Continuum Daily
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July 10, 2025 2:53 PM UTC
We expect a 125k increase in July’s non-farm payroll, slightly slower than in each month of Q2 but slightly stronger than in each month of Q1. We expect a 110k rise in private sector payrolls, up from 74k in June but slower than in April and May. An unchanged unemployment rate of 4.1% and a 0.3% r
July 9, 2025 6:48 PM UTC
FOMC minutes from June 18 show agreement to leave policy at 4.25-4.50%, and general agreement that the FOMC was well positioned to wait for more clarity. While there was some debate over the future outlook, doves appear to be in the minority. A couple were open to easing at the next meeting in July,
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
July 9, 2025 2:05 PM UTC
Calendar effects have been accentuating swings in UK CPI data of late. Indeed, the timing of Easter may have been a partial factor in the May CPI, where a distinct drop back in services and core rates failed to make the headline drop, which instead stayed at 3.4% in line with BoE thinking due to hig
July 9, 2025 12:35 PM UTC
The BoE’s latest message from its Financial Policy Committee notes that UK household and corporate borrowers remain resilient in aggregate while the UK banking system remains in a strong position even if economic, financial and business conditions became substantially worse than expected. But th
July 9, 2025 9:37 AM UTC
It remains unclear just how much of a movable feast the new U.S. tariff deadline of Aug 1 actually is. Trade deals with the US were supposed to be agreed by today, or face the reciprocal tariffs as outlined in April. But that has now been deferred to, with US Treasury Secretary Bessent, hinting ac
July 7, 2025 5:35 PM UTC
There are nineteen FOMC dots. Seven hawks expect no easing this year, and two expect only one 25bps move. Eight are on the median seeing two 25bps moves, while two doves are looking for three. While only two have clearly signaled what their personal dot is, reasonable estimates can be made to identi
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
July 4, 2025 9:00 AM UTC
Last October, China’s government support package has helped turn residential property less negative and our baseline is that residential property will likely deduct around 0.75% from 2025 growth and 0.5% from 2026. However, the risks for the economy could turnout worse than our baseline view on
July 3, 2025 1:09 PM UTC
June’s non-farm payroll is surprisingly strong overall with a rise of 147k, with 16k in net upward revisions, but private payrolls at 75k are weaker than expected, with 16k in net negative revisions. Unemployment unexpectedly fell to 4.1% from 4.2%, but average hourly earnings are weaker than expe
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
July 3, 2025 12:24 PM UTC
The account of the June 3-5 Council meeting just about left the door open for a move at the July 24 policy verdict given the array of news (probably negative particularly regarding tariffs but also bank lending) due beforehand. But the account adds to the impression we has initially that a pause
July 3, 2025 9:12 AM UTC
After two successive upside surprises, a correction back in monthly GDP was not entirely a wholesale surprise for April GDP. But we see that 0.3% m/m drop being repeated in the looming May numbers (Figure 1), thereby adding to a gloomier economic backdrop most recently highlighted by growing signs
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
July 2, 2025 3:20 PM UTC
We expect a 0.1% increase in June retail sales to follow two straight declines, with a 0.3% incase ex autos that will reverse a 0.3% May decline. Ex autos and gasoline, we also expect a 0.3% increase, after a 0.1% May decline that followed a 0.1% April increase.
