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Swedbank Economic Outlook
Swedbank Analyses the Swedish and Baltic Economies                                                               January 24, 2012



When the going gets tough, the tough get going
                                            Global development
 Table of Content:                             The global recovery is losing steam with the euro zone in a recession and the
                                                 US only slowly gaining speed. Global growth – estimated at 3.6% last year –
                                                 was driven by emerging markets. We have revised the growth rate to 3.1% in
 Introduction: Weak growth –                     2012 and 2013, from October’s 3.6% and 3.7%.
 negative risks weigh heavily 2                Global growth relies on the euro zone’s policy response. Our main scenario
                                                 (55% probability), foresees small steps of progress but high short-term mar-
 Global: Rough patch – but                       ket volatility. A worsening (40% probability) nearly stalls global growth. A euro
                                                 collapse has a small probability of 5% but with much larger negative growth
 no meltdown                          4          effects.
                                            Sweden
 Sweden: Challenging times                    After strong growth for most of 2011, macroeconomic indicators now suggest
 ahead                     12                   that the Swedish economy is slowing significantly. Exports are receding, indus-
                                                trial production is stagnating, and labour market improvements are slowing.

 Estonia: Shifting from high                   Growth is revised downwards to 0.6% for 2012 and 1.8% for 2013 as the deep-
                                                 ening euro zone crisis will continue to negatively affect the Swedish economy.
 to lower gear               17                  Worsening sentiments of both households and companies will strain consump-
                                                 tion and dampen investments. We expect unemployment to start to rise in 2012,
 Latvia: Holding up better                       before slowly falling back in 2013, as economic growth picks up moderately.
 this time                          21      Estonia
                                               Estonian economic growth was very strong in 2011, supported by better-than-
                                                 expected export growth, albeit the pickup in domestic demand was solid as
 Lithuania: Growth in spite                      well. Strong foreign demand boosted investments and job creation. Rising em-
 of fiscal consolidation             25           ployment (8% up to third quarter) and wages supported private consumption.
                                               Despite a worse global outlook, Estonia is estimated to grow by 2.7% in 2012
                                                 and 4.0% in 2013, fostered by domestic demand – investments are supported
                                                 by growing public sector and environment-related investments; private con-
                                                 sumption by the improving labour market situation and easing inflation.
                                            Latvia
                                               In 2011, economic growth was stronger than expected, boosted by export-
                                                 ing sectors and their investments, as well as by household consumption. We
                                                 estimate that GDP growth exceeded 5%. The IMF/EC-supported bailout pro-
                                                 gramme was successfully completed in December.
                                               We are lowering the 2012 growth forecast to 2.0%, as slower growth for the
                                                 main trading partners will cut into Latvian exports, while weaker confidence will
                                                 dampen consumption and investments. We anticipate growth to pick up again
                                                 in 2013, reaching 3.2%. Euro adoption in 2014 is still our main scenario.
                                            Lithuania
                                                Consumption and investments continued fuelling GDP growth last year, when
                                                  the economy expanded by an estimated 6.3%. Unemployment declined by al-
                                                  most 3 percentage points, but real wage growth was still negative. Annual infla-
                                                  tion peaked in May and was 3.4% at the end of 2011.
                                               Growth will decrease in 2012 and 2013, but the economy is not expected to
                                                 be in recession. The economy will continue to be driven by domestic demand,
                                                 especially investments. This year, inflation is expected to decelerate to 2.5%
                                                 and the budget deficit will contract from more than 5% of GDP in 2011 to 3%
                                                 in 2012. Uncertainty has increased, but euro adoption in 2014 is still possible.




 January 24, 2012                                                                                                              1
Introduction                                                                                              Swedbank Economic Outlook




Weak growth – negative risks weigh heavily
The economic recovery in Sweden and             slower speed. Sweden faces a couple          advanced economies would have been
the Baltic countries was strong up to           of quarters of negative growth, thus in      used up. The Baltic economies would
the third quarter last year, and labour         technical terms falling into recession,      also shrink, but their recessions would
markets improved accordingly. Due to            but would be able to sustain growth for      be much milder than the ones experi-
weaker global developments, especial-           the whole year of 2012, and even more        enced in 2008-2009, since imbalances
ly in the euro zone, all four economies         so in 2013. The Baltic countries stag-       have been reduced and reforms have
have now shifted to a lower gear. We            nate in the short term, but will see posi-   been implemented to strengthen com-
expect GDP growth to dampen during              tive annual growth both in 2012 and          petitiveness.
the first half of 2012 and pick up only          2013. The probability of this scenario is
                                                                                             In our main scenario, global growth falls
mildly thereafter. Hence, in Sweden             relatively low (55%), thus pointing to a
                                                                                             to 3.1% in 2012 and 2013, from 5.1%
and the Baltic countries we still foresee       great uncertainty about an outlook that
                                                                                             in 2010 and 3.6% in 2011. GDP growth
slight positive growth on an annual ba-         is mainly dependent on policymakers’
                                                                                             in the US economy has been revised
sis, although the risks weigh heavily on        reform ambitions and commitment to
                                                                                             upwards to a moderate 2.0% in 2012
the downside.                                   save the euro zone.
                                                                                             but downwards in 2013 to 2.2%, since
It is the global outlook that mainly cre-       If our main euro zone scenario is rather     deleveraging continues. The euro zone
ates the uncertainty in our forecast. We        downbeat, our alternative scenarios are      economy shrinks by 0.3% this year, and
see three scenarios for the euro zone           even more negative. The most likely of       growth will be only marginally positive in
crisis, which then set the stage for our        them – with a probability as high as 40%     2013. Hence, there will be two years of
global scenarios. Our main scenario             – is a continually worsening situation       lost economic development for the euro
foresees a volatile spring but is more          with falling confidence and rising risk       zone. The UK will also grow at a near-
optimistic on the possibilities of confi-        premiums, making government and              stagnation rate, struggling with fiscal
dence improving near autumn, when               bank funding more difficult. The global       consolidation and – on a political note
the new support mechanism, the Eu-              economy’s growth would then come             – relations with the euro zone. Japan is
ropean Stability Mechanism (ESM), is            close to recession, and growth in            recovering from last year’s tsunami, but
in place and banks are better capital-          Sweden and the Baltic countries would        not at the speed first envisaged. Slower
ised. During the spring, policymakers           be more negative and stay so longer,         global growth and a strong yen are rais-
are expected to take decisions that will        postponing the recovery until towards        ing the hurdles.
strengthen institutions, and this scenar-       the end of the forecast period at best.
                                                                                             China’s export sector is slowing, al-
io thus presupposes small but crucial
                                                The likelihood of an even worse sce-         though domestic consumption is ex-
steps of policy improvement.
                                                nario – in which the euro zone breaks        pected to stay awake with lower taxes,
Even so, there will be a recession in           up during our forecast period – is low       lower inflation, and higher wages. We
the euro zone driven by fiscal auster-           (5%) but the negative impact on the          foresee that there is room for stimulus,
ity, credit crunch and lower confidence,         euro zone, and the global economy            as inflation is coming down to more
but the global economy will be able             would be substantial. Sweden’s GDP           palatable levels, although the amount
to avoid it, as emerging markets and            would shrink as it did in 2008-2009, or      of stimulus will fall short of the vast
the US continue to recover, albeit at a         even worse, as the policy tools in the       support given in 2008-2009. Growth in
                                                                                             India, Brazil, and Russia will also slow,
                                                                                             although these countries, together with
Macro economic indicators, 2010- 2013
                                                          2010 2011e     2012f 2013f         many other emerging economies, will
 Real GDP growth, annual change in %                                                         support global growth through the con-
  Sweden (calender adjusted)                                5.3    4.5     0.6    1.8        tinuation of their catching up of living
  Estonia                                                   2.3    8.0     2.7    4.0
  Latvia                                                   -0.3    5.4     2.0    3.2        standards. This is in contrast to most
  Lithuania                                                 1.4    6.3     3.3    4.0        advanced economies, whose fiscal
 Unemployment rate, % of labour force                                                        stances and credit policies will be crip-
  Sweden                                                   8.4     7.5     7.8    8.0
  Estonia                                                 16.9    12.5    10.7    8.6        pled by high debt and austerity.
  Latvia                                                  18.7    15.4    13.7   12.0
  Lithuania                                               17.8    15.5    13.5   11.5        Commodity prices will fall during the
 Consumer price index, annual change in %                                                    forecast period, as global demand
  Sweden                                                    1.2   3.0      1.5   1.7         abates. The oil price – for which risks
  Estonia                                                   3.0   5.0      3.2   3.0         are building up in relation to EU embar-
  Latvia                                                   -1.1   4.4      2.4   2.5
  Lithuania                                                 1.3   4.1      2.5   3.0         go of Iranian oil – is expected to drop
 Current account, % of GDP                                                                   from last year’s $112 per barrel to $102
  Sweden                                                   6.2     7.5     7.7    7.3        this year, and $96 in 2013. Food and
  Estonia                                                  7.2     6.7     4.4    2.7
  Latvia                                                   3.0    -0.9    -1.8   -1.9        metal markets will also on average see
  Lithuania                                                1.5    -2.0    -2.5   -2.7        prices decrease in 2012 and then sta-
 Sources: National statistics authorities and Swedbank.


 January 24, 2012                                                                                                                   2
Introduction                                                                                         Swedbank Economic Outlook


bilise in 2013. This means that inflation    be positive, reaching 0.6% in calendar-    fore picking up to 3.2% in 2013, when
pressures are coming down, thereby          adjusted terms, before picking up to       the euro zone situation improves some-
allowing for a more expansionary mon-       1.8% in 2013. The Riksbank will cut its    what. Unemployment will continue to
etary policy, especially in emerging        policy rate to 1% towards the end of       fall, reaching 12% in 2013, and inflation
markets, where there is room. In most       2012, while the government will reject     will also drift downwards to 2.5%. The
advanced economies, policy interest         demands for further stimulus unless the    main domestic forecast risks are house-
rates will stay low or near zero, being     situation worsens markedly.                hold resilience, and politicians’ commit-
raised only towards the end of 2013.                                                   ment to further budget consolidation.
                                            Estonia’s economy is forecast to have
More quantitative and/or credit eas-                                                   Although the euro adoption target for
                                            grown by a respectable 8% last year,
ing is foreseen in the UK and Japan,                                                   2014 remains on the Latvian political
                                            supported both by stronger exports and
but not in the US unless its recovery                                                  agenda, the euro zone’s ability to ac-
                                            a pickup in domestic demand. The ef-
slows. In the euro zone, the ECB is                                                    cept new members may be obstructed
                                            fect on the labour market has been
foreseen as cutting the repurchase rate                                                by the recession and debt crisis.
                                            positive, with a substantial drop in un-
to 0.75%, and as providing more liquid-
                                            employment to 12.5% on average in          Lithuania’s GDP growth seems to have
ity, if needed, to calm financial markets.
                                            2011 from almost 17% the year before.      been in accordance with our earlier ex-
The US dollar is expected to strengthen
                                            Going forward, exports and invest-         pectations, as it is estimated to have
against the euro during 2012, and then
                                            ments will lose steam, as the demand       reached 6.3% last year. The export
to weaken somewhat. The euro will de-
                                            from the rest of Europe dampens.           sector and domestic demand drove the
preciate, thus providing some stimulus
                                            Growth will slow to 2.7% this year and     recovery, although, as in Latvia, net ex-
to the export industry. The yen is also
                                            then return to a higher rate in 2013 of    ports actually contributed negatively to
seen as weakening against the dollar,
                                            4.0%. Although revised upwards, the        growth. We expect lower export growth
not least since Japan’s trade balance is
                                            inflation rate is set to slow compared      ahead, as demand from Lithuania’s
worsening. And the Chinese renminbi
                                            with last year, and the unemployment       main export markets will dampen. In-
will continue to appreciate against the
                                            rate is expected to decrease to 8.6%       vestments will continue to grow rela-
dollar, unless exports hit the wall and
                                            in 2013. The main domestic risk is the     tively fast because they remain near
the Chinese administration once again
                                            labour market, since there is a short-     historical lows, the demand for busi-
looks for ways of stimulating the econ-
                                            age of skilled labour in some sectors;     ness investment is still high, and large
omy.
                                            meanwhile, long-term unemployment          EU funds are still available. House-
Sweden’s GDP is estimated to have           remains a structural problem.              holds will benefit from unemployment’s
increased by 4.5% last year, continu-                                                  coming down to 11.5% next year from
                                            Latvia’s economy also grew faster than
ing its strong development in 2010. Af-                                                15.5% in 2011, and from inflation’s fall-
                                            expected in 2011, as GDP is estimated
ter three quarters of brisk growth, the                                                ing to 2.5% this year, before rising again
                                            to have grown by 5.4%. Stronger ex-
economy is seen to have shrunk in the                                                  in 2013. Even so, private consumption
                                            ports pushed up investments, and, as
fourth quarter. With a contraction also                                                growth is set to decrease. Domestic
                                            the labour market improved, reducing
in this year’s first quarter, Sweden’s                                                  risks include a stronger need for budget
                                            unemployment from almost 19% in
economy is technically in recession.                                                   consolidation as the economy slows, as
                                            2010 to 15.4% in 2011, confidence and
In particular, exports are decreasing,                                                 well as the outlook for euro adoption,
                                            household consumption strengthened.
and household spending growth is be-                                                   which has become more uncertain.
                                            The IMF/EC-supported bailout pro-
ing held back by low confidence and
                                            gramme was successfully completed          The outlook for the advanced econo-
expectations of higher unemployment.
                                            in late 2011. Going forward, a global      mies looks bleak for the next couple of
As the economy recovers due to better
                                            slowdown and euro zone recession will      years, and their fiscal challenges are
export possibilities, hitherto favourable
                                            dampen Latvia’s growth prospects, as       substantial also from the longer term
unit labour costs, and lower interest
                                            GDP growth slows to 2.0% in 2012 be-       perspective. Without structural policies
rates, overall annual growth in 2012 will
                                                                                       to enhance growth, Sweden’s and the
                                                                                       Baltic countries’ main export markets
 Gross domestic product (annual growth in %)
                                                                                       will – with some exceptions – develop
  15
                                                                                       weakly for many years to come. The
  10
                                                                          Estonia      need to step up export diversification,
   5                                                                      Euro zone    i.e., focus more on the emerging mar-
                                                                          Lithuania    kets, is increasing. To remain competi-
   0
                                                                          Latvia       tive, it will be crucial to put more weight
  -5                                                                      Sweden       on R&D, supporting our regional clus-
 -10                                                                                   ters of excellence.
 -15

