Mexico: Mixed Signs for Banxico

July 25, 2024 1:52 PM UTC

The Mexican economy shows mixed signals for Banxico. Economic activity indicates a slowdown, with weaker industrial activity and decelerating formal employment. However, inflation is rising, particularly in non-core components like energy and agricultural goods, influenced by climate conditions. The

Brazil: An Eye on the Lower Bound of the Fiscal Target

July 23, 2024 4:07 PM UTC

The Brazilian government will implement BRL 15 billion in contingency expenditures to meet fiscal targets, aiming for a 0.25% GDP primary deficit in 2024. This move, though addressing fiscal issues, pursues the lower target band and may undermine fiscal credibility. The contingency is due to revenue

Argentina: Agriculture Drives Growth in May

July 19, 2024 1:10 PM UTC

The Argentine economy showed a 1.3% growth in May, driven mainly by the recovering agricultural sector, which is 100% higher than last year. However, other sectors like manufacturing and construction continue to lag. Despite the growth, economic recovery is uncertain due to fiscal adjustments, excha

Brazil and Mexico: Supply and Demand Factors Affecting Inflation

July 17, 2024 6:52 PM UTC

We decomposed inflation in Brazil and Mexico using a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Model, focusing on Imported Inflation, Demand, Supply, and Monetary Policy. Our analysis from 2003 to 2024 for Brazil and 2005 to 2024 for Mexico shows Brazil's inflation was primarily driven by supply and imported infl

Argentina: June CPI and Cleaning the Central Bank Balance

July 15, 2024 1:24 PM UTC

Argentina's CPI rose by 4.6% in June, up from 4.1% in May, missing market expectations of 5.1%. The Y/Y CPI fell to 271%. Housing items saw the highest increase at 14.2%, while core CPI growth slowed to 3.0%. Inflation may stabilize around 4.0% monthly. The Central Bank of Argentina's policies are m

Banxico Minutes: More Slack Could Give Room for Rate Cuts

July 12, 2024 2:43 PM UTC

Banxico kept the policy rate unchanged at 11.0% but showed a slightly dovish tone, hinting at possible cuts in August. June's CPI figures revealed a widening gap between core and non-core inflation. Despite recent economic slowdowns and the MXN Peso's depreciation, Banxico expects economic slack to

Brazil CPI Review: Inflation Below Expectations in June

July 10, 2024 5:11 PM UTC

The IBGE's June CPI figures show a 0.21% monthly increase, below market expectations. The Y/Y index rose to 4.2%, driven by increases in potatoes, milk, and coffee. The floods in the South had a minimal impact. Health and Housing saw modest rises, while core CPI remained stable. Despite potential ri

Mexico CPI Review: 0.38% Inflation in June

July 9, 2024 7:46 PM UTC

INEGI reports Mexico's CPI rose 0.38% in June, above expectations. Year-over-year CPI increased to 5.0%, with core CPI at 4.1% and non-core CPI at 7.7%. Non-agricultural goods drove the rise, raising concerns about inflation due to climate-related agricultural shocks. Food and beverages saw the high

Brazil: Demographics Contributing to Lower the Unemployment Rate

July 3, 2024 1:29 PM UTC

From 2012 to 2019, Brazil’s labor force participation grew, peaking at 63.7% in December 2019. Post-pandemic, it has fallen to 62.1%, influenced by early retirements, fiscal aid, and demographic shifts as more people enter age groups with lower participation. Intragroup effects mainly drive partic

Webinar Recording June Outlook: Cyclical and Structural Forces

July 2, 2024 7:30 AM UTC

Banxico Review: Continuing the Pause

June 28, 2024 1:59 PM UTC

The Mexico Central Bank (Banxico) kept the policy rate unchanged at 11.0%, despite one member advocating a 25 basis points cut. Banxico hinted at potential rate cuts in 2024 due to a slowing economy and inflation outlook. An August cut remains possible but seems premature. Market and Banxico inflati

Brazil: Adoption of Continuous Targeting Means Not Much Change

June 27, 2024 1:28 PM UTC

The Brazilian government has revised the BCB's inflation targeting framework, effective January 2025, to a continuous target system. If inflation exceeds the target bands for six consecutive months, the BCB must explain the discrepancy. The 3.0% target with 1.5% bands remains unchanged, alleviating

BCB Minutes: Deterioration of the Scenario Requires Higher Rates

June 26, 2024 1:32 PM UTC

The Brazilian Central Bank maintained the SELIC rate at 10.5%, emphasizing a unanimous, hawkish stance on inflation. Markets question BCB's inflation control with upcoming leadership changes. External uncertainties, domestic consumption surprises, and rising inflation expectations were highlighted.

