01.07.2011 01.07.2012 Average of last ten polls, excluding the top and bottom most extreme. Source: UK Polling Report. 01.07.2013 01.07.2014 39 Risks from the UK election Prepare for a hung parliament • Bookies: 81% chance of hung parliament, 49:51% chance of Tory-led government (61% chance Tories have most seats) • Independent forecasters: Labour-led government more likely (they take the polls very seriously). • Berenberg call: 75% chance of hung parliament. 55% chance of Conservative-led government, 40% Labour, 5% chaos so we are not far away from where bookies have now moved to. • No party will have mandate to enact their more radical policies. But potential for unstable government, or one including the SNP, is the biggest worry. Policy differences: all options hurt - left-wing statism or still big public spending cuts and a Brexit vote • Small state Conservatives vs. bigger government Labour/Lib Dems • Circa 1.5% of GDP less austerity overall for Labour/Lib Dems • Labour/Lib Dems would also tax/spend more for any given deficit target. • In total, worth about £20bn on departmental spending in current plans. • The macro: Labour/Lib Dems total spending more sensible. Conservative austerity more severe: both front loaded and longer lasting. • Coalition budget still involves large cuts that happen (or at least not in their current form). Future government of any colour will spend, borrow and tax more than current budget envisages, just a bit less for Tories and a bit more for Labour. • Tax rises will probably be needed: higher earners, banks, windfall taxes, fuel duty, raising state pension age faster. • Blue sky: prepare for NHS charges and means testing state pension? • The micro: Labour proposed tax changes are a mess but at least a mess of small changes. Still, meaningful implications for some sectors. Minimum wage change is not significant. • Defence budget a serious problem for whoever the next government is. Cuts will be eased. Trident (SNP)? • Pensioners vs. the rest. • Conservatives much more business friendly and taxation policy better, but Brexit risk. 40 UK election: Betting odds Probabilities of overall majority Average Max Min Hung parliament 81 83 78 Conservative majority 13 15 12 Labour majority 6 7 4 • Prepare for hung UK parliament. Bookies see that as 4-1 on. • Conservative-led government a little more likely than Labour-led (51 : 47). • But bookies also confident that neither party will get a majority of seats, and even a ConservativeLiberal Democrat coalition could (probably) not command a majority. • So also prepare for minority governments. Can function fine, but will mean more uncertainty (sterling). Probabilities for next Prime Minister Average Conservative 51 Labour 47 These are a little tricky to interpret as bookies offer odds too high on very unlikely outcomes (e.g. 1 in 50 chance for Nigel Farage). Fortunately, they attached roughly the same probability on silly Labour led outcomes as Conservatives, so it should not distort the result too much. Average of Bet365, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Betfair. Odds scaled to sum to 100%. Odds taken 13/4/15. Source: Oddschecker.com. 41 UK: Brexit unlikely but it is the tail risk to watch One big risk the Conservatives would take, but would the UK really vote out? Political uncertainty is a big risk. Ultimately markets could cope with mild political uncertainty and a Labour government. But Brexit could be disruptive. surge in 2014 has raised that risk by prompting more extreme policies from the ruling Conservatives. Fortunately, and contrary to received wisdom, the UK is not very EU-sceptic any more. The polls have shifted in favour of the EU as the Euro crisis has faded. We expect the UK to remain in the EU. Poll asked: “If there was a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, how would you vote?”. Source: YouGov UKIP support for Tories in exchange for a late 2015 EU referendum? Unlikely. 42 US labour market: very solid expansion 400 The US economy is creating jobs with the usual odd fluctuations. 