For the past 10 years the attractiveness of US Treasuries for foreign investors has been in decline. In the light of official projections that the US federal debt will almost double over the next ten years, strengthening their appetite appears paramount.
Since the beginning of 2022, German growth has never ceased to surprise by its resistance, driven by the end of post-Covid catch-up effects. However, the deterioration of the economic situation is now such that all the engines of growth are weakening and fading one by one. In terms of consumption, investment and foreign trade, all followed a downward trend in the fourth quarter. It therefore seems unlikely that German GDP will continue to grow in the last three months of the year. Despite this, the recession that awaits Germany in 2023 is expected to be moderate and time-limited due to massive public support.
Household wealth -the difference between assets (property, financial) and financial liabilities- matters because in the longer run, it should allow to finance expenditures post retirement. During the pandemic, we have seen in the euro area a big jump in the savings rate as well as an above-trend increase in property prices whereas financial assets suffered from negative valuation effects. The European Commission estimates that, on balance, between the onset of the pandemic and the end of 2021, households accumulated around EUR 2.7 trillion of new wealth in excess of the normal trend. This was considered as a factor of resilience for household spending
With nearly EUR 19 bn released between the start of 2022 and mid-September, a third more than during the same period in 2021, the Spanish National Recovery and Resilience plan is gaining traction. However, some obstacles to its implementation on the ground remain.
Inflation has accelerated markedly during 2022. After a limited disinflation during the summer, driven by lower gasoline prices, the inflation rate has reached a new peak in October. Core inflation is accelerating, and expected food and energy price increases are suggesting even higher inflation during Q12023, before a gradual disinflation. In parallel, as wage growth should accelerate moderately, household purchasing power should exhibit a modest increase in 2023.
