Low Crude Oil Price Encourages Domestic Demand in Some Countries

The USA and several large emerging market economies saw economic momentum decelerate in the first quarter of 2015. In the EU, the recovery spread to France and Italy. Economic growth in Austria accelerated slightly. Sentiment indicators remained largely pessimistic. The sluggishness of industrial activity in Germany and the structural weakness of its import sector dragged down Austrian exports; the quick rise in rents and lacklustre income developments weighed on private consumption in Austria.