200 Monthly gains of around 250k support consumer spending. Monthly change in payrolls We look for the first Fed 0 -200 gradual moves thereafter. -400 As in 2014, soft data for a wintry Q1 may be followed by a spring rebound in Q2. Non-farm payrolls, in 000s -600 Private sector -800 Jan 1991 Jan 1994 Jan 1997 Jan 2000 Jan 2003 Jan 2006 Jan 2009 Jan 2012 Jan 2015 Monthly change in payrolls, in 1000s, 3-month rolling average. Source: BLS Low inflation enables the Fed to use its monetary policy to keep the economy on track. Financial healing = less stimulus needed over time. 43 US households: reducing the debt overhang US household debt: nice progress 130 15 Household debt, % disposable income, lhs Household debt service ratio, rhs 120 14 110 13 100 12 90 11 Households borrowed heavily when house prices were rising rapidly. After the real estate bust, households reduced their debt. Rock-bottom Fed rates have also brought debt service costs down. Households are no longer afraid of losing their jobs and their home. The deleveraging is over. 80 70 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 In % of disposable income; debt ratio on left-hand scale, debt service ratio on right-hand scale. Source: Fed 2009 2011 2013 2015 10 Households started to spend more freely again in 2013. 9 Low oil prices boost purchasing power of households. 44 China: using public investment as the key buffer Chinese GDP growth is still driven largely by investment. Up and down: investment spending growth 60 But investment growth less spectacular that it was 5 years ago. 50 The authorities use public investment as a buffer, turning the taps on and off as needed to stabilise the overall pace of demand growth. 40 30 20 This has worked so far and will continue to work. 10 0 -10 Total investment -20 Jan 2000 Jan 2002 Jan 2004 Real estate Jan 2006 Yoy change in %, 3-month average. Source: National Office of Statistics Jan 2008 Public investment Jan 2010 Jan 2012 Jan 2014 While trend growth is slowing as China matures, China can use all policy levers to keep demand close to trend. 40% savings rate and $3.8 trn fx reserves are comfortably cushions. 45 Japan: Abenomics a missed opportunity Just a flash in the pan due to the lack of thorough structural reforms The nature of Abenomics Very aggressive monetary policy with 2% inflation target, major drop in exchange rate; promise of structural reforms. Does it work? Yes it did for a while. Monetary stimulus, weaker Yen and post-Tsunami reconstruction boosted demand in early 2013. Inflation went up, helped by a VAT hike in April 2014. But the artificial boost has faded. The sales tax hike triggered a recession in mid-2014. The rebound in Q4 was modest. Cheap oil and switching on of some nuclear power plants will help in 2015 What is the problem? Abenomics got of stable or falling prices. dismal demographics. A macro gimmick such as Abenomics cannot cure that. Without serious structural reforms, Japan is returning to its long-run misery - with even more debt than before. Will Abe finally get serious after the December 2014 elections? 46 Eurozone: not the new Japan ! Open for business = no place to hide for zombie companies Asset bubbles and excessive credit: only in pockets of the Eurozone (Spain, Ireland) Europe is open (I): Share of imports in GDP 15% in Japan, 51% Germany, 37% Spain, 34% France, 29% Italy. Europe is open (II): Stiff competition in services sector due to EU internal market. Europe is open (III): Significant immigration and internal labour mobility Balance sheet recession ? Mind the data. Household debt high in Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. These are now among the fastest-growing Eurozone members. Low debt ratios in France and Italy, the problem countries of the Eurozone. Public debt: Japan tried in vain to revive growth by a series of very expensive but futile fiscal stimuli. After some post-Lehman austerity, Eurozone fiscal policy is now neutral. Wave of structural reforms: Germany 2004, Greece 2010 onwards, Spain and Portugal 2012 onwards, Italy 47 The real tail risks War in Ukraine and Iraq, chain reactions, European politics Wounded bear does Russia lash out again? A renewed hot war remains possible despite the current ceasefire. Russia has the clear edge on the ground. More likely: frozen conflict, confidence shock wanes, Eurozone returns to growth. Oil price: the flip-side of great news