U.S. September Employment - Case for a December easing looks a little weaker

November 20, 2025 2:04 PM UTC

September’s non-farm payroll will be the last released before the December 10 FOMC meeting and is surprisingly firm at 119k, albeit with 33k in negative revisions. A rise in unemployment to 4.4% from 4.3% and a 0.2% rise in average hourly earnings provide only marginal offsets to the headline. Nov

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

India CPI Review: Inflation Cools to Historic Lows

November 17, 2025 8:04 AM UTC

India’s October inflation print confirms a rare moment of macro alignment—low inflation, solid growth, and room for monetary easing. The RBI now faces a high-conviction window to cut rates in December, but must stay vigilant against creeping food price risks as FY26 progresses.

Japan: Money Begins to Pour

November 17, 2025 3:00 AM UTC

Japan Pm Takaichi began her stimulus plan

ECB – In a Good Place or Just Complacent?

November 14, 2025 11:55 AM UTC

The ECB is of the view that downside growth risks have dissipated somewhat, this possibly helped by its recent actions which it suggests leave its current policy stance in a good place.  However, amid a hint of what we think is a complacent upgrade about the EZ’s alleged resilience, we think, the

China: Unbalanced Growth

November 14, 2025 8:15 AM UTC

·       The slowdown in China retail sales continues, with excess production still evident.  Nevertheless, the slowdown in industrial production and private sector business investment suggests that companies are becoming less upbeat about domestic demand.  Underlying growth is 4.0%, though

Japan/China Tensions Over Taiwan

November 13, 2025 10:45 AM UTC

China wants to make Japan cautious about helping the U.S. in future military scenarios.  With PM Takaichi tougher stance, China could decide to escalate tensions to reduce the risk of Japan becoming involved in future years.  This could be restrictions of some critical minerals from China to Japan

U.S. Supreme Court Threat to Trump Tariffs

November 12, 2025 1:44 PM UTC

Hearings at the U.S. Supreme Court over the legality of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs suggests that at least a partial ruling against the tariffs is likely, probably before the end of the year, though there is no date set for the decision.  Over half of Trump’s tariffs are threatened by the case b

UK Gilts: Fiscal, Politics and BOE

November 12, 2025 9:55 AM UTC

·        2yr Gilt yields have scope to fall through 2026, as we see growth and inflation slowing more than the BOE and this will likely see the MPC changing view and cutting policy rates to 3.25% in H1 2026. Though a pause could then be seen, we see one final BOE cut then being delivered to

EZ Rates: 2026 ECB Easing But 2027 French Crisis?

November 11, 2025 9:45 AM UTC

·       Financial conditions are tighter than suggested by a 2% ECB depo rate, which will both dampen an EZ economic pick-up and cause further disinflation.  We see the ECB delivering two further 25bps cuts to a 1.5% ECB depo rate, which can mean a further decline in 2yr Bund yields.  Howev

China: CPI Rises Helped By Government Pressure

November 10, 2025 8:24 AM UTC

•    Less food price decline, plus government pressure to curtail price wars, helped headline and core CPI move higher. However, the September industrial production and retail sales figure shows that the imbalance between supply and domestic demand remains in place.  The imbalance of supply a

India CPI Preview: Disinflation Deepens: October CPI Forecast at 1.1%

November 7, 2025 5:43 PM UTC

We forecast October CPI at 1.1% yr/yr, with risks tilted to the downside. The disinflationary trend is broad-based, but unlikely to last into early 2026. RBI still has room to cut, but may prefer to assess the durability of food price softness before moving

China’s 2nd Tier Banking Problems

November 7, 2025 2:45 PM UTC

China’s residential property bust continues to feedthrough to some bank’s non-performing loans and financial stability. Even so, the latest PBOC financial stability report shows the percentage of high risk rated banks has not increased over the last 12 months, while China authorities early warni

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

Indonesia CPI Review: Sticky Food Prices Lift CPI

November 7, 2025 6:53 AM UTC

Indonesia’s October CPI inflation print of 2.86%—the highest since April—reinforces that price pressures, while still within target, are gradually building. The uptick limits Bank Indonesia’s room to ease policy further in the near term and suggests a more cautious monetary stance ahead.

U.S. Equities: Smaller Correction But Still Overvalued

November 6, 2025 10:25 AM UTC

·       We are revising up our end 2025 S&P500 forecast from 6000 to 6500 for a number of reasons. Private sector data shows the risk of a U.S. hard landing is lower than a couple of months ago, with economic data more consistent with a soft landing.  Additionally, the tech/AI optimism has n

U.S. October ISM Services - Bounce led by new orders, prices remain firm

November 5, 2025 3:23 PM UTC

October’s ISM services index is not as strong as the S and P Services PMI which was revised to a still firm 54.8 from 55.2, though at 52.4 is still the strongest since February and up from a neutral 50.0 in September. 

