- In one line: Incompatible with prior data, but the downtrend is on track.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Incompatible with prior data, but the downtrend is on track.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Global
- In one line: Core pressures continue to ease.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Global
- The El Niño effect is pushing prices of key foods higher, but core pressures remain under control.
- Brazil’s disinflation is on track, despite the headline number surprising to the upside in January.
- Food prices are also causing trouble in Chile, and methodology changes have led to elevated noise.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A terrible end to the year, but conditions will likely improve in Q1.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Brazilian Real — Fundamentals supportive
- Colombian Peso — Shielded by high carry
- Chilean Peso — Lower carry still the key drag
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s industrial sector is strengthening, but the devil is in the detail; bold rate cuts are needed.
- The external balance improved substantially last year as exports were resilient and imports struggled.
- The minutes of the last policy meeting point to a cruising speed of 50bp rate cuts in the near term.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Chile’s BCCh cut the policy rate by 100bp to 7.25%, with one member voting for a bigger reduction.
- The Board increased the pace of easing as inflation is falling rapidly and the economy is struggling.
- The worst for the economy is over, but temporary shocks—including bad weather—remain drags.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Industrial sector ends 2023 on a strong note.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- BanRep delivered a cautious rate cut, as inflation risks remain tilted to the upside…
- …But there was unanimity among the Board on the need for further policy normalisation.
- We still think bolder rate cuts are coming, as inflation will start to fall rapidly and activity will falter.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
INFLATION CONTINUES TO FALL AND GROWTH IS SLUGGISH...
- ...ALLOWING GRADUAL INTEREST RATE CUTS
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Rapid disinflation is allowing LatAm central banks to normalise monetary policy, but speeds differ.
- Brazil’s COPOM cut rates at a cautious 50bp pace, but we still see room for bolder cuts if the Fed blinks.
- The unemployment rate ended Q4 on a decent footing, but we see a slowdown in job creation in H1.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A poor end to the quarter, highlighting the need of further rate cuts.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A cautious cut, but bolder action likely will come soon.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Global