Persistently high and rising unemployment suggests to us ECB rescue this week or next
For all you budding economists: Unemployment rose in the Euro-zone in July. There was also a jump in inflation above expectations in August. Inflation rose for the first time in a year, from 2.4% to 2.6% and above consensus. The view now is that the downturn in household spending will worsen in the second half of this year. There were 88,000 additional people unemployed leaving the unemployment rate at an unchanged record high of 11.3%. June’s number was revised higher from 11.2% to 11.3%. Unemployment is worst in Spain where the proportion of people without a job is a staggering 25% or more. But French, Dutch and Belgian rates all rose too. It all suggests consumer spending will continue to fall over the next few months at least. Many now expect the ECB will adopt additional measures to support the economy either this week or in the next few.
Roger Montgomery is the Founder and Chairman of Montgomery Investment Management. Roger has over three decades of experience in funds management and related activities, including equities analysis, equity and derivatives strategy, trading and stockbroking. Prior to establishing Montgomery, Roger held positions at Ord Minnett Jardine Fleming, BT (Australia) Limited and Merrill Lynch.
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