MORNING BID EUROPE-German growth doubles in Q1

* A look at the day ahead from European Economics and Politics Editor Mark John and Nigel Stephenson, specialist editor, EMEA markets. The views expressed are their own.

LONDON, May 13 (Reuters) - More evidence of a euro zone recovery emerged this morning with Germany more than doubling its economic growth rate in the first quarter of 2016. That came after a first estimate for overall euro zone growth in the quarter stood at 0.6 percent, the fastest pace of growth in five years. A second estimate comes later this morning. Separately, Germany's biggest trade union, IG Metall, has agreed on a wage hike of 4.8 percent for the some 700,000 metal and electric sector workers in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia over a period of 21 months which, if confirmed, should be extended to 3.8 million workers across the country.

Poland learns today whether Moody's will downgrade its ratings on concerns about a simmering constitutional crisis since the ruling Law and Justice Party came to power. The zloty has weakened by over 4 percent against the euro since the start of April on concerns about a downgrade and fears about a potential forced conversion of Swiss franc mortgages into zlotys -- something that would hurt the banking sector. Thirteen of 24 analysts polled by Reuters have said they expect the ratings agency to cut the outlook on Poland's long-term foreign currency rating to negative from stable, but keep the overall rating at its current level.

MARKETS AT 0645 GMT

Another drop in Apple (LSE: 0R2V.L - news) shares, which are down 20 percent in the last month, hit Wall Street, and shares in some of its suppliers helped drag Tokyo stocks lower. European shares are seen opening lower and we will have to keep an eye on suppliers in Europe. The dollar is up against a basket of currencies but down against the yen. Dollar strength is weighing on some commodities, including oil, which nonetheless remains close to six-month highs. European shares are set to open 0.2-0.6 percent lower.

French construction-to-media firm Bouygues (LSE: 0HAN.L - news) ' operating loss narrowed more than expected in a first quarter that saw the first signs of stabilisation in the French construction market and improving trends at its telecoms arm. German steelmaker Salzgitter (LSE: 0G77.L - news) said self-help measures would allow it to attain its full-year targets even though it could not predict how sustainable a recovery in the steel market would be. German insurer Talanx (LSE: 0QA8.L - news) 's net profit fell by less than expected to 222 million euros in the first quarter, helped by low damage claims and a surprise rise in income from investments, while its Italian peer UnipolSai (Amsterdam: UQ8.AS - news) predicted to post total net profits of 1.4-1.6 billion euros in its new business plan covering the period 2016-2018.

Other stock movers: stock exchange operator Euronext (Lisbon: ENX.LS - news) would spend up to 150 million euros on acquisitions by 2019 in a bid to stay competitive; German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Media is setting aside around 40 million euros in the second quarter to cover additional tax payments related to its former Swedish business.

Bond yields continue to fall. German Bund yields, which bounced off one-month lows on Thursday, are down at 0.14 percent. U.S (Other OTC: UBGXF - news) . Treasury yields, which rose on Thursday after a Fed official said rates should rise if data showed the U.S. economy improving, reversed course and are back at Wednesday levels. Higher Treasury yields helped lift the dollar. It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) 's up 0.2 pct against its currency basket and 0.3 pct vs the euro at $1.1344 but down 0.4 pct at 108.59 yen, w3hich is however close to a two-week low. U.S. retail sales data may help set the dollar's short-term direction. Brent crude was last at $47.66 a barrel, down 44 cents. Russia warned the global oil glut would be around until the first half of 2017. Copper was up 0.6 pct at $4,646 a tonne but on track for its second consecutive weekly loss. Gold (Other OTC: GDCWF - news) was up 0.7 percent but heading for its worst week since March.

Upcoming events/data/themes for market reports on Friday

* BOJ chief Kuroda speaks in Tokyo

* SKorea keeps rates unchanged

* HK, Malaysia Q1 GDP +4.2 pct

* Germany, Q1 flash GDP +0.7 pct

* EZ Q1 GDP (0800 GMT)

* Spain April inflation

* Poland March current account

* U.S. April retail sales, PPI (1230 GMT)

* SF Fed chief Williams speaks in Sacramento

(editing by John Stonestreet)