December Outlook: Turbulent Times

January 2, 2026 8:10 AM UTC

Our December Outlook is now published and please see all our economic and policy chapters below.  

December Outlook: Turbulent Times

December 22, 2025 8:10 AM UTC

Our December Outlook is now published and please see all our economic and policy chapters below.  

EM FX Outlook: High Real Yields Still Help

December 18, 2025 12:14 PM UTC

•    EM currency 2026 prospects come against a backdrop of a further but slower USD depreciation against DM currencies, but inflation differentials, domestic central bank policy and politics also matter.  We forecast the Mexican Peso (MXN) will likely be more volatile, as President Donald Tru

South Africa Inflation Moderately Softens to 3.5% y/y in November

December 17, 2025 5:08 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced on December 17 that annual inflation softened moderately to 3.5% y/y in November from 3.6% the previous month, but food and restaurant prices remained worrisome. Despite inflation staying within the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) 1 pe

Outlook Overview: Turbulent Times

December 17, 2025 7:44 AM UTC

·        The U.S. slowdown remains in focus as the lagged effects of President Trump’s tariff increases continues to feedthrough, though our baseline is for a 2026 soft-landing.  The Supreme court will likely rule against part of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, which will create short-term

EMEA Outlook: Uncertainties Give Mixed Signals

December 16, 2025 7:00 AM UTC

·     In South Africa, we foresee average headline inflation will stand at 3.8% and 3.5% in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Upside risks to inflation remain such as, utility costs, and supply chain destructions. We see growth to be 1.4% and 1.5% in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Risks to the growth

Softer November CPI Print Encouraged CBRT to Cut Key Rate to 38% on December 11

December 11, 2025 8:54 PM UTC

Bottom Line: As we expected, Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) cut the policy rate by 150 bps to 38% during the MPC meeting on December 11 encouraged by softer November inflation. The committee said inflation expectations and pricing behavior are showing signs of improvement even as they continue to po

Americas First: New National Security Strategy

December 9, 2025 8:40 AM UTC

·       The new NSS at one level reads like a Trump/MAGA current list of topics and desires, that may not translate into policy or a major shift of military assets.  Trump has blown hot and cold on Europe and China over the past 12 months and could shift again.  Nevertheless, the NSS does r

Country Risk in MENA

December 8, 2025 11:00 AM UTC

Country risk in Middle East and North Africa countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and Turkiye.

Turkiye’s Inflation Eased to 31.1% y/y in November, Hitting Below Expectations

December 3, 2025 1:40 PM UTC

Bottom line: According to Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TUIK) announcement on December 3, Turkiye’s inflation softened to 31.1% y/y in November backed by moderate unprocessed food prices. We continue to think upside-tilted inflation risks will likely limit the downward trend during the disin

Turkish Economy Expanded by 3.7% in Q3 Backed by Robust HH Consumption and Investments

December 1, 2025 10:41 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced GDP growth for Q3 on December 1. Turkish economy grew by 3.7% YoY in Q3 backed by household consumption, investments, and government spending.

Turkiye GDP Growth Preview: Economy will Expand by Around 4% in Q3

November 27, 2025 4:22 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) will announce Q3 GDP growth on December 1 and we expect that Turkish economy will expand around 4.0% YoY backed by investments, strong construction and industry activities in Q3. Of course, growth figure could hit below our expectations due to the we

Turkiye Inflation Preview: Inflation will Likely Soften to 32.0% in November

November 24, 2025 6:43 PM UTC

Bottom line: After hitting 32.9% annually in October, we expect Turkiye’s inflation will likely soften to around 32.0% in November backed by moderate food prices while upside-tilted inflation risks continue to limit the downward trend during the ongoing disinflationary process. We foresee MoM in

