| European Service Prices Plunge at Steepest Rate Since January 2010; Reflections on Keynesian Stupidity Posted: 23 Oct 2014 05:52 PM PDT The Markit Flash Eurozone PMI shows the steepest fall in output prices since global crisis and renewed job losses, in spite of an otherwise stable PMI. The Eurozone saw a marginal upturn in growth of business activity in October, according to the flash PMI results. The headline Markit PMI ™ rose from September's ten-month low of 52.0 to 52.2, signalling the first upturn in the pace of expansion for three months. However, the index remained below the average seen in the third quarter, and was the second-weakest reading seen so far this year.
Backlogs of work fell at the fastest rate since June of last year, dropping in both services and, to a lesser extent, manufacturing.
Service providers reported the first cut in payroll numbers since March, though manufacturers reported a slight upturn in employment. Prices were increasingly being cut in order to help boost sales. Average prices charged for goods and services showed the largest monthly fall since February 2010, having now fallen almost continually for just over two-and-a-half years. Charges for services fell at the steepest rate since January 2010 while a more modest decline was seen in the manufacturing sector, where prices fell only marginally and to a lesser extent than in September.
Price cuts occurred despite overall input costs rising in October, pointing to a further squeeze on operating margins. That said, manufacturing input prices fell for the second month running. Finally, business optimism about the year ahead in the service sector fell to the lo west since June of last year.
Markit Comments
"The Eurozone PMI rose in October but anyone just watching the headline number misses the darker picture painted by the survey's other indices, which show the region teetering on the verge of another downturn. Growth of new orders slowed closer to stagnation and backlogs of work fell at a faster rate, causing employment to be cut for the first time in nearly a year. Business confidence in the service sector also slid to the lowest for over a year and prices charged fell at the fastest rate since the height of the global financial crisis, adding to an increasingly downbeat assessment of business conditions."
"While the survey suggest s the euro area has so far avoided a slide back into recession this year, a renewed downturn cannot be ruled out. Growth is so anemic that increasing numbers of companies are being forced into laying off staff and slashing prices in an attempt to cut costs and boost sales through discounting."
"The survey data are broadly consistent with GDP rising 0.25% in the third quarter, but unless demand picks up soon, growth could weaken again in the fourth quarter and deflationary forces could intensify." My CommentsPrices received plunge the steepest since January 2010, but input prices are up. The latter is in spite of Brent crude dropping from 112 to 84-86 since June, and 98 to 84-86 since the end of September! Rising wages in Germany help explain (see French Private Sector Output Falls at Sharpest Rate in Eight Months; Tale of Two Europes) Isn't that what everyone wants? Yet competition for new business is so intense that " Prices were increasingly being cut in order to help boost sales."Reflections on Keynesian StupidityFancy that. Businesses are cutting prices to increase sales! Meanwhile Keynesian economists tell us that prices need to go up to increase sales. Any business in Europe raising prices now would soon go out of business due to no sales at all. And forget about the equally stupid Keynesian theory that consumers will hold off purchases when prices fall. They won't. For discussion, please see Challenge to Keynesians "Prove Rising Prices Provide an Overall Economic Benefit". Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com |
| French Private Sector Output Falls at Sharpest Rate in Eight Months; Tale of Two Europes Posted: 23 Oct 2014 12:17 PM PDT France Looking for growth in Europe? You won't find it in France, but for now you can still find it in Germany (for now). The Markit Flash France PMI shows French private sector output falls at sharpest rate in eight months. Key Points
- Flash France Composite Output Index falls to 48.0 (48.4 in September), 8-month low
- Flash France Services Activity Index falls to 48.1 (48.4 in September ), 8-month low
- Flash France Manufacturing Output Index falls to 47.6 (48.4 in September ), 2-month low
- Flash France Manufacturing PMI falls to 47.3 (48.8 in September), 2-month low
Summary
The latest flash PMI data signalled a deepening downturn in France's private sector economy during October. The seasonally adjust ed Markit Flash France Composite Output Index , based on around 85% of normal monthly survey replies, slipped to 48.0, from 48.4 in September. That was its lowest reading since February, albeit indicative of a moderate rate of contraction overall. Faster declines in output were recorded in both the services and manufacturing sectors during October.
Employment in the French private sector fell further in October, extending the current period of contraction to one year. Furthermore, the rate of decline quickened to the sharpest since April 2013. Similarly solid rates of job shedding were registered across the services and manufacturing sectors. Staffing levels were cut in line with reduced workloads.
Outstanding business at French private sector firms fell for the sixth month running, and at the fastest pace since May 2013. Lower backlogs were signalled by service providers and manufacturers alike.
