- In one line: A terrible end to the year, but conditions will likely improve in Q1.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Brazilian Real — Fundamentals supportive
- Colombian Peso — Shielded by high carry
- Chilean Peso — Lower carry still the key drag
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s industrial sector is strengthening, but the devil is in the detail; bold rate cuts are needed.
- The external balance improved substantially last year as exports were resilient and imports struggled.
- The minutes of the last policy meeting point to a cruising speed of 50bp rate cuts in the near term.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Chile’s BCCh cut the policy rate by 100bp to 7.25%, with one member voting for a bigger reduction.
- The Board increased the pace of easing as inflation is falling rapidly and the economy is struggling.
- The worst for the economy is over, but temporary shocks—including bad weather—remain drags.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Industrial sector ends 2023 on a strong note.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- BanRep delivered a cautious rate cut, as inflation risks remain tilted to the upside…
- …But there was unanimity among the Board on the need for further policy normalisation.
- We still think bolder rate cuts are coming, as inflation will start to fall rapidly and activity will falter.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
INFLATION CONTINUES TO FALL AND GROWTH IS SLUGGISH...
- ...ALLOWING GRADUAL INTEREST RATE CUTS
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Rapid disinflation is allowing LatAm central banks to normalise monetary policy, but speeds differ.
- Brazil’s COPOM cut rates at a cautious 50bp pace, but we still see room for bolder cuts if the Fed blinks.
- The unemployment rate ended Q4 on a decent footing, but we see a slowdown in job creation in H1.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A poor end to the quarter, highlighting the need of further rate cuts.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- A cautious cut, but bolder action likely will come soon.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A 50bp rate cut, as widely expected.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: A soft end to the year, and H1 looks difficult; rate cuts are needed.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Real GDP growth in Mexico surprised to the down-side in Q4; tighter financial conditions are hurting.
- will be difficult in H1, with less support from the global economy and Banxico still cautious.
- Chile’s labour market performed well in December; further interest rate cuts will support the upturn.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In December, Mexico saw its biggest trade surplus since the pandemic, and the oil trade deficit stabilised.
- Auto exports improved at the margin in Q4, but down- side risks remain, due to sluggish external conditions.
- Will the strength of the labour market in 2023 continue over the coming quarters?
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Disinflation continues; more good news to come.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Thursday’s triple threat of policy meetings in Brazil, Chile and Colombia is the main event this week.
- Will the rapid disinflation in Brazil allow the COPOM to accelerate the pace of easing this week?
- Similarly, in the Andes, policymakers will increase the magnitude of rate cuts, also thanks to rapid disinflation.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- Economic activity in Mexico is struggling, particularly manufacturing and key services, as demand eases.
- The ongoing weakness of global conditions and high real interest rates will constrain growth during H1.
- Bad weather has foiled a promising disinflation story, though core pressures continue to ease rapidly.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- In one line: Poor economic activity and soft core inflation pressures.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
- The IBC-BR for November shows Brazil’s economy is stagnating, despite rapidly falling inflation.
- Tight financial conditions will continue to keep a lid on activity, offsetting the boost from fiscal support.
- Business surveys are improving, signalling better momentum in Q2, if the COPOM acts boldly.
Andrés Abadía (Chief LatAm Economist)Latin America
