ECB at 20, British Confidence, Chinese Factories: Eco Day

(Bloomberg) -- Welcome to Thursday, Europe. Here’s news from Bloomberg Economics to help get your day started:

• Growing pains. The European Central Bank’s 20th anniversary arrives on Friday as another financial scare shows that the euro area still hasn’t grown up
• Sunny views. British consumers are feeling more upbeat about their spending prospects, though they’re still worried about the economic outlook, according to GfK
• Tense times. The European Union is bracing for a trade offensive from U.S. President Donald Trump, amid a report the U.S. is poised to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum
• What slowdown? China’s official factory gauge rose more than estimated as export orders accelerated, signaling trade continues to drive expansion
• Meanwhile, the case for the People’s Bank of China to cut the amount of cash lenders are required to hold is getting stronger
• In Japan, factory output rose less than forecast in April, adding to concerns about the strength of the economy

To contact the reporter on this story: Enda Curran in Hong Kong at ecurran8@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Malcolm Scott at mscott23@bloomberg.net, Henry Hoenig

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