Brazil: 25bps Cut For September

August 6, 2026 6:53 AM UTC

·       BCB cut by 25bps to 14%, as widely expected.  The statement suggests that COPOM is looking to pause the easing cycle, but we feel the softening of the economy and inflation numbers are enough to deliver one further 25bps cut in September and then the BCB pauses into Q1 2027.  We see

AI Equities: Correction/Consolidation?

August 5, 2026 7:40 AM UTC

•    Overall, we feel that recent movements have been a correction/consolidation in the AI equity story.  AI specific revenue growth still remains healthy and will support multi-year plans over cloud computing growth and in turn semiconductor demand.  Even so, slowing free cash flows and ove

Brazil: Post-Election Fiscal Challenge

July 29, 2026 10:55 AM UTC

·       Brazil needs better fiscal consolidation from 2028 onwards, which a new president will have to decide on after the October 2028 election.  This includes better expenditure control, as mandatory spending currently comprises about 90 percent of federal primary expenditure. Any delinkin

Venezuela Country Risk Rating

July 29, 2026 9:00 AM UTC

Overall risk in Venezuela remains at a very high rating.

China: Debt Surge Problems

July 28, 2026 10:55 AM UTC

·       China general government debt/GDP is on an unstable upward trend.  China authorities are reluctant to ease underlying fiscal policy more than the already large primary budget deficit, but are also reluctant to consider broadening of income tax or property taxes that would help fiscal

The Endpoint Problem: US Asset Prices, Investment and the Current Cycle

July 20, 2026 8:00 AM UTC

·       Asset Price Index (API) framework suggests the US gap is elevated and, on some constructs, has moved into top-decile territory.
·       The question is whether prices, capex and financing conditions are beginning to reinforce the same cyclical risk-accumulation dynamics.
·   

AI Optimism and Credit Markets?

July 15, 2026 8:05 AM UTC

·       The AI trade in financial markets is also a question of credit markets, given the scale of financing needs is using up hyperscalers free cash flow at a rapid rate and the AI labs heavy financing requirements. Credit markets could become more sensitive, if the AI labs revenue growth sl

Mexico: Fiscal Consolidation and Reducing Real Yields

July 13, 2026 9:55 AM UTC

·       10yr real yields in Mexico are currently high at 5%, given a moderate fiscal trajectory and some government action towards fiscal reform (though the judicial reforms have been criticized by global investors, the reality is no major political manipulation).  10yr nominal yields could

Ecuador Country Risk Rating

July 10, 2026 9:00 AM UTC

Overall risk in Ecuador remains at a medium-high rating.

Colombia Country Risk Rating

July 9, 2026 9:00 AM UTC

Overall risk in Colombia remains at a medium rating.

Chile Country Risk Rating

July 8, 2026 9:00 AM UTC

Overall risk in Chile remains at a medium-low rating.

Macro and Market Implications of 'Super' El Nino Risks

July 1, 2026 8:08 AM UTC

El Nino, and a potentially severe one, is increasingly looking like a central scenario rather than a tail risk for 2026-27.
2026-27 El Nino is shaping up to be strong enough to matter, at least for scenario planning. 
The key facts are broadly: Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and South Africa are l

AI Boom and Bust?

June 30, 2026 10:45 AM UTC

•    While some are becoming wary that AI bust could arrive in coming quarters, AI labs revenue growth has been explosive and this sustains the vertical chain of datacenter demand and commitments for the hyperscalers and also buoyant semiconductor demand.  For 2027 and 2028 capital markets re

Mexico: Banxico Pause, But MXN and USMCA Renegotiations

June 26, 2026 7:04 AM UTC

·       As expected Banxico left the policy rate unchanged at 6.50%, with the focus now on the lagged benefit of easing and also what will happen with the USMCA negotiations.  Banxico will likely keep the current policy rate through end 2026, given concerns that the Fed could tighten – eve

June Outlook: Iran War and AI Challenges

June 25, 2026 7:55 AM UTC

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

Equities Outlook: AI Optimism, But Caution Elsewhere in DM economies

June 22, 2026 7:05 AM UTC

·       In terms of the S&P500, we remain less concerned about high valuations in the tech sector provided AI labs growth remains fast.  12mth fwd information technology are mid-range in the 2020-26 experience rather than at the highs. Even so, heavy equity issuance by tech companies and a s

Brazil: Slowing Pace of Cuts and BRL Strength

June 19, 2026 6:55 AM UTC

·       Brazil cut the SELIC by 25bps to 14.25%, but received critiques from the market by raising end 2027 CPI inflation from 3.5% to 3.7% and talking about Q1 2028 in the relevant policy horizon. We feel that BCB still wants to leave the door open to further cuts in 2026, given how restrict

Central and Latin America: Country Risk Ratings

June 9, 2026 10:00 AM UTC

We provide country risk reviews for select Central and Latin America countries.  

Brazil Country Risk Rating

June 5, 2026 9:55 AM UTC

Overall risk in Brazil remains at a medium rating.

Mexico Country Risk Rating

June 3, 2026 9:10 AM UTC

Mexico’s overall risk is medium-high.

Argentina Country Risk Rating

June 2, 2026 3:46 PM UTC

Argentina’s overall risk remains medium high. 

Equities: Still a Rocky Road in 2026

April 17, 2026 12:49 PM UTC

·       Any deal between the U.S. and Iran would still be seen as a positive win in equities, as it would raise hopes that it could be followed by a multi-year settlement that could include more Iran oil and gas into the global energy markets and lower energy prices. No deal is also feasible,

Mexico: March 25bps Cut, Then September?

March 27, 2026 8:01 AM UTC

Banxico decided to cut the policy rate by 25bps from 6.75% due to concerns over the economy, which could be hurt additionally by the Iran war.  However, Banxico inflation forecasts are yet to reflect the shift in oil prices and the prospect of further upward revisions argue against a May or June cu

March Outlook: Iran War and AI Challenges

March 26, 2026 7:17 AM UTC

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

Equities Outlook: Navigating Cyclical and Structural Forces

March 23, 2026 4:15 PM UTC

·        For global equities, our baseline (here) is for a 4-8 week Iran war, with WTI down to USD80-85 by June; USD65-70 end 2026 by June and USD60 by Q3 2027.  A fragile situation will mean it will take until 2027 for energy prices to return to pre-war levels. On a multi-quarter basis thi

Brazil: Cautious 25bps Cut

March 19, 2026 7:27 AM UTC

BCB gave no detailed forward guidance, but they did hint at flexibility and did not lock themselves into only 25bps steps in future meetings.  We do feel that policy is very tight and that a further cut will be evident at April 29 meeting.  This could be either 25bps or 50bps depending on the leng

Central and Latin America: Country Risk Ratings

March 5, 2026 11:00 AM UTC

We provide country risk reviews for select Central and Latin America countries.  

Mexico: March Pause Rather Than Cut?

February 6, 2026 7:52 AM UTC

Banxico paused as expected, but revised the peak in inflation to 4% from 3.7% and pushed back the forecast of when inflation is expected to hit the target. Though the economy is still expected to be below trend in 2026, the inflation/growth tradeoff is causing Banxico members to debate whether furth

U.S. Inflows: Portfolio Dominates

February 4, 2026 12:05 PM UTC

·        Portfolio flows have dominated U.S. C/A financing looking at the breakdown of the balance of payment data (BOP), with no material slowdown in 2025 from foreign investors. U.S. investors did accelerate buying of overseas equities but this was counterbalanced by slower U.S. buying of

Markets: Profit-Taking or More?

February 2, 2026 9:22 AM UTC

•    For now we see some further profit-taking on risky positions in gold/silver/copper/equities and short USD positions.  However, a bigger macro catalyst is required to produce a deep correction in equities and major risk off.  The nomination of Kevin Warsh for Fed chair is unlikely to be

Brazil: March 50bps Cut?