Japan: Not Abenomics 2

November 5, 2025 10:30 AM UTC

·       While some fiscal stimulus into 2026 is likely from the new PM Takaichi, this is unlikely to be aggressive given the JGB supply pressures and the need for support from other parties in passing fiscal measures.  A return to QE (2nd arrow of Abenomics) is highly unlikely, with the BOJ

U.S. Treasuries: Waiting for Data and Yield Curve Steepening

November 4, 2025 1:57 PM UTC

•    Multi quarter we still look for 75bps of further Fed easing by end 2026, which will likely initially bring 2yr yields down to 3.4%.  However, once the Fed Funds rate get closer to 3.0-3.25% and the slowdown turns into a soft landing, the 2yr will likely move to a premium versus Fed Funds

RBA Review: Hawkish tiit

November 4, 2025 5:28 AM UTC

The RBA meeting on November 4th keep rates at 3.6% with inflation forecast revised higher

China: Fiscal Stimulus Modest Rather than Large?

November 3, 2025 9:07 AM UTC

•    Overall, we see around a Yuan2.0-2.5trn fiscal stimulus for 2026 and some of this could be announced in December but the majority in March 2026.  This reflects the fiscal constraints on China authorities; the targeted focus in the 2026-31 five year plan and reluctance to spending on hous

EZ HICP Review: Services Inflation Problematic?

October 31, 2025 10:39 AM UTC

With what were previously unfavourable energy-related base effects reversing, EZ inflation edged down 0.1 ppt to 2.1% in October, largely in line with consensus thinking, but with the main core rate stable at 2.4%.  The latter reflected a slight pick-up in services (up 0.2 ppt to a six-mth high of

U.S./China Trade Framework: Avoiding Escalation

October 31, 2025 7:48 AM UTC

·         The U.S./China framework deal avoids renewed escalation of trade tension, but is unlikely to be followed by a comprehensive trade deal in 2026 as China does not want major import and bilateral trade commitments.  The economic effects will likely be small and the deal main aim app

ECB Review: Hedging its Bets, Hoping to Stay in a Good Place

October 30, 2025 3:23 PM UTC

There ie nothing tangible in the ECB update today to suggest that a further easing is likely at the next meeting on Dec 17-18.  However, amid a hint of what we think is a complacent upgrade about the EZ’s resilience alongside a perceived reduction in global risks, the easing window has not been c

October 30, 2025 10:25 AM UTC

 It continues to be the case that, for an economy that has seen repeated upside surprises and apparently above trend growth, now some 1.3% in the year to Q3, GDP data do not seem to have had much impact is shaping, let alone dominating, ECB policy thinking save to encourage a Council view of EZ eco

October 30, 2025 5:31 AM UTC

The BoJ has kept rates unchanged at 0.5% in the Oct 30th meeting with a 7-2 vote

October 29, 2025 4:14 AM UTC

The BoJ will keep rates unchanged at 0.5% in the Oct 30th meeting 

Eurozone: Tighter Credit Standards By EZ Banks Confirmed

October 28, 2025 9:44 AM UTC

Hardly a surprise despite the ECB suggestions to the contrary as the reported net tightening credit standards merely accentuates trends in the two previous Bank Lending Surveys (BLS).  This updated BLS therefore echoes what we have seen in other ECB surveys and in actual credit dynamics and thus un

U.S-China Trade Tensions Ease, US-Canada Tensions Escalate

October 27, 2025 3:32 PM UTC

Trade tensions between the US and China appear to be easing, with it looking increasingly unlikely that the US will impose a threatened extra 100% tariff on China on November 1. However trade tensions with Canada have increased, with Canada receiving an extra 10% tariff, adding to downside economic

Bank Indonesia Holds Rates at 4.75% Amid Global Uncertainty:

October 27, 2025 11:54 AM UTC

BI opted to hold its interest rate steady at 4.75% after trimming it in a surprise in September. BI will now wait to see the transmission of earlier rate cuts before proceeding with further action. We expect a steady policy rate going into 2026. 

ECB Monetary Worries Emerging as Corporate Credit Dynamics Weaken More Clearly

October 27, 2025 10:36 AM UTC

As a foretaste of the Bank Lending Survey BLS) due tomorrow, the ECB released two associated pieces of data today, both corroborating and continuing an ever worrying pattern, namely weakness in corporate credit. The data showed growth in later has fallen to its lowest in almost two years (Figure 1).

FOMC Preview for October 29: 25bps Easing but Little Forward Guidance

October 24, 2025 3:49 PM UTC

The FOMC meets on October 29 and a 25bps easing to 3.75%-4.0% looks likely, particularly after September’s CPI came in on the low side of expectations.  The statement is however still likely to express concerns over inflation while the scale of downside risks on activity are uncertain, and not on

U.S. September CPI - Soft enough for an October FOMC easing but still above target

October 24, 2025 12:58 PM UTC

September CPI is on the low side of expectations at 0.3% overall, 0.2% ex food and energy, and should not pose an obstacle to a likely 25bps easing at the October 29 FOMC meeting. The core rate was up by 0.23% before rounding, slower than July and August gains that rise by more than 0.3% before roun

EZ HICP Preview (Oct 31): No Halloween Horror from HICP Update

October 23, 2025 12:09 PM UTC

Mainly due to unfavourable base effects, EZ inflation has edged up in the last few months, but we think that this is temporary and that a fresh fall, possible to below the 2% target may occur in the October flash numbers – with a formal forecast of a 0.3 ppt drop to 1.9% and the core falling almos

When And How Will the U.S. Government Shutdown End?

