Trump’s and Fed Easing

July 18, 2025 9:34 AM UTC

•    Trump goal of substantially lower short-term rates could be achieved with a recession, but otherwise is unlikely even when Fed chair Powell is replaced.  The majority of voting FOMC members will make decisions based on economics not politics.  However, Trump fixation with lower rates an

U.S. Fed's Waller - Makes a strong call for a July easing

July 18, 2025 12:04 AM UTC

Fed's Waller has signalled that he will vote for an ease in July. He is unlikely to be in the majority.

U.S. Fed's Bostic - Inflation uncertainty may persist for months

July 17, 2025 8:03 PM UTC

Fed's Bostic sees near term rate cuts as difficult given tariff uncertainty.

Preview: Due July 30 - U.S. Q2 GDP - Rebounding from a negative Q1, but a subdued first half of the year

July 17, 2025 5:54 PM UTC

We expect a 2.4% annualized increase in Q2 GDP, which after a 0.5% decline in Q1 would leave the first half of the year rising at a pace close to 1.0%. A similar pace may be seen in the second half of the year if tariffs persist. Our Q2 forecast has been lifted from 1.4% on a generally improved tone

U.S. Fed's Kugler - Hold rates steady for some time

July 17, 2025 1:25 PM UTC

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler still sounds hawkish on inflation, while is less concerned about downside risks to employment.

U.S. June Retail Sales, Weekly Initial Claims, July Philly Fed - Economy regaining momentum in the tariff pause

July 17, 2025 1:06 PM UTC

The latest US data presents a picture of an economy regaining some momentum as tariff fears fade, at least temporarily. June retail sales with gains of 0.6% overall and ex auto and gas, with ex autos and the control group which contributes to GDP both up 0.5%, ended Q2 on a firm note. July’s Phill

Trump’s Tariffs and Markets

July 17, 2025 12:00 PM UTC

The assumption in financial markets is that some trade framework deals will be done by August 1; some countries will make enough progress to be given an extra 30 days and some countries could have higher tariffs implemented. This would be broadly consistent with the average 15% tariff that is widely

UK Labor Market – No Lack of Slack

July 17, 2025 6:58 AM UTC

Even the BoE has acknowledged that the UK economy is developing slack in its labor market that we suggest is now not so much less tight but decidedly loose. Indeed, just days after BoE Governor Bailey suggested that signs of increasing labor market slack might prompt faster rate cuts, more such evid

Deal or Dilemma: What the US–Indonesia Trade Pact Really Means

July 17, 2025 5:46 AM UTC

The US–Indonesia trade deal marks a significant geopolitical and economic pivot, reducing a threatened 32% tariff to 19% in exchange for USD 34bn in US imports and open market access. While the agreement offers Jakarta temporary relief, it locks the country into a transactional trade model amid ri

U.S. Fed Beige Book Summary - Activity increased slightly

July 16, 2025 6:14 PM UTC

The latest Fed Beige Book is slightly more positive than that on June 5 which saw activity declining slightly, though concerns over tariff-induced cost pressures persist. 

CBR will Likely Cut its Key Rate to 19% on July 25

July 16, 2025 4:32 PM UTC

Bottom Line: After Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reduced its key interest rate by 100 basis points to 20% on June 6, citing continued easing in inflationary pressures, including core inflation, we foresee that the rate will be further reduced to 19% on July 25 taking into account that inflation slowe

Trump denies earlier report that he is planning to fire Fed's Powell

July 16, 2025 4:17 PM UTC

Trump's comments have erased much but not all of a sharp market reaction to a report that Powell would soon be sacked.

ECB Preview (Jul 24, Part Two): Policy Pause Despite Tighter Financial Conditions

July 16, 2025 1:07 PM UTC

The next ECB Council meeting decision on Jul 24 looms but (as we noted in the part one preview) markets (understandably) sees no further cut, at least at that juncture.  However, we think that the ECB will ultimately still have to ease further - two more 25 bp cuts in H2 - and would not even rule o

Preview: Due July 17 - U.S. June Retail Sales - Mostly subdued

July 16, 2025 12:08 PM UTC

We expect a 0.1% increase in June retail sales to follow two straight declines, with a 0.3% incase ex autos that will reverse a 0.3% May decline. Ex autos and gasoline, we also expect a 0.3% increase, after a 0.1% May decline that followed a 0.1% April increase. 

UK CPI Review: Services Inflation Fails to Fall Further as Headline Surprises on Upside?

July 16, 2025 6:42 AM UTC

Calendar effects have been accentuating swings in UK CPI data of late and these may have reoccurred in the June numbers partly explaining June numbers which surprised on the upside. Indeed, June saw the headline and core rise a further 0.2 ppt – the former to an 18-mth high of 3.6%.  Moreover, se

FOMC Preview for July 30: No change given uncertainty on tariffs and their consequences

July 15, 2025 6:15 PM UTC

The FOMC meets on July 30 and recent data suggests no reason to move rates from the current 4.25-4.50% level, though Q2 GDP data due on the morning on the decision will impact the wording of the statement. This meeting will not see an update to the dots leaving focus on Chairman Powell’s press con

U.S. Fed's Barkin - FOMC can vote against the Chair.

July 15, 2025 5:42 PM UTC

Fed's Barkin continues to warn of inflationary risk and warns that FOMC voters will not automatically follow the Fed Chair.

Bank of Canada Preview for July 30: Hold after firm data with uncertainty high

July 15, 2025 3:30 PM UTC

The Bank of Canada meets on July 30 and what had been seen as a close call between a 25bps easing and unchanged now looks likely to leave rates unchanged at 2.75%. Continued above target core CPI data and a strong employment report for June argue against easing, though uncertainty remains high with

Tax Shortfalls and Slow Growth Complicate Indonesia’s Budget Plans

July 15, 2025 3:05 PM UTC

Indonesia’s fiscal position is coming under renewed strain, as weaker-than-expected revenue collection forces the government to widen its 2025 budget deficit to 2.78% of GDP—above initial targets but still below the legal threshold. Delays in VAT implementation, falling commodity prices, and mod

U.S. June CPI - Tariff pass-through limited but not zero

July 15, 2025 12:58 PM UTC

June core CPI at 0.228% before rounding is on the low side of expectations and still shows a limited, though not zero, feed through from tariffs. Moderate gains in food and energy lifted overall CPI to a 0.3% increase, with the gain rounded up from 0.287%.  Trump will use this data to argue for Fed

Turkiye MPC Preview: CBRT will Likely Restart its Easing Cycle on July 24

July 15, 2025 12:09 PM UTC

Bottom Line: After Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) held its key policy rate stable at 46% on June 19, we believe CBRT will likely reduce the policy rate by 150-250 bps during the MPC meeting scheduled for July 24 considering the deceleration trend in inflation in June beat forecasts and reinforced ex

Solid Buffers, Soft Spots: India’s Debt Metrics in Focus

July 15, 2025 12:00 PM UTC

India’s fiscal metrics for FY26 show strong early gains, with a sharply lower deficit and robust revenue support from RBI dividends and capital spending. Externally, the country’s debt levels have risen but remain manageable, backed by healthy reserves and a low debt-to-GDP ratio. However, short

ECB Preview (Jul 24, Part One): Labor Market Looking Softer than Council Thinking

July 15, 2025 8:45 AM UTC

The next ECB Council meeting decision on Jul 24 looms but where market (understandably) sees no further cut, at least at that juncture.  Indeed, the ECB may signal signs of economic resilience albeit noting that the added uncertainty emanating from the latest U.S. tariff threat warrants more circum