Argentina GDP: Economy Shrinks 2.6% in the First Quarter

June 25, 2024 2:16 PM UTC

Argentina's GDP shrank by 2.6% in Q1, entering a technical recession. Investments and consumption dropped significantly, while agriculture grew. This contraction, driven by Milei's economic policies, is expected to continue in Q2, with rising unemployment and poverty. A slightly recovery is anticipa

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

LatAm Outlook: Pausing the Cuts

June 24, 2024 6:00 PM UTC

·       Brazil and Mexico growth will decelerate from the growth rates in 2023. The stronger basis of comparisons in 2023 and the tight monetary policy will diminish growth during 2024. Brazil robust Agricultural growth will not repeat in 2023 while Mexico is on the limit of growing due to a

BCB Review: A Pause in the Cutting Cycle

June 19, 2024 10:17 PM UTC

The Brazilian Central Bank kept the policy rate at 10.5%, citing economic uncertainty and a need for caution. Inflation expectations for 2025 are 3.8%, above the 3.0% target. Political interference concerns persist, but the unanimous decision indicates a technical approach. The BRL's depreciation ma

BCB Preview: A Pause Amid the Risks

June 17, 2024 2:34 PM UTC

The Brazilian Central Bank (BCB) is expected to maintain the SELIC rate at 10.5% amid external sector volatility, stubborn service inflation, and deteriorating inflation expectations. A hawkish majority on the board suggests a pause despite potential for cuts. Risks include rising food prices post-f

Mexico: Political Noise Amplifies Market Fears Amid Sheinbaum's Win

June 12, 2024 9:07 PM UTC

Claudia Sheinbaum's election win was expected, but MORENA's strong victory was surprising. This led to market concerns, significant peso depreciation, and fears of anti-market policies under Sheinbaum's possibly more radical government. Lopez-Obrador's proposed judicial reforms added to market worri

Brazil CPI Review: 0.5% Rise in May and Worsening Conditions

June 11, 2024 1:55 PM UTC

Brazil’s CPI grew by 0.46% in May, exceeding expectations. Year-over-year CPI rose to 3.9%, driven by significant increases in food and beverage prices. Services inflation also increased. Strong labor market demand and supply disruptions from floods are pushing prices up. With the BRL devaluation

Mexico CPI Review: Some Pressure in Services

June 7, 2024 5:10 PM UTC

INEGI reported a 0.2% CPI decrease in May, with annual CPI stable at 4.7%. Electricity prices dropped, contributing to the decline. Core CPI rose 0.2%, while Non-Core fell 1.3%. Persistent Services CPI and food price shocks may sustain inflation. Peso volatility could also pressure inflation, likely

Brazil: GDP Grows 0.8% in the First Quarter

June 4, 2024 5:21 PM UTC

The Brazilian GDP grew by 0.8% in Q1 2024, surpassing market expectations but below forecast. Internal demand, fueled by higher consumption and government initiatives, drove the growth. Consumption rose by 1.5%, and investments surged by 4.4%. Services and Agriculture sectors showed notable growth,

Mexico Elections: Sheimbaum Wins as Expected but the Surprise is in the Legislative

June 3, 2024 3:03 PM UTC

The Mexican election saw Sheinbaum from MORENA likely securing 57-60% of the votes, a significant lead over Xóchitl Gálvez. The MORENA coalition is projected to gain a two-thirds majority in the Chamber of Deputies but may fall short in the Senate. This result raises concerns over potential anti-m

Mexico Elections Update: Sheimbaum to Confirm Government Continuity

May 29, 2024 1:55 PM UTC

On June 2, Mexicans will vote for a new President, 500 deputies, and 128 senators. Claudia Sheinbaum from MORENA is favored to win, supported by incumbent President Lopez-Obrador's high approval rating. However, MORENA is unlikely to secure a two-thirds majority in Congress, limiting drastic policy

Banxico Minutes: Unanimous Pause, Diverging Cuts

May 24, 2024 9:24 PM UTC

Banxico maintained the policy rate at 11%, reflecting a cautious stance amid persistent inflation and economic uncertainty. The board was unanimous in this decision but divided on the timing of future cuts. Despite expectations for a rebound in economic activity, concerns about inflationary pressure

Brazil: Activity Surprises Again in the First Quarter

May 23, 2024 3:07 PM UTC

Brazil's Q1 2024 economic performance shows a promising 1% GDP growth, driven by a 3.5% year-over-year activity increase. Retail trade grew by 2.5%, reflecting strong internal demand and improved labor market conditions. Industrial production saw a modest 0.3% growth, with manufacturing stagnation o

Argentina: Fourth Consecutive Month of Primary Surplus but It is Reducing

May 22, 2024 2:44 PM UTC

Argentina has delivered the fourth consecutive months of primary surplus. Most of this surplus comes from cutting the consumption of goods and services by the national administration and mainly by the pace of revenues growth which surpassed the growth of expenditures. However, the surpluses are redu

Mexico: Exports Loosing Traction

May 20, 2024 2:38 PM UTC

At the beginning of the year, Mexico's exports are losing traction, stagnating as imports surpass exports. This could be due to adjustments to U.S. demand and inflation effects. With internal demand cooling and the U.S. economy decelerating, growth may shift to Mexico’s internal economy, bolstered

