Eurozone economy grows less than expected in Q4

The Eurozone economy grew less than initially estimated in the fourth quarter, according to the latest data from Eurostat.

Gross domestic product rose 0.4% compared to the previous quarter, down from the 0.5% estimated back in January and in line with the third quarter figures. Analysts had expected 0.5% growth.

On the year, GDP grew by 1.7%, down from the 1.8% increase estimated last month and from the 1.8% rise in the third quarter.
In the EU-28 group of nations, GDP rose by 0.5% on the quarter and 1.8% on the year.

Pantheon Macroeconomics said: “We don’t get any numerical details, but we think the final estimate for EZ GDP will show that domestic demand—especially investment—was the key driving force of the rise in Q4 GDP.”