 -20                                                                                                       Cecilia Hermansson
 -25
               2006     2007       2008     2009       2010    2011   Source: Ecowin




 January 24, 2012                                                                                                              3
Swedbank Economic Outlook




Global rough patch – but no meltdown
The worldwide recovery after the finan-              hovering around 50 – these indicate no           selling assets, and to buffer more capi-
cial crisis and the global recession in             growth or shrinking industrial produc-           tal and become more cautious about
2008-2009 slowed during the autumn                  tion. The OECD’s leading indicator sig-          onward lending to other banks, compa-
of 2011. Growth in GDP, industrial pro-             nals a recession, mainly due to falling          nies, and households. Interbank inter-
duction, and exports dampened, es-                  new orders and more negative finan-               est rates have risen in the euro zone,
pecially in the euro zone, as well as in            cial market statistics. In line with these       and banks are depositing more funds
many of the emerging markets, such as               soft data, hard data on the outcome of           overnight at the central bank, the ECB.
China, India, and Brazil. In the US, on             global trade have shown stagnation at
                                                                                                     The vicious circle involving the debt cri-
the contrary, economic growth picked                best.
                                                                                                     sis in the euro zone, budget consolida-
up after a disappointingly weak first half
                                                    The most obvious deterioration during            tion, and the fragile banking system is
of the year.
                                                    the autumn can be found in the increas-          at the forefront of the crisis. The result
The main reasons for the world econo-               ingly negative confidence indicators, as          at the moment is austerity in public fi-
my’s shifting to a lower gear have been             well as in the more severe stress on             nance as well as credit markets, caus-
economic, political, and psychological.             financial markets. The main reason for            ing demand to shrink and the risks of a
As the financial crisis has changed its              the lower confidence is the public debt           more severe recession to increase.
focus from private to public debt, politi-          crises in the US, UK, and – especially –
                                                                                                     Although the US, UK, and Japan are
cal decisions on how to handle budget               the euro zone.
                                                                                                     facing serious difficulties in even-high-
deficits, austerity programs, and re-
                                                    Downward revisions of credit ratings             er budget deficits and increasing pub-
forms have been more difficult to agree
                                                    for banks and countries, falling bank            lic debt, the financial markets trust that
upon. This has been true in the US as
                                                    shares, widening spreads on contracts            these countries will be able to handle
well as in the UK, and especially so in
                                                    for credit default swaps (CDSs) and              the challenges in the short to medium
the euro zone, where one political sum-
                                                    government bonds for the crisis-struck           term. In the euro zone, on the other
mit after another has claimed – without
                                                    countries Greece, Portugal, and, in-             hand, financial markets are demanding
substantiation – to have come up with
                                                    creasingly so, for Spain and Italy – all         very high risk premiums for countries
credible solutions. However, financial
                                                    these signal rising concern about a              where default risks have increased. In
market actors, companies, and house-
                                                    default on government debt and also,             addition, while the debt crisis there has
holds have lost confidence in the future,
                                                    even more so, about the politicians’ de-         coincided with the building up of strong-
thereby helping to worsen the outlook
                                                    mands for private sector involvement.            er institutions to manage the currency
for financial conditions, investments,
                                                    In addition, the requirements for banks          union, these institutions are at the mo-
and consumption.
                                                    to increase capital adequacy as early            ment not capable of handling default
Notable are the low purchasing man-                 as June this year also increases the             risks within an EMU context. Instead,
agers’ indices (PMIs) in most countries             stress on the financial system, causing           there have been attempts to find sup-
during the second half of last year –               banks to shrink their balance sheets by          port elsewhere, such as from the IMF,
                                                                                                     emerging markets, and other non-EMU
Global GDP outlook 2010 - 2013 (annual percentage change) 1/                                         countries.

                                           January 2012                   October 2011
                                                                                                     The challenges for the currency union
                             2010        2011   2012    2013            2011   2012    2013
                                                                                                     are linked to the lack of fiscal coordi-
                                                                                                     nation/cooperation, the inclination of
US                             3.0         1.8      2.0        2.2        1.6        1.9      2.4
EMU countries                  1.8         1.6     -0.3        0.2        1.6        0.8      1.2    countries to take a national response
Of which: Germany              3.7         3.0      0.4        0.9        2.9        1.1      1.5    to banking regulation instead of ap-
          France               1.4         1.6      0.2        0.5        1.4        1.2      1.4    pointing a sole banking regulation for
          Italy                1.2         0.5     -1.3       -0.8        0.6        0.3      0.8    the euro zone, and the divergence in
          Spain               -0.1         0.6     -1.0       -0.5        0.6        0.4      1.0    growth, labor participation, and com-
UK                             1.8         0.9      0.5        0.5        1.1        1.2      1.7    petitiveness between the North and the
Japan                          4.5        -0.5      1.7        0.9       -0.2        2.5      1.2    South in the euro zone.
China                         10.3         9.3      8.2        7.8        9.0        8.4      8.0    Three scenarios for the euro
India                         10.1         7.3      6.7        7.0        7.7        7.5      7.5    zone set the global stage
Brazil                         7.5         3.0      2.7        2.2        3.7        4.0      4.3
                                                                                                     Since the global economic outlook is
Russia                         4.0         4.2      3.9        3.7        4.5        4.2      4.5
                                                                                                     so dependent now on political and psy-
Global GDP in PPP              5.1         3.6      3.1        3.1        3.6        3.6      3.7
                                                                                                     chological factors in, especially, the
Global GDP in US$              4.1         2.7      2.3        2.3        2.7        2.8      2.9
                                                                                                     euro zone, we have built our global
Sources: National statistics and Swedbank.                                                           scenarios on the basis of probabilities
1/ Countries representing around 70 % of the global economy. The World Bank weights from 2010 have   for three different outcomes in the euro
been used.



 January 24, 2012                                                                                                                           4
Global                                                                                                                                  Swedbank Economic Outlook


zone. Notable is the great uncertainty        Structural defict 2011, necessary fiscal adjustment, and its
surrounding the outlook, as evidenced         impact on growth
                                                               10
by the rather even chances for the
                                                                8
main scenario and worse outcomes.
                                                                6
Our probabilities are only broad guide-
lines designed to make clear what the                           4




                                              Percent of GDP
                                                                                                                                                 Structural def icit
assumptions are, and should not be                              2
                                                                                                                                                 Adjustment
seen as having been constructed in a                            0
                                                                                                                                                 Growth impact
scientific or rigorous manner.                                   -2
                                                                -4
1. Main scenario: some small positive
steps towards improvement in the euro                           -6

zone and subsequently a global slow-                            -8

down in which recessions are limited to                        -10                                                                               Sources:
                                                                     Finland Germany   Italy   Eurozone France Portugal Spain   Greece Ireland   EU commission and
crisis-struck countries in the euro zone                                                                                                         Swedbank

(55%)
The main arguments for a more op-             Mechanism (ESM) to July this year, with                                  However, even if the crisis in the euro
timistic view on the euro zone can be         an effective lending capacity of €500                                    zone does not worsen during 2012 (es-
linked to the agreements made at the          billion, and in dropping the reference to                                pecially in the second half of the year,
most recent EU Summit, the measures           future private sector involvement and                                    as we see room for volatility and back-
taken by the ECB, and the increased           deciding on voting procedures that will                                  lashes in the first half), the effects on
pace of reform and consolidation in the       allow lending decisions to be taken on                                   growth will be massive, as the budget
crisis-struck countries.                      the basis of a qualified majority of 85%.                                 consolidation measures will dampen
                                              These initiatives strengthen the stability                               demand, especially in the crisis-struck
At the EU Summit, on December 9, an
                                              mechanism, as the current European                                       countries, but also in the rest of Europe
agreement was reached on stronger
                                              Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) has                                  and globally as well. Also, the credit
fiscal cooperation, or a fiscal compact.
                                              been seen as both inadequate in size                                     crunch will be negative for growth.
Countries are required to limit their
                                              and too fragile in its setup. There is also
structural budget deficits to 0.5% of                                                                                   Therefore, our main scenario includes
                                              a possibility that additional resources
GDP, and public debt ratios to 60% of                                                                                  recessions in the countries where ad-
                                              will be supplied to the IMF by national
GDP, otherwise semi-automatic sanc-                                                                                    justment is the largest, and low growth
                                              banks in the euro zone and other EU
tions set in. This is allowing the ECB to                                                                              or stagnation in other parts of Europe.
                                              countries.
play a larger role in the short term, as                                                                               Global growth will slow, but not as se-
the bank now provides unlimited liquid-       There are other indications that the cri-                                verely as if the euro zone crisis had
ity for banks with three-year fixed-rate       sis may become less contagious. The                                      worsened. Emerging markets will con-
loans at 1%, in addition to loosening up      technocratic governments in Greece                                       tinue to grow, but somewhat more slow-
its collateral policies.                      and Italy, as well as the new govern-                                    ly than during 2010 and 2011, and the
                                              ments in Spain, Portugal, and Ireland,                                   US will start to see a more robust re-
These measures are thereby directly
                                              are moving forward with their consolida-                                 covery, although at a slower pace than
supporting banks in their efforts to in-
                                              tion and reform measures. In addition,                                   during most other recession recoveries.
crease their capital adequacy through
                                              even if Italy’s interest rates were to be                                Overall, global growth will reach just
improved profitability, thus potentially al-
                                              7% or above, it would take years for the                                 above 3% during 2012 and 2013 in pur-
leviating the credit crunch; indirect sup-
                                              debt-service costs to cause a collapse                                   chasing power parity (PPP)-weighted
port is also being given to governments
                                              since Italy’s debt stock has a relatively                                terms.
since the additional funds, in turn, are
                                              long maturity (about seven years).
likely to be invested in sovereign bonds.                                                                              2. Worse scenario: gradual deteriora-
In addition, the ECB still has room to        Increasingly, reforms will be designed                                   tion in the euro zone, as in 2011, with
continue to purchase bonds in the Se-         to support growth, thereby facilitating                                  lower confidence and increased finan-
curities Markets Programme (SMP),             the deleveraging of public debt. Finan-                                  cial stress – and with demands for larg-
thereby indirectly absorbing some of          cial markets will also gain confidence in                                 er policy responses – leading to deep
the new supply from Spain and Italy.          the decisions to remove private sector                                   recession in the euro zone and much
All in all, the ECB’s interventions are       involvement; this combined with a bet-                                   weaker global demand (40%)
becoming sizable despite the bank’s re-       ter understanding of the differences
                                                                                                                       There are still extensive risks to the
sistance to monetary financing of sov-         between the economic strengths of
                                                                                                                       brighter scenario described above, as
ereign debt and its stated adherence to       Italy, France, and Spain, on the one
                                                                                                                       financial markets may not be convinced
the terms of the EU Treaty.                   hand, and the economic weaknesses of
                                                                                                                       that the measures agreed upon are suf-
                                              Greece, on the other, will help contain
An important step was also taken in                                                                                    ficient. First, there are risks concerning
                                              the spread of the crisis, going forward.
bringing forward the European Stability                                                                                the details with regard to the measures



