View:
March 12, 2026
BoE Preview (Mar 19): MPC Agree to Disagree?
March 12, 2026 2:35 PM UTC
The rate cut that seemed partly flagged by the narrow vote against easing in early February now looks highly unlikely this month. Indeed, it is also likely that the four who dissented in favor of cutting last time around will vote with the majority in favour of no change. But while the MPC as a wh
Trump Visit To China: Trade/Taiwan and Iran
March 12, 2026 11:37 AM UTC
• The main success of Trump’s visit will be on trade, where an extension of October trade truce is likely. China wants to avoid section 301 tariffs that could increase the current effective tariff of 25% and the U.S. will turn the whole visit into a PR victory for Trump to deflect from
March 11, 2026
FOMC Preview for March 18: Little change seen in either statement or dots
March 11, 2026 3:37 PM UTC
The FOMC meets on March 18 with rates likely to be left unchanged at 3.5-3.75%. The dots will be updated but we expect them to remain where they were in December, looking for one 25bps easing in 2026 and one more in 2027. The economic forecasts are likely to see only modest changes from September, w
ECB Preview (Mar 19): No Longer in a Good Place?
March 11, 2026 2:53 PM UTC
With no change in policy expected, what the ECB says is the most important aspect of the ECB meeting next week, both explicitly and implicitly via its updated forecasts (Figure 1). Both are likely to underscore that rate hikes are certainly possible if the almost inevitable inflation rise proves t
U.S. February CPI - Core rate has slowed, but inflation not yet defeated
March 11, 2026 1:00 PM UTC
February CPI is in line with expectations at 0.3% overall, 0.2% ex food and energy, with the respective gains before rounding being 0.267% and a reasonably subdued 0.216%. Yr/yr rates are unchanged at 2.4% overall and 2.5% ex food and energy. The data is not alarming but inflationary pressures remai
Iran War Scenarios
March 11, 2026 9:45 AM UTC
· Our central scenario (75%) remains a multi-week war in Iran. Trump loathing of long wars and high gasoline prices prompts U.S. to declare victory before end of March. Israel and Iran would most likely agree an effective ceasefire. The ceasefire would be fragile, however, as it w
March 10, 2026
Bank of Canada Preview for March 18: No change in rates or from January's message
March 10, 2026 5:27 PM UTC
The Bank of Canada meets on March 18 and looks highly likely to leave rates unchanged at 2.25%. The statement is likely to reiterate the message given at the last meeting on January 28, that the policy rate is appropriate conditional on the economy evolving in line with expectations, but uncertainty
South African Economy Grew by 1.1% in 2025 Supported by Stronger Agriculture, Trade and Finance Activities
March 10, 2026 4:35 PM UTC
Bottom Line: Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released the Q4 2025 and full-year GDP growth figures on March 10. Following a revised 0.3% q/q expansion in Q3, the economy grew by 0.4% q/q (0.8% y/y) in Q4. For the full year, the economy expanded by 1.1%—its fastest pace in three years—supporte
Preview: Due March 11 - U.S. February CPI - A moderate gain, but inflation not yet defeated
March 10, 2026 12:15 PM UTC
We expect February’s CPI to increase by 0.3%, with a 0.2% increase ex food and energy. Before rounding we expect the gains will be similar, with the overall CPI rounded up from 0.26% and the core rounded down from 0.24%. CPI has slowed, but it is too soon for the Fed to declare victory.
Swiss SNB Preview (Mar 19): Keeping a Low Profile
March 10, 2026 11:53 AM UTC
Once again and in line with consensus thinking we see SNB policy being unchanged when it gives its next quarterly assessment with little shift in the forecast for either growth or inflation. Admittedly, the tone of the economic outlook will be more guarded but where it will be underscored that it
Sweden Riksbank Preview (Mar 19): On Hold and Still For Some Time Ahead?
March 10, 2026 10:56 AM UTC
It is highly likely that the Riksbank will (again) keep policy on hold with the key rate left at 1.75% when it gives its next verdict. However, what will be more important is what the Board says; explicitly in terms of the recent (less pleasing to it) data flow and, implicitly in terms of updated
Trump’s Fiscal Dominance
March 10, 2026 10:35 AM UTC
· Voting will be done by 12 FOMC members and while Kevin Warsh could mellow some centrists, 5 district Fed presidents and Barr/Jefferson are at the Fed until at least 2031. Warsh may merely bring interest rate cuts sooner from June or potentially engineer a small dip below the 3% neutra
March 09, 2026
Gulf Countries U.S. Investment Deals Risks
March 9, 2026 8:05 AM UTC
· Lower budget revenue and a multi-year hit to tourism and the Gulf role as air transit hubs, could see delays and reduction in some parts of the Gulf states USD3.4 trillion deals with the Trump administration. The economic effects on the U.S. would likely be small and the geopolitics b
March 06, 2026
U.S. February Employment - Decline follows an above trend January, trend near flat
March 6, 2026 2:24 PM UTC
February’s non-non-farm payroll with a 92k decline is well below expectations but needs to be seen alongside a 126k increase in January, and in the context of bad weather between the two surveys. Unemployment edged up to 4.4% from 4.3% though more positive are a 0.4% rise in average hourly earning
March 05, 2026
Preview: Due March 6 - U.S. February Employment (Non-Farm Payrolls) - Not as strong as January, but still marginally positive
March 5, 2026 2:26 PM UTC
We expect February’s non-farm payroll to rise by 35k overall and by 50k in the private sector, both four month lows and significantly slower than January’s above trend respective gains of 130k and 172k. We expect unemployment to edge up to 4.4% from 4.3%, reversing a January dip, and average hou
Preview: Due March 6 - U.S. January Retail Sales - Weather adding to downside risk
March 5, 2026 2:17 PM UTC
We expect retail sales to see a weak month in January, falling by 0.7% overall, with declines of 0.4% ex auto and 0.2% ex auto and gasoline. Bad weather late in the month will contribute to the decline.
