- In one line: An abysmal start to Q2, but support from energy has been fading for a few months.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- The marked weakness in airline passenger numbers partly reflects a dive in inbound tourism.
- Most other near-real time indicators of consumers’ spending remain relatively resilient.
- Existing home sales probably remained depressed in April; a meaningful recovery still is some way off.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
- Brazil — Political and fiscal risks escalating
- Mexico — Stability tested by violence and reform
- Colombia — Mr. Petro’s reform agenda faces headwinds
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Bank Indonesia resumed easing, with a 25bp cut; the Q1 GDP letdown was even graver in actuality.
- The Board’s lower credit growth forecast is already looking too optimistic; we see 75bp more in cuts.
- US and ASEAN front-loading continues to mask weak Chinese demand for Malaysian exports.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- Korea saw improvements in early trade data for May, with exports falling at a slower pace.
- Japan’s export growth in April was hit by US tariffs on foreign cars and steel products.
- The BoK will resume easing to offset tariff impacts; the BoJ will pause rate hikes and assess negotiations.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- The EC’s new economic forecasts see a ‘Goldilocks’ boom next year; the economy won’t be that lucky.
- We see stronger growth in Germany than the EC next year, but weaker in France and Spain.
- The EC’s forecast for EZ inflation in 2026, at 1.7%, rests on too dovish energy and core goods forecasts.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Administered, government-set and indexed price hikes drove inflation up to 3.5% in April.
- Erratic factors added only modestly to inflation, so the MPC will have to take the headline seriously.
- Accumulated news—growth, lower tariffs, inflation—leads us to expect only one more rate cut this year.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- US - How stimulative will fiscal policy be if the “Big Beautiful Bill” passes?
- EUROZONE - Swiss economy galloping in 2025, though growth is now slowing
- UK - MPC preview: dovish shift, but not as much as the market expected
- CHINA+ - Japan’s weak Q1 GDP print reinforces BoJ’s decision to pause
- EM ASIA - US front-running boosts Thailand’s Q1, but it’s all downhill from here
- LATAM - Banxico delivers another 50bp rate cut amid weak growth
ian shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- Chile’s Q1 GDP beat expectations, led by services and government spending, despite a drag from mining.
- Its external accounts improved in Q1 at the headline level, despite portfolio outflows and income deficits.
- The investment outlook is brighter, given less political risk, but structural issues and uncertainty loom large.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- EZ construction output is slowing after a strong finish to 2024, but leading indicators are improving.
- The EZ current account surplus soared in March, reflecting tariff front-running in goods.
- Portfolio outflows fell sharply in March, and likely crashed outright in April.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Official house price inflation reached a 26-month high in February, at 5.4%, up from 4.8% in January.
- Momentum will dip temporarily as the stamp-duty distortion unwinds…
- ...But strong wage growth and falling interest rates should still deliver house price inflation of 4% in 2025.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
In one line: Headed for 2% over the summer; enough for two more ECB cuts?
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Global
In one line: Headed for 2% over the summer; enough for two more ECB cuts?
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- In one line: Q1 surge driven by agriculture; broader gains show resilience.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Global
- In one line: Q1 surge driven by agriculture; broader gains show resilience.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Q1 growth solid, but momentum set to ease.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s economic activity surged in Q1, driven by agriculture and resilience in industry and services…
- …Momentum is likely to wane as tighter financial conditions and global uncertainty take hold.
- Colombia’s real GDP rose strongly in Q1, thanks to domestic demand, but structural risks persist.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
