Poland: Growth slows sharply and the outlook is poor

GDP growth in 2019 decelerated to 4.0% YoY from 5.2% in 2018, according to the initial annual release. While activity moderated in the first half of the year, the fourth quarter brought a serious slowdown.

Based on the annual reading, we estimate that fourth quarter growth decelerated from 3.9% to about 3.0% YoY. Private consumption surprised negatively - slowing from 3.9% to 3.4% YoY. M3 data suggests households have been saving more – growth in deposits was close to 10% YoY, the strongest value since 2011.

Investments revealed a puzzling recovery. The annual figure suggests an acceleration from 4.7% to 7.8% YoY in 4Q, but monthly indicators (e.g. construction output) have broadly suggested a deceleration. This may be the result of a one-off factor (e.g. from the energy sector), and revisions are also likely. GDP growth in 4Q was significantly reduced by the negative contribution of inventories, while net exports were positive.

The euro area is the main export market for Polish companies and while the manufacturing sector has been weak, particularly in Germany, domestic demand has held up much better. Given that Polish companies have limited economic ties with Asia, the impact of the trade war was rather benign. Poland is also significantly less dependent on the automotive sector compared to other central and eastern European states.

Today’s data doesn’t change our forecasts. We still see GDP growth at 3% year-on-year in 2020, which is lower than the local consensus of 3.3%. Private consumption should moderate further from 3.9% in 2019 to 3-3.5% YoY. Social transfers and the minimum wage hike should continue to support consumer spending, but the impact will likely be less pronounced compared to the fiscal impulse in 2016. Inflation is also a threat and high CPI may hamper real wage growth.

Investment growth is likely to be muted – we think it could even be flat year-on-year. Even if the fourth quarter were to bring a recovery, we think it would be short-lived. Infrastructure outlays should be low as Poland has passed the peak in the EU funding cycle. Data from the EU fund operator BGK shows that growth of payments decelerated from 67% in 2018 to -4%YoY in the second half of 2019. Investment surveys from the corporate sector are also gloomy. Small and medium enterprises have shown a lower propensity to spend due to additional burdens such as higher labour costs following the minimum wage hike), rigorous tax policy and institutional deterioration.

Weaker growth should reaffirm the central bank's stable monetary policy. The committee is unlikely to react to higher CPI readings, even if price growth exceeds 4% YoY. The main argument is that lower activity should limit inflationary pressures.