Brazil Risk Premia and EM Debt

January 20, 2025 8:15 AM UTC

Brazil debt market has two domestic crises rather than a spillover from the U.S. in the form of inflation and fiscal policy. Very restrictive BCB policy can help produce some disinflation and we forecast 4.1% for 2026, which some allow some rate cuts in H2. Brazil risk premium will likely be reduced

Preview: Due January 30 - U.S. Q4 GDP - Maintaining Momentum

January 17, 2025 4:55 PM UTC

We expect a 2.6% annualized increase in Q4 GDP, slower than Q3’s 3.1% but still maintaining solid momentum.  

BOE QT: A Heavier Burden than Fed/ECB QT

January 16, 2025 11:05 AM UTC

BOE QT is 3.4% of GDP and means the 2025 total funding is 8% of GDP, which helps explain part of the current pressure on gilt yields (here).  This pace is unlikely to change before the BOE review in September 2025, but the QT is partial monetary tightening and will offset some of 125bps of BOE rate

U.S. December CPI - A modest comfort to the Fed, but early 2025 data will be crucial

January 15, 2025 2:04 PM UTC

While December’s headline CPI is in line with expectations with a 0.4% increase, the core rate ex food and energy is subdued at 0.2% following four straight gains of 0.3%, and a downside surprise is quite comfortable with the gain before rounding being 0.225%. Price data did however pick up in Jan

U.S. Yields and an Equity Market Correction

January 15, 2025 8:15 AM UTC

Treasury yields look to have reached a level that the divergence in valuations means that equities are on the defensive. Unless U.S. Treasury yields come down then the S&P500 looks to be heading to 5400-5600 near-term.  This is most likely a correction given that the Fed is likely to still leave th

Preview: Due January 15 - U.S. December CPI - Stronger overall, core rate maintaining trend

January 14, 2025 2:16 PM UTC

We expect December’s CPI to increase by a nine-month high of 0.4% overall with a fifth straight 0.3% increase ex food and energy. We expect the ex-food and energy index to increase by 0.26% before rounding, which would make it the softest of the five straight 0.3% gains in the core rate. PPI is no

U.S. Yields Drag Germany and France Higher

January 14, 2025 8:15 AM UTC

The EUR real exchange rate is well above the 2014 low, while ECB officials are guiding that more rate cuts are coming.  2yr German yields are unlikely to rise much further and will likely come back down in Q2 (here).  A January 30 ECB cut will likely build more easing expectations, though more of

Cyberattacks and AI Misinformation: Market and Economic Fallout

January 13, 2025 8:10 AM UTC

   A major cyberattack is a tail risk, while a huge AI misinformation crisis is a modest crisis in our view.  Russia/China and Iran are less likely to launch a state sponsored cyberattack for geopolitical reasons and also uncertainty over president elect Donald Trump’s response.  A huge AI mis

U.S. December Employment - Case for a January FOMC pause looks stronger still

January 10, 2025 2:00 PM UTC

December’s non-farm payroll with a 256k increase, 223k in the private sector, is significantly higher than expected and suggests the economy has significant momentum entering 2025, adding to an already strong case for a Fed pause in January. The unemployment rate slipped to 4.1% from 4.2% but a 0.

U.S. Treasuries versus Bunds and Gilts

January 10, 2025 8:10 AM UTC

·        UK Gilts have been dragged higher by rising Treasuries and market concerns that BOE rate cuts will be limited (here), while 10yr Bund yields have also been dragged higher by Treasuries concerns on Fed rate cuts/budget deficit and tariffs.  Multi quarter we see this as overdone. We

Gilt Yields Rise on U.S. and Fiscal Slippage Concerns

January 9, 2025 9:40 AM UTC

·       10yr Gilts yields are rising on concerns of UK fiscal slippage, but also higher U.S. yields and funding pressures as GBP100bln of BOE QT adds to the budget deficit targeted at 4.5% of GDP in 2024/25.  Chancellor Reeves will likely recommit to the fiscal rules (ie further small correc

Preview: Due January 10 - U.S. December Employment (Non-Farm Payrolls) - Closer to solid underlying trend

January 8, 2025 2:23 PM UTC

We expect 175k increase in December’s non-farm payroll, with 140k in the private sector, a number that should be closer to underlying trend than a strong November and a weak October. We expect unemployment to be unchanged at 4.2% and average hourly earnings to slow to a 0.3% increase after two str

