- The low personal saving rate stems from low unemployment and recent rapid growth in asset prices.
- The saving rate will likely rise over the next year as unemployment rises and stock price growth slows.
- Consumer confidence probably ticked up in July, but from a level consistent with soft consumption growth.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Brazil’s current account deficit is widening, driven by both domestic factors and global headwinds.
- Mexico’s trade balance has deteriorated, hit by fewer oil exports and ongoing manufacturing weakness.
- Both nations must address economic uncertainties; tight financial conditions will keep a lid on imports.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- June's muted core PCE deflator likely will be followed by sustained benign readings.
- Consumption will slow further, as the labor market weakens and the savings rate creeps up.
- July's regional Fed services surveys also support the case for a rapid easing of monetary policy.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- LatAm policymakers face complex challenges due to inflation, currency volatility and policy uncertainty.
- Brazil will likely hold rates, as the currency sell-off and fiscal concerns dampen easing expectations.
- The central banks in the Andes will continue to cut rates, on the back of stable inflation and poor growth.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: CBI orders and prices fall in July, but both should rebound in August.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)UK
- In one line: Core inflation remains under control, giving Banxico room for manoeuvre, despite the ugly headline.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s IPCA-15 inflation overshot expectations, driven by transportation and housing costs.
- Brazil’s currency sell-off increases inflation risks, complicating COPOM’s monetary policy decisions.
- Mexico’s headline inflation jumped in mid-July, due largely to a non-core inflation spike; core is subdued.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- We think GDP grew by 2.2% in Q2, but we expect a weaker second half as consumption softens.
- A 2.7% rise in the core PCE deflator should reassure the Fed that the 3.7% spike in Q1 was a blip.
- The further uptick in the S&P Global Composite PMI probably overstates the economy's strength.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- US - It’s much too early to make election-driven changes to macro forecasts
- EUROZONE - The ECB is less sure about a September rate cut than markets
- UK - Services inflation too strong for the MPC to cut rates in August
- CHINA+ - PBoC swings into action with early rate cuts to support growth
- EM ASIA - Malaysian 2024 GDP growth likely to beat government’s forecast
- LATAM - Mexico, Colombia: mixed inflation signals amid rate cut prospects
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- Q2 GDP likely rose at a faster rate than in Q1 but well below the rapid growth seen in 2023.
- A further slowdown lies ahead, as high interest rates bite harder and the personal saving rate normalizes.
- The earlier release of advance trade and inventories data should make GDP forecasts more accurate.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Latin American trade balances have improved amid currency weakness and commodity-price rebounds.
- Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina are posting trade surpluses; deficits narrow in Colombia and Mexico.
- Regional economic stabilisation efforts are leading to results in external trade accounts, but risks remain.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- All bets are off for November, so it makes little sense to change macro forecasts at this point.
- The further fall in pending home sales in May points to a steep decline in existing home sales in June.
- We expect a weaker labor market and ongoing lack of supply to mean sales remain subdued for some time.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The Mexican economy sent positive signals in May amid domestic political uncertainty and global risk.
- The service and construction sectors drove May’s growth; retail sales reflect an economic deterioration.
- Election-linked fiscal stimulus will wane; high rates and political risk are clouding the economic outlook.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Interest rate rules monitored by the FOMC suggest rates should already have been reduced to 4%.
- Policy rules are sensitive to the assumed neutral rate, but also to unemployment, which will rise further.
- The latest readings for a raft of leading indicators suggest that lower housing inflation is here to stay.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Colombia’s and Argentina’s economies are recovering, amid persistent challenges and uncertainty.
- Agriculture is driving economic growth in Colombia, but construction and commerce are struggling.
- Fiscal consolidation has improved Argentina’s balance sheet but raises concerns about social impact.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
Claims boosted by auto plant shutdowns and Hurricane Beryl, but the underlying trend is rising.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
