RBNZ Watch RBNZ preparing to launch negative rates The RBNZ is reaching the limits of its asset purchase program. We therefore doubt the Bank will make any significant policy changes at its meeting on Wednesday 23 rd September. Even so, the economy... 17th September 2020 · 7 mins read
US Economics Update Fed to keep rates at near-zero until 2023 and beyond The FOMC’s updated economic and rate projections show that officials expect to leave the fed funds rate at near-zero until at least 2023 and probably well beyond that. With the five-year Treasury... 16th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Central Bank Watch Riksbank to keep policy settings on hold next week After a tweak-laden last policy meeting, the Riksbank is likely to maintain the status quo next Tuesday (22nd September). While there is no burning platform for policy change, we think that the next... 15th September 2020 · 5 mins read
Africa Data Response Nigeria CPI (Aug.) The increase in Nigerian inflation in August, to 13.2% y/y, will probably stay the hand of policymakers at next week’s MPC meeting. But, with a weak economic recovery, there may still be scope for an... 15th September 2020 · 2 mins read
China Data Response Activity & Spending (Aug.) Economic growth in China accelerated further in August as sentiment improved among consumers and private firms. Retail sales surpassed 2019 levels for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, while... 15th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Global Economics Update Australia - Lessons from Australia’s average inflation targeting Inflation has been close to the midpoint of the RBA’s 2-3% inflation target since its launch in the 1990s, but this has come at the expense of soaring house prices and household debt. Australia’s... 15th September 2020 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Weekly Brazil’s Federative Pact, assessing the MXN rally Brazil’s congress will reportedly receive a plan for the Federative Pact reform next week, which would ease concerns about the public finances. But we don’t think worries that the government might... 11th September 2020 · 6 mins read
Africa Economics Weekly South African economy stumbles, oil price falls Q2 GDP figures released in South Africa this week weren’t quite as ugly as we had feared, which has prompted us to revise up our full year growth forecast (to -8.5% from -11.0%). Even so, the country... 11th September 2020 · 5 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Second wave fears ease as infections fall The recent jump in coronavirus cases in Korea, Hong Kong and Vietnam had a negative impact on each economy, with hospitality sectors bearing the brunt of the damage. But with infection numbers now... 11th September 2020 · 6 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Indefinite lockdown will hamper rebound The lockdown in Melbourne will be extended into Q4 and only lifted if virus cases are brought down sharply. With retail stores set to remain closed until at least late October the weakness in... 11th September 2020 · 5 mins read
Europe Economics Update Lagarde dashes hopes of early addition to stimulus While no policy change was expected today, President Lagarde used the press conference to convey a slightly less gloomy message about the economy. She also dampened expectations for an early increase... 10th September 2020 · 3 mins read
BoE Watch When the fog clears more stimulus will be required The initial recovery has been encouraging, but the downside risks remain. We think much more support will eventually be needed in the form of a further £250bn of QE in total (the consensus is £100bn... 10th September 2020 · 8 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Chile: Stronger recovery to keep BCC on the side-lines Chile’s economy is recovering more quickly than we had previously expected and, as a result, we are revising up our 2020 GDP growth forecast to -5.5% (previously -7.0%). The stronger rebound has eased... 10th September 2020 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Update ECB probably not too worried about the euro While the euro’s recent appreciation has generated a lot of attention, it is in fact close to its historical average by most measures. So while ECB policymakers may note at today’s press conference... 10th September 2020 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia’s central bank to resume easing soon Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its main policy rate on hold at 1.75% today, but with the economy likely to remain weak for some time to come, we doubt this marks the end of the Bank’s easing cycle. 10th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Latin America Data Response Brazil & Mexico Consumer Prices (Aug.) Brazilian inflation remained well below the central bank’s target last month, at 2.4% y/y, confirming that price pressures are soft and supporting our view that the Selic rate will stay low for a long... 9th September 2020 · 2 mins read
