EM Central Banks
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October 25, 2024 12:31 PM UTC
Bottom Line: Central Bank of Russia (CBR) announced on October 25 that it increased its policy rate by 200 bps to 21% to tame the stubborn price pressures stemming from high military spending, tight labour market and fiscal policy igniting domestic demand. CBR said in a press release that “Over th
October 22, 2024 5:51 PM UTC
Since taking office, Milei's administration has focused on tackling Argentina's fiscal and monetary imbalances, implementing a shock fiscal plan to reduce expenditures by 4% in 2024. Fiscal surpluses have been recorded monthly, but the adjustment has caused three consecutive quarters of economic con
October 17, 2024 4:27 PM UTC
Bottom Line: Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) kept the policy rate stable at 50% for the seventh consecutive month on October 17. CBRT’s press release remained almost unchanged, as the regulator highlighted that tight monetary stance will be maintained until a significant and sustained decline in th
October 9, 2024 1:56 PM UTC
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to maintain the policy repo rate at 6.50% and has shifted its stance to 'neutral' to balance the objectives of inflation management and economic growth. Although inflation has eased, the RBI remains cautious due to rising geopolitical tensions and increase
October 2, 2024 9:36 AM UTC
Israel will likely counteract Iran, which will prompt a further missile attack by Iran. However, our bias remains that Israel main aim is to have a buffer zone in southern Lebanon up to the Latani river and not fight a prolonged war with Iran. This limits the economic fallout globally and on oil
October 1, 2024 9:25 AM UTC
In September, Indonesia experienced its slowest inflation in nearly three years, driven by a drop in food and transport costs. Core inflation edged up, reflecting price increases in non-essential goods. The ongoing deflationary trend since May, influenced by supply-side factors like strong harvests,
September 30, 2024 6:58 AM UTC
The RBI is expected to keep interest rates unchanged in its October meeting, despite global central banks initiating rate cuts. Domestic inflation concerns and uncertainties over MPC appointments are likely to drive a cautious "wait-and-watch" approach, with potential easing only by December.
September 27, 2024 12:58 PM UTC
Banxico cut the policy rate by 25 bps to 10.5%, but the decision was not unanimous, with one dissenter favoring a higher rate. Weak domestic growth and softening core CPI suggest further cuts are likely, though caution is needed due to market volatility. Banxico’s minutes will provide more clarity
September 26, 2024 8:00 AM UTC
USD strength is ebbing across the board, which provides a positive force for most EM currencies on a spot basis. However, where inflation differentials are large, the downward pressure will remain in 2025 e.g. Turkish Lira (TRY). Where inflation differentials are modest against the U.S., but
September 25, 2024 7:57 AM UTC
Emerging Asian economies are poised to remain the fastest growing globally. India and Southeast Asia will drive regional resilience amid China’s cooling growth engine in 2025. For India, while the external environment remains challenging due to weaker global demand and geopolitical tensions, domes
September 25, 2024 7:30 AM UTC
· The U.S. economy is slowing, with the critical question being whether this is a soft or harder landing. Our broad analysis leaves us inclined to the soft landing view into 2025, though we shall watch real sector data closely over the next 3-6 months to check the trajectory. Else
September 24, 2024 12:54 PM UTC
· Brazil and Mexico started to diverge in terms of growth. While we see Brazil GDP growing above 3.0% in 2024 (pushed by the internal demand), we see Mexico’s growth decelerating to 1.3%, due to weaker demand from U.S. and contractionary monetary policy. In 2025, we see Brazil growing
September 19, 2024 3:57 PM UTC
Bottom line: As we expected, South African Reserve Bank (SARB) started cutting the key rate at the upcoming MPC meeting on September 19 and decreased it from 8.25% to 8.0% given recent fall in inflation, suspended power cuts (loadshedding) after March, deceleration in inflation expectations and a re
September 19, 2024 1:38 PM UTC
Argentina’s GDP contracted by 1.7% in Q2 2024, marking three consecutive quarters of decline, largely due to Milei’s economic reforms. While agriculture grew by 80%, industry and consumption sharply declined. A 4.9% contraction is expected for 2024, with limited recovery in 2025, far below gover
September 19, 2024 1:11 PM UTC
Bottom Line: As predictions were centred around no change, Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) kept the policy rate stable at 50% for the sixth consecutive month on September 19. CBRT reiterated in a statement that tight monetary stance will be maintained until a significant and sustained decline in the
September 15, 2024 10:30 AM UTC
Uncertainty about whether the U.S. economy will have a soft or hard landing is growing as the market approaches Q4. This is shaping the debate regarding the scale of easing through the remainder of 2024 and 2025 by the Fed. European easing is underway, but how much further will central ba
September 13, 2024 4:20 PM UTC
Bottom Line: As we predicted, Central Bank of Russia (CBR) announced on September 13 that it increased its policy rate by 100 bps to 19% to tame the stubborn price pressures stemming from high military spending, tight labour market and fiscal policy igniting domestic demand. CBR said in a press rele
September 12, 2024 7:09 PM UTC
Bottom line: South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will likely start cutting the key rate at the upcoming MPC meeting on September 19 and decrease the rate from 8.25% to 8.0% given recent fall in inflation, suspended power cuts (loadshedding) after March, deceleration in inflation expectations and a rel
September 12, 2024 2:18 PM UTC
