- 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
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)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
- Mexico — Political noise on the increase
- Chile — Certainty after the constitutional vote?
- Peru — Calm for now
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Economic activity is grinding to a halt.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- President Milei has rolled up his sleeves, announcing concrete measures to put the economy on track.
- Inflation rebounded sharply in November, and the rapid uptrend will persist over the first half of 2024.
- Chile rejected a constitution proposal for the second time in a year; does this mean uncertainty?
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- LatAm central banks pushed back on aggressive rate-cut expectations, despite the Fed’s policy shift.
- Banxico doubled down on its cautious approach, but we still think that rate cuts will come soon.
- Peru’s BCRP also embraced prudence, but bolder action will be possible in Q1, El Niño permitting.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s November inflation numbers support the case for bolder rate cuts during Q1, fiscal issues permitting.
- Headline inflation is declining faster than expected in Colombia, but the core remains sticky, for now.
- The headline inflation fall is good enough to trigger action by BanRep next week.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A sharp m/m increase, but the rapid downtrend will resume soon.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Surprisingly resilient, but high interest rates are now a drag.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A poor start to Q4, due chiefly to plunging mining activity.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America