A massive redistribution of income causes frictions Series of defaults among oil producers, trouble for their lenders? Benefits far outweigh the frictions. But the frictions can be more front-loaded than the benefits. Chain reactions in emerging markets? Rate rout after taper tantrum? But gradual and cautious Fed rate hikes to come no longer surprise. Strong dollar, lower commodity prices: great for countries that import commodities and export to the US; very bad for countries that export raw materials and are indebted in US dollars. Europe: will the political glue hold? Grexit? Brexit? France: Can Valls deliver more reforms? Risk of early elections? Could Le Pen come to power? Unlikely 48 Eurozone economic forecasts GDP Private Consumption Government Consumption Investment Final Domestic Demand 1 Net Exports 1 Stockbuilding 1 Current Account Balance Industrial Production 2 2 Unemployment rate CPI 2 General Govt. Balance General Govt. Debt 3 ECB main refinancing rate 1 Contribution to GDP growth Source: Berenberg % y/y % q/q %q/q ann. % y/y % q/q % y/y % q/q % y/y % q/q % y/y % q/q % y/y % q/q % y/y % q/q EUR bn % of GDP % y/y % q/q % % y/y % of GDP % of GDP % 2 2013 2014 2015 2016 1Q14 2Q14 3Q14 4Q14 1Q15 2Q15 3Q15 4Q15 1Q16 2Q16 3Q16 4Q16 -0.4 0.9 1.4 1.9 1.1 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.0 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.1 0.3 0.7 1.3 1.7 1.2 1.9 1.9 1.9 2.1 2.1 2.1 -0.6 1.0 1.5 1.2 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.4 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.7 0.8 1.4 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.5 1.6 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 -2.4 1.0 1.4 3.2 2.3 1.0 0.4 0.3 0.4 1.2 1.8 2.2 2.5 3.1 3.4 3.5 0.4 -0.5 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 -0.8 0.9 1.3 1.6 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.7 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 230 231 275 267 52 52 58 68 75 64 66 70 75 64 63 65 2.4 2.4 2.8 2.6 -0.7 0.7 1.3 2.0 1.4 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.9 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.1 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 12.0 11.6 11.1 10.2 11.8 11.6 11.6 11.5 11.3 11.2 11.1 10.8 10.5 10.3 10.1 9.9 1.3 0.4 0.2 1.2 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.2 0.7 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 -2.9 -2.6 -2.4 -2.2 90.9 93.0 93.9 93.2 0.25 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.25 0.15 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Period averages 3 End of period 49 Global economic forecasts World* US Japan China India Latin America Weight 100.0 22.8 6.8 12.2 2.4 7.9 2013 2.4 2.2 1.6 7.7 6.7 2.7 GDP 2014 2015 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.8 -0.1 0.9 7.4 7.0 7.2 7.5 1.1 0.9 2016 2.9 2.9 1.5 6.7 7.5 1.8 2013 Inflation 2014 2015 2016 1.5 0.4 2.6 9.5 6.1 1.6 2.7 2.0 8.0 6.0 1.9 0.7 2.5 7.5 5.5 0.4 0.6 1.3 7.3 5.8 Unemployment 2013 2014 2015 2016 Fiscal balance 2013 2014 2015 2016 7.4 4.0 4.1 -5.8 -9.0 -2.0 -7.2 -3.4 6.2 3.6 4.1 5.4 3.5 4.3 4.8 3.5 4.3 -5.5 -7.8 -2.1 -6.9 -3.5 Europe 30.0 0.5 1.3 1.2 1.9 Eurozone 17.3 -0.4 0.9 1.4 1.9 1.3 0.4 0.2 1.2 12.0 11.6 11.1 10.2 -2.9 -2.6 Germany 4.9 0.2 1.6 1.9 2.3 1.6 0.8 0.3 1.5 5.2 5.0 4.6 4.2 0.1 0.4 France 3.7 0.4 0.4 1.1 1.4 1.0 0.6 -0.2 0.7 10.3 10.3 10.5 10.4 -4.1 -4.0 Italy 2.8 -1.7 -0.3 0.3 1.1 1.3 0.2 0.2 1.0 12.2 12.7 12.6 12.2 -2.8 -3.0 Spain 1.8 -1.2 1.4 2.6 2.4 1.5 -0.2 -0.6 1.0 26.1 24.5 22.4 20.1 -6.3 -5.7 Portugal 0.3 -1.6 0.9 1.7 2.3 0.4 -0.2 0.1 1.1 16.4 14.1 13.7 12.6 -4.5 -4.0 Other Western Europe UK 3.4 1.7 2.8 2.6 2.6 2.6 1.5 0.2 1.5 7.6 6.2 5.3 4.7 -5.7 -5.1 Switzerland 0.9 1.9 1.9 1.1 1.