European economy

manufactoring Spain

Eurozone manufacturing sector expands in October for eighth month running

CdM | The eurozone manufacturing sector expanded once again. However, the pace of growth remained steady, according to the PMI index. In fact, although October marked the eighth consecutive monthly expansion, the pace of growth was moderate overall and slightly weaker than the average observed during the current expansion sequence. ‘We can speak, at best, of an incipient outbreak of economic recovery.’ ‘Production has increased for the eighth consecutive month,…


europa detalle billete

Eurozone Economic Sentiment rises 1.2 points to 96.8 in October despite crisis in France and delays in reforms in Germany

Singular Bank | According to the European Commission, in the final reading for October, the Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) rose 1.2 points to 96.8 points, despite political uncertainty in France and delays in the Merz government’s reforms in Germany. This development was mainly driven by a notable rebound in confidence in the industrial, construction and retail sectors. In more detail: Industrial Sentiment -8.2 versus -10.0 expected versus -10.3 previous;…


coches aparcamiento

Car sales in Europe up 10% in September, best figure since April 2024, with Spain leading the way

Bankinter | Car sales rose by 10% in September, compared to 5.3% previously. Bankinter analysis team’s view: This is the best figure since April 2024. Among the increases, the following stood out (year-on-year): Cupra (up 48.4%), Stellantis (11.5%), Skoda (10.9%), Volkswagen (9.6%), Citröen (29.4%), Opel (14.6%) and Alfa Romeo (71.8%). Chinese brands once again recorded strong sales growth, such as SAIC Motor (75.5%) and ByD (398%). On the negative side,…


road traffic oil demand

UK cancels FCC’s €1.95 billion motorway project near Stonehenge

Bankinter | According to press reports, the United Kingdom has announced the cancellation of the project to build a motorway near Stonehenge. We recall that the project was awarded in 2022 to a consortium formed by FCC, Webuild, and BeMo Tunnelling and had a budget of around £1.7 billion (approximately €1.95 billion). According to the same source, FCC had completed the design work but had not yet begun construction. Assessment:…


autos europa

Eurozone composite PMI rises 1 point to 52.2, highest level in 17 months, but with drop in France to 46.8

Singular Bank | According to preliminary data for October, the Eurozone manufacturing PMI has rebounded slightly to 50.0 points (against 49.8 points in September), representing the eighth consecutive month of increased production in the sector. At the same time, the services PMI rose to 52.6 points (against 51.6 points in September) due to the faster pace of growth in new orders. For its part, the composite PMI for the European…


eurozona superavit comercial

Eurozone current account surplus at €13 billion in August, compared to €25.3 billion in same month in 2024

Link Securities | According to the European Central Bank (ECB), the Eurozone current account surplus stood at €13 billion in August, compared to €25.3 billion in the same month of the previous year. In August, the goods surplus fell to €8 billion from €17.1 billion in August 2024, while the primary income surplus fell to €2 billion from €5 billion. Similarly, the secondary income deficit widened in August to €15…


industrial production worker

Eurozone industrial production contracts 1.2% in August compared to July

Link Securities | The European statistical agency Eurostat reported that seasonally adjusted industrial production contracted by 1.2% in the Eurozone in August compared to July, significantly less than the 1.8% decline projected by the FactSet consensus of analysts. In August, industrial production fell by 0.2% for intermediate goods, 0.6% for energy, 2.2% for capital goods, and 1.6% for durable consumer goods. Conversely, production increased by 0.1% for non-durable consumer goods….


bce lagarde dic 2024

ECB minutes suggest cycle of rate cuts over, despite continuing impact of US tariffs

Bankinter | ECB minutes from the 10/11 September meeting. Conclusions: Monetary policy is appropriate to respond to the inflation environment in the EMU and the ECB is in a comfortable position to wait for more visibility on fiscal and trade policies. Everything points to the cycle of cuts having ended for now, even if US tariffs continue to impact growth and prices: ‘the current level of interest rates is sufficiently…


Retail Eurozone

Eurozone retail sales grow 1% year-on-year in August, compared to 2.1% previously

Bankinter | Retail sales in the Eurozone in August were lower than expected: up 1.0% year-on-year compared to the expected 1.3% and the previous 2.1% (revised from 2.2%). Noteworthy is the decline in France (which recorded a drop of 1.4% against a 1.2% gain previously) and Germany (up 1.8% against 2.9% previously). Analysis team’s view: Despite the weakness of the data, EMU retail sales have fluctuated within a stable year-on-year…


empleo eurozona 1

Eurozone unemployment rate rises to 6.3% in August, aggregate increase of 11,000 workers

Intermoney | The unemployment rate rose by one tenth of a percentage point in August to 6.3% across the Eurozone as a whole. We could have guessed this once we saw the data, which was somewhat unfavourable and showed an increase of 14,000 in the number of unemployed. At the aggregate level for the eurozone, this increase was 11,000, offset by other more moderate readings. However, we continue to see…