That has likewise been the case in the past six months: •  in the economic setting, it has transpired that - contrary to some fears expressed during the past year - the US economy continues to be marked by an exceptionally buoyant growth process.
In a number of euro countries, by contrast, the impression of a certain short-lived slackening in growth has been confirmed. In the meantime, however, there are signs of activity starting to pick up again soon.