- The December retail sales report was much stronger than expected, and revisions were minimal.
- We now think real consumption spending rose at a 2.6% annualized rate in the fourth quarter.
- The Fed would prefer softer numbers, but what really matters to policymakers is the inflation picture.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Mexico — Presidential election hotting up
- Argentina — Pragmatic chainsaw switched on
- Chile — Pension reform continues to advance in Congress
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Singaporean non-oil domestic export growth fell into the red in December, as we predicted...
- ...With support to the headline from volatile categories unwinding, and electronics weakening.
- Sticking to our Q2 call for BI rate cuts; policy easing has started in less urgent conditions in the past.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- The ECB is not happy with market expectations for a spring rate cut but is fine with June.
- If our forecast for inflation to fall below 2% by February is right, the ECB will cut in March.
- Plunging PPI points to downside risks to services inflation, but the output price PMI is still high.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
Startling, but not definitive.
US
In one line: In line with our view that the Q1 recovery in German GDP will be muted
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: All due to base effects; how far will inflation fall in January?
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- U.S. - Core PCE prices likely rose at the 2% target pace in Q4, matching Q3
- EUROZONE- Eurozone GDP likely fell in Q4, despite a leap in net exports
- U.K.- Will the MPC cut Bank Rate by more than 25bp at one meeting?
- CHINA+ - China’s credit demand softens, as developers repay debt
- EM ASIA - Only a matter of when, not if, Indian food inflation becomes a huge drag
- LATAM - A Busy Week for LatAm Inflation Watchers; All Good, for Now
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- Both our Homebase-driven model and the NFIB survey signal about 225K payrolls in January.
- Plunging manufacturing hours worked signals down- side risk for December core retail sales.
- Manufacturing is still struggling; no sign yet of a meaningful improvement.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Milei has been busy in his first month in charge of Argentina’s economy, but it hasn’t been easy.
- Inflation turned out a bit better than expected, at a still-ugly 211%, the highest since 1990.
- The IMF backed Milei’s economic plan, approving the next disbursement under the current deal.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Net trade will likely shave 0.4pp off Indonesia's Q4 GDP growth, supporting our soft 4.7% forecast...
- ...But the underlying trends are positive; import base effects and stalling tourism will be to blame.
- India’s trade gap has narrowed swiftly from the record low in October; we examine the main drivers.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- The fall in EZ residential house prices was extended in Q3, and likely again in Q4.
- In 2024, house prices should recover somewhat as demand rebounds, but not until the end of the year.
- We look for house prices to fall by 3.5% this year after a likely near-2% decline in 2023.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- In one line: Can’t rely on favourable oil price effects going forward.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
In one line: Pulled lower by falling domestic demand; GDP likely fell in Q4.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Industry was still in recession in Q4; boost from net trade was likely offset by weakness elsewhere last quarter.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- In one line: Exports are improving, but demand still isn’t firing on all fronts.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Global
Indonesian exports are improving, but demand still isn’t firing on all fronts
Plenty of reassuring details from India’s December WPI
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