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.7 0.1 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.5 0.2 0.6 Sweden 0.8 1.3 1.9 2.3 2.6 0.4 0.0 0.6 1.5 8.0 7.8 7.6 7.2 -1.3 -2.0 Other Europe Russia 2.9 1.3 0.5 -4.0 -1.0 6.8 7.8 14.1 8.6 5.5 5.5 7.0 8.0 -1.3 -1.5 Turkey 1.1 4.1 3.0 3.6 3.8 7.5 8.9 6.8 6.5 9.1 9.8 9.4 9.3 -1.5 -1.6 Unemployment rate: Harmonised definition (ILO/Eurostat); fiscal balance: general government deficit in % of GDP excluding one-off bank support. *At current exchange rates, not purchasing power parity. PPP estimates give more weight to fast-growing emerging markets and inflate global GDP. -4.3 -6.5 -2.0 -6.5 -3.5 -3.8 -6.3 -2.0 -6.0 -3.5 -2.4 0.3 -3.8 -2.7 -4.0 -2.9 -2.2 0.2 -3.4 -2.2 -2.5 -2.0 -4.1 0.4 -1.3 -3.1 0.4 -0.8 -3.0 -2.0 -3.1 -1.8 Weights based on IMF World Global Outlook statistics 2013 estimated GDP figures. Source: Berenberg 50 Global economic forecasts: Berenberg vs consensus GDP US China Japan UK EZ Germany France Italy Spain Portugal 2015 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.2 Inflation 2016 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.5 2015 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.1 2016 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2 Unemployment Rate 2015 2016 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 -0.6 n/a n/a 0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9 0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 -0.6 0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9 0.2 -0.4 Govt. Budget Balance 2015 2016 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.9 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.9 0.1 0.4 Differences in percentage points; Bloomberg consensus taken on 27 March 2015. Source: Bloomberg, Berenberg 51 Disclaimer This document has been prepared by Berenberg or one of its affiliates (collectively referred to in it. . This document does not claim completeness regarding all the information on the stocks, stock markets or developments On no account should the document be regarded as a substitute for the recipient procuring information for himself/herself or exercising his/her own judgements. The document has been produced for information purposes for institutional clients or market professionals. Private customers into whose possession this document comes should discuss possible investment decisions with their customer service officer, as differing views and opinions may exist with regard to the stocks referred to in this document. This document is not a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell the mentioned stock. The document may include certain descriptions, statements, estimates and conclusions underlining potential market and company developments. These reflect assumptions which may turn out to be incorrect. Berenberg and/or its employees accept no liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss or damages of any kind arising out of the use of this document or any part of its content. Berenberg may act as market-maker or underwrite issues for any securities mentioned in this document, derivatives thereon or related financial products or perform or seek to perform capital market or underwriting services. Berenberg reserves all the rights in this document. No part of the document or its content may be rewritten, copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without consent. prior written Remarks regarding foreign investors The preparation of this document is subject to regulation by German law. The distribution of this document in other jurisdictions may be restricted by law, and persons into whose possession this document comes should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. United Kingdom This document is meant exclusively for institutional investors and market professionals but not for private customers. It is not for distribution to or the use of private investors or private customers. United States of America This document has been prepared exclusively by Berenberg. Although Berenberg Capital Markets LLC, an affiliate of Berenberg and registered US broker-dealer, distributes this document to certain customers, Berenberg Capital Markets LLC does not provide input into its contents, nor does this document constitute research of Berenberg Capital Markets LLC. In addition, this document is meant exclusively for institutional investors and market professionals, but not for private customers. It is not for distribution to or the use of private investors or private customers. This document is classified as objective for the purposes of FINRA rules. Please contact Berenberg Capital Markets LLC (+1 617.292.8200), if you require additional information. © April 2015 Berenberg 52