Inflation Slightly Edged Down in October: But MoM Stood High at 2.5%

November 3, 2025 10:50 AM UTC

Bottom line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced October inflation figures on November 3. Turkiye’s y/y inflation moderately softened to around 32.9% in October from 33.3% in September while upside-tilted inflation risks continued limiting the downward trend during the ongoing disinfla

Turkiye: Macroeconomic Problems Limit Long Term Growth

October 30, 2025 12:25 PM UTC

Bottom line: We forecast 3.5%-4.0% GDP growth in Turkiye in the 2026-2030 period. We are concerned with the macroeconomic problems will stay critical until 2027/2028, including stubborn inflation, trade and budget deficits, and weakening Turkish Lira (TRY). Despite growing population and young labor

Turkiye Inflation Preview: Inflation will Slightly Soften in October Despite Risks Dominate

October 28, 2025 4:43 PM UTC

Bottom line: After hitting 33.3% annually in September, we expect Turkiye’s inflation will likely soften moderately to around 32.5% in October while upside-tilted inflation risks limiting the downward trend during the ongoing disinflationary process. September inflation suggested that the pace o

Turkiye MPC Review: Cautious CBRT Reduced Key Rate by 100 bps to 39.5%

October 23, 2025 2:18 PM UTC

Bottom Line: As we expected, Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) cut the policy rate by 100 bps to 39.5% during the MPC meeting on October 23 citing slowdown in disinflationary process due to renewed inflationary risks. Our end year key rate prediction remains at 37.0% for 2025 despite the fact that it w

Turkiye MPC Preview: CBRT will Likely Continue its Easing Cycle on October 23

October 20, 2025 7:00 AM UTC

Bottom Line: We think Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) will likely reduce the policy rate to 39%-39.5% during the MPC meeting scheduled for October 23 taking deceleration trend in inflation and relative TRY stability into account. We think CBRT will have to proceed carefully on interest-rate adjustmen

Tourism and Services Income Helped Turkish Current Account in August

October 13, 2025 1:59 PM UTC

Bottom Line: According to the figures announced by the Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) on October 13, Turkiye’s current account surplus (CAS) stood at USD5.5 billion in August 2025 from USD4.9 billion in the same month of the previous year, hitting the largest on record, thanks to strong tourism an

Enthusiastic Turkish Medium Term Program Towards 2026-2028 Aims to Find Solutions to Macroeconomic Issues… But Road is Bumpy

October 9, 2025 1:26 PM UTC

Bottom Line: According to the recently announced Medium-Term Program (MTP) for 2026-2028, the main goal of the program remained bringing inflation down to single digits and ensuring price stability soon. Despite GDP growth is forecasted to be 3.8% next year, 4.3% in 2027 and 5% in 2028, we think the

CBRT’s Inflation Target for end-2025 will Likely Be Missed as Actual Inflation Deviates from the Targets

October 7, 2025 5:45 PM UTC

Bottom line: After inflation slightly increased to 33.3% y/y in September from 32.9% y/y in August driven by higher education, housing and food prices, Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) governor Karahan announced on October 7 that CBRT will ensure that inflation remains consistent with interim targets

15-Month Consecutive Falling Streak Ends: Turkiye Inflation Surged to 33.3% in September

October 3, 2025 9:54 AM UTC

Bottom line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced on October 3 that the inflation slightly increased to 33.3% y/y in September from 32.9% y/y in August driven by higher education, housing and food prices, ending the 15-month consecutive falling streak. Increasing inflation, upside-tilted

September Outlook: Into 2026 -- Market Implications

September 26, 2025 9:00 AM UTC

Our September Outlook is now published and please see all our markets chapters below.  

September Outlook: Into 2026

September 25, 2025 6:20 AM UTC

Our September Outlook is now published and please see all our economic and policy chapters below.  

