Trump-Putin Summit: No Ceasefire Agreement, Possible Concessions Discussed

August 18, 2025 12:29 PM UTC

Bottom Line: U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin met in Alaska on August 15 to discuss the fate of war in Ukraine. The meeting lasted three hours, but did not yield an immediate ceasefire agreement as we expected. After the meeting, Trump and Putin both signaled what could happen next i

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

Russian Economy is Slowing: GDP Growth Continued to Lose Steam in Q2 2025

August 14, 2025 9:23 AM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) figures, Russia's GDP expanded by 1.1% YoY in Q2, the slowest pace of growth since the economy resumed expansion in Q2 2023, driven by military spending, investments, higher wages and fiscal stimulus. We think Central Bank of R

Deceleration in Inflation Resumes in Russia: 8.8% YoY in July

August 13, 2025 7:28 PM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) data on August 13, inflation stood at 8.8% YoY in July after hitting 9.4% YoY in June, ignited by higher non-food and services prices. Despite inflation eased for a fourth straight month, we foresee inflation will continue to st

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

Indonesia’s 2026 Blueprint: Growth Goals Amid a Shaky Global Backdrop

July 28, 2025 5:54 AM UTC

Indonesia’s newly approved 2026 macroeconomic framework targets robust growth, fiscal discipline, and poverty eradication. However, external headwinds—including unresolved US tariff risks—and tepid domestic consumption pose serious execution risks. Without sharper prioritisation and institutio

Food Prices Lifted South Africa Inflation to 3.0% YoY in June

July 23, 2025 12:36 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced on July 23 that annual inflation rose to 3.0% YoY in June from 2.8% in May as food prices reached a 15-month high coupled with elevated restaurant and health services prices. The inflation is still within South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB)

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

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

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

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

Deceleration in Inflation, Albeit Gradual, Continued in June: 9.4% YoY

July 11, 2025 4:48 PM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) data, inflation stood at 9.4% YoY in June after hitting 9.9% YoY in May, partly due to favorable base impacts, recent RUB strengthening and falling oil prices. We think the recent tariffs hike for electricity, gas, heating and w

High Stakes and Heavy Metals: The Geopolitics of the US–Indonesia Tariff Deal

July 11, 2025 7:37 AM UTC

As the U.S. sharpens its protectionist stance, Indonesia is scrambling to avert a 32% tariff by offering a USD 34bn investment-anchored trade package, including energy and agricultural imports, Boeing orders, and sovereign wealth fund commitments. This negotiation goes far beyond trade—it is a hig

South Africa Opposes Trump’s 30% Tariffs

July 9, 2025 3:47 PM UTC

Bottom Line: After a 90-day reprieve, U.S. president Trump announced on July 7 that the U.S. would implement 30% additional tariffs against South Africa-origin products from August 1. Despite President Ramaphosa opposed what he calls the unilateral trade tariffs by the U.S., and emphasized that Sout

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

Russia GDP Growth Continues to Lose Steam

July 2, 2025 6:43 PM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Ministry of Economic Development figures, Russia's GDP expanded by 1.2% YoY in May following a 1.9% rise the previous month, which marked one of the lowest pace of growth since the economy resumed expansion in Q2 2023, driven by military spending, higher wages and fiscal

South Africa: Coalition Under Pressure After President Ramaphosa Fires DA Deputy

July 2, 2025 12:25 PM UTC

Bottom Line: The political tension between the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) has peaked as of late June after President Ramaphosa sacked DA’s deputy minister Andrew Whitfield due to an unauthorized trip to the U.S. at the end of February. Following the dismissal, DA

Ukraine War Update: War Continuing Probability is Now at 70%

June 26, 2025 11:06 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Our baseline scenario (70%) is based on the war continuing after talks fail since president Putin insists on his peace terms. President Trump is reluctant to threaten or implement of secondary tariffs on Russia oil buyers, that would really pressure president Putin. The U.S. financing o

Asia/Pacific (ex-China/Japan) Outlook: Slower Trade, Softer Inflation, and Looser Policy

June 24, 2025 9:24 AM UTC

·       Asia’s growth profile in 2025 reflects a region navigating structural transition amid external strain. Investment-led economies like India are benefitting from infrastructure spending, industrial policy momentum, and political continuity. In contrast, trade-reliant markets such as V

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%

South Africa Inflation Stayed Unchanged in May 2.8% YoY

June 18, 2025 9:50 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Annual inflation stayed stable at 2.8% in May after April as food prices rose, remaining below the lower bound of South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) target range of 3% to 6%. We think unpredictable outlook for the global economy, and return of power cuts (loadshedding) pressurized do

Russian GDP Growth Loses Steam in Q1

June 14, 2025 8:54 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Russia's GDP expanded by 1.4% YoY in Q1, the slowest pace of growth since the economy resumed expansion in Q2 2023 driven by military spending, higher wages and fiscal stimulus. The softening of growth figures demonstrates monetary tightening, sanctions, supply side constraints and hi

Inflation in Russia Continued to Moderately Decelerate in May: 9.9% YoY

June 12, 2025 7:43 PM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) data, inflation stood at 9.9% YoY in May after hitting 10.2% in April, the softest in four months. Despite CPI remained above the Central Bank of Russia’s (CBR) midterm target of 4%, the deceleration was remarkable as prices i

Moderate GDP Growth for South Africa in Q1: 0.1% QoQ, 0.8% YoY

June 3, 2025 11:02 AM UTC

Bottom line: South African economy grew moderately by 0.1% QoQ and 0.8% on a year-on-year basis in Q1 2025. According to Department of Statistics of South Africa (Stats SA) announcement on June 3, despite growth in agriculture, transport and finance, a strain on the mining and manufacturing industri

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

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

As Predicted, South Africa Inflation Slightly Increased in April

May 21, 2025 10:44 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Despite inflation stood at 2.7% YoY in March, the lowest reading since June 2020, annual inflation slightly accelerated to 2.8% in April due to higher food prices but remained below South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) target range. We think unpredictable outlook for the global economy

Sticky Inflation in Russia Hits 10.2% YoY in April

May 16, 2025 8:36 PM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) data, inflation stood at 10.2% YoY in April after hitting 10.3% in March, remaining well above the Central Bank of Russia’s (CBR) midterm target of 4%, due to surges in services and food prices, huge military spending, and lab

SA Inflation Preview: Inflation Will Likely Slightly Rise in April

May 14, 2025 9:21 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Despite inflation stood at 2.7% YoY in March, the lowest reading since June 2020, we foresee annual inflation will slightly accelerate to 2.8-2.9% in April, which will be announced on May 21. We feel unpredictable outlook for the global economy, return of power cuts (loadshedding), and

Optimistic CBR Publishes Summary of Key Rate Decision on May 12

May 12, 2025 5:24 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Central Bank of Russia (CBR) published the summary of the key rate decision on May 12, showing CBR’s views on economic developments. CBR highlighted in its report that “The current inflationary pressures eased in Q1, whereas food and services prices were still rising at a fast pa

Indonesia’s Q1 GDP Disappoints, Deepening Case for Rate Cut

May 8, 2025 8:05 AM UTC

Bottom line: Indonesia’s Q1 GDP growth slipped to 4.87% yr/yr, missing the 5% target as public spending declined. Household consumption edged down and fixed investment declined sharply. Looking ahead, Q2 may bring further softening. 

South Africa’s Automotive and Agricultural Sectors Will Be Tested Amid Trump’s Additional Tariffs

May 6, 2025 3:14 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Taking into account that the 31% U.S. additional tariffs on South African goods could still come into effect despite a 90-day reprieve from the U.S. president Trump, the threat is still alive as South African economy will be negatively impacted by tariffs partly nullifying the African G

Annual Inflation Slightly Decreased in April Despite MoM Hit 3.0% Due to High FX Pass Through

May 5, 2025 10:15 AM UTC

Bottom line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced on May 5 that the inflation softened to 37.9% y/y in April from 38.1% y/y in March. We think monetary tightening and suppressed wages helped relieve the price pressure despite hikes in electricity and natural gas prices in April, and curre

Turkiye Inflation Preview: CPI is Expected to Slightly Increase in April

April 30, 2025 4:47 PM UTC

Bottom line: After easing to 38.1% annually in March, we expect consumer price index (CPI) will slightly surge to 38.2%-38.3% YoY in April. Despite tight monetary policy and moderately falling demand helped relieving the price pressure in Q1, April inflation will likely stand at higher-than-expect

The Hope for A Peace Deal in Ukraine Seems No Close

April 28, 2025 12:55 PM UTC

Bottom Line: We have lowered a Russia-friendly peace deal following a cease-fire to 50% probability but have increased the alternative scenario of war continues to 50% probability in Ukraine as negotiations to end the war in Ukraine continue slowly. In the former scenario, we envisage Russia will co

South Africa’s Inflation Softened to a Five-Year Low with 2.7% YoY in March

April 23, 2025 1:50 PM UTC

Bottom Line: StatsSA announced on April 23 that annual South Africa’s inflation softened to a five-year low with 2.7% YoY in March, due to a drop in fuel, education and housing costs. Taking into account that the inflation rate is now below the lower band of South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) tar

Surprising Move: CBRT Increased the Key Rate to 46%

April 17, 2025 12:32 PM UTC

Bottom Line: Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) surprisingly hiked the policy rate from 42.5% to 46% during the MPC on April 17 after three consecutive interest rate cuts, mainly due to global uncertainties and domestic inflationary risks. CBRT highlighted in its written statement that the possibility o

SARB's Monetary Policy Review Highlights Concerns over the Horizon

April 15, 2025 7:29 PM UTC

Bottom line: According to the Monetary Policy Review Report by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on April 15, uncertainties about the global economy, trade tensions and blurry domestic outlook have caused the scope for monetary policy easing had narrowed. In its biannual review of its monetary p

Indonesia's Strategy to Counter US Tariffs

April 14, 2025 5:06 AM UTC

Facing a potential 32% tariff from the US, Indonesia has launched a multi-pronged strategy to fortify trade relations and ease market access for American giants like Apple and Microsoft. The government plans to lower domestic content requirements and introduce fiscal incentives to attract US investm

Soaring Inflation Hits Two-Year High in March with 10.3% YoY

April 12, 2025 10:16 AM UTC

Bottom Line: According to Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) data, inflation ticked up to 10.3% YoY in March after hitting 10.1% in February, remaining well above the Central Bank of Russia’s (CBR) midterm target of 4%, due to surges in services and food prices, huge military spending,

Strong Consumption Continues to Drive Turkiye's GDP Growth

April 11, 2025 11:14 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Turkish economy expanded by 3.2% YoY in 2024 backed by strong private consumption and robust investments, despite the weight of high interest rates. After Q2 2023, Q4 2024 marked the highest quarterly reading with 1.7% QoQ surge, which stemmed from turnaround in private consumption that

EMEA Economies Will Be Tested Amid U.S. Tariff Heat

April 7, 2025 5:29 PM UTC

Bottom Line: The impacts of U.S. additional tariffs announced on April 2 could likely have multifaceted impacts over EMEA countries. Relatively-low 10% tariffs could open new doors for Turkiye to capture a higher global market share if it can act quickly on trade diversification. We foresee the coun

Jakarta Under Pressure: U.S. Imposes 32% Tariff on Indonesian Exports

April 7, 2025 7:12 AM UTC

The U.S. has imposed a 32% tariff on Indonesian imports, citing structural trade imbalances, local content rules, and restricted market access for American firms. The move puts pressure on Indonesia’s key export sectors such as footwear, electronics, and apparel. Jakarta has opted for diplomacy ov

Russia GDP Growth Loses Steam in the First Two Months of 2025

April 4, 2025 9:14 AM UTC

Bottom Line: According to the figures announced by the Ministry of Economic Development on April 3, Russia's GDP expanded by 0.8% YoY in February following a 3% YoY increase in January driven by military spending, higher wages and fiscal stimulus. The softening of growth figures demonstrates monet

Turkiye’s Inflation Slightly Decreased in March

April 3, 2025 6:48 PM UTC

Bottom line: Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced on April 3 that the inflation softened to 38.1% y/y in March from 39.1% y/y in February. We think favourable base effect, lagged impacts of previous tightening, relative Turkish lira (TRY) stability until March 20 and suppressed wages cont

The Hope for A Peace Deal in Ukraine is Tested

April 1, 2025 9:55 AM UTC

Bottom Line: As negotiations to end the war in Ukraine continue, we foresee a Russia-friendly peace deal (70% probability) in Ukraine could be sealed in 9-12 months following a cease-fire under current circumstances. In this scenario, we envisage Russia will continue to annex areas in and around fo

Turkish Economy Remains under Pressure after Mayor of Istanbul Arrest

March 28, 2025 11:06 AM UTC

Bottom Line: After mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, arrested on March 23 due to fraud allegations, nationwide protests continue in Turkiye and Turkish economy remains under pressure despite a recent recovery after Treasury and Finance Minister Simsek vowed to restore stability, and Central Bank of