 January 24, 2012                                                                                                                                                      5
Global                                                                                                     Swedbank Economic Outlook


that will be settled in March this year.      of private sector involvement may not         3. Chaotic scenario: breaking up of the
Not all national parliaments may go           succeed, thus increasing the risk for a       euro zone with severe stress on finan-
along with the agreement reached at           default in March. Even if Greece is not       cial markets and global recession as
the summit in December. Backlashes            forced to leave the euro zone as a re-        outcome (5%)
may occur, as financial markets find out        sult, the contagion to other countries
                                                                                            The reasons for the relatively low prob-
that the measures will be less reassur-       could rise, meaning that the crisis again
                                                                                            ability of a breakup the euro zone are
ing than hoped.                               escalates. In addition, there are great
                                                                                            that there is a strong political will to
                                              uncertainties with regard to Greece’s
Second, even if private sector involve-                                                     keep the currency union together, and
                                              commitment to fulfill the conditions set
ment is taken off the table, except in                                                      that the costs of a breakup would far
                                              up in the reform program, as implemen-
Greece, financial markets may not be                                                         exceed the costs of a rescue.
                                              tation so far has been very slow.
able to fully believe this will hold; thus,
                                                                                            Even so, the probability is not 0 %. De-
interest rate spreads will remain high.       Also, the spread of the crisis from the
                                                                                            spite support mechanisms provided by
Third, the effects of Standard and            periphery to the core countries could
                                                                                            the EFSF, ESM, IMF, and ECB, there
Poor’s decision to downgrade 9 of the         still continue during 2012 and 2013,
                                                                                            is a risk that politicians and their voters
euro zone countries may have more se-         increasing the need to take measures,
                                                                                            in stronger member countries no longer
vere economic effects than so far not-        such as more support from the ECB,
                                                                                            want to show solidarity with the weaker
ed. In addition, the effects of the down-     transfers to the IMF, and an enlarge-
                                                                                            ones, or that the politicians and their
grading of the EFSF could become              ment of the ESM. The large issuance
                                                                                            voters in the crisis-struck countries no
more crucial, especially if the ESM is        of debt during 2012 of some €2,000
                                                                                            longer want to adhere to the condition-
not brought forward to July this year.        billion will cause stress, especially for
                                                                                            ality that comes with the support.
If financing costs increase as a result        Italy and Spain during the first half of
of the downgrading, as well as to simi-       this year.                                    If a crisis-struck country like Greece de-
lar decisions by other rating institutes,                                                   cided to not comply with the conditions
                                              In this scenario, the politicians and
the outlook for the real economy could                                                      set for support, public sector and finan-
                                              other policymakers continue “kicking
worsen.                                                                                     cial sector insolvency could lead it to
                                              the can down the road.” They manage
                                                                                            the drastic decision to leave the curren-
Fourth, the agreements made on the            to keep the currency union together
                                                                                            cy union. The costs involved would be
fiscal compact will speed up the budget        during 2012 and 2013, but the effects
                                                                                            enormous: the government would shut
consolidation, especially after our fore-     on financing costs, financial markets’
                                                                                            down, the banking sector would face a
cast horizon of 2014 and onwards.             stress, confidence, and demand will be
                                                                                            systemic crisis, with bank runs, capital
Euro zone members will have to build          more negative, thus also contributing to
                                                                                            flight, credit crunch, and nationalisa-
up larger primary surpluses in order          a faster slowdown of global growth than
                                                                                            tion as a result, private wealth would be
to reach the debt ratio of 60% of GDP         in our main scenario.
                                                                                            hurt, confidence would fall, a recession
in some 20 years, as seems to be the
                                              The recovery in the US will be fragile,       would set in, and the government would
goal. If reforms are not undertaken to
                                              and emerging markets will have diffi-          have to start adjusting fiscal balances
increase growth, competitiveness, and
                                              culties in keeping up their exports and       by tightening despite the depreciation
labour market participation, the outlook
                                              subsequently also their domestic de-          of the new currency by some 40-60%
for the euro zone worsens and stagna-
                                              mand. Global growth will reach at best        compared with the euro. Even with the
tion can be expected at best in the short
                                              only 2%: the dividing line between glo-       lower value of the new currency, the
and medium term.
                                              bal growth and global recession.              export outlook (including for the tour-
Moreover, the likelihood for deflation                                                       ism sector) would be hampered by the
and new recessions will increase in                                                         credit crunch and the falling confidence,
combination with political and social un-
rest. The financial markets may not find
                                                Interest rate diffence vs. Germany (10y government bond)
the agreements made to be credible                                35
in the sense that debt problems could
                                                                  30
worsen, and the growth outlook will be
very bleak. In addition, the divergence                           25                                                     Greece
between the North and the South may                                                                                      Portugal
                                              Percentage points




                                                                  20                                                     Ireland
widen as a result, thus driving expec-
                                                                                                                         Italy
tations that the currency union may                               15
                                                                                                                         Spain
not hold together in the medium term,                             10
                                                                                                                         Belgium
which, in turn, would affect the short-                                                                                  France

term view.                                                        5

                                                                  0
Of great importance is the handling of
the crisis in Greece. The negotiation                             -5
                                                                   2007   2008   2009     2010          2011
                                                                                                                    Source: Ecowin



 January 24, 2012                                                                                                                    6
Global                                                                                                                       Swedbank Economic Outlook


OECD industrial production and leading indicators; and global                                                   ment for most OECD countries in either
exports                                                                                                         the short or medium term.
                           15                                                   190
                                                                                                                The drivers of the main scenario are
                           10                                                   170                             the fiscal austerity packages in the
                                                                                              OECD industrial
Annual percentage change




                            5                                                   150           production        euro zone, the lower confidence, and
                                                                                                                the credit crunch, as well as the rise in




                                                                                      Index
                            0                                                   130           OECD leading
                                                                                              indicators        unemployment, all of which are lead-
                           -5                                                   110                             ing to lower demand growth, which
                                                                                              Global export
                                                                                              volume (rhs)      will spread to other regions as well. In
                      -10                                                       90                              the euro zone, the need for austerity
                      -15                                                       70                              amounts to 3.3% of GDP – the level re-
                                                                                                                quired in order for countries on average
                      -20                                                       50
                                                                                                                to reach a structural deficit of 0.5% of
                            1995 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2010
                                                                                               Source: Ecowin   GDP. This would mean some 1.7% of
                                                                                                                GDP in negative growth effect, perhaps
                                                                                                                spread out over two years (see Chart
as generated political and social unrest.                          this time it would be more difficult to
                                                                                                                on page 5). In the US, the fiscal stimu-
Most likely, the depreciation of the cur-                          overcome the problems since the room
                                                                                                                lus is decreasing compared with 2010
rency would lead to higher inflation.                               for massive monetary and fiscal stimu-
                                                                                                                and 2011, but more extensive austerity
                                                                   lus is no longer there.
For countries remaining in the euro                                                                             will be postponed to 2014 and beyond.
zone, the risk of financial market con-                             Global growth would most likely be           Both the labour market and the housing
tagion would be high, although the ef-                             negative in this scenario since the euro     market are starting to recover, although
fects on the real economy would be                                 zone is heavily linked to the rest of the    slowly.
small due to the relatively small size                             world through financial markets and
                                                                                                                The weaker demand will also drive
of Greece (compared with what would                                trade; moreover, since the recession
                                                                                                                commodity prices lower. Since emerg-
happen if, e.g., Spain and Italy left                              would again be characterised as a bal-
                                                                                                                ing markets will grow relatively quickly,
the EMU). The strains on the banking                               ance sheet recession, the recovery pe-
                                                                                                                although slower than in the past two
system in the euro zone would be the                               riod would be slow and prolonged. The
                                                                                                                years, the demand for commodities
largest problem, but falling confidence                             long-term costs of a breakup would be
                                                                                                                will stay rather high. We foresee the
through fear and negative wealth ef-                               large as well, as EU cooperation would
                                                                                                                oil price per barrel falling from $112
fects would also lower demand in the                               be affected through the poorer function-
                                                                                                                in 2011 to $102 in 2012 and to $96 in
remaining euro zone countries, as well                             ing of the single market, and the outlook
                                                                                                                2013. Also, metal and food prices will
as in other parts of the world, depend-                            for Europe from a global competitive-
                                                                                                                fall during 2012 and then stabilise in
ing on the size of the country/countries                           ness perspective would be less benign.
                                                                                                                2013. There are many risks involved,
leaving the EMU.
                                                                   Main features driving the global             such as Iran’s threatening to cut off the
If any or a few of the stronger euro zone                          outlook in our main scenario                 supply of oil from the Strait of Hormuz
members decided to leave the currency                              We find the scenario of small steps to-       following EU oil embargo, leading to a
union, the appreciation of the new cur-                            wards improvement in the euro zone           higher oil price than we assume here.
rency would lead to lower competitive-                             most likely, although the risks for a        All in all, however, commodity prices
ness and a loss of jobs in the export                              worse scenario are very high. In the         will face downward pressure as the glo-
sector, weaker public finance, and an                               longer term, the risk of a breakup of        bal slowdown accentuates.
increased need for bank recapitalisa-                              the euro is higher than 5%, unless in-       Inflation will therefore abate this year,
tion. Countries remaining in the euro                              stitutions are strengthened sufficiently      compared with the relatively high price
zone would face problems involving                                 in order to enhance growth and com-          increases during 2011, not least in the
capital flight, the decreased potential                             petitiveness and to facilitate the con-      emerging markets. This opens up room
for support through the EFSF/ESM, fall-                            vergence of developments in euro zone        for a looser monetary policy in emerg-
ing confidence, and expectations that                               countries.                                   ing markets, as well as in the euro zone,
the remaining countries would leave
                                                                   The slowdown of GDP growth from              where the ECB will be able to cut policy
the union as well.
                                                                   some 5% in 2010 and 3.6% in 2011 to          interest rates further. Also, in advanced
The effects on the European econo-                                 just above 3 % in 2012 and 2013 rep-         countries where policy rates have been
mies and the global economy would                                  resents a shift to a lower gear, thus        raised, there is room for a more expan-
be severe in the context of a breakup,                             leading to a worsening outlook for la-       sionary monetary policy, limiting the
even if it did not happen overnight. The                           bour markets and household income in         downturn in the business cycle. In the
risk of a repeat of the standstill in the                          many countries. This outlook will also       US, another round of quantitative eas-
credit markets, as occurred during the                             make budget consolidation more dif-          ing cannot be excluded, but in our main
autumn of 2008, would be large, and                                ficult to achieve, a necessary require-       scenario the need for this may be de-




                January 24, 2012                                                                                                                      7
Global                                                                                                 Swedbank Economic Outlook


Interest rate and exchange rate assumptions
                                                                                          southern part of Europe and Ireland are
                                      Outcome Forecast
                                         20 Jan 30 Jun 31 Dec 30 Jun 31 Dec               much worse, as these economies are
                                           2012  2012 2012 2013 2013                      shrinking due to fiscal and credit aus-
 Policy rates                                                                             terity, high (youth)unemployment, and
  Federal Reserve, USA                        0.25   0.25   0.25    0.25    0.75          weak confidence. The result is lower
  European Central Bank                       1.00   0.75   0.75    0.75    1.00          consumer spending, postponements of
  Bank of England                             0.50   0.50   0.50    0.50    1.00          investment, and more bankruptcies in
  Bank of Japan                               0.10   0.10   0.10    0.10    0.10
                                                                                          both the nonfinancial and the financial
 Exchange rates                                                                           sector.
  EUR/USD                                     1.29   1.20   1.25    1.30    1.30
  USD/RMB                                     6.34   6.18   6.05    5.94    5.82          The economic outlook will get worse
  USD/JPY                                       77     78     80      82      85          before it gets better, and we expect the
                                                                                          euro zone to remain in recession dur-
 Sources: Reuters Ecowin and Swedbank.
                                                                                          ing the first half of this year, before im-
creasing. Still, there and in other OECD      During 2012, the presidential election is   proving slightly and becoming stagnant
countries policy rates will remain low or     in focus. Difficulties in reaching agree-    during most of 2012 and 2013. GDP in
close to 0% during the forecast period        ment on the Republican candidate, as        the euro zone is expected to decrease
due to the restrictive fiscal policy; not      well as an improvement in labour and        by 0.3% in 2012, before returning to
until towards the end of or beyond 2013       housing, increase President Obama’s         positive territory, at 0.2%, in 2013. This
will rates start to be raised.                chances of reelection. During 2013, the     means two lost years for the euro zone
                                              fiscal gridlock will accentuate regard-      during our forecast period. Germany
In a climate of few policy tools and
                                              less of which party wins the election.      will also technically be in recession as
weaker domestic demand, countries
                                              The lack of trust among the members of      GDP most likely fell fourth quarter last
will not like to see their exchange rates
                                              congress partly explains their unwilling-   year and the first quarter this year, al-
appreciate substantially, as exports will
                                              ness to find compromises, a situation        though a stronger labour market, bet-
remain the most important source of
                                              that does not have to improve after the     ter competitiveness and lower inflation/
recovery. China has declared that the
                                              election unless leadership (and “follow-    weaker euro will support the recovery
renminbi will be allowed to appreciate
                                              ership”) strengthens.                       occurring in the second half of 2012.
somewhat faster against the dollar,
the US may see the dollar strengthen          There is a risk that tax cuts and unem-     As we see some improvements in the
against the euro with its more robust re-     ployment benefits will not be extended       policy process directed towards cri-
covery, and the yen is likely to weaken       beyond the two months already agreed,       sis management and the longer-term
as Japan’s trade balance deteriorates.        thus creating an unnecessarily restric-     building of stronger monetary union
                                              tive fiscal policy during the forecast pe-   institutions, we do not foresee a dis-
Developments in major                                                                     orderly default and exit of Greece
                                              riod, as well as a more negative GDP
economies                                                                                 from the euro zone, nor do we expect
                                              outlook than we have forecast. Another
US                                            risk is, of course, the outlook in the      more countries to need a restructuring
Although the momentum in the US               euro zone, which, due to the increased      of debt besides the ones already with
economy has become more positive              squeeze on US credit markets, as well       IMF/ECB/EU-supported programmes
lately, as shown by, inter alia, GDP          as lower exports and confidence, could       (Greece, Ireland, and Portugal).
growth and PMI figures, fundamental            lead to slower growth in the US also.       Italy and Spain are favoured by the
challenges remain, such as the on-            The Federal Reserve will maintain its       new rules and measures decided at the
going deleveraging and great fiscal            zero-interest-rate policy during most of    EU summit at the end of last year. The
uncertainties, which continue to hold         the forecasting period; it will use more    amount of new bonds needed to be is-
down households’ and companies’ con-          quantitative easing only if growth falls    sued for these two countries is €450
fidence. In addition, despite improve-         below 2%, if deflation risks are building    billion in 2012 – €150 billion in the
ments, the labour and housing markets         up, or if fiscal policy becomes more re-     first quarter alone. Since the introduc-
are still a drag on the economy.              strictive, thus risking the occurrence of   tion of the three-year fixed- rate loans,
                                              a new recession.                            yields in the shorter maturities have
We have revised our forecast upwards
for 2011 and 2012 to 1.8 % and 2.0 %          Euro zone                                   decreased substantially; this improves
respectively, but are still sceptical about                                               the funding situation for these countries
                                              The euro zone is already experienc-
the longer-term outlook, which includes                                                   and reduces the need for further ECB
                                              ing negative growth on a quarterly ba-
a slight downward revision for 2013.                                                      government bond purchases on the
                                              sis, including in Germany and France,
Without structural reforms creating                                                       secondary markets.
                                              where conditions for manufacturing
stronger impetus for higher demand,           and retail worsened towards the end         The spread of the crisis to the core of
the trend growth is likely to stay just       of last year. However, developments         the euro zone will also abate in our
above 2% going forward.                       in the crisis-struck economies in the       main scenario, thus resulting in high,




