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FOMC Preview For May 1: Signaling Concern on Inflation, Tapering Quantitative Tightening
April 25, 2024 7:04 PM UTC
Bottom Line: The FOMC meets on May 1 and rates look sure to remain at the current 5.25%-5.50% target range. The statement is likely to see some adjustments to reflect recent disappointment on inflation while repeating that more confidence on inflation moving towards target is needed before easing. I
Bank of Canada Minutes Look to Gradual Easing, Divided on When to Start
April 24, 2024 6:44 PM UTC
Bank of Canada minutes from the April 10 meeting confirm a greater confidence on inflation falling, though there is disagreement within the Governing Council over when policy easing will become appropriate. There was agreement that easing would probably be gradual given the risks to the outlook and
U.S. March Retail Sales allow Q1 to come in marginally positive despite a weak start in January
April 15, 2024 12:56 PM UTC
March retail sales with a 0.7% increase have exceeded expectations despite an expected negative contribution from autos, with sales up by 1.1% both ex autos and in the control group that contributes to GDP, and by 1.0% ex autos and gasoline. This suggest continued consumer momentum entering Q2.
Banxico Minutes: Hawkish Cut and Different Views
April 5, 2024 2:18 PM UTC
Banxico's recent meeting minutes reveal a split among board members regarding monetary policy, with a 25bps rate cut to 11.0%. Despite progress in curbing inflation, differing views on policy direction persist. Inflation expectations deviate from targets, with potential risks in fiscal policy and wa
Canada March Employment - A weak month after two solid ones
April 5, 2024 1:35 PM UTC
Canada’s 2.2k decline in March employment is weaker than expected though needs to be seen alongside strong gains of 40.7k in February and 37.7k in January. The 3-month average of 25k is above the 6-month average of 22k. However with the labor force rising unemployment is trending higher, March’s
Asset Allocation: Pausing for Breath
April 2, 2024 9:00 AM UTC
Into Q2, data and policy (actual and perceived) will dominate DM markets. The ECB will likely take the spotlight with a 25bps cut on June 7, as the Fed face a better growth/more fiscal policy expansion and a tighter labor market than the EZ but also with a better productivity backdrop and outlook to
Preview: Due April 16 - Canada March CPI - Correction after two soft months
April 15, 2024 1:22 PM UTC
We expect March Canadian CPI to move higher to 3.0% yr/yr from 2.8% in February and 2.9% in January, with the monthly data likely to look quite firm after two soft months. However we do expect some modest progress lower in two of the three BoC’s core rates.
Argentina: Activity is Shrinking but that is the Price to Stabilize
April 26, 2024 5:52 PM UTC
The INDEC data for February reveals a 0.2% economic shrinkage, signalling a 5.1% drop since August 2023, potentially leading to a Q1 2024 recession. High inflation and fiscal adjustments are primary causes. Some foresee 0% April inflation due to price realignment and stable ARS. Despite low reserves
U.S. March Trimmed Mean PCE Price Index Slower at 2.9% Annualized
April 26, 2024 3:32 PM UTC
While March’s 0.3% Core PCE Price Index was a little firmer before rounding, and stronger than February data that was rounded up to 0.3%, the Dallas Fed’s Trimmed Mean PCE Price Index slowed to a 2.9% annualized pace from 3.4% in February.
Brazil: Credit Decelerating Amid Tighter Conditions
April 26, 2024 1:21 PM UTC
Despite the BCB's initiation of the cutting cycle, credit is anticipated to decelerate due to monetary policy lags. Enterprises face the most significant impact, with nominal growth dropping to 4.1% in February from 12.1% a year prior. While household credit growth slows to 10.4% annually from 17%,
CBR Kept the Key Rate Stable at 16%
April 26, 2024 1:12 PM UTC
Bottom Line: As widely expected, Central Bank of Russia (CBR) announced on April 26 that it decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 16% for the third meeting in a row. CBR made critical changes in its key rate and inflation forecasts as it lifted its 2024 inflation forecast to 4.3-4.8% from 4-4
U.S. March Personal Income and Spending - Q1 totals confirmed, Core PCE Prices provide some relief
April 26, 2024 1:12 PM UTC
March’s personal income and spending data confirms the Q1 totals released with the GDP report. Core PCE prices at 0.3% provide some relief by avoiding the 0.4% implied by Q1’s stronger than expected 3.7% annualized rise. March rose by 0.317% before rounding with revisions to February (to 0.266%
Headwinds To Long-term Global Growth
April 26, 2024 9:30 AM UTC
Bottom line: While much focus is on the cyclical economic position to determine 2024 monetary policy prospects, the 2025-28 structural growth trajectory differs to the pre 2020 GDP trajectory for major economies. While global fragmentation has a role to play, aging populations are already having a
JPY flows: Sharp JPY rally might be intervention
April 26, 2024 8:37 AM UTC
USD/JPY fell 170 pips in a few minutes, suggesting potential intervention, but this is unconfirmed. If this is intervention more is likely to be required if JPY weakness is to be stopped, but some stability may now be seen until the US opens.