Outlook Overview: Into 2026

September 23, 2025 8:25 AM UTC

·       The critical question is how much the U.S. economy is slowing down with the feedthrough of President Donald Trump’s tariffs to boost inflation and restrain GDP growth, with the effective rate currently around 17% on U.S. imports. Though semiconductor tariffs are likely, the bulk of

EMEA Outlooks Stay Mixed into 2026: Domestic and Global Uncertainties

September 22, 2025 6:58 AM UTC

·     In South Africa, we foresee average headline inflation will stand at 3.4% and 4.2% in 2025 and 2026, respectively, despite upside risks to inflation such as swings in food prices, supply chain destructions including energy shortages and port inefficiencies and global uncertainties. We see

September 16, 2025 10:53 AM UTC

In the unexpected scenario of an early death, Putin and Xi have no clear successors, and any new Russia or China leader would have to spend time building domestic strength and compromising on external goals. Erdogan also has no clear successors, which could create political uncertainty. For Trump su

Easing Cycle Continues: CBRT Reduced the Key Rate to 40.5% on September 11

September 11, 2025 5:17 PM UTC

Bottom Line: As we expected, Central Bank of Republic of Turkiye (CBRT) reduced the policy rate by 250 bps to 40.5% during the MPC meeting on September 11 taking moderate fall in inflation and relative TRY stability into account. CBRT highlighted in its written statement that recent data indicate de

Country Risk in MENA

September 9, 2025 10:00 AM UTC

Country risk in Middle East and North Africa countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and Turkiye.

Turkiye’s Inflation Slightly Eased to 32.9% YoY in August... But, Monthly Inflation is Still Over 2.0%

September 3, 2025 4:11 PM UTC

Bottom line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced on September 3 that the inflation slightly softened to 32.9% y/y in August from 33.5% y/y in July driven by lagged impacts of previous monetary tightening, tighter fiscal measures and suppressed wages. August figure came in slightly above

Hitting Beyond Expectations thanks to Construction Activities: Turkiye’s GDP Growth Rebounded Strong in Q2

September 1, 2025 10:55 AM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TUIK) announcement on September 1, Turkish economy increased by a strong 4.8% YoY despite political turbulence after arrest of Istanbul mayor and opposition’s presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu in Q2, prolonged monetary tightening eff

Turkiye GDP Growth Preview: Slowdown Will Continue in Q2

August 26, 2025 5:14 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) will announce Q2 GDP growth on September 1 and we expect that Turkish economy will expand around 1.7% -2.0% YoY backed by private consumption despite early indicators demonstrate a lower acceleration rate in domestic demand amid tightening financial

CBRT Kept Its End-Year Inflation Forecast at 24%, and Announced Its New Interim Targets

August 14, 2025 4:01 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) released its third quarterly inflation report of the year on August 14, and kept its inflation forecast constant at 24% for 2025, 16% by the end of 2026 and 9% by end-2027. CBRT governor Karahan said the regulator decided to separate the targets from its i

Turkiye Inflation will Slightly Soften in July: Tax Adjustments and Gas Price Hike in July Will Limit the Fall

July 30, 2025 8:35 AM UTC

Bottom line: After easing to 35.1% annually in June, we expect Turkiye’s consumer price index (CPI) will continue to soften moderately in July to 34.1%-34.3% as tax adjustments and energy price hikes in July will limit the downward trend. Despite tight monetary policy and moderately falling dema

Food Glorious Food

July 28, 2025 10:15 AM UTC

·       Global food prices should see small increases in the future, as production continues to rise broadly in line with increasing demand driven by population and a rising consumption per person in EM countries.  However, China will remain dependent on food imports given it has limited roo

Easing Cycle Restarts: CBRT Reduced the Key Rate to 43% on July 24

July 24, 2025 2:15 PM UTC

Bottom Line: As we expected, Central Bank of Republic of Turkiye (CBRT) reduced the policy rate by 300 bps to 43% during the MPC meeting on July 24 taking the deceleration trend in inflation and relative TRY stability in June into account.  CBRT highlighted in its written statement that the underly