Trump Policies Awaited

January 8, 2025 8:30 AM UTC

We see a transactional approach on trade, with tariff threats translating into actual tariffs on China initially and Trump rather than Congress having control on tariffs.   On the budget, we see scope for more tax cuts than expanding the lapsing parts of the 2017 tax cuts and expenditure cuts bein

Preview: Due January 15 - U.S. December CPI - Stronger overall, core rate maintaining trend

January 7, 2025 4:55 PM UTC

We expect December’s CPI to increase by a nine-month high of 0.4% overall with a fifth straight 0.3% increase ex food and energy. We expect the ex-food and energy index to increase by 0.26% before rounding, which would make it the softest of the five straight 0.3% gains in the core rate.

Markets 2025: A Tale of Two Halves

January 6, 2025 8:10 AM UTC

·  For financial markets, 2025 will likely be a game of two halves.  US exceptionalism will likely drive US equities to extend outperformance in H1, while the USD rises further as tariffs (threats and actual) escalate.  However, 10yr U.S. Treasury yields will likely push higher in H2, which can

EM Government Debt: BRICS Divergence

January 2, 2025 8:05 AM UTC

   Brazil and South Africa suffer from debt servicing costs outstripping nominal GDP, which will remain a concern unless a consistent primary budget surplus is seen – though S Africa enjoys a much longer than average term to maturity than Brazil.  India and Indonesia, in contrast, enjoy nominal

U.S. 10yr Yields Fiscal Worries

December 31, 2024 8:15 AM UTC

•    As 2025 progresses the budget bill is likely to cement prospects of an 8-9% budget deficit in the U.S. for years to come.  This will likely hurt Treasuries most just before the budget deficit expands quarterly Treasury issuance in Q4 2025/Q1 2026.  Worse we have a non-consensus call of

December Outlook: The Trump Effect- Tariffs, Fiscal Shifts and Geopolitics

December 30, 2024 8:05 AM UTC

All chapters of the December Outlook are now available and simply click the link below. 

December Outlook Webinar on Jan 7: The Trump Effect- Tariffs, Fiscal Shifts and Geopolitics

December 24, 2024 8:30 AM UTC

    The U.S. economy’s momentum remains reasonable before the impact of President-elect Trump’s policies in 2025 and 2026.  While high uncertainty exists on the scale and timing of policy, the strategic bias is clear – sizeable tax cuts that will boost the budget deficit; tariffs (threats

December Outlook: The Trump Effect- Tariffs, Fiscal Shifts and Geopolitics

December 20, 2024 12:15 PM UTC

All chapters of the December Outlook are now available and simply click the link below. 

EMFX Outlook: Hit From Tariffs, Before Divergence

December 20, 2024 10:00 AM UTC

·        EM currencies on a spot basis will remain on the defensive in H1 2025, as we see the U.S. threatening and then introducing tariffs on China imports – 30% against the current average of 20%. China’s response will likely include a Yuan (CNY) depreciation to the 7.65 area on USD/CN

DM FX Outlook: USD to edge lower despite high yields

December 20, 2024 8:28 AM UTC

·       Bottom Line: Recent strong US data has bolstered the USD, with the Trump election victory also supportive due to expectations of tax cuts and tariffs which are seen leading to less Fed easing than previously expected. While we still see the USD weakening through 2025 as Fed easing red

DM Rates Outlook: Policy and Spread Divergence

December 19, 2024 12:07 PM UTC

•    2yr U.S. Treasury yields can decline initially as the Fed finishes easing (Figure 1), but as the sense grows that the rate cut cycle is stopping, we see the 2yr swinging to a small premium versus the Fed Funds rate – as the market debates the risks of a future tightening cycle.  For 10y

Asia/Pacific (ex-China/Japan) Outlook: Trump Tariffs, China +1 and Growth

December 19, 2024 10:57 AM UTC

Emerging Asian economies are projected to lead global growth in 2025, with India and Southeast Asia at the forefront. These regions will anchor resilience in Asia, even as China's economic growth remains moderate.  
Inflation trajectories will vary across Asia, with India experiencing sticky prices

Outlook Overview: The Trump Effect- Tariffs, Fiscal Shifts and Geopolitics

December 19, 2024 9:25 AM UTC

·        The U.S. economy momentum remains reasonable before President elect Trump’s policies impact in 2025 and 2026.  While high uncertainty exists on the scale and timing of policies, the strategic bias is clear – sizeable tax cuts that will boost the budget deficit; tariffs (threats

