Highlights

  • Germany’s plan is estimated to provide up to €1tn in additional borrowing over the next decade, which is more than a fifth of German GDP. 
     
  • The euro has surged against the dollar, breaking a downward trend that started with the US election in November.  
     
  • German stocks have been outperforming US ones, especially mid-caps which are sensitive to domestic conditions.  

In this edition

Europe – and Germany – are taking steps to increase their defence autonomy. On 4 March, the European Commission proposed a four-year fiscal rule exemption for defence spending, endorsed by EU leaders, with Germany calling for a longer-lasting change. This led to a sell-off in European bonds, with the largest increase in Bund yields since German reunification, on concerns over a large increase in supply of bonds. Equities were boosted by a potential push to economic growth. In particular, Germany announced the intention to borrow €900bn to be spent on two funds covering the defence and infrastructure sectors. This is a massive shift for Germany, as the country has traditionally been conservative when it comes to fiscal spending.    

Bund yields rose the most since German reunification

Key dates

11 Mar

US JOLTS data, Japan GDP

12 Mar

Bank of Canada policy decision, US CPI, India CPI

14 Mar

France and Germany CPI, UK GDP, Brazil retail sales

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