 January 24, 2012                                                                                                                8
Global                                                                                                        Swedbank Economic Outlook


but not very much higher, financing                  beat) scenario. Other risks to the euro     addition, the strong yen and the more
costs of sovereign debt.                            zone include political developments, as     negative global outlook are dampening
                                                    Finland, France and Greece face elec-       Japanese export possibilities. Almost
Due to the shrinking of balance sheets
                                                    tions this spring, and the momentum of      half of Japan’s exports are directed to
in the banking sector, we expect the
                                                    reforms and budget consolidation could      the US and the euro zone, and lower
financing costs of private debt to rise
                                                    be interrupted (the French Socialist        demand from China will also affect
further, and the availability of credit to
                                                    candidate Hollande would like to rene-      some 7% of exports. The current ac-
diminish. Especially during the first
                                                    gotiate the fiscal compact if elected).      count surplus decreased by almost
half of 2012, before the recapitalisation
                                                    The outlook for emerging markets is         50% in the first half of the 2011 fiscal
of banks has been finalised, and while
                                                    also a risk, and if demand slows more       year, compared with the same period in
banks/countries are still faced with fall-
                                                    than expected, the export outlook for       2010. The earthquake is an important
ing bank shares and the downgrading
                                                    the euro zone will worsen substantially.    explanation, but so is the increasingly
of credit ratings, financial developments
                                                    This risk is higher for Ireland and Ger-    weaker competitiveness. The striving
are likely to worsen before improving
                                                    many, where exports to the world as a       to take part in the Trans-Pacific Part-
in the second half of the year.
                                                    share of in GDP are 54% and 36%, re-        nership, as well as to improve foreign
After decisions on budget rules have                spectively, and the share of euro zone      exchange and trade cooperation with
been taken in March at the latest, the              exports is 22% and 15%. A weakening         China, should be seen as measures
ESM has been put in place in mid-2012,              of the euro could have a positive impact    that need to be taken to improve trade
and the recapitalisation of banks has               on the growth outlook for the euro zone     relations.
been finalised (although the Basel III               through better exporting possibilities –
                                                                                                The stronger yen, fundamentally weak
rules will demand further actions), the             important not least for the crisis-struck
                                                                                                demand, and lower global commodity
policy focus is likely to move to struc-            countries in southern Europe, where
                                                                                                prices will cause deflation during most
tural reforms and measures to increase              competitiveness is weaker.
                                                                                                of the forecast period. The Bank of Ja-
growth and competitiveness. Without
                                                    Japan                                       pan will continue to keep the policy rate
such measures, the response by the
                                                    Japan’s economy also seems to have          near zero and use the tool of credit eas-
ECB will have only “bought time,” and
                                                    shifted to a lower gear, after recovering   ing from time to time. Purchases of for-
the underlying problems of high debt
                                                    during the third quarter last year with     eign assets should not be excluded as
and low growth will remain. The ECB is
                                                    an increase of 1.4% over the previous       a tool to weaken the yen. Fiscal stimu-
likely to lower the policy rate to 0.75%
                                                    quarter. The slower growth in the rest of   lus for the recovery programs amounts
although the overnight interest rate will
                                                    the world is affecting Japan negatively,    to 3.8% of GDP in the first three sup-
be lower, and it will continue to pur-
                                                    but due to the need to build up the pro-    plements to the original budget of fis-
chase sovereign debt in the secondary
                                                    duction levels after the earthquake, tsu-   cal-year 2011. For fiscal-year 2012, the
markets through the SMP. Up to now,
                                                    nami, and Fukushima nuclear disaster        new budget is somewhat smaller than
liquidity operations (both credit and
                                                    last spring, there are still expectations   the previous one; however, the budget
quantitative easing) represent €788 bil-
                                                    of 1.7% growth in 2012 – higher than in     deficit is expected to be higher than 5%
lion; thus, the ECB is more supportive
                                                    2011, when the economy is expected to       of GDP, and debt equivalent of some
towards banks, governments, and bor-
                                                    have shrunk by 0.5%.                        $3,500 billion will be issued to finance
rowers than at any time before.
                                                                                                the budget. In the short run, govern-
There are great risks to this outlook. As           There are several reasons for our down-     ment debt as a share of GDP will in-
we have described above, the probabil-              ward revision of the Japanese outlook.      crease above 230%. In the longer run,
ity of a worse outcome is almost as high            Even if production in the private sec-      the plan to raise the income tax over the
as our more optimistic (but still down-             tor is being restored, there have been
                                                                                                next 25 years is one step in the process
                                                    lags in the public recovery programs. In
                                                                                                of improving the fiscal outlook. How-
                                                                                                ever, Prime Minister Noda’s proposal to
Commodity prices (indices)
                                                                                                increase national sales taxes from 5%
180
                                                                                                to 10% has not yet been accepted by
160                                                                                             parliamentarians in his own party.
140                                                                       Commodity
                                                                          prices - total
                                                                                                China
120                                                                                             Weaker exports have dampened the
                                                                          Food prices
100                                                                                             outlook for China, but to a lesser extent
                                                                                                than for many other economies. The
 80
                                                                          Commodity             rebalancing of growth to household
                                                                          prices - excl.
 60                                                                       energy                spending is still mostly rhetoric, but with
                                                                                                higher wages, lower taxes, and infla-
 40
                                                                                                tion, the outlook for private consump-
 20                                                                                             tion can improve. The government’s
   2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   2010    2011   2012     Source: Ecowin




 January 24, 2012                                                                                                                       9
Global                                                                                                  Swedbank Economic Outlook


program to build affordable housing          outlook were to deteriorate sharply, a        Brazil
will uphold investments. The economy         slowdown of this appreciation could be        A more restrictive economic policy and
can also – if needed – be supported by       expected.                                     slower global demand caused the Bra-
a more expansionary fiscal and mon-                                                         zilian growth rate to dampen markedly
                                             India
etary policy than has been announced;                                                      during 2011. We estimate GDP to have
this will be made possible as the infla-      After a strong 2010, GDP growth
                                                                                           increased by 3% in annual terms, com-
tion rate approaches comfort levels of       slowed gradually during 2011, and we
                                                                                           pared with the strong recovery after the
some 3-4%. We expect GDP to grow             expect it reached on average 7.3%.
                                                                                           crisis in 2010, when GDP increased by
by 8.2% this year, revised downwards         During this year, growth will fall further,
                                                                                           7.5%.
from 8.4% in October because the glo-        to 6.7%, before recovering somewhat
                                             to 7.0% in 2013.                              Going forward, the effects from higher
bal trade and manufacturing outlook
                                                                                           interest rates will be felt more through-
has worsened. In 2013, the growth            The main reason for the lower growth is
                                                                                           out the economy. The Central Bank
rate will slow further, to 7.8%, as the      the attempts to reduce inflation, which
                                                                                           increased the policy rate to 12.5% last
domino effects from weaker real estate       had reached double digits after the glo-
                                                                                           summer and has since lowered it three
prices affect the economy.                   bal recession and financial crisis. The
                                                                                           times to 11%. The credit expansion has
                                             Reserve Bank of India has over a peri-
The main factor contributing to our                                                        been brisk but will start to slow.
                                             od of almost two years hiked the policy
view, which is a bit more negative than
                                             rate by 475 basis points to 8.5%. After       The global outlook will put a downward
the consensus, is the property market,
                                             the summer of 2010, the inflation rates        pressure on commodity prices, which
which is affecting the economy in many
                                             came down and have since stagnated            will also affect Brazilian exports and
ways. Real estate investments make up
                                             at this lower level. Counteracting higher     dampen investment growth in industry
more than 7% of GDP, and other parts
                                             interest rates and less liquidity, the in-    and energy. Inflation will thus also be
of the economy (10-15 %) are heavily
                                             flation rate has been driven by higher         able to fall further, to just above 5%.
reliant on property investments. About
                                             commodity prices, inflows of capital, a        In order to maintain growth, fiscal and
half of local governments’ revenues
                                             high growth of demand – not least in          monetary policy will be made more
come from land sales. The rate of hous-
                                             the urban areas – and a weaker rupee.         expansionary; this will also make the
ing starts, as well as of house prices,
                                                                                           slowdown milder of growth in employ-
has come down dramatically in some of        We expect the inflation pressures to
                                                                                           ment, income, and credit.
the major cities over the last couple of     abate in the coming quarters, and that
quarters, and land prices have started       the Reserve Bank of India can start           Countries with special impact on
to fall. Mainly, this outlook sees a mild    easing monetary policy this spring.           Sweden and the Baltic countries
slowdown of the real estate market; if       There are several risks affecting the In-     Despite strong growth in quarterly
it were to accelerate and deepen, the        dian economy, of which the global out-        terms (0.5%) in the third quarter, the
effects on the economy would also be         look is one. Another is the current ac-       United Kingdom’s (UK) underlying
more negative. The People’s Bank of          count (export growth is slowing faster        demand outlook is weak. We foresee
China has cut reserve requirements,          than import growth) and the budget twin       GDP to grow, but only by 0.5% in both
and in the first half of 2012 it will also    deficits which put a cap on the fiscal          2012 and 2013. To reduce the vast
cut the policy rate, as inflation has fall-   stimulus available if needed and also         budget deficit of almost 9% of GDP in
en further. The appreciation of the ren-     affect confidence negatively, leading to       2011, the austerity package – which is
minbi against the dollar will continue at    lower consumption and investments.            front-loaded and large – will dampen
some 4-5 % per year, but if the export                                                     growth going forward.

