France avoids recession as economy returns to growth; China’s factory output drops – business live | Business
Introduction: France's economy avoids recession with return to growth
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
It’s a massive day for GDP data, as growth figures from across the Eurozone – and then North America – are released through the day.
They’ll give us an insight into how the world economy fared in the first quarter of this year, a time dominated by Donald Trump’s second presidency, and the trade war that sent ripples around the globe.
And France has got us up and running, with new data showing that its economy has avoided falling into recession.
French GDP rose by 0.1% in January-March, statistics body INSEE reports. That follows a 0.1% contraction in October-December 2024, and means France has avoided shrinking for two quarters in a row (a technical recession).
But, such growth as there was came from a rise in inventories, as companies stocked up – perhaps in preparation for new tariffs. That added 0.5% to French GDP.
INSEE reports that final domestic demand and household consumption both stalled.
Investment, or “gross fixed capital formation”, shrank by 0.2%.
Foreign trade kept contributing negatively to GDP growth in the first quarter (-0.4 points after -0.1 points): exports fell sharply this quarter (-0.7% after +0.2%), while imports rose again (+0.4% after +0.5%).
France GDP Growth Rate QoQ Prel was reported at 0.1% in Q1 from -0.1% in the previous period. It was expected at 0.2%.
France's GDP growth returns to positive territory but falls short of expectations, indicating a modest recovery. Potential downward pressure on the euro, but…
We’ll hear from Germany, Italy, and the full eurozone this morning.
This afternoon, investors will be bracing for the latest US GDP report which will show how America’s economy fared under Donald Trump, as recession fears rise….
The agenda
6.30am BST: France’s GDP report for Q1 2014
7am BST: Nationwide’s UK house price index for April
9am BST: Germany’s GDP report for Q1 2024
9am BST: Italy’s GDP report for Q1 2024
10am BST: Eurozone GDP report for Q1 2024
12pm BST: Mexico’s GDP report for Q1 2024
1.30pm BST: US GDP report for Q1 2024
1.30pm BST: Canada’s GDP report for February
Key events
China’s manufacturing activity shrinks as US tariffs bite
Factory activity across China contracted at the fastest pace in 16 months in April, a factory survey shows today, highlighting the economic impact from US President Donald Trump’s trade war.
China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index has dropped to 49, the weakest level since December 2023, down from 50.5 in March.
Any reading below 50 indicate that the sector contracted.
This indicates that the flurry of tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by Washington and Beijing this month have hurt manucturers.
The Chinese PMI fell more than expected to 49 from 50.5. The indicators offer an alarming first official look at the health of China’s economy.
A significant economic slowdown this quarte that could trigger more stimulus. pic.twitter.com/bhicgVVTML
Zichun Huang, China economist at CapitalEconomics, explains:
“The sharp drop in the PMIs likely overstates the impact of tariffs due to negative sentiment effects, but it still suggests that China’s economy is coming under pressure as external demand cools.”
“Although the government is stepping up fiscal support, this is unlikely to fully offset the drag, and we expect the economy to expand just 3.5% this year.”
Introduction: France's economy avoids recession with return to growth
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
It’s a massive day for GDP data, as growth figures from across the Eurozone – and then North America – are released through the day.
They’ll give us an insight into how the world economy fared in the first quarter of this year, a time dominated by Donald Trump’s second presidency, and the trade war that sent ripples around the globe.
And France has got us up and running, with new data showing that its economy has avoided falling into recession.
French GDP rose by 0.1% in January-March, statistics body INSEE reports. That follows a 0.1% contraction in October-December 2024, and means France has avoided shrinking for two quarters in a row (a technical recession).
But, such growth as there was came from a rise in inventories, as companies stocked up – perhaps in preparation for new tariffs. That added 0.5% to French GDP.
INSEE reports that final domestic demand and household consumption both stalled.
Investment, or “gross fixed capital formation”, shrank by 0.2%.
Foreign trade kept contributing negatively to GDP growth in the first quarter (-0.4 points after -0.1 points): exports fell sharply this quarter (-0.7% after +0.2%), while imports rose again (+0.4% after +0.5%).
France GDP Growth Rate QoQ Prel was reported at 0.1% in Q1 from -0.1% in the previous period. It was expected at 0.2%.
France's GDP growth returns to positive territory but falls short of expectations, indicating a modest recovery. Potential downward pressure on the euro, but…
We’ll hear from Germany, Italy, and the full eurozone this morning.
This afternoon, investors will be bracing for the latest US GDP report which will show how America’s economy fared under Donald Trump, as recession fears rise….
The agenda
6.30am BST: France’s GDP report for Q1 2014
7am BST: Nationwide’s UK house price index for April
