Behind the headline, the trend in job growth is slowing, with more softening to come.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Too soon to conclude that downward trend is in place.
US
In one line: All due to base effects in energy; the downtrend in the core remains intact.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Global
In one line: All due to base effects in energy; the downtrend in the core remains intact.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
India’s PMIs for Q4, overall, point to sub-6% GDP growth
Singaporean consumer demand looks subdued, despite the November jump in sales growth
Deflation in Thailand deepens, but December should be the low
Philippine inflation returns to the target range, finally
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
Japan's Services PMI Reports Higher Domestic Demand in December
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- The labor market is weaker than the headline December jobs numbers, but it’s hardly terrible.
- Either way, the Fed’s policy decisions will be driven more by the inflation numbers than the jobs data.
- The soft December ISM services survey is not definitive, but a repeat in January would get our attention.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- LatAm economic activity is under pressure, helping to bring inflation back under control.
- Still-tight financial conditions are hurting key sectors, but the economic outlook will improve soon.
- Rate cuts will help to revive activity, but increased political and geopolitical uncertainty is a threat.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Indonesian inflation should fall below BI’s new 2.5% target in Q1, with food base effects turning.
- Thai deflation surprisingly deepened in December, but this should be the low, as food will soon U-turn.
- Target-range inflation in the Philippines is finally here, making a mockery of the BSP’s hawkishness.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- EZ inflation was lifted by base effects in December; the downtrend in the core is uninterrupted.
- Markets are folding on expectations of a March rate cut; we aren’t, until we see January inflation figures.
- German retail sales plunged in November; seasonals have caught up with Black Friday shopping.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
Sharp drop in claims probably is noise; the ADP is deeply unreliable.
US
In one line: Headline rebounds more than expected, but the core undershot our forecast.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Revised higher, but still consistent with a technical recession.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Global
In one line: Revised higher, but still consistent with a technical recession.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: EZ headline rebounded in December, but the core likely eased further.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
Caixin services PMI offers glimmers of hope
Japanese manufacturing activity is struggling
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Homebase signals December payroll growth of about 225K; no sign of further weakening yet.
- That said, a disproportionate share of this increase likely will come from healthcare and education jobs.
- The ISM services index likely ticked higher in December, but a steady softening in 2024 is a decent bet.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
