- US - Consumers’ confidence overstates the slowdown now underway
- EUROZONE - SNB has found the end of the rainbow: easing cycle finishes here
- UK - CPI preview: on the cusp of 3.1%, as core inflation ticks up
- CHINA+ - China looking in somewhat better shape ahead of tariff hikes
- EM ASIA - RBI facing a smoother road to an April cut; food CPI is going nowhere
- LATAM - Mexico, Colombia: mixed inflation signals amid rate cut prospect
ian shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- Chile’s economic recovery gained momentum despite still-tight financial conditions and external noise.
- Q4 growth was driven by private consumption and capex; manufacturing and construction lagged.
- External risks remain significant and will prevent the BCCh from cutting rates to neutral any time soon.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- India’s deficit consolidated in February to its smallest since mid-2021, as imports tanked…
- …But much of this was due to ongoing corrections in oil and gold imports; exports rebounded too.
- Non-oil and gold merchandise imports, plus imports of services, are still on a firm upward trend.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- EZ trade data show a jump in exports to the US in January, as Mr. Trump fired off tariff threats.
- February and March figures are likely to show further increases in exports across the Atlantic…
- ...But we see some offsetting impact from tariff front-running by EU firms.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Headline CPI inflation should hold at 3.0% in January, 0.2pp higher than rate-setters expect.
- We expect hotel and phone app prices to push up services inflation to 5.1%, matching the MPC’s call.
- February is the ‘calm before the storm’ of price resets; inflation will rise to 3.5% in April.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- In one line: Better, but the overall picture is still one of subpar growth.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: No need to panic over the nosedive in imports.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- LatAm central banks face a complex external environment; vigilance and policy adjustments are needed.
- The BCRP remained cautious amid global risks and strong economic activity, despite falling inflation.
- Brazil’s economic activity is slowing despite initial optimism in its early-2025 performance.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Indonesian export growth surprised greatly to the upside in February, leaping to 14.1%…
- …But base effects did more heavy lifting; monthly momentum and commodity support are lacking.
- Indonesia’s exports aren’t seeing any US front- loading, unlike some of its neighbours; that’s good.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- Germany needs a budget deficit of 4% of GDP over three years to lift defence spending quickly to 3.5%.
- Defence and infrastructure spending require more Bunds; €100B per year over the next decade?
- Rising uncertainty will weigh on Bund yields in Q2, but they’re right to fear the new fiscal plans.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- The Bank of England is far too sanguine about elevated long-term consumer inflation expectations.
- Five-year-ahead expectations hit a new high in Q1, adjusting for a methodology break in the BoE survey.
- Public satisfaction in the BoE’s handling of inflation remains depressed, hindering its credibility.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
SURVEYS SIGNAL A BUOYANT HOUSING MARKET...
- ...WE FORECAST PRICES TO RISE 4% IN 2025
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
China's local governments get the memo on boosting domestic demand
Consumption makes modest improvements, as the trade storm looms
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- In one line: Blame mainly softer fuel & power deflation; headline disinflation is just around the corner.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- In one line: Better, but the overall picture is still one of subpar growth.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Global
- In one line: February export pop isn’t so black and white.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Global
Indonesia’s February export pop isn’t so black and white
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
