Latest monetary developments in the Eurozone showed that lending to businesses and households deteriorated again in May. In a context where the ECB looks on track to tighten further its monetary policy, the economy is likely to face a longer recession than expected.
According to the ECB, the annual growth rate of the broad monetary aggregate M3 decreased to 1.4% in May 2023 from 1.9% in April, averaging 1.9% in the three months up to May. In the meantime, the annual growth rate of the narrower aggregate M1, which comprises currency in circulation and overnight deposits, was down 6.4% in May, compared with -5.2% in April. Taking into consideration inflation, real M1 — usually a leading indicator of GDP — declined by 12.5% YoY, pointing to a gloomy outlook for the coming months.
🇪🇺 On a YoY basis, real M1 figures (using data until May) suggest #Eurozone GDP will be under pressure in the coming quarters. pic.twitter.com/JpvjSdQneU
— Christophe Barraud🛢🐳 (@C_Barraud) June 28, 2023
In the meantime, data also revealed the annual growth rate of adjusted loans to the private sector (i.e. adjusted for loan sales, securitisation and notional cash pooling) decreased to 2.8% in May from 3.3% in April. Among the borrowing sectors, the annual growth rate of adjusted loans to households decreased to 2.1% in May from 2.5% in April, while the annual growth rate of adjusted loans to non-financial corporations decreased to 4.0% in May from 4.6% in April.
Looking at most recent figures (6-month moving average annualized), the trend is worrying with credit to the private sector on the verge of contraction. Without surprise, lending for house purchase (households) is already falling, partly explaining home prices’ decline in several countries including Germany.
