Domestic economy picking up further

Private consumer spending rose by a price-adjusted 1.9% last year, the highest increase since 2000. Government spending rose even more sharply (+2.8%), with additional outlays to cope with the influx of refugees also playing a role. This year government spending is likely to provide even more of a boost to demand. Upside factors for the domestic economy in 2016 include the renewed slide in the oil price, which is bolstering purchasing power further, and the acceleration in jobs growth seen in recent months. This suggests that the increase in private consumer spending in 2016 at 2.2% will actually be slightly higher than in 2015. On the export front we are cautiously optimistic. Foreign demand from eurozone countries is now on a clear upward path. Non-eurozone demand, which slumped in the third quarter of last year, is now showing signs of improvement. All told, exports are likely to increase by almost 4% in 2016.

Dr. Rolf Schneider

Allianz SE
Phone +49.69.263-57790

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