Pandemic rebound peaks but recovery story still intact

The initial post-pandemic resurgence is nearing its zenith, but strong policy support and limited private sector debt should allow most economies to grow at a healthy pace over the next two years. The US and China were among the fastest to recover to their pre-virus paths or even beyond, so it is no surprise that they are slowing first, whereas growth in the euro-zone and Japan has yet to peak. The spreading Delta variant is a risk, but mainly to Emerging Markets where vaccination is less advanced. As goods shortages ease, activity normalises, and commodity prices fall, most economies should see inflation drop back towards central bank targets and policy tightening will generally be more limited or come later than markets expect. Even in the US, where inflation is a bigger threat, we do not expect interest rate hikes until the first half of 2023.