Divergent trends continued to be observed for input and output prices during the latest survey period. Input costs rose for a seventeenth consecutive month, albeit at a moderate pace. Increases were signalled in both the services and manufacturing sectors. Conversely, output prices decreased further in October. The rate of decline in charges was considerable, having accelerated to the sharpest in five years. Firms in both sectors cut their selling prices, citing intense competitive pressures and tough negotiations with clients.
Comment
Jack Kennedy , Senior Economist at Markit, which compiles the Flash France PMI ® survey, said: "The French economy remained stuck in reverse gear in October , as crumbling demand dragged activity lower. New orders fell at the sharpest p ace in 16 months, leading firms to make deeper cuts to output and employment. Companies scrabbled to attract new business by slashing their output prices to the greatest extent in five years, despite a further rise in input costs, underlining the extent of the pressures facing businesses at present. GermanyThe Markit Flash Germany PMI shows Output growth maintained as manufacturing strengthens.
Key Points
- Flash Germany Composite Output Index at 54.3 (54.1 in September), 3-month high.
- Flash Germany Services Activity Index at 54.8 (55.7 in September), 4-month low.
- Flash Germany Manufacturing PMI at 51.8 (49.9 in September), 3-month high.
- Flash Germany Manufacturing Output 53.3 (51.0 in September), 3-month high.
The seasonally adjusted Markit Flash Germany Composite Output Index rose marginally from September's 54.1 to 54.3 in October, thereby extending the current sequence of private sector output growth to a year-and-a-half.
Input prices continued to increase during October, largely driven by higher staff costs in the service sector. Manufacturers, on the other hand, reported a further decline in costs. That said, the overall rate of cost inflation picked up slightly since September. Despite higher input prices, charges fell for the first time since June last year, thereby squeezing on companies' profit margins. Anecdotal evidence suggested that firms lowered their output prices amid increased competitive pressures.
Service providers reported a sharp drop in confidence in October, with the level of positive sentiment the weakest in nearly two years. Survey participants commented on economic risks in Southern Europe, slower new order growth and a subdued business climate.
Comment
Oliver Kolodseike, economist at Markit and author of the Flash Germany PMI®, said: "T he latest flash PMI results suggest that Germany's private sector economy expanded at the start of the fourth quarter. Activity increased at a slightly stronger rate than in September and encouraged companies to take on additional workers. However, margins were under pressure, as companies reduced their charges despite rising input costs.
Our panellists reported that they reduced their charges in a response to increased competitive pressures. "While the service sector remained the driving force in terms of output growth , manufacturing recovered some of the ground it had lost last month, with the headline PMI edging back into expansion territory and signalling an improvement in operating conditions in the sector. "However, there are still some uncertainties about the near-term. New orders increased at the slowest pace in over a year and service providers reported a sharp drop in sentiment, suggesting that output growth may come under pressure in coming months."
Tale of Two EuropesFor now, it's still a tale of two Europes. Germany (and some smaller Northern European countries) vs. everyone else. Such divergences will not last forever. The slowdown in China and the ridiculous sanctions on Russia will both take their toll on all of Europe. The Sick Man of Europe is Europe; Blame the Socialists, Progressives, Greens, and the Euro Itself. Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com |
| Late Payments by Ibex Companies Hits €47 Billion, 169 Days (3 Times Legal Time Limit); Ibex vs. DOW Posted: 23 Oct 2014 09:45 AM PDT Lack of significant improvement in payments by IBEX companies to suppliers is yet another another sign there isn't much of a recovery in Spain. La Vanguardia reports Late Payments by Ibex Companies Hits €47 Billion, 169 days (nearly 3 times the legal time limit). Ibex is the name of the Spanish stock market exchange. Via translation from La Vanguardia. < Delinquency of the Ibex 35 exceeds 47 billion euros and the average payment is 169 days late, almost three times the limits set by law, according to the latest report of the Platform Multisectoral against delinquency (PMcM), made from the data published by the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).
In 2012, the average payment of listed non-financial corporations was 191 days, while in 2013 totaled 184, down 4%.
Construction and real estate had a 10% improvement. Trade and services improved 4%. Despite this improvement, the data shows that the construction sector and real estate remains the one with the greatest delay in settlement of bills. Their average payment reached the 288 days in 2013, while in 2012 exceeded 300.
Behind them are trade and services, with 253 days, nine fewer than in 2012.
PMcM president, Antoni Cañete said that "these data show that some of these big companies are financed at the expense of their own providers, mostly SMEs and freelancers". "This situation, is produced by the dominant position of Ibex companies, shows abuse and violation of the law, "added Cañete. IBEX vs. DOWLa Vanguardia notes that in the DOW, the average collection period of industrial companies is 105 days, followed by service and trade at 70 days and energy at 60 days. Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com |
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