Credit Impulse Update: The party is over, France’s GDP is out Credit Impulse Update: The party is over, France’s GDP is out Credit Impulse Update: The party is over, France’s GDP is out

Credit Impulse Update: The party is over, France’s GDP is out

Macro
Christopher Dembik

Head of Macroeconomic Research

In our last note about the French economy published in March 2018, we warned against the risk of economic slowdown as a result of contraction in credit impulse and higher rates and higher oil prices. The latest statistics, especially Q2 GDP growth that was out today at 0.2%, seem to confirm this risk and the fact the peak in growth during this cycle was reached in Q4 2017. We expect a pronounced economic slowdown this year with a growth rate around 1.6%-1.7%, which is way below the government’s target (2%). Actually, the biggest threats will start to materialise in 2019, potentially leading to a sharper downturn. We identify three major risks: the potentially negative reaction of financial markets to monetary policy tightening, rising protectionism and the likely increase in oil prices due to the lack of investment in this sector in recent years.

Leading indicators point to lower growth

The growth rebound from 2014 was largely fuelled by strong credit pulse (highest point of 3.9% of GDP reached in Q2 2015) which happened concomitantly with a miraculous alignment of stars for the economy (low rates, low oil prices and weak euro). Now that this impulse has turned down (our proprietary credit impulse comes out at only 0.4% of GDP in Q2 2018), the direct consequence we can expect is a negative shock on confidence, domestic demand and, ultimately, growth.

Explanation: The Credit Impulse indicator developed by Saxo Bank leads economic activity by 9 to 12 months. It represents the flow of new loans issued by the private sector as a percentage of GDP. France’s credit impulse is calculated using credit data from the Bank of France and data on economic activity from INSEE.

In addition, lower PMIs since the beginning of the year tend to confirm the low-growth scenario. For the first time since September 2016, the contraction of new export orders in July is a warning sign that should not be overlooked. It seems that the French economy is starting to feel the adverse effects of rising NEER, which is close to its 2009 peak, even though REER remains relatively low.

We also foresee that a lasting level of a high unemployment rate, reflecting the persistent mismatch between business needs and jobseekers’ qualifications, will constitute a negative factor for consumption. Long-term unemployment increased 7% YoY, while the rate of people who have been jobless for less than a year is declining, which confirms the need for the reform of vocational training promoted by the government. However, it is expected that virtuous effects will take several years to materialise in the labour market.

The Macron effect tends to disappear

In previous months, we talked a lot about the Macron effect. As a matter of fact, it is fading as fast as it appeared. There has been a sharp decline in consumer confidence, partially driven by the negative impact of the government’s fiscal measures, a collapse in the approval rate and lower business confidence from its Q4 2017 peak, though it seems to be more resilient than consumer confidence. 

Back to normal for the French economy

In a way, France’s growth is back to a more normal level taking in consideration its economic fundamentals and its level of potential growth, which is estimated at 1.25% by the Treasury for the period 2017-2020. Basically, a key problem of the French economy is that its recovery was slightly desynchronised with the global economic cycle. It started later than in most European countries and, thus, might be shorter since France will be hit at the same time that the other countries when the next downturn, that could take place in 2020 in the US, will happen.

From 2019, France will face major headwinds: lower global trade, as indicated by leading indicators, such as YoY South Korean exports, and likely higher oil prices as a consequence of under-investment in this sector in recent years. To sum up, France’s optimism that emerged one year ago did not last long. Unfortunately, France's World Cup win will not bring any support to growth.

Disclaimer

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited prepares and distributes information/research produced within the Saxo Bank Group for informational purposes only. In addition to the disclaimer below, if any general advice is provided, such advice does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of trading any financial instrument as trading can result in losses that exceed your initial investment. Please refer to our Analysis Disclaimer, and our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement. All legal documentation and disclaimers can be found at https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/.

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service. Access and use of Saxo News & Research and any Saxo Bank Group website are subject to (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; and (iii) the Risk Warning in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group.

Saxo News & Research is provided for informational purposes, does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. No Saxo Bank Group entity shall be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information on Saxo News & Research.

To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, such content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication.

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments.Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Capital Markets or its affiliates.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Full Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)
- Analysis Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/analysis-disclaimer/saxo-analysis-disclaimer)
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited
Suite 1, Level 14, 9 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Contact Saxo

Select region

Australia
Australia

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-au/about-us/awards

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited ABN 32 110 128 286 AFSL 280372 (‘Saxo’ or ‘Saxo Capital Markets’) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms, Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Saxo Capital Markets does not provide ‘personal’ financial product advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. The Target Market Determination should assist you in determining whether any of the products or services we offer are likely to be consistent with your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website is not intended for residents of the United States and Japan.

Please click here to view our full disclaimer.