- The BoK stood pat in May, citing rising inflation risks due to strengthening economic conditions.
- The rate-cut timing is less certain now due to volatile expectations of the Fed’s move and geopolitical risk .
- Japan’s flash PMI surveys show tentative signs of growth broadening to manufacturing.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- In one line: House prices jump in March, but further gains will be more challenging as markets reprice rate cuts.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- Ignore the rise in the composite PMI in May it has been a poor guide to GDP growth since the pandemic...
- ...The failure of the employment index to reverse April's plunge adds to signs of slowing payroll growth.
- We look for a small rise in core capital goods shipments in April, due to a calendar quirk, not an improving trend.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Our final forecast for India’s Q1 GDP next week sees growth slow to 6.2%, from 8.4% in Q4…
- …The hits should come from an import bounce, weaker public spending and a plunge in valuables.
- Taiwanese retail sales will remain subdued for the rest of Q2, but a late -H2 recovery is in the works.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- The June rate cut is safe, but sticky Q1 negotiated wage growth will prevent another one in July.
- We now see the ECB easing by 25bp in June, September, October and December; no cuts in 2025.
- The May EZ PMIs add to our conviction that EZ GDP growth is continuing its tepid rebound in Q2.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The flash PMI suggests services CPI inflation will resume its decline after barely falling in April.
- The PMI suggests growth is slowing to a more comfortable 0.3% quarter-to-quarter pace too.
- So, the MPC can cut interest rates in August, even if April inflation ended the chances of a June reduction.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
Sales likely to stagnate for the next few months, at best.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
- In one line: June rate cut off the cards as services barely slows.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- In one line: There isn't room for tax cuts but the Chancellor seems set on another fiscal event in the Autumn.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- In one line: The calm after last month’s madness.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Global
Japan's exports maintain steady growth, led by cars and chips
Duncan WrigleyChina+
In one line: Korea's 20-day exports hit hard by May’s fewer working days but underlying momentum was improving on a WDA basis.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
In one line: Korea's 20-day exports hit hard by May’s fewer working days but underlying momentum was improving on a WDA basis.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- S&P's employment index has a poor long-term correlation with payrolls, but markets are paying attention now.
- Leading indicators leave us looking for an above-consensus 230K initial claims print today.
- "Various" FOMC members signalled willingness to hike in the minutes, but the data has moved on since then.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Malaysian export growth rose sharply in April, but this was mostly down to favourable base effects…
- …With this support likely to wane in coming months, all eyes are on the recovery in electronics exports.
- BI stood pat yesterday, after April’s shock hike; the economy has yet to feel the full force of this cycle.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- Is the idea of a July rate cut sinking without a trace? Isabel Schnabel seems to think so.
- Today’s Q1 negotiated wage growth data are a wild card; one-offs in Germany are the main upside risk.
- We agree with Ms. Schnabel’s assessment that the natural rate has increased, at least temporarily.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- We expect the MPC to cut Bank Rate in August, versus June previously, following strong April inflation.
- Services inflation barely slowed in April and was 0.4pp stronger than the MPC expected.
- The services strength was widespread and not concentrated in a handful of erratic items.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
In one line: Goods trade supported GDP last quarter
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: A solid Q1, but output will fall back in Q2.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone