- The surprisingly hawkish 8-to-1 vote to hold rates, and guidance changes, signal a more cautious MPC.
- Saying policy is not “on a pre-set path” gives the MPC the option to skip a cut at May’s meeting.
- The risk of a sharp job fall fades as the hard data hold up; pay growth remains too strong for 2% inflation.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- The SNB cut rates for the fifth straight meeting, as expected, taking the policy rate to 0.25%.
- The lack of changes to the decision statement and forecasts means June’s meeting is wide open…
- ...But we maintain that the Bank has more reasons to keep its powder dry than cut again.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- In one line: Keeping its powder dry, but we’re not quite sure why.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Global
- In one line: Keeping its powder dry, but we’re not quite sure why.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- Brazil — Lula cutting taxes to regain popularity
- Mexico — Reforms, controversies and trade hurdles
- Colombia — Turbulent times amid reform efforts
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Bank Indonesia left the BI rate at 5.75% for a second meeting, against our minority rate-cut call.
- We still expect 100bp in total easing this year; the consensus on 2025 inflation remains way too high.
- The equity sell-off will add more urgency to cuts, as it’s deep enough to have real implications for capex.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- The BoJ left rates unchanged at yesterday’s meeting, citing the evolving external situation as a new risk.
- The Bank considers developments in domestic wages and prices are in line with it achieving its policy target.
- We continue to expect two more hikes in 2025, taking rates to 1%, with the next rise in Q2.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- Higher deficit spending to fund increased security commitments will weigh on gilts.
- We raise our gilt yield forecasts to reflect our call that Bank Rate will settle at 4%, up from 3.75% previously.
- Fewer interest rate cuts relative to major peers will support sterling.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- Headline inflation in the Eurozone fell to 2.3% in February, which is as good as it will get this year.
- Non-energy goods is a wild card for inflation in March; base effects point to a big jump.
- A blanket and sustained EU retaliatory tariff would lift inflation, but we doubt this is on the cards.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- In one line: Ending 2024 on a strong note, but risks loom for 2025.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
In one line: First signs of tariff front running by US firms, but also by EU firms.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
In one line: Up and away; let’s hope the fiscal stimulus package passes today.
Claus Vistesen (Chief Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- US - Consumers’ confidence overstates the slowdown now underway
- EUROZONE - SNB has found the end of the rainbow: easing cycle finishes here
- UK - CPI preview: on the cusp of 3.1%, as core inflation ticks up
- CHINA+ - China looking in somewhat better shape ahead of tariff hikes
- EM ASIA - RBI facing a smoother road to an April cut; food CPI is going nowhere
- LATAM - Mexico, Colombia: mixed inflation signals amid rate cut prospect
ian shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- Chile’s economic recovery gained momentum despite still-tight financial conditions and external noise.
- Q4 growth was driven by private consumption and capex; manufacturing and construction lagged.
- External risks remain significant and will prevent the BCCh from cutting rates to neutral any time soon.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- India’s deficit consolidated in February to its smallest since mid-2021, as imports tanked…
- …But much of this was due to ongoing corrections in oil and gold imports; exports rebounded too.
- Non-oil and gold merchandise imports, plus imports of services, are still on a firm upward trend.
Miguel Chanco (Chief EM Asia Economist)Emerging Asia
- EZ trade data show a jump in exports to the US in January, as Mr. Trump fired off tariff threats.
- February and March figures are likely to show further increases in exports across the Atlantic…
- ...But we see some offsetting impact from tariff front-running by EU firms.
Melanie Debono (Senior Eurozone Economist)Eurozone
- Headline CPI inflation should hold at 3.0% in January, 0.2pp higher than rate-setters expect.
- We expect hotel and phone app prices to push up services inflation to 5.1%, matching the MPC’s call.
- February is the ‘calm before the storm’ of price resets; inflation will rise to 3.5% in April.
Rob Wood (Chief UK Economist)UK
- In one line: Better, but the overall picture is still one of subpar growth.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
