Behind the headline, the trend in job growth is slowing, with more softening to come.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The labor market is weaker than the headline December jobs numbers, but it’s hardly terrible.
- Either way, the Fed’s policy decisions will be driven more by the inflation numbers than the jobs data.
- The soft December ISM services survey is not definitive, but a repeat in January would get our attention.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- LatAm economic activity is under pressure, helping to bring inflation back under control.
- Still-tight financial conditions are hurting key sectors, but the economic outlook will improve soon.
- Rate cuts will help to revive activity, but increased political and geopolitical uncertainty is a threat.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Homebase signals December payroll growth of about 225K; no sign of further weakening yet.
- That said, a disproportionate share of this increase likely will come from healthcare and education jobs.
- The ISM services index likely ticked higher in December, but a steady softening in 2024 is a decent bet.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Jobless claims will be wild over the next few weeks; the underlying trend won’t emerge until mid-January.
- Leading indicators of claims are mixed, but claims are more likely to rise than fall over the next few months.
- The ADP is a deeply unreliable guide to the official payroll numbers; we recommend you ignore it.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- U.S. - Core PCE Inflation Likely will be Below 2% by End-2024
- EUROZONE- Rapidly Falling Inflation in Early Q1 Will Prompt an ECB Pivot in March
- U.K.- Forecast Review: CPI Inflation to Fall to 2% During Q2, Spurring Rate Cuts
- CHINA+ - China’s Property Sector is Barely Making Progress
- EM ASIA - What 2024 Has in Store, and Where We Could Be Widely Off Base
- LATAM - Milei Starts Working Hard; Chile Rejects the New Constitution
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- The December ISM manufacturing index likely fell, leaving it broadly in line with the cycle low…
- …But falling interest rates likely will lift capital spending and manufacturing activity in 2024.
- The Fed minutes are unlikely to reveal anything new, but we continue to expect rate cuts as early as March.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The November PCE report highlights the significant downside risk to the Fed’s inflation forecast.
- The Fed eventually will have little choice to ease by more than their current forecast of 75bp this year.
- Housing and manufacturing activity are near a floor, but any recovery will be slow going.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
WHEN DO THEY START, AND HOW FAST DO THEY GO?
- ...INFLATION IS BEATEN; RATES ARE A ONE-WAY RIDE
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FALTERING AND INFLATION FALLING...
- ...BUT CENTRAL BANKS REMAIN CAUTIOUS, FOR NOW
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A soft start to the quarter, despite the strong-looking headline.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Global
- In one line: A soft start to the quarter, despite the strong-looking headline.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- The easing cycle has started in Colombia, as the economy struggles and thanks to the Fed’s shift.
- Chile’s BCCh accelerated the pace of easing, as inflation is falling and economic activity faltering.
- The trajectory of the Fed’s policy will determine the magnitude and timing of interest rate cuts in LatAm.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- We think the core PCE deflator rose by only 0.11% in November; the trend is slowing sharply.
- Consumers’ spending is still rising, but the rate of growth is moderating after the Q3 jump.
- Aircraft and autos likely lifted November orders, but expect a soft core.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Layoffs still very depressed, but people are finding it harder to secure new jobs.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The latest WARN data suggest layoffs remain low, but seasonals will lift initial claims in the next few weeks…
- …And rising continuing claims suggest people who lose their jobs are taking longer to find new positions.
- The jump in December confidence tells us that people like cheaper gas and rising stocks; who knew?
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Mexico — Political noise on the increase
- Chile — Certainty after the constitutional vote?
- Peru — Calm for now
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
People really like a rising stock market and falling gas prices
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
