Is The German Economy As Easy To Analyze/Predict As German Football Is?

Summary

• We talk a lot about Europe, Italy and Deutsche Bank. The common denominator of all three is Germany.
• Europe's largest economy may remain so. However, whenever you look, there are cracks and signs of weakness.
• Politics, economics, growth, rates, yields, spreads - you name it - are all painting a gloomy picture, and that's before factoring the ECB in.
• At at the end, the Germans always win, but can they push the European train on their own?
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Background

It was Britain's (EWU) legend, Gary Lineker, who once said what every football, i.e. soccer, fan knows to be true:

Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.

In spite of the last World Cup results, when it comes to football, it's quite easy to analyze/predict the German outcomes. The real question is, however, is the German economy is as good/reliable as German football is?

We talk a lot about Europe (VGK, EZU, HEDJ, FEZ), the least attractive continent (for investment) of them all:

• They Say One Thing, But They Are Likely To Be Forced To Do The Exact Opposite
• The Day After Tomorrow: Is Europe About To Break Down? - Part I
• European Vs. American Banks In 2018: A Tale Of 2 Very Different Animals
• European Equities Are Trading At Attractive Valuations, But Is It Time To Buy?
• Columbus Had Fled Europe To America For A Very Good Reason - And He Wasn't Even Aware Of It
• The European Bluff: How Long Can European Markets Survive Without The 'Big Brother' Help?

We talk a lot about Italy (EWI), the weakest link among the eurozone:

• Italy: An Opera That Never Ends
• It(aly) Ain't Over 'Til The Fat Lady (ECB) Sings
• The Day After Tomorrow: Is Europe About To Break Down? - Part I
• Mr. Salvini, How About A Bit Of Salvation? We Need A Salvatore (Savior), Not A Selvaggio (Savage)
• Mamma Mia, Che Macello (My Goodness, What A Mess)
• Your Italian, Queen Like Espresso Cup For This Morning
• It(aly)'s Getting Darker At Luciano Pavarotti's 'O Sole Mio
• Italy: Don't Say You Haven't Been Warned!

We also talk a lot about Deutsche Bank (DB), the weakest European bank:

• Deutsche Bank: Undervalued And Misunderstood? With Great Risk Comes

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.