Consumer price outlook, 2010 - 2013 (annual percentage change)                             Despite the high inflation (reaching
                                Outcome Forecast                                           5.2% in September before falling to
                                   2010      2011     2012      2013                       4.8% in November), the Bank of Eng-
US                                   1.6       3.2      2.4       2.1                      land has resisted calls to restrict mon-
EMU countries                        1.6       2.7      1.5       1.4                      etary policy, expressing the view that
Of which: Germany                    1.1       2.4      1.7       1.4                      inflation pressures, caused by higher
          France                     1.5       2.1      1.7       1.5                      taxes, the weaker pound sterling, and
          Italy                      1.5       2.8      2.1       1.0                      higher commodity prices, are mainly
          Spain                      1.8       3.1      1.8       1.6                      temporary. The policy rate will remain
UK                                   3.3       4.4      2.5       2.0                      close to zero, and the unconventional
Japan                                -0.7     -0.2     -0.4      -0.2                      monetary policy will be continued. The
China                                3.2       5.5      3.5       3.0                      use of quantitative easing, as a share
India                               10.2       8.4      5.3       4.5                      of GDP, lately has been more substan-
Brazil                               5.9       6.6      5.2       5.0                      tial than in most other central banks.
Russia                               6.9       8.6      7.0       7.5                      Even so, the credit market is faced with
Sources: National statistics and Swedbank.                                                 austerity as British banks have become



 January 24, 2012                                                                                                               10
Global                                                                                                                       Swedbank Economic Outlook



more cautious in their lending due to                               terest rates and higher real disposable    Take a look at the long view
their exposure towards euro zone fi-                                 income stimulate private consumption.      The long-term developments are, of
nancial markets. Fiscal and credit aus-                             New oil discoveries and real estate        course, dependent on the outcome in
terity will dampen consumption and in-                              construction will lift investments. Un-    the next couple of years. If the situ-
vestment, holding back imports during                               employment will stabilise as the grow-     ation in the euro zone improves, the
the forecast period.                                                ing labour demand will be met by net       need for acute crisis management is re-
                                                                    immigration. GDP is expected to grow       duced, and there will be more room for
Growth in Russia will slow, but only
                                                                    by 2.0% in 2012 and 2.3% in 2013.          growth-oriented policies. Reforms are
mildly, as GDP growth falls from 4.2%
in 2011 to 3.9% in 2012 and 3.7% in                                 The collapse of the Danish hous-           important – not just austerity! The need
2013. Russian companies will increase                               ing market, which started in 2007 and      is vast, especially in southern Europe
investments more cautiously, as the                                 where the situation deteriorated in        where efforts must focus on strength-
global outlook worsens and commod-                                  2008, is still affecting the economy ad-   ening competitiveness by improving the
ity prices fall. Membership in the WTO                              versely as domestic demand is being        functioning of labour and product mar-
could mean stronger competition for                                 held back by households’ adjustments       kets, and increasing efforts on educa-
Russian producers. A larger fall in the                             of their balance sheets. In the third      tion and research and development. A
oil price than we have assumed here                                 quarter, GDP fell by 0.8% in quarterly     higher growth and export performance
would dampen the outlook and the                                    terms. With its main trading partners in   would alleviate budget and current ac-
budget situation further. Another risk                              the euro zone, the crisis there will hit   count constraints. It is important to note
is the credit crunch in the euro zone,                              Denmark. Because of the worsening          that the situation in Germany does not
which also affects Russia through de-                               global outlook and the Danish govern-      have to worsen in order for the situation
creased capital inflows, and larger                                  ment’s need to consolidate the budget,     in Greece or Portugal to improve – this,
outflows (in central and eastern Eu-                                 the risk for a deeper recession has in-    in the context of the euro zone, is not a
rope, also, there are large risks of a                              creased. We still see positive growth of   zero-sum game.
credit crunch as capital will be direct-                            0.7% in 2012, followed by somewhat         As mentioned above, the building of
ed to banks in the euro zone, e.g., in                              stronger growth in 2013 as exports and     stronger institutions in the euro zone
Austria, Italy, France, and Germany).                               investments improve slowly.                must continue and will take time. In or-
Russian households will feel the effects                                                                       der for a eurobond market to function
                                                                    The recovery in Finland is losing mo-
from the increased fiscal austerity after                                                                       well, political and fiscal coordination will
                                                                    mentum, and GDP is now estimated
the election, and this will hold back                                                                          have to strengthen. Meanwhile, there
                                                                    to have increased by 2.8% last year. As
a more substantial increase in private                                                                         could be setups where some countries
                                                                    the export outlook will worsen when the
consumption. On the other hand, lower                                                                          take the lead.
                                                                    global economy slows, Finnish demand
inflation during 2012 will ease the situa-
                                                                    is set to dampen. Consumer confidence       The longer-term perspective also in-
tion for households somewhat.
                                                                    is eroding and real income is falling,     cludes the global imbalances and the
The Nordic countries show a mixed                                   thereby slowing private consumption        challenges to include the emerging
economic picture in which Norway out-                               and real estate investments. Also, busi-   markets in the global institutions, which
performs the others. Even so, Norway                                ness investments are likely to be post-    so far have been managed by the richer
entered a soft patch during last year                               poned. GDP is expected to increase by      countries. Multilateralism will be tested
when GDP grew by only 1.4 % due to                                  0.4% this year, followed by a stronger     further during 2012 and going forward,
weakened confidence and subdued ex-                                  performance of 1.5% in 2013, when net      when it comes to trade negotiations, cli-
ports. Domestic demand will provide                                 exports and domestic demand begin to       mate change, and financial regulation.
the main growth impetus as lower in-                                recover slowly.                            As China and other stronger emerging
                                                                                                               markets enter more deeply into the glo-
     GDP growth in Norway, Finland, Denmark and the euro zone                                                  bal economy, the global monetary and
              10
                                                                                                               financial systems will also change, and
                     8                                                                                         in the next decade or so the dollar will
                     6                                                                                         face increasing competition from other
                                                                                            euro zone
                     4                                                                                         currencies, including the renminbi . The
Annual growth in %




                     2                                                                      Finland
                                                                                                               euro will be part of the multipolar cur-
                     0                                                                      Norway*            rency world;- how strong it will be will
                     -2                                                                     Denmark            be determined by the measures taken
                     -4                                                                                        now. A lot is at stake – the policymakers
                                                                                          * total              have a chance to make a difference,
                     -6
                     -8                                                                                        and it had better be positive!
       -10
                          2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   2011
                                                                                          Source: Ecowin                           Cecilia Hermansson




       January 24, 2012                                                                                                                               11
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012
Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012

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Swedbank Economic Outlook January 2012