Brazil: Possible Impacts of the Floods

May 16, 2024 1:07 PM UTC

Unprecedented floods in Rio Grande do Sul, a state that contributes 6.4% to Brazil's GDP and 13.3% to its agricultural production, have submerged several cities. The immediate halt in economic activity may reduce Brazil's Q2 GDP by up to 0.4%. The federal government is increasing aid, potentially ra

Argentina CPI Review: Monthly Inflation Drops to One Digit

May 15, 2024 12:18 PM UTC

Argentina's April CPI dropped to 8.8% after six months above 10%, with Y/Y CPI at 289%. Key rises included housing (+36%) and communication (+14.2%). Javier Milei's program and fiscal adjustments have reduced monetary emissions to zero, easing inflation. The Central Bank cut the policy rate to 40%.

BCB Minutes: Worsening Conditions Demand Caution

May 14, 2024 2:35 PM UTC

The Brazilian Central Bank's latest meeting revealed a shift in forward-guidance, reducing the cut from 50bps to 25bps. While no immediate actions were taken, the minutes highlighted worsening conditions in three key areas: External Environment, Fiscal, and Economic Activity. Despite split votes on

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

Mexico CPI Review: 0.2% Growth in April

May 9, 2024 6:11 PM UTC

April's CPI data, despite a 0.2% m/m growth, reveals a significant y/y uptick to 4.6% from March's 4.4%, challenging norms due to electricity tariff adjustments. Core CPI maintained stability with a 0.2% increase, while Core Goods CPI rose by 0.3% and Services CPI by 0.1%, accumulating a 5.2% y/y gr

Banxico Preview: Continuing at 25bps

May 7, 2024 12:43 PM UTC

Banxico will convene on May 9 to decide on the policy rate, having initiated a possible cutting cycle. Despite concerns, the MXN remains stable. The 25bps adjustment aims to maintain tight monetary policy while mitigating inflation. The board may split over this decision, but Banxico is likely to co

BCB Preview: 25bps or 50bps cut?

May 6, 2024 1:02 PM UTC

The Brazilian Central Bank (BCB) convenes on May 8 to set the policy rate. Previous forward guidance hinted at a 50bps cut in May, but recent statements from BCB President Roberto and some weakness in the BRL have shifted expectations to a 25bps cut. However, we anticipate the BCB maintaining a 50bp

Moody’s Improves Outlook Perspective Due to Higher Growth

May 2, 2024 2:27 PM UTC

Moody’s upgraded Brazil's outlook to positive from stable, maintaining its Ba2 rating, signaling a potential move to Ba1 soon. Strong growth prospects, attributed to institutional reforms, drove this shift. Despite lingering doubts, improved fiscal conditions and anticipated tax reform are bolster

Mexico GDP Review: 0.2% Growth but Still Subpar

April 30, 2024 5:54 PM UTC

INEGI released Mexico's Preliminary GDP for Q1 2024, showing 0.2% growth, slightly above expectations. Annual GDP slowed to 2.0% from 2.8% in Q4 2023. The economy is losing momentum due to tight monetary policy and weakened U.S. demand. Agriculture contracted by 1.1%, Industry by 0.4%, while Service

Mexico GDP Preview: Stagnation in the First Quarter

April 29, 2024 5:22 PM UTC

INEGI will release Mexico's Preliminary GDP data, indicating 0% growth in Q1, likely due to stagnation in key sectors like manufacturing and construction. The service sector, hit hard by the pandemic, also shows signs of sluggishness. While recovery is expected, sustained poor growth raises concerns

Argentina: Activity is Shrinking but that is the Price to Stabilize

April 26, 2024 5:52 PM UTC

The INDEC data for February reveals a 0.2% economic shrinkage, signalling a 5.1% drop since August 2023, potentially leading to a Q1 2024 recession. High inflation and fiscal adjustments are primary causes. Some foresee 0% April inflation due to price realignment and stable ARS. Despite low reserves

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

Brazil: Wage Inflation Will Likely Not Be a Big Deal

April 24, 2024 3:19 PM UTC

Our analysis delves into recent trends in the Brazilian labor market, focusing on CPI and wage inflation. Utilizing a model akin to Ghomi et al. (2024) and Blanchard and Bernanke (2023), we dissect recent spikes in wage inflation and CPI growth. Notably, our findings suggest that recent wage spikes

Mexico Elections: Sheimbaum Victory will likely mean a continuity of Current Government

April 19, 2024 9:23 PM UTC

On June 2, Mexico will see historic general elections, marking the potential for its first female President. Claudia Sheinbaum of Morena and Xóchitl Galvés of PAN-PRI lead the race. Sheinbaum aims to continue Lopez-Obrador's legacy, while Galvés emphasizes social mobility. The polls show Sheimbau