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Cape Town - 2015 will see the global economy grow at its fastest-rate in three years. The acceleration is built on stronger growth in the USA. The low oil price looks likely to be a feature of the year as does the weak recovery in the Eurozone which risks fizzling out all together with the spectre of deflation hanging over the region. Overall, the outlook for the global economy continues to be uncertain as risks remain pronounced.
From peak to weak oil
In December 2014 the oil price fell to below US$65 per barrel and in 2015 we are forecasting US$82.0 (Europe Brent Spot Price) for the year as a whole. The low price is down to an excess of supply over demand as the US and Canada have become large producers and supplies (unusually) have not been affected by the turmoil in the Middle East. This has come at a time of subdued demand due to the economic slowdown in the Eurozone and the manufacturing slowdown in China.
There will of course be winners, losers and those that break even
from the low price. Winners are the large oil importing countries such
as India and Japan. Losers will be the major oil producers, including
the Gulf States but more notably those suffering from other economic
problems such as Russia and Venezuela.
Russia is over-reliant on energy resources and a low oil price will add to its economic woes and is already weakening the rouble. Countries that import oil at the same time as producing their own may find the low price offsets itself. China is one example. In addition Canada and the US may find that extracting their supplies becomes less and less cost-effective.
We are forecasting a strong year for the US economy, with real GDP growth currently estimated to come in at 3.3%. This will be the strongest rate of growth for 10 years and with it the USA will be a significant contributor to global economic growth. Its relatively small export sector (exports accounted for 9.4% of GDP in 2013) enable it to withstand global economic conditions to some extent. In particular, according to the OECD, it is more insulated from a Eurozone slowdown than other major economies such as Japan and the UK.
The situation is not all rosy though – in particular wages are
stagnating despite an increasingly strengthening labour market. In 2014
we estimate that the average wage per hour remained unchanged in real
terms over 2013 and we forecast a rise of just 0.9% in 2015. This
contributes some fragility to the recovery, as wage growth is needed to
drive consumer expenditure. It also adds complexity to the Fed’s debate
on when to raise interest rates.
Eurozone in the doldrums (again)
The second half of 2014 and 2015 brings a sense of déjà vu with regards to the economic situation facing the Eurozone. In 2015 we are forecasting real GDP growth of 1.1%. The region is suffering from subdued productivity growth, high unemployment and is weighed down by debt. We are not currently expecting the Eurozone economy to shrink but we are expecting growth to be anaemic at best.
This time the situation is compounded by lowflation and the threat of
deflation which haunts the currency bloc. In November 2014 inflation
fell back to a five year low of 0.3%. In 2015 we are forecasting
inflation of 0.6% in the Eurozone, with major economies such as Spain
and Italy coming in at just 0.0%. Deflation is a concern as it increases
the debt burden, suppresses investment and consumer spending, with
business unsure of ROI and consumers holding off for lower prices. This
can quickly spiral into a vicious circle and fears are that the Eurozone
could face a Japanese-style lost decade.
Up in the air
These are three trends amongst many to watch in 2015 including further geopolitical tensions, the birth of new economic groups – ASEAN’s AEC and the Eurasian Economic Union, sluggish trade growth and the strong US dollar. 2015 should see another incremental step towards a stronger global economy, but the recovery remains fragile and risks are such that there remains a danger that it could be derailed.