  • 1. Swedbank Economic Outlook Swedbank Analyses the Swedish and Baltic Economies January 24, 2012 When the going gets tough, the tough get going Global development Table of Content:  The global recovery is losing steam with the euro zone in a recession and the US only slowly gaining speed. Global growth – estimated at 3.6% last year – was driven by emerging markets. We have revised the growth rate to 3.1% in Introduction: Weak growth – 2012 and 2013, from October’s 3.6% and 3.7%. negative risks weigh heavily 2  Global growth relies on the euro zone’s policy response. Our main scenario (55% probability), foresees small steps of progress but high short-term mar- Global: Rough patch – but ket volatility. A worsening (40% probability) nearly stalls global growth. A euro collapse has a small probability of 5% but with much larger negative growth no meltdown 4 effects. Sweden Sweden: Challenging times  After strong growth for most of 2011, macroeconomic indicators now suggest ahead 12 that the Swedish economy is slowing significantly. Exports are receding, indus- trial production is stagnating, and labour market improvements are slowing. Estonia: Shifting from high  Growth is revised downwards to 0.6% for 2012 and 1.8% for 2013 as the deep- ening euro zone crisis will continue to negatively affect the Swedish economy. to lower gear 17 Worsening sentiments of both households and companies will strain consump- tion and dampen investments. We expect unemployment to start to rise in 2012, Latvia: Holding up better before slowly falling back in 2013, as economic growth picks up moderately. this time 21 Estonia  Estonian economic growth was very strong in 2011, supported by better-than- expected export growth, albeit the pickup in domestic demand was solid as Lithuania: Growth in spite well. Strong foreign demand boosted investments and job creation. Rising em- of fiscal consolidation 25 ployment (8% up to third quarter) and wages supported private consumption.  Despite a worse global outlook, Estonia is estimated to grow by 2.7% in 2012 and 4.0% in 2013, fostered by domestic demand – investments are supported by growing public sector and environment-related investments; private con- sumption by the improving labour market situation and easing inflation. Latvia  In 2011, economic growth was stronger than expected, boosted by export- ing sectors and their investments, as well as by household consumption. We estimate that GDP growth exceeded 5%. The IMF/EC-supported bailout pro- gramme was successfully completed in December.  We are lowering the 2012 growth forecast to 2.0%, as slower growth for the main trading partners will cut into Latvian exports, while weaker confidence will dampen consumption and investments. We anticipate growth to pick up again in 2013, reaching 3.2%. Euro adoption in 2014 is still our main scenario. Lithuania  Consumption and investments continued fuelling GDP growth last year, when the economy expanded by an estimated 6.3%. Unemployment declined by al- most 3 percentage points, but real wage growth was still negative. Annual infla- tion peaked in May and was 3.4% at the end of 2011.  Growth will decrease in 2012 and 2013, but the economy is not expected to be in recession. The economy will continue to be driven by domestic demand, especially investments. This year, inflation is expected to decelerate to 2.5% and the budget deficit will contract from more than 5% of GDP in 2011 to 3% in 2012. Uncertainty has increased, but euro adoption in 2014 is still possible. January 24, 2012 1
  • 2. Introduction Swedbank Economic Outlook Weak growth – negative risks weigh heavily The economic recovery in Sweden and slower speed. Sweden faces a couple advanced economies would have been the Baltic countries was strong up to of quarters of negative growth, thus in used up. The Baltic economies would the third quarter last year, and labour technical terms falling into recession, also shrink, but their recessions would markets improved accordingly. Due to but would be able to sustain growth for be much milder than the ones experi- weaker global developments, especial- the whole year of 2012, and even more enced in 2008-2009, since imbalances ly in the euro zone, all four economies so in 2013. The Baltic countries stag- have been reduced and reforms have have now shifted to a lower gear. We nate in the short term, but will see posi- been implemented to strengthen com- expect GDP growth to dampen during tive annual growth both in 2012 and petitiveness. the first half of 2012 and pick up only 2013. The probability of this scenario is In our main scenario, global growth falls mildly thereafter. Hence, in Sweden relatively low (55%), thus pointing to a to 3.1% in 2012 and 2013, from 5.1% and the Baltic countries we still foresee great uncertainty about an outlook that in 2010 and 3.6% in 2011. GDP growth slight positive growth on an annual ba- is mainly dependent on policymakers’ in the US economy has been revised sis, although the risks weigh heavily on reform ambitions and commitment to upwards to a moderate 2.0% in 2012 the downside. save the euro zone. but downwards in 2013 to 2.2%, since It is the global outlook that mainly cre- If our main euro zone scenario is rather deleveraging continues. The euro zone ates the uncertainty in our forecast. We downbeat, our alternative scenarios are economy shrinks by 0.3% this year, and see three scenarios for the euro zone even more negative. The most likely of growth will be only marginally positive in crisis, which then set the stage for our them – with a probability as high as 40% 2013. Hence, there will be two years of global scenarios. Our main scenario – is a continually worsening situation lost economic development for the euro foresees a volatile spring but is more with falling confidence and rising risk zone. The UK will also grow at a near- optimistic on the possibilities of confi- premiums, making government and stagnation rate, struggling with fiscal dence improving near autumn, when bank funding more difficult. The global consolidation and – on a political note the new support mechanism, the Eu- economy’s growth would then come – relations with the euro zone. Japan is ropean Stability Mechanism (ESM), is close to recession, and growth in recovering from last year’s tsunami, but in place and banks are better capital- Sweden and the Baltic countries would not at the speed first envisaged. Slower ised. During the spring, policymakers be more negative and stay so longer, global growth and a strong yen are rais- are expected to take decisions that will postponing the recovery until towards ing the hurdles. strengthen institutions, and this scenar- the end of the forecast period at best. China’s export sector is slowing, al- io thus presupposes small but crucial The likelihood of an even worse sce- though domestic consumption is ex- steps of policy improvement. nario – in which the euro zone breaks pected to stay awake with lower taxes, Even so, there will be a recession in up during our forecast period – is low lower inflation, and higher wages. We the euro zone driven by fiscal auster- (5%) but the negative impact on the foresee that there is room for stimulus, ity, credit crunch and lower confidence, euro zone, and the global economy as inflation is coming down to more but the global economy will be able would be substantial. Sweden’s GDP palatable levels, although the amount to avoid it, as emerging markets and would shrink as it did in 2008-2009, or of stimulus will fall short of the vast the US continue to recover, albeit at a even worse, as the policy tools in the support given in 2008-2009. Growth in India, Brazil, and Russia will also slow, although these countries, together with Macro economic indicators, 2010- 2013 2010 2011e 2012f 2013f many other emerging economies, will Real GDP growth, annual change in % support global growth through the con- Sweden (calender adjusted) 5.3 4.5 0.6 1.8 tinuation of their catching up of living Estonia 2.3 8.0 2.7 4.0 Latvia -0.3 5.4 2.0 3.2 standards. This is in contrast to most Lithuania 1.4 6.3 3.3 4.0 advanced economies, whose fiscal Unemployment rate, % of labour force stances and credit policies will be crip- Sweden 8.4 7.5 7.8 8.0 Estonia 16.9 12.5 10.7 8.6 pled by high debt and austerity. Latvia 18.7 15.4 13.7 12.0 Lithuania 17.8 15.5 13.5 11.5 Commodity prices will fall during the Consumer price index, annual change in % forecast period, as global demand Sweden 1.2 3.0 1.5 1.7 abates. The oil price – for which risks Estonia 3.0 5.0 3.2 3.0 are building up in relation to EU embar- Latvia -1.1 4.4 2.4 2.5 Lithuania 1.3 4.1 2.5 3.0 go of Iranian oil – is expected to drop Current account, % of GDP from last year’s $112 per barrel to $102 Sweden 6.2 7.5 7.7 7.3 this year, and $96 in 2013. Food and Estonia 7.2 6.7 4.4 2.7 Latvia 3.0 -0.9 -1.8 -1.9 metal markets will also on average see Lithuania 1.5 -2.0 -2.5 -2.7 prices decrease in 2012 and then sta- Sources: National statistics authorities and Swedbank. January 24, 2012 2
  • 3. Introduction Swedbank Economic Outlook bilise in 2013. This means that inflation be positive, reaching 0.6% in calendar- fore picking up to 3.2% in 2013, when pressures are coming down, thereby adjusted terms, before picking up to the euro zone situation improves some- allowing for a more expansionary mon- 1.8% in 2013. The Riksbank will cut its what. Unemployment will continue to etary policy, especially in emerging policy rate to 1% towards the end of fall, reaching 12% in 2013, and inflation markets, where there is room. In most 2012, while the government will reject will also drift downwards to 2.5%. The advanced economies, policy interest demands for further stimulus unless the main domestic forecast risks are house- rates will stay low or near zero, being situation worsens markedly. hold resilience, and politicians’ commit- raised only towards the end of 2013. ment to further budget consolidation. Estonia’s economy is forecast to have More quantitative and/or credit eas- Although the euro adoption target for grown by a respectable 8% last year, ing is foreseen in the UK and Japan, 2014 remains on the Latvian political supported both by stronger exports and but not in the US unless its recovery agenda, the euro zone’s ability to ac- a pickup in domestic demand. The ef- slows. In the euro zone, the ECB is cept new members may be obstructed fect on the labour market has been foreseen as cutting the repurchase rate by the recession and debt crisis. positive, with a substantial drop in un- to 0.75%, and as providing more liquid- employment to 12.5% on average in Lithuania’s GDP growth seems to have ity, if needed, to calm financial markets. 2011 from almost 17% the year before. been in accordance with our earlier ex- The US dollar is expected to strengthen Going forward, exports and invest- pectations, as it is estimated to have against the euro during 2012, and then ments will lose steam, as the demand reached 6.3% last year. The export to weaken somewhat. The euro will de- from the rest of Europe dampens. sector and domestic demand drove the preciate, thus providing some stimulus Growth will slow to 2.7% this year and recovery, although, as in Latvia, net ex- to the export industry. The yen is also then return to a higher rate in 2013 of ports actually contributed negatively to seen as weakening against the dollar, 4.0%. Although revised upwards, the growth. We expect lower export growth not least since Japan’s trade balance is inflation rate is set to slow compared ahead, as demand from Lithuania’s worsening. And the Chinese renminbi with last year, and the unemployment main export markets will dampen. In- will continue to appreciate against the rate is expected to decrease to 8.6% vestments will continue to grow rela- dollar, unless exports hit the wall and in 2013. The main domestic risk is the tively fast because they remain near the Chinese administration once again labour market, since there is a short- historical lows, the demand for busi- looks for ways of stimulating the econ- age of skilled labour in some sectors; ness investment is still high, and large omy. meanwhile, long-term unemployment EU funds are still available. House- Sweden’s GDP is estimated to have remains a structural problem. holds will benefit from unemployment’s increased by 4.5% last year, continu- coming down to 11.5% next year from Latvia’s economy also grew faster than ing its strong development in 2010. Af- 15.5% in 2011, and from inflation’s fall- expected in 2011, as GDP is estimated ter three quarters of brisk growth, the ing to 2.5% this year, before rising again to have grown by 5.4%. Stronger ex- economy is seen to have shrunk in the in 2013. Even so, private consumption ports pushed up investments, and, as fourth quarter. With a contraction also growth is set to decrease. Domestic the labour market improved, reducing in this year’s first quarter, Sweden’s risks include a stronger need for budget unemployment from almost 19% in economy is technically in recession. consolidation as the economy slows, as 2010 to 15.4% in 2011, confidence and In particular, exports are decreasing, well as the outlook for euro adoption, household consumption strengthened. and household spending growth is be- which has become more uncertain. The IMF/EC-supported bailout pro- ing held back by low confidence and gramme was successfully completed The outlook for the advanced econo- expectations of higher unemployment. in late 2011. Going forward, a global mies looks bleak for the next couple of As the economy recovers due to better slowdown and euro zone recession will years, and their fiscal challenges are export possibilities, hitherto favourable dampen Latvia’s growth prospects, as substantial also from the longer term unit labour costs, and lower interest GDP growth slows to 2.0% in 2012 be- perspective. Without structural policies rates, overall annual growth in 2012 will to enhance growth, Sweden’s and the Baltic countries’ main export markets Gross domestic product (annual growth in %) will – with some exceptions – develop 15 weakly for many years to come. The 10 Estonia need to step up export diversification, 5 Euro zone i.e., focus more on the emerging mar- Lithuania kets, is increasing. To remain competi- 0 Latvia tive, it will be crucial to put more weight -5 Sweden on R&D, supporting our regional clus- -10 ters of excellence. -15 -20 Cecilia Hermansson -25 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Source: Ecowin January 24, 2012 3
  • 4. Swedbank Economic Outlook Global rough patch – but no meltdown The worldwide recovery after the finan- hovering around 50 – these indicate no selling assets, and to buffer more capi- cial crisis and the global recession in growth or shrinking industrial produc- tal and become more cautious about 2008-2009 slowed during the autumn tion. The OECD’s leading indicator sig- onward lending to other banks, compa- of 2011. Growth in GDP, industrial pro- nals a recession, mainly due to falling nies, and households. Interbank inter- duction, and exports dampened, es- new orders and more negative finan- est rates have risen in the euro zone, pecially in the euro zone, as well as in cial market statistics. In line with these and banks are depositing more funds many of the emerging markets, such as soft data, hard data on the outcome of overnight at the central bank, the ECB. China, India, and Brazil. In the US, on global trade have shown stagnation at The vicious circle involving the debt cri- the contrary, economic growth picked best. sis in the euro zone, budget consolida- up after a disappointingly weak first half The most obvious deterioration during tion, and the fragile banking system is of the year. the autumn can be found in the increas- at the forefront of the crisis. The result The main reasons for the world econo- ingly negative confidence indicators, as at the moment is austerity in public fi- my’s shifting to a lower gear have been well as in the more severe stress on nance as well as credit markets, caus- economic, political, and psychological. financial markets. The main reason for ing demand to shrink and the risks of a As the financial crisis has changed its the lower confidence is the public debt more severe recession to increase. focus from private to public debt, politi- crises in the US, UK, and – especially – Although the US, UK, and Japan are cal decisions on how to handle budget the euro zone. facing serious difficulties in even-high- deficits, austerity programs, and re- Downward revisions of credit ratings er budget deficits and increasing pub- forms have been more difficult to agree for banks and countries, falling bank lic debt, the financial markets trust that upon. This has been true in the US as shares, widening spreads on contracts these countries will be able to handle well as in the UK, and especially so in for credit default swaps (CDSs) and the challenges in the short to medium the euro zone, where one political sum- government bonds for the crisis-struck term. In the euro zone, on the other mit after another has claimed – without countries Greece, Portugal, and, in- hand, financial markets are demanding substantiation – to have come up with creasingly so, for Spain and Italy – all very high risk premiums for countries credible solutions. However, financial these signal rising concern about a where default risks have increased. In market actors, companies, and house- default on government debt and also, addition, while the debt crisis there has holds have lost confidence in the future, even more so, about the politicians’ de- coincided with the building up of strong- thereby helping to worsen the outlook mands for private sector involvement. er institutions to manage the currency for financial conditions, investments, In addition, the requirements for banks union, these institutions are at the mo- and consumption. to increase capital adequacy as early ment not capable of handling default Notable are the low purchasing man- as June this year also increases the risks within an EMU context. Instead, agers’ indices (PMIs) in most countries stress on the financial system, causing there have been attempts to find sup- during the second half of last year – banks to shrink their balance sheets by port elsewhere, such as from the IMF, emerging markets, and other non-EMU Global GDP outlook 2010 - 2013 (annual percentage change) 1/ countries. January 2012 October 2011 The challenges for the currency union 2010 2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013 are linked to the lack of fiscal coordi- nation/cooperation, the inclination of US 3.0 1.8 2.0 2.2 1.6 1.9 2.4 EMU countries 1.8 1.6 -0.3 0.2 1.6 0.8 1.2 countries to take a national response Of which: Germany 3.7 3.0 0.4 0.9 2.9 1.1 1.5 to banking regulation instead of ap- France 1.4 1.6 0.2 0.5 1.4 1.2 1.4 pointing a sole banking regulation for Italy 1.2 0.5 -1.3 -0.8 0.6 0.3 0.8 the euro zone, and the divergence in Spain -0.1 0.6 -1.0 -0.5 0.6 0.4 1.0 growth, labor participation, and com- UK 1.8 0.9 0.5 0.5 1.1 1.2 1.7 petitiveness between the North and the Japan 4.5 -0.5 1.7 0.9 -0.2 2.5 1.2 South in the euro zone. China 10.3 9.3 8.2 7.8 9.0 8.4 8.0 Three scenarios for the euro India 10.1 7.3 6.7 7.0 7.7 7.5 7.5 zone set the global stage Brazil 7.5 3.0 2.7 2.2 3.7 4.0 4.3 Since the global economic outlook is Russia 4.0 4.2 3.9 3.7 4.5 4.2 4.5 so dependent now on political and psy- Global GDP in PPP 5.1 3.6 3.1 3.1 3.6 3.6 3.7 chological factors in, especially, the Global GDP in US$ 4.1 2.7 2.3 2.3 2.7 2.8 2.9 euro zone, we have built our global Sources: National statistics and Swedbank. scenarios on the basis of probabilities 1/ Countries representing around 70 % of the global economy. The World Bank weights from 2010 have for three different outcomes in the euro been used. January 24, 2012 4
