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Saturday, October 19

19th Oct - Weekly Links #4175


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EUROPE
Editorial: Europe Doesn’t Need Another Currency Crisis
BB
Leaders shouldn’t wait for the next disaster before addressing the euro’s flaws.

Ursula von der Leyen’s bumpy startThe Economist
Why the incoming boss of the European Commission is struggling

EU looking to compensate sectors for U.S. tariffsReuters
Italian Prime Minister Conte: EU is working on measures to compensate sectors hit by tariffs imposed by US over illegal EU subsidies to the aircraft industry,

Europe recession expected to deepen as third quarter earnings outlook dims Reuters
Europe’s corporate recession is expected to deepen, the latest forecasts show, as companies struggle with uncertainties from Brexit, the protracted U.S.-China trade spat and Germany’s manufacturing recession. Companies listed on the STOXX 600 regional index are now expected to report a drop of as much as 3.7% in third-quarter earnings, worse than the 3% fall expected a week ago, I/B/E/S data from Refinitiv showed.

Another piece of Europe’s financial architecture needs fixingThe Economist
Money-laundering scandals expose a host of weaknesses

Euro zone inflation drops more than foreseen, trade surplus widensReuters

Riksbank preview: Facing realityNordea
With the slowing activity in the Swedish economy, the Riksbank will ultimately shelve its plans for a rate hike near term. We believe a rate cut is on the cards, although it may be some way off.

Sweden: The Labour Force ShuffleNordea
The situation on the labour market is deteriorating, but at what pace? And what does it mean for the Riksbank?

Eastern Europe’s Workers Finally Get PaidBB
The region’s populist governments are raising minimum wages as fast as they can, and it helps the economies — for now.

Poland’s Nationalists Underwhelmed by Historic Election WinBB
Ruling-party leader sulks despite best result since communism * Lack of knockout victory shifts focus to presidential ballot

Polish Premier Hails ‘Huge’ Mandate to Complete Remake of NationBB
Law & Justice maintains majority in lower house, loses Senate * Party campaigned on welfare handouts, spurning liberal values

Europe's Climate Push Won't Come CheapBB
Poland holds a veto to the European Union’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and its support isn’t going to come cheap. Poland says climate neutrality needs new financial tools, ECB has crucial role in green shift.



  GERMANY
Germany's Inconvenient Truth? It's Too ComplicatedBB
The country’s economic woes are a symptom of a more deep-rooted growth problem, Harvard research shows.

Holding Off Stimulus in Germany Isn’t Just Political MantraBB
Officials cite assessment of economy and spending strategy * IMF made new call this week for Germany to use fiscal space

Angela Merkel demands Germany retain EU budget rebateFT
Chancellor says Berlin faces ‘excessive burden’ as a result of Brexit

Germany Seeks to Limit EU Budget ContributionSpiegel
As negotiations for the future EU budget heat up, Germany has angered some member states by demanding that the money available to Brussels not exceed 1 percent of the bloc's GDP. But Berlin has some allies.

Merkel wants to discuss EU budget discount for Germany after BrexitReuters
Merkel on Thursday said EU needed to discuss a possible discount for Germany as part of budget negotiations because Germany would be "disproportionately burdened" by an increase in the bloc's budget.

  EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
ECB critics are right to worry about ultra-loose monetary policy FT
There is moral hazard in debt monetisation as it can neuter market discipline

ECB Policy Makers Cool on More Stimulus Even If Outlook WorsensBB
Governors said to expect another growth downgrade in December * Lagarde presidency in focus after split over Draghi stimulus

Draghi Seen Locking In Three Years of ECB Policy for LagardeBB
Economists expect officials to hold fire in October decision * Draghi expected to make swan song call for fiscal stimulus

Mario Draghi’s ECB opponents shift attention to Christine LagardeFT
Critics of his recent stimulus measures seek change of policy under incoming president

ECB’s Visco Draws Line on Cutting Rates Deeper Below ZeroBB
Says he didn’t support all elements of latest stimulus package * Cautions about negative consequences of negative rates

Jean-Claude Trichet defends Mario Draghi stance on monetary policyFT
Former central bank chief says ECB brought growth and price stability despite crisis

Inflation’s vagaries lie behind the scrap at the ECBFT
Central bankers’ theories have in practice fallen short. That has left them vulnerable to attacks.

The inflation puzzle in the euro areavoxeu
The ECB has apparently lost the ability to raise inflation and price expectations have been sliding since the last recession. Much of the policy debate has focused on the flattening of the Phillips curve. Yet, as this column shows, estimations of the joint output-inflation process point to a decline of both output potential and trend inflation as the most relevant elements of the puzzle.

ECB Preview - Arrivederci Mr Draghi, bonjour Mrs LagardeDanske Bank
Next week's ECB meeting is Draghi's final meeting before leaving office on 31 October. Despite lower inflation expectations, we do not expect any new policy measures/changes as the September package is yet to be implemented. Focus will be on the recent public disagreement in the governing council as well as tiering implementation.

ECB Preview: Draghi’s legacyNordea
Mario Draghi’s last meeting is likely to revolve around his legacy at the ECB. From a policy perspective, Lagarde’s first speech will be more important. Three details are worth looking out for, though.


UNITED STATES
US manufacturing woes mount ING
US manufacturing output has now contracted in six of the first nine months of 2019. With the economic slowdown spreading to other parts of the US economy, the Federal Reserve will likely have to respond with several more rate cuts

  
OTHER
What If Poor Nations Were Paid to Take In Refugees?BB
A new Nobel winner’s overlooked paper suggests a solution to the challenge of mass migration.

Live Long and Prosper? The Economics of Ageing Populations voxeu
A new eBook addresses the challenges of ageing populations in terms of both individual and aggregate wellbeing, and highlights the options for countries and individuals to address those challenges.

Trade Woes Push IMF Global Growth Outlook to Decade-Low of 3% - BB
World Economic Outlook projects deceleration in U.S. and China * Fund cites a broad slowdown, shaky outlook, uncertain recovery

Everyone Backs Budget Spending Except People Who Control BudgetsBB
Central banks, IMF urge fiscal support for shaky world economy * But governments mostly haven’t been racing to the rescue

China’s Economy Slows on Weak Investment, Testing Global GrowthBB
Investment growth weaker than expected at 5.4% year-to-date * Industrial production accelerated in September, retail steady

China: Q3 GDP lower than expectedNordea
As expected, China’s GDP growth slowed in Q3. The growth was at a 27-year low of 6.0% y/y, below consensus, showing that growth momentum is suffering both from domestic difficulties and the trade war.

China quietly doubles troop levels in Hong Kong, envoys sayReuters
There are now up to 12,000 Chinese troops in Hong Kong, diplomats tell Reuters. Among them: members of the People’s Armed Police, a paramilitary force that answers to Xi Jinping. If China moves to put down protests in the city, they will likely do the job.