U.S. Outlook: Healthy Economy Facing Policy Risks

December 19, 2024 8:01 AM UTC

•    The U.S. economy, consumer spending in particular, has continued to show surprising resilience, and is growing at a pace probably in excess of long-run potential near 2.0%. Inflation has fallen significantly from its highs, with core PCE inflation now running slightly below 3.0%, but rema

Fed: Policy Easing Slowing

December 18, 2024 8:35 PM UTC

The FOMC statement, FOMC medians and Powell during the Q/A left the impression that Fed easing will slow down into H1 2025. We now see two 25bps cuts in March and June 2025 driven by a Fed’s desire to avoid too much labor market slack occurring, but then pausing for the remainder of 2025 at a 3.75

FOMC eases by 25bps, dots and economic forecasts more hawkish

December 18, 2024 7:21 PM UTC

The FOMC has eased by 25bps as expected but the dots look hawkish with only 50bps of easing seen in 2025 rather than 100bps, and there was one dissenting vote, Cleveland Fed President Hammack preferring to keep rates unchanged. Core PCE price forecasts have also been revised significantly higher, 20

Preview: Due January 10 - U.S. December Employment (Non-Farm Payrolls) - Closer to solid underlying trend

December 18, 2024 3:02 PM UTC

We expect 175k increase in December’s non-farm payroll, with 140k in the private sector, a number that should be closer to underlying trend than a strong November and a weak October. We expect unemployment to be unchanged at 4.2% and average hourly earnings to slow to a 0.3% increase after two str

Jan 7 Outlook Webinar: The Trump Effect- Tariffs, Fiscal Shifts and Geopolitics

December 18, 2024 1:23 PM UTC

    The U.S. economy’s momentum remains reasonable before the impact of President-elect Trump’s policies in 2025 and 2026.  While high uncertainty exists on the scale and timing of policy, the strategic bias is clear – sizeable tax cuts that will boost the budget deficit; tariffs (threats

Commodities Outlook: Strategic Caution

December 18, 2024 11:00 AM UTC

The oil supply outlook depends on OPEC+ policies, with the reversal of the voluntary 2.2 million b/d cuts being officially delayed until April 2025. However, we expect the progressive rollover of these barrels into the market to be further postponed at least until the third quarter of 2025, as the c

Equities Outlook: U.S. Exceptionalism v Valuations

December 18, 2024 10:05 AM UTC

·        The glory days of exceptionalism for U.S. equities will likely extend in Q1 2025 to bring the S&P500 to 6200-6300. The problem is that valuations have now become stretched with S&P500 ex magnificent 7 on a forward P/E of 19 and valuations out of line with real bond yields (Figure 1)

U.S. November CPI - A little higher than the Fed would like, but a cautious December easing still expected

December 11, 2024 1:56 PM UTC

November CPI is in line with expectations at +0.3% both overall and ex food and energy, with both up by 0.31% before rounding. Core CPI with four straight 0.3% gains is still a little high for comfort but the data is probably subdued enough to allow the FOMC to deliver a 25bps easing next week, thou

Preview: Due December 11 - U.S. November CPI - Progress showing signs of stalling

December 10, 2024 2:33 PM UTC

We expect November’s CPI to increase by 0.3% overall after four straight gains of 0.2% while the ex food and energy rate increases by 0.3% for a fourth straight month. Such an outcome would support concerns that progress in reducing inflation is stalling.

U.S. November Employment - Solid report but not a game changer

December 6, 2024 2:01 PM UTC

November’s non-farm payroll is near consensus with a rise of 227k with moderate upward revisions to both September and October totaling 56k. Average hourly earnings rose by a slightly stronger than expected 0.4% and the workweek rose (though only because October was revised down) but the unemploym

Preview: Due December 6 - U.S. November Employment (Non-Farm Payrolls) - Rebound from October's hurricanes and strike

December 5, 2024 2:08 PM UTC

We expect an above trend 260k increase in November’s non-farm payroll, with 225k in the private sector. This will follow weak October outcomes of up 12k overall and down 28k in the private sector, depressed by two hurricanes and a strike at Boeing. We however expect unemployment to be unchanged at

Preview: Due December 11 - U.S. November CPI - Progress showing signs of stalling

December 3, 2024 2:11 PM UTC

We expect November’s CPI to increase by 0.3% overall after four straight gains of 0.2% while the ex food and energy rate increases by 0.3% for a fourth straight month. Such an outcome would support concerns that progress in reducing inflation is stalling.

