Economy
Greece unveils €1bn in benefits after posting 1.3% budget surplus
Greece’s prime minister on Tuesday announced €1 billion in financial benefits for lower-income households and the public investment program, after the country became one of the few European Union members to post a budget surplus in 2024.
Markets
Markets this week: Tesla, Microsoft and Alphabet earnings in focus
Investors will closely watch the trajectory of global business activity in the manufacturing and services sectors this week. Meanwhile, major US tech companies—including Tesla, Microsoft, and Alphabet—are set to report first-quarter earnings, driving the market movements.
Economy
Why economists believe the ECB will keep on cutting interest rates
Economists predict that the ECB will continue its rate-cutting cycle as global trade tensions rise and eurozone growth slows. Markets expect up to 75 basis points of easing by September, pushing the deposit rate down to 1.5%.
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Economy
ECB's Lagarde: Trade tariffs are a negative shock for the eurozone
Lagarde said the ECB’s rate cut reflected confidence in disinflation and rising growth risks from tariffs, which are set to weigh on demand. The bank dropped its “restrictive” stance and stressed a data-driven, flexible approach.
Economy
ECB set to cut interest rates as insurance against trade tariffs
ECB expected to cut rates by 25bp to 2.25%—its sixth straight reduction—as inflation cools and tariff risks rise. Economists see the move as insurance amid growth shocks and US-EU tensions weighing on sentiment and policy outlook.
Economy
Economists slash eurozone growth forecasts as US tariffs shake outlook
Economists are slashing eurozone growth forecasts after Trump’s 20% tariffs on EU exports. Weaker trade, confidence, and investment now dominate outlooks, boosting expectations for ECB rate cuts, with April seen as likely. Inflation risks take a back seat for now.
Economy
Germany and Italy diverge on inflation: What’s the eurozone signal?
Germany’s inflation eased to a four-month low in March, while Italy’s rose to its highest in over a year, highlighting diverging trends. The mixed data suggest uneven disinflation across the eurozone ahead of the bloc’s inflation release.
Business
Global sentiment sours as Trump’s auto and reciprocal tariffs loom
This week, Trump’s auto and reciprocal tariffs are set to rattle the global markets as sentiment soured amid recession fears. Key economic data, including inflation readings from the eurozone, employment change from the US, and Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate decisions, will be in focus.
Economy
The Spanish economy grew 3.2% in 2024: Why is it outperforming peers?
Spain's economy grew 3.2% in 2024, one of the fastest in the eurozone, driven by strong domestic demand, robust tourism, and EU recovery funds, outperforming Germany, France and Italy. Economists say Spain remains a ‘bright spot’ in Europe, expecting this outperformance to continue through 2025.
Markets
Market insights: What is behind the European stock markets’ rally?
European markets continued to outperform their US counterparts despite the recent rebound on Wall Street. Notably, the banking and industrial sectors stand as the top two performers, driven by relatively cheaper valuations, expectations for surging defence spending, and optimistic economic outlooks.
Economy
Germany’s economic sentiment hits 2-year high, EU exports to US soar
Germany’s economic sentiment hit a 2-year high, but the eurozone’s trade surplus fell sharply. EU exports to the US surged as firms frontloaded shipments ahead of potential Trump tariffs, while the trade deficit with China widened sharply.