July 2, 2025 1:01 PM UTC
We expect a 75k increase in June’s non-farm payroll, significantly slower than May’s 139k though consistent with a slowdown in growth rather than an economy entering recession. We expect an in line with trend 0.3% increase in average hourly earnings and an uptick in unemployment to 4.3% after th
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
July 2, 2025 8:34 AM UTC
The politically damaging climb-down on welfare spending yesterday also saw the government face an additional fiscal hole after the fiscal watchdog (the Office for Budget Responsibility, OBR) hinted it has been repeatedly overestimating growth. Indeed, in its annual Forecast Evaluation Report, it s
July 1, 2025 6:42 PM UTC
We expect June CPI to increase by 0.3% overall and by 0.3% ex food and energy, with the overall pace close to 0.3% before rounding but the core rate rounded up from 0.27%. This would still be the strongest core rate since January and reflect tariffs starting to feed through, something expected by Fe
July 1, 2025 12:55 PM UTC
Our central scenario (but less than 50%) is towards a scenario of compromise, with some agreements in principle or trade framework deals, delays for most other negotiating in good faith but with one or two countries seeing a reciprocal tariff rise e.g. Spain and/or Vietnam. This could still be fol
July 1, 2025 9:32 AM UTC
Despite its updated its monetary policy strategy detailed yesterday, inflation – now at target – is very much a side issue for the ECB at present, albeit with oil prices possibly accentuating Council divides. Admittedly, the flash June HICP rose a notch to 2.0% matching the -consensus, but up
June 30, 2025 7:30 AM UTC
· Japan, S Korea and Australia could eventually agree to some extra commitment to increase (self) defence spending in the next 5-10 years though perhaps not targets like NATO countries. This could come as part of the trade deal negotiations currently underway. Japan and S Korea
June 27, 2025 6:05 PM UTC
The release of advance May trade and inventory data, plus May consumer spending, provides us with clearer signals on Q2 GDP, even if we have not yet seen any data for June. We currently expect a modest annualized gain of 1.4%, following a 0.5% decline in Q1, leaving a subdued first half of the year.
June 27, 2025 8:30 AM UTC
It is clear(er) that the labor market is the key variable that the BoE is looking at to assess policy amid a backdrop where the official view is that current demand weakness may not be creating much, if any, slack as the supply side is equally anaemic. In this regard, it is also clear(er) that the
June 27, 2025 6:56 AM UTC
Banxico has cut by 50bps to 8.00%, while also signalling in its statement that further easing will now be data dependent. Our forecast is for easing to move to a 25bps pace and to come once a quarter – most likely in September and December. Some improvement in the monthly inflation trajectory woul
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
June 25, 2025 8:05 AM UTC
· The Chinese Yuan (CNY) will likely remain stable while trade negotiations with the U.S. continue. We see a trade deal in our baseline (probably Q4) and then a small rise in CNY v USD due to general USD weakness.
· In terms of total returns for the remainder of 2025, th
June 24, 2025 6:06 PM UTC
While two Fed Governors. Waller and Bowman, have suggested a July easing could be appropriate, testimony from Chairman Powell suggests a move that early is unlikely, though September is possible if inflation data continues to show a lack of feed through from tariffs. We, and Powell, expect some acce
June 24, 2025 8:57 AM UTC
Inflation – now below target – is very much a side issue for the ECB at present, albeit with oil prices possibly accentuating Council divides. Indeed, we see the flash June HICP staying at May’s below-consensus, eight-month low and below-target 1.9% (Figure 1). More notably, having jumped
June 23, 2025 3:17 PM UTC
A measured or modest Iran retaliation could be used by the U.S. to seek a path back towards negotiation. Israel would likely want to continue to degrade Iran nuclear and military facilities, but the U.S. could eventually pressure Israel to stop. This is our baseline, though the military attac
June 20, 2025 4:29 PM UTC
We expect a 75k increase in June’s non-farm payroll, significantly slower than May’s 139k though consistent with a slowdown in growth rather than an economy entering recession. We expect an in line with trend 0.3% increase in average hourly earnings and an uptick in unemployment to 4.3% after th
June 19, 2025 7:49 PM UTC
