India GDP Review: A Sobering Start to FY25

September 1, 2024 1:53 PM UTC

India’s GDP growth slowed to 6.7% yr/yr in Q1 FY25, falling short of expectations, as reduced public spending during the election period weighed on economic activity. Strong private consumption and investment provided some support, but a decline in manufacturing growth and weak external trade damp

India GDP Preview: Slowing Growth, Solid Prospects

August 26, 2024 6:04 AM UTC

India’s Q1 FY25 (Apr-Jun) GDP is expected to moderateto 7% yr/yr. The slowdown is expected on the back of limited government spending and sluggish urban demand. Additionally, high interest rates and inflation are expected to have been a drag on growth. 

EM Markets Divergence with China Harder Landing Concerns

August 14, 2024 3:35 PM UTC

Global market turbulence has had a spillover impact into EM, but also some EM assets have benefitted from rotation away from the U.S.  What are the prospects in the coming months?
We see scope for a 2nd wave of U.S. equity and Japanese Yen (JPY) correction, which are a mixed influence for EM assets

Market Turbulence and What has Changed?

August 13, 2024 12:22 PM UTC

 •   We see the recent market turbulence as being partially a reduction in risky positions.  However, the U.S. economy is slowing and triggering a debate about a soft or harder landing (we see slowing rather than recession in our baseline), while EZ data shows the recovery is not gaining moment

India CPI Review: Cooling Inflation - Will India’s RBI Shift Gears?

August 13, 2024 8:02 AM UTC

India's inflation cooled to 3.54% yr/yr in July, marking its lowest in nearly five years and slipping below the RBI's 4% target. With food prices driving the decline, the central bank may now consider a rate cut. However, future inflation risks remain amid uncertain monsoon patterns and global price

Despite Favourable Metrics RBI Committed to Tightening

August 11, 2024 5:03 PM UTC

The RBI will retained its stance of withdrawal of accomodation and maintained benchmark rate of 6.5% in its August meeting, staying on the path of inflation target. Concerns around high food inflation and geopolitical instability ensured that the RBI remained committed to its monetary tightening sta

Monsoon Boost or Policy Shift? RBI Faces Critical Decision

August 5, 2024 6:34 AM UTC

The calls for a rate cut are rising in the Indian market, but this is unlikely to impact the RBI's upcoming decision. The RBI will retain its stance of withdrawal of accomodation and maintain benchmark rate of 6.5% in its August meeting, staying on the path of inflation target. Concerns around high

India's Budget FY25: Assessing the Promises and Pitfalls

August 4, 2024 3:40 PM UTC

India’s FY25 budget presented by the Finance Minister continues the trend of incremental reforms, with a focus on predictable continuities. Anchored in themes of poor, women, youth and farmer, the budget aims to balance fiscal prudence with targeted growth initiatives. However, the budget's cautio

Inflation Heatwave: India's CPI and WPI Climb

July 15, 2024 6:35 PM UTC

India's inflation surged in June with wholesale prices hitting a 16-month high at 3.36% y/y, driven by soaring food costs. The CPI also rose to 5.1% y/y, reversing a five-month decline, prompting caution from the RBI, which anticipates inflation to ease as seasonal factors stabilise. Governor Shakti

Asia: Select Country Risk Ratings

July 11, 2024 10:00 AM UTC

We provide country risk reviews for Asia countries including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. 

Webinar Recording June Outlook: Cyclical and Structural Forces

July 2, 2024 7:30 AM UTC

EM After the Elections: Fiscal Focus and Inflation Questions

July 1, 2024 8:05 AM UTC

Enhancing fiscal credibility is key post-election in India and S Africa, but also for Brazil.  India, will do this in the 3 week of July, but S Africa needs to move from ANC/DA led coalition optimism to reality quickly. Brazil needs to stop the vicious circle of sentiment building up on fiscal slip

Gold Rush: RBI Bolsters Reserves Amid Global Uncertainty

June 27, 2024 7:05 AM UTC

Despite a slight decline from its peak, India's reserves remain robust at US$ 652.8bn as of June 14. The RBI has followed a proactive approach in managing and diversifying these reserves, which now provide the central bank with sufficient room to stabilise the rupee amid recent volatility. It would

Split Perspectives: RBI MPC's Take on Growth and Inflation

June 26, 2024 5:23 PM UTC

The latest minutes from the RBI MPC meeting indicated that members are optimistic about India's economic growth outlook but are exercising caution due to inflation concerns. The minutes underscored differing viewpoints between external and internal MPC members regarding future policy actions. While

