Investment in Portugal

Portugal - Investment
Growth slows in Q4, but economy remains resilient
According to a second estimate released on 26 February, GDP growth lost steam in the final quarter of 2020, falling to 0.2% on a seasonally-adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis (previously reported: +0.4%) from 13.3% in the third quarter, as the progressive tightening of Covid-19 restrictions weighed on momentum.
The downturn was broad-based, with private consumption, public spending, fixed investment and exports all weakening. Private consumption fell 0.5% in the fourth quarter, contrasting the third quarter's 12.7% expansion, while public spending growth slowed to 1.1% (Q3: +7.7% s.a. qoq). Meanwhile, fixed investment swung to contraction, falling 0.2% and contrasting the 9.7% expansion logged in the prior quarter.
Growth in exports of goods and services moderated to 6.2% in Q4 (Q3: +39.8% s.a. qoq). Similarly, growth in imports of goods and services softened to 6.0% in the quarter (Q3: +27.2% s.a. qoq).
On an annual basis, GDP fell at a more pronounced pace of 6.1% in Q4, down from the previous quarter’s 5.7% contraction. As a result, the economy contracted 7.6% over 2020 as a whole—matching the flash reading—contrasting 2.5% growth in 2019.
Moving forward to the new year, the imposition of a lockdown on 15 January spells trouble for activity in the first quarter. Looking at 2021 as a whole though, the economy should benefit from a rebound in private consumption, exports and fixed investment as vaccines are rolled out, restrictions eventually loosen and travel gradually recovers. Higher government spending should provide further support.
On the outlook for 2021, Maddalena Martini, economist at Oxford Economics, commented:
“We expect economic activity to fall again in Q1, with GDP shrinking by 1.7% q/q. But for 2021 overall, we see the economy rebounding to 4.1% growth, supported by the vaccine rollout, the gradual economic reopening in H2, and the contribution of EU funds.”
On fiscal support, she added:
“The government recently extended measures to support the economy. These include additional spending for the national health system, financial support for temporarily furloughed employees, state-backed credit guarantees for small and midsize enterprises, and a deferral of social security payments. Together with European aid and the Next Generation EU funds, these measures will help cover economic losses and support Portugal’s recovery.”
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists see GDP climbing 4.5% in 2021, which is down 0.3 percentage points from last month’s forecast. In 2022 the economy is seen growing 4.4%.
Portugal - Investment Data
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Investment (annual variation in %) | 5.9 | 2.5 | 11.5 | 5.8 | 6.6 |
Portugal Facts
Value | Change | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Bond Yield | 0.45 | -1.90 % | Jan 01 |
Exchange Rate | 1.12 | 0.65 % | Dec 31 |
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Economic News
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Portugal: Growth slows in Q4, but economy remains resilient
February 26, 2021
According to a second estimate released on 26 February, GDP growth lost steam in the final quarter of 2020, falling to 0.2% on a seasonally-adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis (previously reported: +0.4%) from 13.3% in the third quarter, as the progressive tightening of Covid-19 restrictions weighed on momentum. The downturn was broad-based, with private consumption, public spending, fixed investment and exports all weakening.
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Portugal: Consumer sentiment slips in February amid lockdown; business sentiment continues to deteriorate
February 25, 2021
Consumer sentiment fell to minus 25.8 in February, from minus 23.1 in January.
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Portugal: Economy virtually stagnates in Q4, contrasting sturdy growth in Q3
February 2, 2021
A GDP estimate released by the National Statistics Institute on 2 February showed the economy grew a meager 0.4% in seasonally-adjusted quarter-on-quarter terms in Q4, after surging 13.3% in Q3.
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Portugal: Industrial activity contracts at sharpest pace since July in December
January 29, 2021
Industrial output dropped 4.4% compared to the same month of the previous year in December, which was a deterioration from November's 3.2% decrease.
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Portugal: Consumer sentiment continues improving in January; business sentiment deteriorates
January 28, 2021
Consumer sentiment rose to minus 23.1 in January, from minus 24.3 in December.