  • 5. Global Swedbank Economic Outlook zone. Notable is the great uncertainty Structural defict 2011, necessary fiscal adjustment, and its surrounding the outlook, as evidenced impact on growth 10 by the rather even chances for the 8 main scenario and worse outcomes. 6 Our probabilities are only broad guide- lines designed to make clear what the 4 Percent of GDP Structural def icit assumptions are, and should not be 2 Adjustment seen as having been constructed in a 0 Growth impact scientific or rigorous manner. -2 -4 1. Main scenario: some small positive steps towards improvement in the euro -6 zone and subsequently a global slow- -8 down in which recessions are limited to -10 Sources: Finland Germany Italy Eurozone France Portugal Spain Greece Ireland EU commission and crisis-struck countries in the euro zone Swedbank (55%) The main arguments for a more op- Mechanism (ESM) to July this year, with However, even if the crisis in the euro timistic view on the euro zone can be an effective lending capacity of €500 zone does not worsen during 2012 (es- linked to the agreements made at the billion, and in dropping the reference to pecially in the second half of the year, most recent EU Summit, the measures future private sector involvement and as we see room for volatility and back- taken by the ECB, and the increased deciding on voting procedures that will lashes in the first half), the effects on pace of reform and consolidation in the allow lending decisions to be taken on growth will be massive, as the budget crisis-struck countries. the basis of a qualified majority of 85%. consolidation measures will dampen These initiatives strengthen the stability demand, especially in the crisis-struck At the EU Summit, on December 9, an mechanism, as the current European countries, but also in the rest of Europe agreement was reached on stronger Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) has and globally as well. Also, the credit fiscal cooperation, or a fiscal compact. been seen as both inadequate in size crunch will be negative for growth. Countries are required to limit their and too fragile in its setup. There is also structural budget deficits to 0.5% of Therefore, our main scenario includes a possibility that additional resources GDP, and public debt ratios to 60% of recessions in the countries where ad- will be supplied to the IMF by national GDP, otherwise semi-automatic sanc- justment is the largest, and low growth banks in the euro zone and other EU tions set in. This is allowing the ECB to or stagnation in other parts of Europe. countries. play a larger role in the short term, as Global growth will slow, but not as se- the bank now provides unlimited liquid- There are other indications that the cri- verely as if the euro zone crisis had ity for banks with three-year fixed-rate sis may become less contagious. The worsened. Emerging markets will con- loans at 1%, in addition to loosening up technocratic governments in Greece tinue to grow, but somewhat more slow- its collateral policies. and Italy, as well as the new govern- ly than during 2010 and 2011, and the ments in Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, US will start to see a more robust re- These measures are thereby directly are moving forward with their consolida- covery, although at a slower pace than supporting banks in their efforts to in- tion and reform measures. In addition, during most other recession recoveries. crease their capital adequacy through even if Italy’s interest rates were to be Overall, global growth will reach just improved profitability, thus potentially al- 7% or above, it would take years for the above 3% during 2012 and 2013 in pur- leviating the credit crunch; indirect sup- debt-service costs to cause a collapse chasing power parity (PPP)-weighted port is also being given to governments since Italy’s debt stock has a relatively terms. since the additional funds, in turn, are long maturity (about seven years). likely to be invested in sovereign bonds. 2. Worse scenario: gradual deteriora- In addition, the ECB still has room to Increasingly, reforms will be designed tion in the euro zone, as in 2011, with continue to purchase bonds in the Se- to support growth, thereby facilitating lower confidence and increased finan- curities Markets Programme (SMP), the deleveraging of public debt. Finan- cial stress – and with demands for larg- thereby indirectly absorbing some of cial markets will also gain confidence in er policy responses – leading to deep the new supply from Spain and Italy. the decisions to remove private sector recession in the euro zone and much All in all, the ECB’s interventions are involvement; this combined with a bet- weaker global demand (40%) becoming sizable despite the bank’s re- ter understanding of the differences There are still extensive risks to the sistance to monetary financing of sov- between the economic strengths of brighter scenario described above, as ereign debt and its stated adherence to Italy, France, and Spain, on the one financial markets may not be convinced the terms of the EU Treaty. hand, and the economic weaknesses of that the measures agreed upon are suf- Greece, on the other, will help contain An important step was also taken in ficient. First, there are risks concerning the spread of the crisis, going forward. bringing forward the European Stability the details with regard to the measures January 24, 2012 5
  • 6. Global Swedbank Economic Outlook that will be settled in March this year. of private sector involvement may not 3. Chaotic scenario: breaking up of the Not all national parliaments may go succeed, thus increasing the risk for a euro zone with severe stress on finan- along with the agreement reached at default in March. Even if Greece is not cial markets and global recession as the summit in December. Backlashes forced to leave the euro zone as a re- outcome (5%) may occur, as financial markets find out sult, the contagion to other countries The reasons for the relatively low prob- that the measures will be less reassur- could rise, meaning that the crisis again ability of a breakup the euro zone are ing than hoped. escalates. In addition, there are great that there is a strong political will to uncertainties with regard to Greece’s Second, even if private sector involve- keep the currency union together, and commitment to fulfill the conditions set ment is taken off the table, except in that the costs of a breakup would far up in the reform program, as implemen- Greece, financial markets may not be exceed the costs of a rescue. tation so far has been very slow. able to fully believe this will hold; thus, Even so, the probability is not 0 %. De- interest rate spreads will remain high. Also, the spread of the crisis from the spite support mechanisms provided by Third, the effects of Standard and periphery to the core countries could the EFSF, ESM, IMF, and ECB, there Poor’s decision to downgrade 9 of the still continue during 2012 and 2013, is a risk that politicians and their voters euro zone countries may have more se- increasing the need to take measures, in stronger member countries no longer vere economic effects than so far not- such as more support from the ECB, want to show solidarity with the weaker ed. In addition, the effects of the down- transfers to the IMF, and an enlarge- ones, or that the politicians and their grading of the EFSF could become ment of the ESM. The large issuance voters in the crisis-struck countries no more crucial, especially if the ESM is of debt during 2012 of some €2,000 longer want to adhere to the condition- not brought forward to July this year. billion will cause stress, especially for ality that comes with the support. If financing costs increase as a result Italy and Spain during the first half of of the downgrading, as well as to simi- this year. If a crisis-struck country like Greece de- lar decisions by other rating institutes, cided to not comply with the conditions In this scenario, the politicians and the outlook for the real economy could set for support, public sector and finan- other policymakers continue “kicking worsen. cial sector insolvency could lead it to the can down the road.” They manage the drastic decision to leave the curren- Fourth, the agreements made on the to keep the currency union together cy union. The costs involved would be fiscal compact will speed up the budget during 2012 and 2013, but the effects enormous: the government would shut consolidation, especially after our fore- on financing costs, financial markets’ down, the banking sector would face a cast horizon of 2014 and onwards. stress, confidence, and demand will be systemic crisis, with bank runs, capital Euro zone members will have to build more negative, thus also contributing to flight, credit crunch, and nationalisa- up larger primary surpluses in order a faster slowdown of global growth than tion as a result, private wealth would be to reach the debt ratio of 60% of GDP in our main scenario. hurt, confidence would fall, a recession in some 20 years, as seems to be the The recovery in the US will be fragile, would set in, and the government would goal. If reforms are not undertaken to and emerging markets will have diffi- have to start adjusting fiscal balances increase growth, competitiveness, and culties in keeping up their exports and by tightening despite the depreciation labour market participation, the outlook subsequently also their domestic de- of the new currency by some 40-60% for the euro zone worsens and stagna- mand. Global growth will reach at best compared with the euro. Even with the tion can be expected at best in the short only 2%: the dividing line between glo- lower value of the new currency, the and medium term. bal growth and global recession. export outlook (including for the tour- Moreover, the likelihood for deflation ism sector) would be hampered by the and new recessions will increase in credit crunch and the falling confidence, combination with political and social un- rest. The financial markets may not find Interest rate diffence vs. Germany (10y government bond) the agreements made to be credible 35 in the sense that debt problems could 30 worsen, and the growth outlook will be very bleak. In addition, the divergence 25 Greece between the North and the South may Portugal Percentage points 20 Ireland widen as a result, thus driving expec- Italy tations that the currency union may 15 Spain not hold together in the medium term, 10 Belgium which, in turn, would affect the short- France term view. 5 0 Of great importance is the handling of the crisis in Greece. The negotiation -5 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Source: Ecowin January 24, 2012 6
  • 7. Global Swedbank Economic Outlook OECD industrial production and leading indicators; and global ment for most OECD countries in either exports the short or medium term. 15 190 The drivers of the main scenario are 10 170 the fiscal austerity packages in the OECD industrial Annual percentage change 5 150 production euro zone, the lower confidence, and the credit crunch, as well as the rise in Index 0 130 OECD leading indicators unemployment, all of which are lead- -5 110 ing to lower demand growth, which Global export volume (rhs) will spread to other regions as well. In -10 90 the euro zone, the need for austerity -15 70 amounts to 3.3% of GDP – the level re- quired in order for countries on average -20 50 to reach a structural deficit of 0.5% of 1995 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2010 Source: Ecowin GDP. This would mean some 1.7% of GDP in negative growth effect, perhaps spread out over two years (see Chart as generated political and social unrest. this time it would be more difficult to on page 5). In the US, the fiscal stimu- Most likely, the depreciation of the cur- overcome the problems since the room lus is decreasing compared with 2010 rency would lead to higher inflation. for massive monetary and fiscal stimu- and 2011, but more extensive austerity lus is no longer there. For countries remaining in the euro will be postponed to 2014 and beyond. zone, the risk of financial market con- Global growth would most likely be Both the labour market and the housing tagion would be high, although the ef- negative in this scenario since the euro market are starting to recover, although fects on the real economy would be zone is heavily linked to the rest of the slowly. small due to the relatively small size world through financial markets and The weaker demand will also drive of Greece (compared with what would trade; moreover, since the recession commodity prices lower. Since emerg- happen if, e.g., Spain and Italy left would again be characterised as a bal- ing markets will grow relatively quickly, the EMU). The strains on the banking ance sheet recession, the recovery pe- although slower than in the past two system in the euro zone would be the riod would be slow and prolonged. The years, the demand for commodities largest problem, but falling confidence long-term costs of a breakup would be will stay rather high. We foresee the through fear and negative wealth ef- large as well, as EU cooperation would oil price per barrel falling from $112 fects would also lower demand in the be affected through the poorer function- in 2011 to $102 in 2012 and to $96 in remaining euro zone countries, as well ing of the single market, and the outlook 2013. Also, metal and food prices will as in other parts of the world, depend- for Europe from a global competitive- fall during 2012 and then stabilise in ing on the size of the country/countries ness perspective would be less benign. 2013. There are many risks involved, leaving the EMU. Main features driving the global such as Iran’s threatening to cut off the If any or a few of the stronger euro zone outlook in our main scenario supply of oil from the Strait of Hormuz members decided to leave the currency We find the scenario of small steps to- following EU oil embargo, leading to a union, the appreciation of the new cur- wards improvement in the euro zone higher oil price than we assume here. rency would lead to lower competitive- most likely, although the risks for a All in all, however, commodity prices ness and a loss of jobs in the export worse scenario are very high. In the will face downward pressure as the glo- sector, weaker public finance, and an longer term, the risk of a breakup of bal slowdown accentuates. increased need for bank recapitalisa- the euro is higher than 5%, unless in- Inflation will therefore abate this year, tion. Countries remaining in the euro stitutions are strengthened sufficiently compared with the relatively high price zone would face problems involving in order to enhance growth and com- increases during 2011, not least in the capital flight, the decreased potential petitiveness and to facilitate the con- emerging markets. This opens up room for support through the EFSF/ESM, fall- vergence of developments in euro zone for a looser monetary policy in emerg- ing confidence, and expectations that countries. ing markets, as well as in the euro zone, the remaining countries would leave The slowdown of GDP growth from where the ECB will be able to cut policy the union as well. some 5% in 2010 and 3.6% in 2011 to interest rates further. Also, in advanced The effects on the European econo- just above 3 % in 2012 and 2013 rep- countries where policy rates have been mies and the global economy would resents a shift to a lower gear, thus raised, there is room for a more expan- be severe in the context of a breakup, leading to a worsening outlook for la- sionary monetary policy, limiting the even if it did not happen overnight. The bour markets and household income in downturn in the business cycle. In the risk of a repeat of the standstill in the many countries. This outlook will also US, another round of quantitative eas- credit markets, as occurred during the make budget consolidation more dif- ing cannot be excluded, but in our main autumn of 2008, would be large, and ficult to achieve, a necessary require- scenario the need for this may be de- January 24, 2012 7
