Germany Gfk consumer confidence rose 0.4 to 10.8 in February, above expectation of 10.3. Gfk noted that rising income prospects and an increasing propensity to buy mean that the consumer climate is improving once more. This is further reinforced by a decrease in propensity to save in January.
Rolf Bürkl, GfK Consumer Expert, explains, “For the whole of 2019, GfK is predicting real growth in private consumer spending in Germany of 1.5 percent. The key pillars for the consumer economy will above all be the expected positive trend on the labor market coupled with positive income expectations. However, this is based on there being no significant growth in German consumers’ uncertainty about the economy. For example, if there were an escalation in the trade dispute, putting further strain on export prospects, this would be a bad sign for the export nation of Germany. If this were to again increase workers’ fears of job losses, it would have an adverse impact on the consumer climate, jeopardizing the forecast.”