Argentina’s CPI rose 4.2% in August, surpassing market expectations, with Y/Y inflation falling to 236% from 260%. Public service tariff adjustments, particularly in Transport and Housing, were key inflation drivers. Food prices increased 3.5%, while goods CPI grew 3.2%, suggesting a slowing infla
September 10, 2024 1:53 PM UTC
Mexico's CPI remained flat in August, causing year-over-year CPI to drop from 5.6% to 5.0%. This stability was driven by a 0.7% decline in non-core CPI, while core CPI rose 0.2%. The Food and Beverages CPI fell 0.6%, reflecting easing pressure on agricultural goods. With the economy cooling, inflati
September 5, 2024 4:39 PM UTC
Mexico’s August CPI is expected to remain flat at 0%, with year-on-year inflation dropping to 5.0% from 5.5% in July, driven by a contraction in non-core CPI. Core CPI is projected to rise by 0.2%, bringing its year-on-year figure to 3.9%. This trend may give Banxico more confidence to resume inte
August 29, 2024 2:08 PM UTC
Banxico's latest report reveals a weaker growth outlook, with a 2024 forecast cut to 1.4% and further weakening expected in 2025. Despite rising non-core CPI, inflation remains controlled. Banxico is likely to continue rate cuts, aiming for a year-end policy rate of 10.25%, amid moderate inflation c
August 23, 2024 1:02 PM UTC
Banxico has resumed its rate-cutting cycle, reducing the policy rate from 11% to 10.75%, with a split board decision. Most members noted weakening domestic activity and external volatility impacting the exchange rate. While some view the rise in non-core inflation as transitory, others see it, along
August 22, 2024 2:08 PM UTC
Argentina’s economy contracted by 0.3% in June (m/m), according to INDEC’s monthly activity indicator and, in quarterly terms, it will accumulate three consecutive quarter of contraction. Despite an 80% annual rise in agricultural activity due to base effects, other sectors like construction and
August 21, 2024 2:50 PM UTC
Mexico's FDI reached USD 31 billion in the first half of 2024, a 7% increase from 2023. However, this figure may be inflated by not accounting for USD inflation, potentially reducing real growth. While nearshoring discussions continue, current FDI largely reflects reinvestment by existing foreign fi
August 16, 2024 8:10 PM UTC
Mexico's fiscal situation is becoming challenging, with a primary deficit emerging due to increased support for PEMEX and overestimated growth projections. The Debt/GDP ratio is expected to rise to around 50.8% by 2024, possibly stabilizing around 49-54% depending on fiscal consolidation efforts. Wh
August 15, 2024 2:52 PM UTC
Argentina's July CPI rose 4.0%, the lowest since January 2022, yet still above the 2% crawling peg, suggesting real exchange rate appreciation. Year-over-year CPI fell to 263% from 271% in June, with further declines anticipated. Despite some inflation reduction under Milei, price distortions and re
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
August 13, 2024 12:57 PM UTC
On July 14 Argentina National Statistics Institute (INDEC) will release CPI data for July. Argentina's fiscal adjustment and zero ARS emissions strategy have eased inflation, reducing CPI growth from 20% in January to 3.5% in July. However, the crawling peg exchange rate policy and lack of internati
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
August 9, 2024 1:08 PM UTC
Banxico narrowly voted (3-2) to cut the policy rate by 25bps, despite rising headline inflation and peso depreciation. Core inflation is declining, standing at 4% year-over-year, with expectations of further decreases. Inflation is projected to hit the 3% target by Q4 2025. Future rate decisions wil
August 8, 2024 1:56 PM UTC
Mexico's CPI rose by 1.0% in July, pushing the year-over-year rate to 5.6%, the highest since November 2021. The increase was driven by a 1.9% rise in food and beverages due to drought and exchange rate impacts. Non-core inflation surged by 3.3%, widening the gap with core inflation. Given these ris
August 5, 2024 3:13 PM UTC
The Brazilian CPI is expected to rise by 0.3% m/m in July, pushing Y/Y CPI to 4.4%. This increase is mainly due to higher gasoline prices affecting the Transport and Housing groups. Inflationary risks are emerging, with strong economic activity and sticky service inflation, but a policy rate cut rem
August 2, 2024 1:00 PM UTC
The Mexican Central Bank will meet on Aug. 8 to consider a 25 bps rate cut, though risks remain. At 11%, the rate is highly contractionary, impacting job creation and growth. The MXN’s volatility and 10% depreciation since June pose short-term inflation risks, complicating rate cuts. Adverse clima
July 30, 2024 4:22 PM UTC
Mexico's GDP grew by just 0.2% in Q2 2024, with Industry and Services up 0.3% but Agriculture down 1.7%. The economy shows signs of deceleration, especially in agriculture due to extreme climate conditions, despite rising wages. The detailed data is pending, but a slowdown in investment and consumpt
July 26, 2024 2:51 PM UTC
The Central Bank of Argentina's plan for macroeconomic stabilization includes three stages: an orthodox fiscal exit, establishing an orthodox monetary framework, and prudently lifting FX controls. The fiscal deficit reduction has helped end the monetization of the deficit, while transitioning to a c
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
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
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
July 17, 2024 1:13 PM UTC
Bank Indonesia held its key interest rate at 6.25% to stabilize the rupiah and attract FX inflows, while maintaining interventions in the FX and bond markets. Inflation remains within target, and GDP growth forecasts are steady. Future rate cuts depend on US Federal Reserve actions. A 25bps cut is e
July 15, 2024 4:22 PM UTC
Indonesia's parliament has set ambitious economic targets for 2025, tasking Bank Indonesia with strengthening the rupiah to USD/IDR 15,300-15,900. The parliament also set a GDP growth target of 5.3-5.6% and a fiscal deficit target of 2.29-2.82% of GDP. Despite revising the 2024 fiscal deficit to 2