Eurozone weekly economic briefing – A mixed start to the year

The news for Europe at the start of the year has been mixed. The spread of the Omicron variant has resulted in a predictable surge in infections, in many countries widely surpassing previous waves.

What you will learn:

• There are encouraging signs that this new variant is having a much milder impact, partly because of the increased protection offered by vaccines.
• This means lighter restrictions and a smaller economic impact than seen during the last winter wave.
• December PMIs confirm the notion of a slowing eurozone economy at end-2021, with Germany being the country hit hardest.