Perspectives Economics provides monthly updates from our research team, offering comprehensive analysis of global economic trends, policy developments, and macroeconomic indicators.
Outlook economics September 2026
Key findings
- USA: The rise in long-term interest rates reflects fiscal concerns and is weighing on the housing market
- Germany: Stronger-than-expected exports drive growth
- France: Improved industrial sentiment
- Switzerland: Strongest quarterly growth since 2021
- United Kingdom: Solid GDP growth in second quarter, but slowdown expected
- China: The high-tech boom cannot currently offset the weakness in the Chinese economy
Chart of the month
The last few weeks have been particularly hot in Europe, with little rainfall. The closely-monitored water level of the Rhine at Kaub briefly fell below ten centimetres in mid-August, causing freight transport on the Rhine to come to a near standstill. This triggered concerns in particular for the German chemical industry, which is heavily dependent on the Rhine transport route, and temporarily pushed fuel prices higher. In the meantime, the situation has eased somewhat. Nevertheless, the European purchasing managers’ indices for manufacturing do not signal a slowdown. Instead, they painted a robust picture in August, including in Germany.