  • 8. Global Swedbank Economic Outlook Interest rate and exchange rate assumptions southern part of Europe and Ireland are Outcome Forecast 20 Jan 30 Jun 31 Dec 30 Jun 31 Dec much worse, as these economies are 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 shrinking due to fiscal and credit aus- Policy rates terity, high (youth)unemployment, and Federal Reserve, USA 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.75 weak confidence. The result is lower European Central Bank 1.00 0.75 0.75 0.75 1.00 consumer spending, postponements of Bank of England 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 investment, and more bankruptcies in Bank of Japan 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 both the nonfinancial and the financial Exchange rates sector. EUR/USD 1.29 1.20 1.25 1.30 1.30 USD/RMB 6.34 6.18 6.05 5.94 5.82 The economic outlook will get worse USD/JPY 77 78 80 82 85 before it gets better, and we expect the euro zone to remain in recession dur- Sources: Reuters Ecowin and Swedbank. ing the first half of this year, before im- creasing. Still, there and in other OECD During 2012, the presidential election is proving slightly and becoming stagnant countries policy rates will remain low or in focus. Difficulties in reaching agree- during most of 2012 and 2013. GDP in close to 0% during the forecast period ment on the Republican candidate, as the euro zone is expected to decrease due to the restrictive fiscal policy; not well as an improvement in labour and by 0.3% in 2012, before returning to until towards the end of or beyond 2013 housing, increase President Obama’s positive territory, at 0.2%, in 2013. This will rates start to be raised. chances of reelection. During 2013, the means two lost years for the euro zone fiscal gridlock will accentuate regard- during our forecast period. Germany In a climate of few policy tools and less of which party wins the election. will also technically be in recession as weaker domestic demand, countries The lack of trust among the members of GDP most likely fell fourth quarter last will not like to see their exchange rates congress partly explains their unwilling- year and the first quarter this year, al- appreciate substantially, as exports will ness to find compromises, a situation though a stronger labour market, bet- remain the most important source of that does not have to improve after the ter competitiveness and lower inflation/ recovery. China has declared that the election unless leadership (and “follow- weaker euro will support the recovery renminbi will be allowed to appreciate ership”) strengthens. occurring in the second half of 2012. somewhat faster against the dollar, the US may see the dollar strengthen There is a risk that tax cuts and unem- As we see some improvements in the against the euro with its more robust re- ployment benefits will not be extended policy process directed towards cri- covery, and the yen is likely to weaken beyond the two months already agreed, sis management and the longer-term as Japan’s trade balance deteriorates. thus creating an unnecessarily restric- building of stronger monetary union tive fiscal policy during the forecast pe- institutions, we do not foresee a dis- Developments in major orderly default and exit of Greece riod, as well as a more negative GDP economies from the euro zone, nor do we expect outlook than we have forecast. Another US risk is, of course, the outlook in the more countries to need a restructuring Although the momentum in the US euro zone, which, due to the increased of debt besides the ones already with economy has become more positive squeeze on US credit markets, as well IMF/ECB/EU-supported programmes lately, as shown by, inter alia, GDP as lower exports and confidence, could (Greece, Ireland, and Portugal). growth and PMI figures, fundamental lead to slower growth in the US also. Italy and Spain are favoured by the challenges remain, such as the on- The Federal Reserve will maintain its new rules and measures decided at the going deleveraging and great fiscal zero-interest-rate policy during most of EU summit at the end of last year. The uncertainties, which continue to hold the forecasting period; it will use more amount of new bonds needed to be is- down households’ and companies’ con- quantitative easing only if growth falls sued for these two countries is €450 fidence. In addition, despite improve- below 2%, if deflation risks are building billion in 2012 – €150 billion in the ments, the labour and housing markets up, or if fiscal policy becomes more re- first quarter alone. Since the introduc- are still a drag on the economy. strictive, thus risking the occurrence of tion of the three-year fixed- rate loans, a new recession. yields in the shorter maturities have We have revised our forecast upwards for 2011 and 2012 to 1.8 % and 2.0 % Euro zone decreased substantially; this improves respectively, but are still sceptical about the funding situation for these countries The euro zone is already experienc- the longer-term outlook, which includes and reduces the need for further ECB ing negative growth on a quarterly ba- a slight downward revision for 2013. government bond purchases on the sis, including in Germany and France, Without structural reforms creating secondary markets. where conditions for manufacturing stronger impetus for higher demand, and retail worsened towards the end The spread of the crisis to the core of the trend growth is likely to stay just of last year. However, developments the euro zone will also abate in our above 2% going forward. in the crisis-struck economies in the main scenario, thus resulting in high, January 24, 2012 8
  • 9. Global Swedbank Economic Outlook but not very much higher, financing beat) scenario. Other risks to the euro addition, the strong yen and the more costs of sovereign debt. zone include political developments, as negative global outlook are dampening Finland, France and Greece face elec- Japanese export possibilities. Almost Due to the shrinking of balance sheets tions this spring, and the momentum of half of Japan’s exports are directed to in the banking sector, we expect the reforms and budget consolidation could the US and the euro zone, and lower financing costs of private debt to rise be interrupted (the French Socialist demand from China will also affect further, and the availability of credit to candidate Hollande would like to rene- some 7% of exports. The current ac- diminish. Especially during the first gotiate the fiscal compact if elected). count surplus decreased by almost half of 2012, before the recapitalisation The outlook for emerging markets is 50% in the first half of the 2011 fiscal of banks has been finalised, and while also a risk, and if demand slows more year, compared with the same period in banks/countries are still faced with fall- than expected, the export outlook for 2010. The earthquake is an important ing bank shares and the downgrading the euro zone will worsen substantially. explanation, but so is the increasingly of credit ratings, financial developments This risk is higher for Ireland and Ger- weaker competitiveness. The striving are likely to worsen before improving many, where exports to the world as a to take part in the Trans-Pacific Part- in the second half of the year. share of in GDP are 54% and 36%, re- nership, as well as to improve foreign After decisions on budget rules have spectively, and the share of euro zone exchange and trade cooperation with been taken in March at the latest, the exports is 22% and 15%. A weakening China, should be seen as measures ESM has been put in place in mid-2012, of the euro could have a positive impact that need to be taken to improve trade and the recapitalisation of banks has on the growth outlook for the euro zone relations. been finalised (although the Basel III through better exporting possibilities – The stronger yen, fundamentally weak rules will demand further actions), the important not least for the crisis-struck demand, and lower global commodity policy focus is likely to move to struc- countries in southern Europe, where prices will cause deflation during most tural reforms and measures to increase competitiveness is weaker. of the forecast period. The Bank of Ja- growth and competitiveness. Without Japan pan will continue to keep the policy rate such measures, the response by the Japan’s economy also seems to have near zero and use the tool of credit eas- ECB will have only “bought time,” and shifted to a lower gear, after recovering ing from time to time. Purchases of for- the underlying problems of high debt during the third quarter last year with eign assets should not be excluded as and low growth will remain. The ECB is an increase of 1.4% over the previous a tool to weaken the yen. Fiscal stimu- likely to lower the policy rate to 0.75% quarter. The slower growth in the rest of lus for the recovery programs amounts although the overnight interest rate will the world is affecting Japan negatively, to 3.8% of GDP in the first three sup- be lower, and it will continue to pur- but due to the need to build up the pro- plements to the original budget of fis- chase sovereign debt in the secondary duction levels after the earthquake, tsu- cal-year 2011. For fiscal-year 2012, the markets through the SMP. Up to now, nami, and Fukushima nuclear disaster new budget is somewhat smaller than liquidity operations (both credit and last spring, there are still expectations the previous one; however, the budget quantitative easing) represent €788 bil- of 1.7% growth in 2012 – higher than in deficit is expected to be higher than 5% lion; thus, the ECB is more supportive 2011, when the economy is expected to of GDP, and debt equivalent of some towards banks, governments, and bor- have shrunk by 0.5%. $3,500 billion will be issued to finance rowers than at any time before. the budget. In the short run, govern- There are great risks to this outlook. As There are several reasons for our down- ment debt as a share of GDP will in- we have described above, the probabil- ward revision of the Japanese outlook. crease above 230%. In the longer run, ity of a worse outcome is almost as high Even if production in the private sec- the plan to raise the income tax over the as our more optimistic (but still down- tor is being restored, there have been next 25 years is one step in the process lags in the public recovery programs. In of improving the fiscal outlook. How- ever, Prime Minister Noda’s proposal to Commodity prices (indices) increase national sales taxes from 5% 180 to 10% has not yet been accepted by 160 parliamentarians in his own party. 140 Commodity prices - total China 120 Weaker exports have dampened the Food prices 100 outlook for China, but to a lesser extent than for many other economies. The 80 Commodity rebalancing of growth to household prices - excl. 60 energy spending is still mostly rhetoric, but with higher wages, lower taxes, and infla- 40 tion, the outlook for private consump- 20 tion can improve. The government’s 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Ecowin January 24, 2012 9
  • 10. Global Swedbank Economic Outlook program to build affordable housing outlook were to deteriorate sharply, a Brazil will uphold investments. The economy slowdown of this appreciation could be A more restrictive economic policy and can also – if needed – be supported by expected. slower global demand caused the Bra- a more expansionary fiscal and mon- zilian growth rate to dampen markedly India etary policy than has been announced; during 2011. We estimate GDP to have this will be made possible as the infla- After a strong 2010, GDP growth increased by 3% in annual terms, com- tion rate approaches comfort levels of slowed gradually during 2011, and we pared with the strong recovery after the some 3-4%. We expect GDP to grow expect it reached on average 7.3%. crisis in 2010, when GDP increased by by 8.2% this year, revised downwards During this year, growth will fall further, 7.5%. from 8.4% in October because the glo- to 6.7%, before recovering somewhat to 7.0% in 2013. Going forward, the effects from higher bal trade and manufacturing outlook interest rates will be felt more through- has worsened. In 2013, the growth The main reason for the lower growth is out the economy. The Central Bank rate will slow further, to 7.8%, as the the attempts to reduce inflation, which increased the policy rate to 12.5% last domino effects from weaker real estate had reached double digits after the glo- summer and has since lowered it three prices affect the economy. bal recession and financial crisis. The times to 11%. The credit expansion has Reserve Bank of India has over a peri- The main factor contributing to our been brisk but will start to slow. od of almost two years hiked the policy view, which is a bit more negative than rate by 475 basis points to 8.5%. After The global outlook will put a downward the consensus, is the property market, the summer of 2010, the inflation rates pressure on commodity prices, which which is affecting the economy in many came down and have since stagnated will also affect Brazilian exports and ways. Real estate investments make up at this lower level. Counteracting higher dampen investment growth in industry more than 7% of GDP, and other parts interest rates and less liquidity, the in- and energy. Inflation will thus also be of the economy (10-15 %) are heavily flation rate has been driven by higher able to fall further, to just above 5%. reliant on property investments. About commodity prices, inflows of capital, a In order to maintain growth, fiscal and half of local governments’ revenues high growth of demand – not least in monetary policy will be made more come from land sales. The rate of hous- the urban areas – and a weaker rupee. expansionary; this will also make the ing starts, as well as of house prices, slowdown milder of growth in employ- has come down dramatically in some of We expect the inflation pressures to ment, income, and credit. the major cities over the last couple of abate in the coming quarters, and that quarters, and land prices have started the Reserve Bank of India can start Countries with special impact on to fall. Mainly, this outlook sees a mild easing monetary policy this spring. Sweden and the Baltic countries slowdown of the real estate market; if There are several risks affecting the In- Despite strong growth in quarterly it were to accelerate and deepen, the dian economy, of which the global out- terms (0.5%) in the third quarter, the effects on the economy would also be look is one. Another is the current ac- United Kingdom’s (UK) underlying more negative. The People’s Bank of count (export growth is slowing faster demand outlook is weak. We foresee China has cut reserve requirements, than import growth) and the budget twin GDP to grow, but only by 0.5% in both and in the first half of 2012 it will also deficits which put a cap on the fiscal 2012 and 2013. To reduce the vast cut the policy rate, as inflation has fall- stimulus available if needed and also budget deficit of almost 9% of GDP in en further. The appreciation of the ren- affect confidence negatively, leading to 2011, the austerity package – which is minbi against the dollar will continue at lower consumption and investments. front-loaded and large – will dampen some 4-5 % per year, but if the export growth going forward. Consumer price outlook, 2010 - 2013 (annual percentage change) Despite the high inflation (reaching Outcome Forecast 5.2% in September before falling to 2010 2011 2012 2013 4.8% in November), the Bank of Eng- US 1.6 3.2 2.4 2.1 land has resisted calls to restrict mon- EMU countries 1.6 2.7 1.5 1.4 etary policy, expressing the view that Of which: Germany 1.1 2.4 1.7 1.4 inflation pressures, caused by higher France 1.5 2.1 1.7 1.5 taxes, the weaker pound sterling, and Italy 1.5 2.8 2.1 1.0 higher commodity prices, are mainly Spain 1.8 3.1 1.8 1.6 temporary. The policy rate will remain UK 3.3 4.4 2.5 2.0 close to zero, and the unconventional Japan -0.7 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 monetary policy will be continued. The China 3.2 5.5 3.5 3.0 use of quantitative easing, as a share India 10.2 8.4 5.3 4.5 of GDP, lately has been more substan- Brazil 5.9 6.6 5.2 5.0 tial than in most other central banks. Russia 6.9 8.6 7.0 7.5 Even so, the credit market is faced with Sources: National statistics and Swedbank. austerity as British banks have become January 24, 2012 10
  • 11. Global Swedbank Economic Outlook more cautious in their lending due to terest rates and higher real disposable Take a look at the long view their exposure towards euro zone fi- income stimulate private consumption. The long-term developments are, of nancial markets. Fiscal and credit aus- New oil discoveries and real estate course, dependent on the outcome in terity will dampen consumption and in- construction will lift investments. Un- the next couple of years. If the situ- vestment, holding back imports during employment will stabilise as the grow- ation in the euro zone improves, the the forecast period. ing labour demand will be met by net need for acute crisis management is re- immigration. GDP is expected to grow duced, and there will be more room for Growth in Russia will slow, but only by 2.0% in 2012 and 2.3% in 2013. growth-oriented policies. Reforms are mildly, as GDP growth falls from 4.2% in 2011 to 3.9% in 2012 and 3.7% in The collapse of the Danish hous- important – not just austerity! The need 2013. Russian companies will increase ing market, which started in 2007 and is vast, especially in southern Europe investments more cautiously, as the where the situation deteriorated in where efforts must focus on strength- global outlook worsens and commod- 2008, is still affecting the economy ad- ening competitiveness by improving the ity prices fall. Membership in the WTO versely as domestic demand is being functioning of labour and product mar- could mean stronger competition for held back by households’ adjustments kets, and increasing efforts on educa- Russian producers. A larger fall in the of their balance sheets. In the third tion and research and development. A oil price than we have assumed here quarter, GDP fell by 0.8% in quarterly higher growth and export performance would dampen the outlook and the terms. With its main trading partners in would alleviate budget and current ac- budget situation further. Another risk the euro zone, the crisis there will hit count constraints. It is important to note is the credit crunch in the euro zone, Denmark. Because of the worsening that the situation in Germany does not which also affects Russia through de- global outlook and the Danish govern- have to worsen in order for the situation creased capital inflows, and larger ment’s need to consolidate the budget, in Greece or Portugal to improve – this, outflows (in central and eastern Eu- the risk for a deeper recession has in- in the context of the euro zone, is not a rope, also, there are large risks of a creased. We still see positive growth of zero-sum game. credit crunch as capital will be direct- 0.7% in 2012, followed by somewhat As mentioned above, the building of ed to banks in the euro zone, e.g., in stronger growth in 2013 as exports and stronger institutions in the euro zone Austria, Italy, France, and Germany). investments improve slowly. must continue and will take time. In or- Russian households will feel the effects der for a eurobond market to function The recovery in Finland is losing mo- from the increased fiscal austerity after well, political and fiscal coordination will mentum, and GDP is now estimated the election, and this will hold back have to strengthen. Meanwhile, there to have increased by 2.8% last year. As a more substantial increase in private could be setups where some countries the export outlook will worsen when the consumption. On the other hand, lower take the lead. global economy slows, Finnish demand inflation during 2012 will ease the situa- is set to dampen. Consumer confidence The longer-term perspective also in- tion for households somewhat. is eroding and real income is falling, cludes the global imbalances and the The Nordic countries show a mixed thereby slowing private consumption challenges to include the emerging economic picture in which Norway out- and real estate investments. Also, busi- markets in the global institutions, which performs the others. Even so, Norway ness investments are likely to be post- so far have been managed by the richer entered a soft patch during last year poned. GDP is expected to increase by countries. Multilateralism will be tested when GDP grew by only 1.4 % due to 0.4% this year, followed by a stronger further during 2012 and going forward, weakened confidence and subdued ex- performance of 1.5% in 2013, when net when it comes to trade negotiations, cli- ports. Domestic demand will provide exports and domestic demand begin to mate change, and financial regulation. the main growth impetus as lower in- recover slowly. As China and other stronger emerging markets enter more deeply into the glo- GDP growth in Norway, Finland, Denmark and the euro zone bal economy, the global monetary and 10 financial systems will also change, and 8 in the next decade or so the dollar will 6 face increasing competition from other euro zone 4 currencies, including the renminbi . The Annual growth in % 2 Finland euro will be part of the multipolar cur- 0 Norway* rency world;- how strong it will be will -2 Denmark be determined by the measures taken -4 now. A lot is at stake – the policymakers * total have a chance to make a difference, -6 -8 and it had better be positive! -10 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Source: Ecowin Cecilia Hermansson January 24, 2012 11