EM Currencies with a USD Downtrend

July 24, 2025 10:15 AM UTC

·       BRL, ZAR and MXN have been helped by FX carry trades and bond inflows on still wide interest rate differentials.  However, actual reciprocal tariff risks are high for all three countries and a wave of profit-taking could be seen.  Elsewhere, though we see a U.S./China trade deal by

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

New Probes into Turkiye’s Opposition Party

July 7, 2025 10:34 AM UTC

Bottom Line: After mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu got arrested on March 23, political tension remains high in Turkiye, particularly after the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Adana mayor Zeydan Karalar, Antalya mayor Muhittin Bocek and Adiyaman mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere were detained on July 5 fo

Turkiye’s Inflation Slightly Eased to 35.1% YoY in June

July 3, 2025 1:00 PM UTC

Bottom line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced on July 3 that the inflation softened to 35.1% y/y in June from 35.4% y/y in May driven by lagged impacts of previous monetary tightening, tighter fiscal measures and suppressed wages. Despite moderate fall, inflationary risks remain tilte

June Outlook: Trump’s Fluid Policies

June 25, 2025 10:00 AM UTC

All chapters of the June Outlook are now available and simply click the link below. 

EM FX Outlook: USD Less in Favor, but EM Mixed

June 25, 2025 8:05 AM UTC

•    EM currencies face cross currents on a spot basis.  The USD downtrend against DM currencies can be a positive for undervalued or strong EM currencies.  This could benefit the Brazilian Real (BRL), Mexican Peso (MXN) and Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), though moves will be choppy with occasiona

Outlook Overview: Trump’s Fluid Policies

June 25, 2025 7:20 AM UTC

·       President Donald Trump still wants to use the tariff tool, and we see the eventual average tariff rate being in the 13-15% area, lowered by deals but increased by more product tariffs. Any lasting legal block on reciprocal tariffs will likely see the administration pivoting towards ot

EMEA Outlook: Global Uncertainties and Domestic Dynamics Continue to Dominate

June 24, 2025 7:00 AM UTC

·     In South Africa, we foresee average headline inflation will stand at 3.4% and 4.4% in 2025 and 2026, respectively, despite upside risks to inflation such as power cuts (loadshedding), tariff hikes by Eskom, spike in food prices, and global uncertainties. We see growth to be 1.2% and 1.7%

Hawkish Stance Maintained: CBRT Held the Key Rate Stable at 46% Despite Softening Inflation

June 19, 2025 7:49 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) held the policy rate unchanged at 46% during the MPC on June 19 despite inflation continues to ease. CBRT highlighted in its written statement that the tight monetary stance will be maintained until price stability is achieved via a sustained decline in in

Turkiye’s Inflation Eased to the Lowest Since November 2021 with 35.4% YoY in May

June 3, 2025 8:21 AM UTC

Bottom line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced on June 3 that the inflation softened to 35.4% y/y in April from 37.9% y/y in April. We think monetary tightening, fiscal measures and suppressed wages helped relieve the price pressure. Despite this, inflationary risks remain tilted to th

Hitting Below Expectations: Turkish GDP Grew by 2.0% YoY in Q1

May 30, 2025 12:38 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced on May 30 that Turkish economy expanded by 2.0% in Q1 2025 backed by private consumption. The growth rate hit below expectations due to the weight of high interest rates, sluggish demand abroad causing weakening exports and adverse geopolit

Country Risk in MENA

May 30, 2025 10:00 AM UTC

Country risk in Middle East and North Africa countries including Egypt, Syria, Kuwait and Turkiye.

Turkiye Inflation Report: CBRT Keeps Its End-Year Inflation Forecast at 24%

May 23, 2025 6:28 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) released its second quarterly inflation report of the year on May 22, and kept its inflation forecast constant for 2025 at 24%. CBRT governor Karahan signalled to maintain a tight stance until a permanent decline in inflation is sustained and price stabili