Germany's Real Challenges are Aging, Underinvestment, and Too Much Red Tape

March 27, 2024--Germany faces some serious economic challenges, but they aren't necessarily the ones getting the most attention. Solving these challenges requires ambitious reforms
Germany is struggling. It was the only G7 economy to shrink last year and is set to be the group's slowest-growing economy again this year, according to our latest projections. Some pundits say Germany's economic model is irreparably broken.

They argue strong growth in previous decades was based on importing cheap Russian gas, which in turn powered Germany's highly competitive export industries. With this cheap gas no longer available, the German manufacturing model doesn't work anymore, or so the story goes.

But is this accurate? It's certainly true that the shutoff of Russian gas in 2022 contributed to spiking inflation and cost-of-living pressures. However, the rise in gas prices has proven to be temporary. After soaring in 2022, wholesale gas prices have now fallen back to 2018 levels.

ESMA publishes latest edition of its newsletter

January 9, 2025-- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's financial markets regulator and supervisor, has today published its latest edition of the Spotlight on Markets Newsletter.

Amundi to shut its original 'multi' smart beta ETF

January 8, 2025--The fund made returns of nearly 20% last year but has failed to retain sufficient assets to be 'economically efficient'
Amundi is to close a multi-strategy smart beta exchange traded fund, the product it launched to enter the space a decade ago.

ESMA launches selection of the Consolidated Tape Provider for bonds

January 3, 2025-- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's financial markets regulator and supervisor, is launching the first selection procedure for the Consolidated Tape Provider (CTP) for bonds. Entities interested to apply are encouraged to register and submit their requests to participate in the selection procedure by 7 February 2025.

ECB-Monetary developments in the euro area: November 2024

January 2, 2025--Annual growth rate of broad monetary aggregate M3 increased to 3.8% in November 2024 from 3.4% in October
Annual growth rate of narrower monetary aggregate M1, comprising currency in circulation and overnight deposits, increased to 1.5% in November from 0.2% in October
Annual growth rate of adjusted loans to households stood at 0.9% in November, compared with 0.8% in October