Merino sheep

In October, Mecardo looked at the German IFO index, when the business expectations were on par with the lows of the early COVID pandemic and the 2008-2009 financial crisis. The outlook was not a positive one. In this article, we look at the updated data.

Last August, we outlined why the German IFO German Manufacturing Business Index is useful indicator of international economic activity which can be used as a guide to the cycles and trend demand for merino wool. The correlation between the IFO indices and wool prices is not a perfect one by any means but the bigger cycles match up well. Therefore the IFO index gives us a way of seeing how the demand side of the wool market is tracking.

In October, the conclusion was that demand would remain weak for a couple of quarters, given the weakness in the IFO index and the business sentiment index. Thankfully this proved incorrect, with Merino prices bouncing back to mid-2022 levels in late 2022 from the spring lows.

The IFO Index itself picked up from the spring lows, returning to a slightly positive level. This lift in the IFO manufacturing index matched the lift seen in Merino prices. Figure 1 compares the seasonally adjusted Ifo German manufacturing index with the average micron merino price in Australian dollar terms from 2008 to April 2023. While the merino price rose by the best part of three dollars, the change in price was relatively small by the range of merino prices of the past decade, matching the modest increase in the IFO index.

Figure 2 repeats the exercise with the Merino price in US dollar terms. It shows a similar story. To underpin further rises in the Merino price we will need to see the IFO index continue to rise.

In Figure 3 the IFO German manufacturing index (seasonally adjusted) is compared to the business expectations (sentiment) survey. The expectations series lagged by three months, reflecting that it is a survey of further expectations by German manufacturing.  In hindsight, the late 2022 low level for business expectations was ripe for a turn upward, as it had done previously in 2020 and early 2009. This is what happened, again, in late 2022 with expectations improving back up to a neutral level. At this stage the expectations, while much improved, are not bullish by any measure.

What does it mean?

From the perspective of the German IFO manufacturing index, the period of weakest sentiment seems to have passed, although this will be heavily influenced by the war in Ukraine and the associated supply and cost of energy in Europe. There are no bullish signs as yet for the Merino market from the various IFO indices, so it appears to remain a period of waiting for improved economic activity to appear in order to underpin a rising Merino price cycle.

Have any questions or comments?

We love to hear from you!

Print This Post

Key Points

  • The late 2022 rebound in merino prices was matched by a small improvement in the German manufacturing index.
  • The IFO German manufacturing index and the leading business expectations index are close to neutral at present, with no signs of big improvements in the merino price in sight but certainly not as bearish as they were in late 2022.

Click on figure to expand

Click on figure to expand

Click on figure to expand

Data sources: AWEX, RBA, IFO Institute, ICS,  Mecardo

Make decisions with confidence- ask about our board packs, bespoke forecasting and risk management services

Have any questions or comments?

We love to hear from you!
Wool

Optimism a plenty

As reported last week, it felt like the wool market was stirring on the back of positive Chinese economic stimulus. This week it posted the

Read More »
Wool

Argentine Wool Clip

With full season data available for the Argentine wool clip, it is time to review the wool production of this member of the Southern Hemisphere

Read More »

Want market insights delivered straight to your inbox?

Sign up to the mailing list to get regular updates to new analysis and market outlooks

Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published

Commodity conversations podcast cover image, a illustration of a sheep standing on a cow's back with grain either side
Listen to the podcast

Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.

Photo of a farmer surrounded by Merino sheep in dusty yards
Research: Analysis of the Australian sheep flock

In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making. 

Image of harvested grain pouring into a chaser bin
SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BROCHURE

We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.