Euro area Q4 GDP likely grew 0.3% q/q, unlikely to grow higher in Q1 2016

The forthcoming euro area Q4 GDP data is not expected to show any sign of expanding growth. The currency bloc is likely to have grown 0.3% q/q, the same as in Q3. With the recent downward trend in sentiment indicators, markedly higher growth in Q1 looks to be unlikely.

This will make it difficult to achieve the ECB's growth forecast of 1.7% for 2016. The industrial production data for December is likely to record a slight growth. However, the industrial sector will carry on struggling in the future due to the global headwinds.