EU Money Supply Slowdown 2011

Money Supply is an important indicator of economic activity. A slowdown in money supply growth hints the EU is facing the prospect of very low inflation or even deflation.

Since the start of 2010, the growth of M1 has fallen significantly for the Euro area. These figures show the whole Eurozone area, however, in the South, M1 figures are even worse.

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EU M3 growth. ECB

This fall in the Money Supply is a real cause for concern; it shows an economy heading towards economic slowdown and recession. It raises the possibility of deflation (once commodity prices stop rising).

Money Supply figures always needed to be treated with some caution. However, the trend clearly shows a slowdown in economic activity. A fall in the growth of M1 (narrow money supply) and M3 (broad money supply) broadly mean that economic activity is slowing down. Inflation is likely to be falling in the future. (see: link between money supply and inflation)

This fall in the money supply growth (and continued output gap and high unemployment) is something the ECB should be worried about. Yet, their primary concern seems to be only budget deficits and fighting inflation. However, with these figures,

  1. Where is the inflation threat in Europe? The threat seems to be  deflation not inflation
  2. How will the EU be able to reduce Debt to GDP ratios when you have falling nominal GDP?

Why Money Supply Growth has been falling

  • Economic recovery for Europe has petered out. Even Germany growth has been disappointing. France recently produced disappointing growth figures
  • Many countries in the Euro have been forced to cut spending as part of austerity packages. This fiscal restraint (which involves pay cuts and job losses) has led to lower growth.
  • Strong Euro. Against the US dollar, the Euro has risen from 1 EUro to 1.2 US Dollar in March 2010, to the current level of 1 Euro to 1.4 US dollars.
  • Slowdown in global growth
  • Loss of business and consumer confidence given on going problems.
  • The ECB raised interest rates in April and July

Longer Term Growth in EU M3 Money Supply

This graphs shows the usual growth rate in M3. This has strongly been checked since 2009.

M3 Growth in EU

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