Long-term indicators point to eurozone gradual recovery

Although some short-term indicators declined substantially in April, long-term indicators are pointing to a gradual recovery of the eurozone economy, a report said on Tuesday. According to the Macro Views report released by Berenberg Bank, most long-term leading indicators for the eurozone point to a gradual recovery from the third quarter onwards. Germany economic institute Ifo has released the result of its April business survey, which showed the index for industry and trade continued to rise. The expectations index for April was 102.7, the same as that in March but much higher than in last October. The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of eurozone in April, as indicated by Markit Economics, a global business survey provider, hit a 34-month low of 45.9. It was due to extra austerity in Italy and Spain and the negative confidence effects across the eurozone from the new wave of euro concerns, said the Berenberg Bank report. The report predicted that buoyant German real incomes and stronger global demand will likely offset the pain of peripheral austerity over time. "We maintain our call for a 0.4-percent drop in eurozone annual GDP in 2012, with a soft start and a better finish," said the report.