Realism Replaces Euphoria for Eurozone as Economists Cut Outlook

  • Weak start to 2018 hits home after fastest growth in a decade
  • Global trade conflict poses downside risk to 19-nation economy
Photographer: Ralph Orlowski/Bloomberg
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Economists have curbed their enthusiasm about prospects for the euro area as a global trade spat amplifies concerns over weakening momentum.

The downgrade to growth projections in the latest Bloomberg survey -- on a quarterly and annual basis -- comes after the 19-nation region followed its best year in a decade with a stream of disappointing data in 2018. While respondents expect a continuation of the upswing that has created more than 8 million jobs, they no longer see it keeping pace with last year’s 2.4 percent expansion.