Bottom Line: Central Bank of Turkiye (CBRT) held the policy rate unchanged at 46% during the MPC on June 19 despite inflation continues to ease. CBRT highlighted in its written statement that the tight monetary stance will be maintained until price stability is achieved via a sustained decline in in
June 19, 2025 11:51 AM UTC
A stable BoE policy decision was always the most likely (Bank Rate staying at 4.25%) as the MPC discussed its two alternative scenarios still, but possibly where hawks have been forced into diluting what were previous concerns about a ‘tight’ labor market. In fact, partly based on what was see
June 19, 2025 8:57 AM UTC
Although we thought the Norges Bank would not start to ease until its next (Aug) meeting, we think the surprise 25 bp policy rate cut (to 4.25%) announced today is very much warranted, as are the further cuts (Figure 1) being flagged in the updated Monetary Policy Report (MPR) – ie two more such m
June 19, 2025 8:00 AM UTC
The SNB would probably prefer to consolidate the effects of previous rate cuts, but the low inflation forecast and downside risk to inflation means that a cut to -0.25% is feasible at the September or December meetings. The SNB will also hope that the threat of negative rates restrains the CHF s
June 19, 2025 6:33 AM UTC
Though the BCB surprised and hiked by 25bps to 15%, the statement signalled that policy will now go on hold for a very long period. Some economists feel that by year-end, that the BCB will be confident enough to move from very restrictive to restrictive and lower the SELIC rate. We would suspect
June 18, 2025 7:27 PM UTC
Though the SEP reduced growth forecasts and boosted inflation, the guidance from the Fed remains that policy is on hold in the coming meetings. Though the FOMC median still has two 2025 cuts, the breakdown shows that this was a close call and a lot of members see no cut or only 25bps. We look for
June 18, 2025 6:23 PM UTC
The FOMC has left rates unchanged at 4.25-4.50% as expected. The median rate forecast is unchanged at 3.9% for end 2025 but the FOMC now sees only 25bps of easing in 2026 rather than 50bps, with 2027 still seeing 25bps, but the end 2027 rate is now seen at 3.4% from 3.1%, leaving a slightly hawkish
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
June 18, 2025 8:26 AM UTC
As widely expected, the Riksbank cut its policy rate by a further 25 bp to a new cycle low of 2.0%. Moreover, as we hinted at, the Board even then suggest that a further move is possible (Figure 1). Given that even with substantial paring back of its growth forecast in its updated Monetary Polic
June 18, 2025 6:40 AM UTC
As for the UK, the main near-term inflation story was (and remains) what would happen after the April data when a series of energy, utility, post office and some other regulated and service price rises fell due, albeit now offset somewhat by a fall in petrol prices. The result was a notch higher t
June 17, 2025 12:50 PM UTC
May retail sales with a 0.9% decline are slightly weaker than expected. The ex auto data at -0.3% and ex auto and gas at -0.1% are negative too, though the control group which contributes to GDP was resilient with a 0.4% rise.
June 16, 2025 12:07 PM UTC
We expect a 0.7% decline in May retail sales as auto sales show a sharp reversal from recent strength. Ex autos we expect a subdued 0.1% increase, with a 0.2% rise ex autos and gasoline. Both of these outcomes would match those of April.
June 16, 2025 7:25 AM UTC
• Retail sales in May was helped by government trade in programs, but the overall retail sales momentum is reasonable. The industrial production slowdown looks to have been driven by the U.S. tariff chaos in April/May, which has become less adverse after the Geneva trade truce with the U.
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
June 13, 2025 8:15 AM UTC
BOE QT is part of the reason behind both a steeper yield curve and subdued M4 and lending growth. The MPC in September will likely accept that to avoid impacting the monetary transmission mechanism that annual rundown of gilts needs to be slowed from GBP100bln pa to GBP75bln. Internal differences
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
June 12, 2025 12:57 PM UTC
A stable BoE policy decision next Thursday is most likely (Bank Rate staying at 4.25%) as the MPC discusses various scenarios still, possibly with any hawks diluting what were previous concerns about a ‘tight’ labor market. In fact, we see two dissents in favor of a 25 bp rate cut albeit where
June 12, 2025 7:17 AM UTC
We attach a 65% probability to a U.S./China reaching a new trade deal that reduces the minimum overall tariff to 15-20% imposed by the U.S., most likely agreed in Q4 2025 and to be implemented in 2026. However, a 35% probability exist of no deal and this could eventually mean higher tariffs (Fig