China Slowing LT Growth: Labor Force and Productivity Problems

November 27, 2024 11:05 AM UTC

China labor force will likely not grow in the remainder of the decade, due to falling population; reluctance to consider large-scale inward immigration; a female participation rate that is high by EM standards and limited growth in employment among those over 55.  Meanwhile, education and rural to

Preview: Due December 6 - U.S. November Employment (Non-Farm Payrolls) - Rebound from October's hurricanes and strike

November 26, 2024 3:36 PM UTC

We expect an above trend 260k increase in November’s non-farm payroll, with 225k in the private sector. This will follow weak October outcomes of up 12k overall and down 28k in the private sector, depressed by two hurricanes and a strike at Boeing. We however expect unemployment to be unchanged at

Trump Deregulation and U.S. Financial Stability

November 26, 2024 10:05 AM UTC

Regional banks will be the main beneficiaries from a further watering down or postponement (that is likely under the Trump administration) of the proposed capital increase under the Basel endgame.  Combined with laxer M&A rules for bank takeover, this could help lending and credit growth for the U.

Trump International: EM Countries

November 22, 2024 9:08 AM UTC

Trade and geopolitics will be the key drivers for the Trump administration relationship with key EM countries.  While uncertainty on policy tactics are high, China and Vietnam will be among the first to see trade threats and actual tariffs.  Mexico will see threats over the 2026 USMCA review and i

Trump International: DM Countries

November 21, 2024 7:06 AM UTC

Much uncertainty still exists on policy but in 2025 the EU will likely be under pressure from targeted new tariffs by the Trump administration, while also being asked to spend more on defense spending.  Purchasing extra LNG and military hardware from the U.S. is one way towards a potential trade de

U.S. Equities: Exceptionalism v Valuations

November 20, 2024 10:05 AM UTC

Bottom Line: Momentum towards further deregulation, tech optimism, and the prospect of aggressive tax cuts could help the U.S. equity market in H1 2025 before the fear of higher yields and Fed Funds hurts in H2.  6100 could be seen H1 2025, before a softening to 5850 for end 2025 S&P500.   We see

U.S.-Gilt Yields and Fed v BOE policy

November 19, 2024 10:07 AM UTC

We see scope for 10yr UK yields to diverge from the U.S. despite our new forecast of rising U.S. Treasury yields (here).  We feel that the BOE will ease by more than the Fed in 2025 and ease selectively in 2026 before and after our forecast of Fed Funds hikes.  Meanwhile, the UK fiscal stance is l

U.S.-Germany Yield Decoupling

November 18, 2024 9:25 AM UTC

We see scope for 10yr German Bund yields to remain close to current levels in the next 1-2 years, despite our new forecast of rising U.S. Treasury yields (here[MG(1] ).  A weak economic recovery; fiscal consolidation rather than easing in the U.S. and less underlying inflation pressures should all

U.S. Yield Curve Steepens Then Flattening on 2026 Fed Tightening?

November 15, 2024 10:14 AM UTC

We see 10-2yr U.S. Treasury yield curve steepening in 2025, as the Fed keeps easing to 3.75% but the long-end is worried about medium-term issuance and the budget deficit trajectory being excessive.  A moderate Fed tightening cycle in 2026 to curtail inflation from fiscal stimulus/tariffs should th

U.S. October CPI - A more balanced report

November 13, 2024 2:13 PM UTC

October CPI has seen the fourth straight rise of 0.2% overall and the third straight rise ex food and energy of 0.3%, both on consensus. Before rounding the gains were 0.24% and 0.28% respectively, the latter slower than September’s 0.31% but in line with August’s. The data leaves the December F

Preview: Due November 13 - U.S. October CPI - Similar to August and September

November 12, 2024 1:38 PM UTC

We expect October’s CPI to increase by 0.3% overall for a fourth straight month with a third straight 0.3% increase ex food and energy. Before rounding we expect a 0.20% rise overall, slightly stronger than the three preceding outcomes, with a 0.28% rise ex food and energy. The latter will be soft

China Yuan10trn Package: Shifting Debt Not Stimulus

November 11, 2024 10:06 AM UTC

Details of the Yuan10trn fiscal package show that it is all directed at a debt swap for LGFV’s and repackaging hidden local government debt.  This will have little net fiscal stimulus.  True fiscal stimulus will be seen for 2025 GDP growth, but it could be delayed until further details are seen