Germany’s preliminary April inflation data came in softer than expected. CPI rose 0.6% MoM, below the 0.7% forecast and down from 1.1% previously. On a yearly basis, CPI increased 2.9%, below the 3.0% forecast but above the previous 2.7%.
The EU-harmonized measure also softened versus expectations. HICP rose 0.5% MoM, below the 0.8% forecast and down from 1.2% previously. Annual HICP increased 2.9%, below the 3.1% forecast but slightly above the previous 2.8%.
Importance Level: High
Possible Market Effect:
Softer-than-expected German inflation may reduce pressure on euro-area yields and slightly weaken the euro if markets price in a less hawkish ECB path. However, the annual acceleration keeps inflation risk relevant.
Source: Destatis
Spain’s Business Confidence fell to -5.0 in April, down from the previous -4.3. The decline shows weaker sentiment among businesses and points to a more cautious corporate outlook.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
The weaker reading may slightly weigh on Spanish equities and domestic-demand sentiment, but the direct impact on the euro is likely limited.
Source: INE Spain
Germany’s 10-Year Bund Auction yield rose to 3.080%, up from the previous 2.920%. The increase points to higher borrowing costs in the benchmark euro-area bond market.
Importance Level: Medium
Possible Market Effect:
A higher Bund auction yield may support euro-area yields and pressure rate-sensitive equities. It could also reflect stronger inflation-risk pricing after the rise in eurozone price expectations.
Source: German Finance Agency
Eurozone sentiment indicators weakened in April. The Business and Consumer Survey fell to 93.0, below the forecast of 95.2 and down from 96.2. Industrial Sentiment declined to -7.7, weaker than the -7.2 forecast and the previous -7.0. Services Sentiment dropped to 0.9, below the 3.5 forecast and down from 4.1. Consumer Confidence stayed at -20.6, matching the forecast but weaker than the previous -16.3. The Business Climate was almost unchanged at -0.28, compared with -0.27 previously.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
The weaker survey mix may weigh on eurozone growth sentiment and cyclical equities. It also complicates the ECB outlook because softer activity is appearing alongside higher inflation expectations.
Source: European Commission
Eurozone price expectations moved higher in April. Consumer Inflation Expectations rose to 49.1 from 43.5, while Selling Price Expectations increased sharply to 31.1 from 20.8.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
Higher inflation and selling-price expectations may keep the ECB cautious, especially if firms continue signaling stronger pricing power. The data could offer mild support to euro-area yields.
Source: European Commission
Italy’s Non-EU Trade Balance rose to 5.64B in March, slightly above the previous 5.60B. The data shows a small improvement in Italy’s trade position with non-EU partners.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
The modest trade surplus improvement may offer limited support to Italy’s external-balance outlook, but the market impact is likely small.
Source: ISTAT
Italy’s bond auction results showed lower yields across key maturities. The 5-Year BTP Auction yield fell to 3.32% from 3.48%, while the 15-Year BTP Auction yield declined to 3.77% from 4.27%.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
Lower BTP auction yields may signal stronger demand for Italian debt and could slightly support Italian bond sentiment, especially if the decline extends to secondary-market yields.
Source: Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy
Italy’s confidence indicators weakened in April. Business Confidence fell to 87.9, below the forecast of 88.0 and down from the previous 88.7. Consumer Confidence also declined to 90.8, below the 91.2 forecast and weaker than the previous 92.6.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
The weaker readings may weigh mildly on Italian domestic-demand sentiment and consumer-linked equities, but the broader euro impact is likely limited.
Source: ISTAT
Eurozone credit and liquidity data improved in March. Loans to non-financial corporations rose 3.2% YoY, up from 2.9% previously. M3 Money Supply grew 3.2% YoY, beating the 3.1% forecast and rising from 3.0% previously. The total M3 money supply increased to 17,446.5B, up from 17,369.5B.
Private-sector loans rose 3.0% YoY, slightly below the 3.1% forecast and unchanged from the previous 3.0%.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
Stronger M3 and corporate lending may support the view that eurozone credit conditions are gradually improving. However, private-sector loan growth below forecast limits the strength of the signal for the euro and euro-area equities.
Source: European Central Bank
Switzerland’s ZEW Expectations Index improved to -30.3 in April from -35.0 previously. Although the reading remains negative, the improvement suggests investor expectations became slightly less pessimistic.
Importance Level: Low
Possible Market Effect:
The better reading may offer mild support to Swiss market sentiment, but the negative level still signals caution around the outlook.
Source: ZEW / UBS
Spain’s preliminary April inflation data showed softer domestic price pressure. CPI rose 3.2% YoY, below the 3.5% forecast and down from 3.4% previously. Monthly CPI increased 0.4%, also below the 0.6% forecast and sharply lower than the previous 1.2%.
The EU-harmonized measure was mixed. HICP rose 3.5% YoY, matching the 3.5% forecast and slightly above the previous 3.4%. On a monthly basis, HICP rose 0.7%, above the 0.6% forecast but below the previous 1.7%. Core CPI eased to 2.8% YoY from 2.9%.
Importance Level: Medium
Possible Market Effect:
Softer CPI and core inflation may reduce pressure on Spanish bond yields and support expectations for a less restrictive euro-area inflation path. However, the steady HICP reading limits the dovish signal for the ECB.
Source: INE Spain
France’s total jobseekers rose to 3,109.1K in March, up from the previous 3,073.5K. The increase points to softer labor-market conditions and may raise concerns about household income and domestic demand.
Importance Level: Medium
Possible Market Effect:
A higher jobseekers total may weigh on French equity sentiment, especially consumer-linked sectors, and could slightly reinforce expectations for a softer euro-area growth path.
Source: France Travail