Latin America Economics Update Elevated metals prices to support Andes’ terms of trade We think metals prices will fall back from current high levels, which will weigh on Latin American currencies. But prices will remain high by historical standards, which should keep external positions... 25th February 2026 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Mexico’s war on drugs & what it means for the economy The immediate impact of the outburst of violence in Mexico following the killing of drug kingpin “El Mencho” is likely to be a hit to tourism. But the longer the unrest drags on, the bigger the risk... 23rd February 2026 · 4 mins read
Global Economics Update Questions & answers on the new US tariff regime The imposition of a 10% Section 122 tariff on all countries leaves the weighted-average US tariff rate about 3.5%-points lower than was the case under the IEEPA framework, although the difference will... 23rd February 2026 (Updated 24th February 2026) · 8 mins read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Three market-moving EM elections to watch this year Elections in Brazil, Colombia and Hungary have the greatest potential to deliver large financial market moves this year. A shift towards more investor-friendly policymaking and improved fiscal... 28th January 2026 · 6 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Costa Rica’s election: the macro implications Costa Rica’s ruling party looks set to hold onto power at the general election on 1st February. A more fragmented legislature – as seems likely – may make it harder to pass reforms, including measures... 26th January 2026 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil: some signs of cooling in the labour market Brazil’s labour market has been a key pillar of strength during the post-pandemic boom, but there are signs that conditions are now starting to cool. While this should take some pressure off wage... 15th January 2026 · 5 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Venezuela’s potentially messy sovereign debt restructuring Venezuela faces one of the largest and most complex sovereign debt restructurings on record. A high debt ratio, a complex array of creditors, deep-rooted issues in Venezuela’s oil sector as well as... 13th January 2026 · 6 mins read
Latin America Economics Update BanRep to hike but market pricing looking too aggressive The bumper minimum wage hike in Colombia will probably push inflation above 6% this year and prompt the central bank to hike its policy rate at this month’s meeting. We’ve pencilled in a 50bp interest... 12th January 2026 · 3 mins read
Commodities Update 5 key questions on the “shadow fleet” The seizure of the Marinera oil tanker by the US has put the “shadow fleet” under the spotlight, with some estimates suggesting it now accounts for ~20% of global tanker capacity. While a concerted... 8th January 2026 · 4 mins read
Commodities Update A primer on Venezuela’s oil sector In light of the acute attention on Venezuela’s oil sector, this Update answers five key questions on the potential for oil production in the country. 7th January 2026 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Venezuela’s economy post-Maduro: some lessons from history It’s still far too early to say if Venezuela’s post-Maduro government will seek to reverse the past few decades of economic mismanagement. But if it does, the experience from countries in Eastern... 7th January 2026 · 5 mins read
Latin America Economics Update What next for Venezuela? Venezuela’s economy has suffered one of the largest contractions in GDP during peacetime which in part reflects woes in its oil sector, but also the undermining of private businesses and the... 5th January 2026 · 4 mins read
Commodities Update Venezuela’s vast energy potential to remain untapped Despite President Trump’s obvious desire for US oil companies to ramp up activity in Venezuela, lower oil prices and political uncertainty will frustrate efforts to exploit its vast energy potential... 5th January 2026 · 3 mins read
Commodities Update Venezuela blockade poses limited upside to oil prices The US blockade on sanctioned oil from Venezuela crystallises a key risk that has overshadowed the oil market in recent months. That said, the upside risks for oil prices are limited, not least... 17th December 2025 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Argentina’s FX shift will still leave the peso overvalued The announcement by Argentina’s central bank that it will widen the peso’s trading bands is a step in the right direction, but it won’t be enough to bring the peso closer to its fair value. With the... 16th December 2025 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update What Kast’s victory means for Chile Chilean markets appear to have largely already priced in José Antonio Kast’s victory in the second round of the presidential election yesterday – and the prospect of stronger public finances and more... 15th December 2025 · 4 mins read
