- Japan’s preliminary Q1 GDP surprised the market to the downside, with growth turning negative.
- Weak domestic demand, such as business investment and consumption, was the culprit.
- The sluggish growth does not warrant an early rate hike, as markets suggest; we stick to our Q4 call.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- The manufacturing sector continues to disappoint and a sustained recovery still looks some way off.
- April's pick-up in import prices likely will have a near-zero impact on core goods CPI inflation.
- The failure of housing starts and claims fully to reverse recent adverse shifts suggest interest rates are too high.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The BSP yesterday left the target reverse repo rate at 6.50%, with its statement still sounding hawkish…
- …But Governor Remolona was more dove than hawk, saying a rate cut in August is now possible.
- The BSP cut its 2024 CPI forecast to 3.8%; it’s been behind the curve and can afford to shoot lower.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- EZ fiscal policy is now consolidating but will remainmuch looser than before the pandemic.
- We think the Italian government is too optimistic on its deficit-reduction this year, and until 2026 too.
- The path for Germany’s fiscal position will depend on spending, while revenues matter most in France.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- We expect the MPC to cut Bank Rate in June, as services inflation undershoots its forecasts.
- The MPC’s words in any case signal the precise path of data is not that important for the first rate cut...
- ... Data may matter more for subsequent changes, so robust wage growth will mean one cut per quarter.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
A clear signal of weakening consumption.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
A broad-based slowdown, pointing to a 0.24% core PCE print.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- In one line: The deficit miss isn’t that bad, seasonal effects aside; don’t put too much stock into the jump in imports.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
In one line: Output still fell over Q1 as a whole.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: The core should fall a bit further over the summer, but 2% is likely the new trend.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- In one line: Slowing jobs growth keeps MPC rate cut on track , despite strong wage growth.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- In one line: A poorer start to Q2 than suggested by the already-soft headline rates.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Global
A poorer start to Q2 for Indonesian trade than suggested by the already-soft headlines
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
The PBoC leaves the MLF rate unchanged, despite the April credit data dip
Duncan WrigleyChina+
The PBoC leaves the MLF rate unchanged, despite the April credit data dip
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Underlying services inflation slowed in April; momentum in rents and auto insurance prices will fade.
- The CPI and PPI data suggest the core PCE deflator rose by 0.23%, the smallest increase since December.
- April's retail sales report supports the case for a slowdown in consumption growth.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US