Inflation in the Eurozone appears to be rising steadily, which may be influenced by the rising cost of electricity and energy carriers. Today's release of producer prices in Germany suggests that the peak of inflation in the Eurozone may be yet to come.
Germany is the eurozone's largest economy, so published readings for that economy could heavily influence data for the community as a whole.
Energy for businesses rose by 105 percent.
Today we learned that in July producer prices (PPI inflation) rose in Germany at the fastest pace on record. PPI inflation on an annualized basis was as high as 37.2 percent. A month earlier, price growth stood at 32.7 percent, while the market consensus was for inflation of 32 percent. Energy prices still seem to remain the main driver of producer costs. The cost of the aforementioned energy for businesses rose 105 percent compared to July 2021. Had it not been for this factor, producer prices could have risen much more slowly, by only 14.6 percent. - according to the published data.
Entrepreneurs could translate such a significant increase in costs into their products, which could also raise consumer CPI inflation as a result. Hence, it is not impossible that a possible peak in inflation in the eurozone is yet to come. It could fall in the last quarter of this year, or early next year, assuming that energy prices begin to stabilize or fall. Otherwise, the eurozone economy could plunge into a deep crisis.
EUR/USD near parity again
The rate of the EUR/USD pair fell today to 1.0084 (yesterday it was around 1.0200) and again approached parity at 1.0000. Concerns about the eurozone economy may be reflected in the exchange rate. However, it seems that the reaction to negative data is becoming less and less, as if the market has to some extent already discounted some of the bad news that may come in the near future.
The European Central Bank's forthcoming actions may put the brakes on the euro's sell-off. According to the interest rate market, the ECB may opt for two rate hikes of 50 basis points each this fall. The market assumes that the ECB will raise the main interest rate to 1.5 percent throughout the cycle. Unlike the Fed, which may reduce the pace of hikes at the end of the year, the ECB may only move with a rapid increase in interest rates.
Daniel Kostecki, Director of the Polish branch of Conotoxia Ltd. (Conotoxia investment service)
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