October 22, 2025 3:01 PM UTC

The US government shutdown is now entering its fourth week and there are no signs of an imminent solution, though once progress starts, it could gain momentum quickly. It looks likely that pressure to reach a solution will start to build in early November, though the nature of the eventual settlemen

Eurozone Flash GDP Preview (Oct 30): Resilience in the Dock?

October 22, 2025 9:11 AM UTC

As we highlighted repeatedly of late, for an economy that has seen repeated upside surprises and apparently above trend growth, now some 1.4% in the year to Q2, GDP data do not seem to have had much impact is shaping, let alone dominating, ECB policy thinking. But we think this may shift as the ECB

October 21, 2025 12:55 PM UTC

As with recent Council meetings, what is important when the ECB gives its next (almost certain) stable verdict on Oct 30, is not what it says.  Instead, in particular, it is how much the impression is left that the easing window has not closed. The ECB is clearly split about whether policy has trou

Japan: Storm Calms or Reaches the eye?

October 20, 2025 2:48 AM UTC

The LDP and Japan Innovation Party have reached a broad agreement to form a coalition government

October 17, 2025 10:24 AM UTC

The ECB is clearly split about whether policy has troughed or not, this mainly a result of differences within the Council as to where inflation risks lie.  Hawks perceive upside risks emerging while the dovish camp feels the opposite.  These divisions are likely to magnify when the ECB updates its

Indonesia’s 2026 Budget: Populist Spending Meets Fiscal Strain

October 16, 2025 6:17 AM UTC

Indonesia’s 2026 budget marks President Prabowo Subianto’s first full fiscal blueprint—anchored in expansive social spending and a sharp 30% rise in defence outlays, while sidelining his predecessor’s infrastructure push. With revenue targets based on optimistic assumptions and growth foreca

India CPI Review: CPI at Eight-Year Low: Disinflation Deepens, RBI Seen Easing in December

October 14, 2025 7:21 AM UTC

India’s retail inflation eased to 1.54% in September — the lowest in nearly eight years — driven by steep declines in food and fuel prices. With CPI now well below the RBI’s 2–6% tolerance band and GST cuts reinforcing disinflation, a December rate cut looks increasingly likely. Core infla

U.S-China Trade Tensions May Escalate Further Before Eventually Fading

October 13, 2025 3:19 PM UTC

Trump’s more conciliatory words after announcing a 100% tariff on China starting November 1 have eased market worries, though the issue is far from resolved. It is still possible that Trump will follow through with his threat on November 1, but unlikely that tariffs would remain elevated for very

Eurozone: Data Disappointments Off the ECB Radar

October 10, 2025 12:35 PM UTC

Although not fully high-profile,and mostly off the radar that the Council focuses on. the last few days have brought a series of data releases that will disappoint the ECB, certainly the hawks.  These range from weak services production data, further signs of a loosening in the labor market and mor

ECB Council Meeting Account Review: Complacency Rules the Day as Financial Conditions Tighten!

October 9, 2025 12:52 PM UTC

Unsurprisingly there was little in the account of the ECB Council Meeting of 10-11 September to suggest any rush to change policy with it clear that members on both sides of the hawks vs doves debate wanted more data amid what was considered to be great uncertainty.  Thus, the ECB offered little in

France:  Prime Minister – Another One Bites the Dust

October 6, 2025 9:01 AM UTC

Either side of the English Channel, politicians are competing to see whether France or the UK can provide a prime minister with the shortest time in power.  In the UK that was Liz Truss whose 49 days at the helm of the government in 2022 has now been surpassed by French PM Lecornu who has resigned

Japan: A New Page?

October 6, 2025 4:13 AM UTC

Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the LDP party leader in October 4th and will become the next prime minister of Japan. While it may mean a new page for Japanese politics, it may well be a step backward for the BoJ monetary policy.

U.S. September ISM Services - Back to neutral, prices still firm

October 3, 2025 2:22 PM UTC

September’s ISM services index has slipped back to a neutral 50.0 after a bounce to 52.0 in August from July’s near neutral 50.1 . We had suspected that August data had been flattered by seasonal adjustments but seasonal adjustments do not fully explain the recent moves.

DM Central Banks: Wider-Ranging Conditions More Than Neutral Rates

October 2, 2025 6:55 AM UTC

·        Neutral policy rate estimates and forward guidance provide some help at the start of easing cycles, but less so at mid to mature stages.  For the Fed, ECB and BOE we look at a wider array of economic and financial conditions, alongside our own projections over the next 2 years to m