EURZAR Exchange Rate

The euro area economy expanded in the first quarter after two consecutive declines as all big four economies exhibited better performance, boosting hopes of a sustained recovery this year. Gross domestic product grew by a faster-than-expected 0.3 percent sequentially following a 0.1 percent fall each in the fourth and third quarters of 2023, preliminary flash estimates from Eurostat showed.

The German economy avoided a recession in the first quarter on exports and investment in construction, preliminary data from Destatis showed on Tuesday. Gross domestic product grew a more-than-expected 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, in contrast to the revised 0.5 percent decrease in the preceding three months.

Germany's consumer prices logged a steady pace of increase in April reflecting the stickiness of inflation despite the disinflationary pressure gaining strength over recent months. The consumer price index posted an annual growth of 2.2 percent, which was the same rate as seen in March and weaker than economists' forecast of 2.3 percent. The current 2.2 percent inflation was the lowest since 2021.

Euro area economic sentiment deteriorated further in April largely reflecting the difficulties in the industrial sector, survey data revealed on Monday. The economic confidence index dropped to 95.6 in April from 96.2 in the previous month, the European Commission said. The economic sentiment index deteriorated notably in industry, and services, retail trade and construction experienced moder