January 29, 2026 7:22 AM UTC

Though the BCB remain focused on getting inflation converging towards the centre of the inflation target range at 3%, the January statement does suggest that an easing move will be delivered at the March meeting. With headline inflation falling, the real interest rate is going up and policy is becom

Markets 2026

January 6, 2026 9:58 AM UTC

•    For financial markets, the muddle through for global economics and policy provides support for risk assets, combined with solid earnings prospects from some of the magnificent 7.  However, U.S. equities are once again significantly overvalued and we look for a 5-10% correction in 2026, b

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.  

Mexico: 25bps Cut and Now Pause

December 19, 2025 8:15 AM UTC

Banxico cut by 25bps to 7.0% as expected with a downward revision to 0.3% for 2025 GDP growth. Below trend GDP is forecast in 2026 and we see this prompting further easing in March and June 2026 by 25bps each, but MXN weakness restraining Banxico pace.  We then see Banxico going on hold for the rem

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

Equities Outlook: Choppy Up For 2026 and Down for 2027?

December 12, 2025 8:05 AM UTC

·        The U.S. equity market is underpinned by the bullish AI/tech story and a soft economic landing into 2026.  However, overvaluation is clear and this leaves the market vulnerable to a 5-10% correction on moderate bad news e.g. economic data.  We see the S&P500 having a choppy year a

Brazil: March 50bps Cut?

December 11, 2025 8:00 AM UTC

BCB remain focused on getting inflation converging towards the centre of the inflation target range at 3% looking at the December statement. It appears that the economic weakness is not yet great enough to get the BCB to signal a January cut. Nevertheless, with headline inflation falling, the real i

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

Central and Latin America: Country Risk Ratings

December 5, 2025 11:00 AM UTC

We provide country risk reviews for select Central and Latin America countries.  

USMCA Renegotiation: Hostage To Trump

November 27, 2025 2:55 PM UTC

•    Trump could decide to go on an early offensive over the July 2026 USMCA review or could wait until after the November congressional elections to act tough given it could cause new cost of living fears for U.S. voters.  This could mean that at times the USMCA negotiations are upsetting fo

U.S. Asset Inflows After April’s Trump Tariffs

November 21, 2025 8:00 AM UTC

·       Net foreign portfolio inflows have not been hurt by Trump’s April tariff drama, with the AI and tech boom attracting new equity inflows.  Flows could become more volatile with a U.S. equity bear market or recession, but these are modest risk alternative scenarios rather than high r

Markets 2026

November 18, 2025 10:30 AM UTC

·        The Fed, ECB and BOE will likely drive further 10-2yr government bond yield curve steepening, with 10yr Bund yields rising due to ECB QT and German fiscal expansion. 10yr JGB yields are set to surge through 2%, as BOJ QT remains excessive and underestimated.  The BOJ could partiall

Financial Stability Risks: Vulnerable To A Recession

November 17, 2025 1:00 PM UTC

The November Fed financial stability review highlights continued concern over hedge funds and insurance company leverage, while the IMF GSFR is concerned about U.S. equity market overvaluation and growing links between banks and non-bank financial intermediaries.  However, the main adverse shock wo

Banxico: December In Doubt and Pause Closer

November 7, 2025 9:56 AM UTC

The December Banxico meeting is not guaranteed to see a further 25bps cut, with the November Banxico statement showing more caution over persistent core inflation pressures and given the cumulative easing already seen. Combined with the risk of a Fed pause in December, plus Banxico’s Mexican Peso

AI/Humanoid Robots and Disinflation?

October 1, 2025 9:40 AM UTC

·       Overall, a number of forces from the AI wave will impact inflation.  Power demand could push up power prices, but productivity enhancements and product innovation could be disinflationary like Information and Communications technology (ICT).  One other key uncertainty on a 1-5 year

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.  

Banxico Review: Slower Pace for 25bps Cuts

September 26, 2025 6:39 AM UTC

Banxico cut by 25bps to 7.5%. However, Banxico pushed up the near term inflation forecasts, which could mean that the November 6 meeting does not see a rate cut but rather Banxico waits until the December 18 meeting.  This is our view and we look for 25bps to 7.25%.  We then see two further 25bps

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.