Report
Patrick Artus

Euro zone: The structural factors behind the persistently low inflation

The persistently low inflation in the euro zone results from enduring structural factors that are out of monetary policy’s control: The strong competition from low-labour-cost emerging countries and the offshoring to these countries. This results in both downward pressure on wages and weak pricing power for euro-zone companies (which are unable to pass on cost rises to their prices); The practice of internal devaluations (labour cost reductions) to improve cost competitiveness in the euro-zone countries, which gives rise to a constant disinflationary bias; The high required return on corporate equity, which is obtained in part by skewing income distribution against wage earners.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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