Outlook Overview: Cyclical and Structural Forces

June 25, 2024 10:15 AM UTC

•    The global economy is showing signs of healing, as inflation comes back towards targets and growth recovers momentum in some economies. Nevertheless, the cyclical headwind of lagged monetary tightening remains in DM countries, and will likely be one of the forces slowing the U.S. economy

Equities Outlook: Choppy U.S. and Outperformance Elsewhere

June 25, 2024 7:05 AM UTC

 •    U.S. equities are overvalued and waiting for earnings growth to catch-up, which leaves the market choppy, directionless and vulnerable to intermittent 5% corrections. Our forecast slowing of the U.S. economy before Fed rate cuts or nervousness about the post-election prospects are potenti

Modi 3.0 to be Much Like Previous Two Terms

June 24, 2024 6:47 AM UTC

A weakened BJP has formed a government with support from regional parties and independents. The BJP holds 240 seats in parliament on its own and with its partners the government in power now holds 303 seats, which is substantially higher than the 272 needed to form a government. As a consequence, po

Asia/Pacific (ex-China/Japan) Outlook: Growth Momentum but Delayed Rate Cuts

June 21, 2024 9:45 AM UTC

•    Economic activity in emerging Asian economies is forecast to remain strong. Despite several challenges, including a tight oil market, constrained liquidity conditions, and delayed rate cuts, the region's economic activity is expected to show resilience. Other potential obstacles include u

RBI’s Balanced Act: Steady Rates and a Promising FY25 Outlook

June 10, 2024 9:24 AM UTC

The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Shaktikanta Das, chose to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the seventh consecutive time, aiming to  ensure that the disinflationary process sustained. Growth is expected to be robust in FY25, while inflation risks are el

India Elections: Early Trends Point to a Weakened BJP Government

June 4, 2024 2:02 PM UTC

Election counting trends indicate that the BJP-led NDA is on track to secure 290 seats, with the BJP projected to win 235-240 seats. The INDIA alliance is expected to secure around 230 seats. Final results will be announced later tonight. A weakened BJP is expected to form a government with its alli

Modi's Marathon: Exit Polls Predict Third Term with Sweeping Majority

June 3, 2024 12:59 PM UTC

Exit polls for the 2024 general elections indicate another Modi wave. The markets have welcomed the exit poll results and the overall business sentiment is euphoric. Exit polls forecast a landslide victory for the BJP-led NDA, with projections nearing the '400' mark. The BJP has also secured a signi

Votes to Volatility: Potential Market Outcomes and Policy Directions Post Elections

May 27, 2024 6:47 AM UTC

As India’s month long 2024 General Elections are almost coming to a close, lower voter turnout has increased uncertainty despite expectations of a BJP victory. While we still expect a BJP victory, the markets are becoming increasingly cautious. A decisive BJP win would likely strengthen the rupee

India Inflation Review: Sticky Prices to Keep RBI Cautious

May 14, 2024 3:54 AM UTC

India’s consumer price inflation eased amrginally to 4.83% yr/yr in April, reflecting lower fuel and light prices. The government cut prices of LPG cylinders in India ahead of the elections. However, food price pressures persist despite various supply side measures, underscoring the sticky nature

Watts at Stake: India's Looming Power Shortage

May 13, 2024 6:58 AM UTC

India's power sector faces rising demand and power shortages, sparking fears of the most significant power shortfall in a decade. With coal imports continuing to rise and hydropower generation declining, India's aim to become a manufacturing hub could become challenging. Energy transition is likely

Asset Allocation 2024: Tricky Seven Months Remaining

May 10, 2024 1:06 PM UTC

Fed easing expectations for 2025 and 2026 can shift from a terminal 4% Fed Funds rate towards 3%, as the U.S. economy slows due to lagged tightening effects.  Combined with Fed easing starting in September this should mean a consistent decline in 2yr yields.  However, 10yr U.S. Treasury yields wil

EMFX: Diverging On Domestic Forces Not Less Fed Easing Hopes

May 3, 2024 10:45 AM UTC

While U.S. economic developments, plus Fed policy prospects, will be important in terms of EM currency developments, domestic politics and fundamentals will also be decisive. These can keep the South Africa Rand volatile in the remainder of 2024, given the risk of a coalition government and African

Growth Gains But Inflation Pains: RBI's view on Indian Economy

April 29, 2024 12:42 PM UTC

Minutes of the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s monetary policy committee meeting revealed a nuanced outlook blending optimism regarding India's growth trajectory with apprehensions surrounding inflationary risks. While upbeat macroeconomic indicators paint a favourable picture, the committee re

Headwinds To Long-term Global Growth

April 26, 2024 9:30 AM UTC

Bottom line: While much focus is on the cyclical economic position to determine 2024 monetary policy prospects, the 2025-28 structural growth trajectory differs to the pre 2020 GDP trajectory for major economies.  While global fragmentation has a role to play, aging populations are already having a

The Pulse of the Nation: Insights into India's 2024 Election

April 22, 2024 7:54 AM UTC

As India braces itself for the upcoming elections, the political landscape is rife with anticipation, strategy, and uncertainty. With the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking to consolidate its power and a diverse coalition of opposition forces vying for a chance to unseat them, the stage is

Asia Country Risk Ratings

April 17, 2024 3:00 PM UTC

We provide country risk reviews for Asia countries including China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan.  

India Inflation: Risks Tilted to the Upside

April 15, 2024 12:35 PM UTC

India's inflation trajectory in March 2024 showcased divergent trends in both consumer and wholesale price indices. While consumer inflation dipped to its lowest in ten months at 4.9% y/y, wholesale inflation rose to 0.5% y/y, driven by surging food prices. The outlook suggests gradual WPI escalatio

RBI Holds Rates Firm, Citing Room for Economic Growth

April 11, 2024 5:44 AM UTC

In line with our expectations, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) chose to maintain the policy repo rate at 6.5% in its latest meeting. The decision reflects their aim to gradually scale back stimulus measures while still supporting economic growth. It also unders

RBI to stand pat in April

April 4, 2024 7:25 AM UTC

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is gearing up to announce its first monetary policy decision for FY25 (April-March) on April 5. For the upcoming meeting, we anticipate that the RBI will likely keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%, given the optimistic outlook for economic growth and still elevated i

March Outlook: Europe in Focus, Then Elections Around the World

April 3, 2024 9:00 AM UTC

Asset Allocation: Pausing for Breath

April 2, 2024 9:00 AM UTC

Into Q2, data and policy (actual and perceived) will dominate DM markets. The ECB will likely take the spotlight with a 25bps cut on June 7, as the Fed face a better growth/more fiscal policy expansion and a tighter labor market than the EZ but also with a better productivity backdrop and outlook to

March Outlook: Europe in Focus, Then Elections Around the World

March 27, 2024 9:00 AM UTC

EM FX Outlook: Domestic Drivers Key

March 26, 2024 9:01 AM UTC

   In terms of spot EM FX projections domestic drivers remain critical, with a desire to avoid appreciation versus the USD for some countries.  Fed easing in H2 2024 should however help EMFX more broadly and allow some recovery in spot rates (e.g. Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), South African Rand (ZAR)

Outlook Overview: Europe in Focus, Then Elections Around the World

March 25, 2024 11:15 AM UTC

Asia/Pacific (ex-China/Japan) Outlook: Election Spending to Drive Growth

March 22, 2024 12:18 PM UTC

·       In 2024, growth trends across emerging Asia will exhibit a mixed pattern. Encouragingly, there will be a resurgence in demand for global electronics following a period of stagnation in 2022‑23, which will provide a boost to regional trade. Moreover, the initiation of monetary policy

Elections to Keep Asia in Limelight in 2024

March 11, 2024 9:05 AM UTC

2024 is turning out to be a significant year for the Asian political scene. At the start of the year, eight countries were scheduled to hold elections this year, with close to 2.2bn people voting this year across emerging Asian economies. 
With elections now over in four of the eight countries, the

India's Q3 GDP: Strong But Uneven Growth

March 8, 2024 2:30 PM UTC

India's economic landscape witnessed a remarkable upswing in Q3-FY24, with a real GDP growth rate of 8.4%,  surpassing both street estimates and the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) projections. This surge not only solidifies India's position as the fastest-growing major economy globally but also unde

India Real GDP Preview: Moderating government spending to weigh on growth in Q3-FY24

February 28, 2024 1:57 PM UTC

India's economic landscape in FY24 continues to impress with robust growth across various sectors. However, it appears that the economic activity is losing steam. Moderating government spending and high inflation are likely to have been a drag on economic growth. Given recent high frequency data, ou

Farmers March to Delhi as Government Proposal Rejected Amid Election Tensions

February 26, 2024 7:35 AM UTC

In India, widespread farmer protests persist, demanding Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all commodities, pensions and debt forgiveness. Despite multiple negotiations, the recent central government proposal to purchase specific crops at MSP for five years was vehemently rejected by protesters, promp

RBI Minutes Reveal a Cautious Committee

February 23, 2024 10:42 AM UTC

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) latest monetary policy decision, as reflected in the minutes of the February Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, presents a nuanced landscape of optimism about India's growth prospects, juxtaposed with concerns over inflation risks. The views of various MPC mem