- Brazil — Political chaos will have a limited effect
- Mexico — A solid start to the year
- Peru — Ignoring once again another political crisis
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Retail sales in Mexico fell for a second consecutive month in September, hit by still-high inflation.
- Tighter financial conditions are also helping to put the sector under renewed strain.
- Still-solid remittances from abroad, and a resilient labour market, will prevent a collapse, for now.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s retail sector was under strain in Q3, due to high inflation and increased interest rates.
- The labour market remains robust for now, but the near-term outlook is deteriorating.
- Consumer confidence in Colombia remain resilient, but high inflation and high political risk will hurt soon.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Mexico’s GDP likely rose marginally in July, but a modest downtrend will emerge soon.
- Argentina’s economy remained surprisingly resilient in H1, but the outlook has deteriorated rapidly.
- Inflation is rebounding, rates will continue to be hiked, and external conditions have worsened.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s COPOM ends the tightening cycle, as inflation is finally cooling, thanks mainly to tax cuts...
- ...But it was a split and hawkish decision, and rate cuts won’t be on the table anytime soon.
- Inflation pressures persist in Mexico, particularly at the core level, but not for much longer.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Colombia's economic activity index confirmed that the recovery stalled in July, due to high inflation.
- Growth momentum will continue to peter out in the very near term; conditions likely will stabilise in Q4.
- The COPOM likely will keep the Selic rate on hold today, and throughout the remainder of the year.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s economic growth was stronger-than-expected in early July, which will disquiet the COPOM...
- ...But still-high inflation and political uncertainty are already weighing on consumers’ spending.
- Argentinians will soon face triple-digit inflation, driven by rising input costs and the ARS sell-off.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Brazil’s services sector continues to fire on all cylinders, despite the squeeze on real incomes.
- Tax cuts and additional fiscal aid to households suggest that private consumption will remain solid in H2.
- Consumer confidence continues to rebound in Colombia, despite the COP’s sell-off and high inflation.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Inflation in Mexico rose in August, meeting expectations, allowing Banxico to hike by 50bp this month.
- The inflation picture remains ugly in Chile, but the recession likely will push it down in Q4.
- The BCCh surprised markets by increasing the main rate by 100bp, but it adopted a neutral bias.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Inflation in Mexico likely hit a new multi-decade high in August, but likely conditions will improve soon.
- Inflation pressures in Peru are finally easing; the end of the BRCP’s tightening cycle is around the corner.
- Core inflation remains subdued, and a weakening domestic demand will help to push it lower in Q4.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- The full reopening of the economy and further fiscal support have allowed Brazil to enjoy a solid H1.
- The recovery of the job market has also helped, off-setting the drag from high inflation and rates.
- Chile’s economy is in trouble and leading indicators tell a story of depressed conditions in H2.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
- Chile’s labour market is under renewed strain and survey data point to a challenging H2...
- ...High inflation, tighter financial conditions, increased interest rates, and elevated political risks are drags.
- Chileans will vote on Sunday on a new constitution, but uncertainty will persist regardless.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
Brazil — Lula’s lead over Bolsonaro narrows, just
Mexico — AMLO’s protectionist policies bite
Chile — A “rejection” of the new constitution is ahead
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
Benign global conditions, including easing supply constraints will help to push down LatAm inflation.
CPI inflation is dropping rapidly in Brazil, thanks to the government’s efforts to control key prices.
Core inflation remains sticky in Mexico; we expect a downtrend soon, but wage pressures are a threat.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
The Peruvian economy remained resilient in H1, despite elevated political uncertainty.
Domestic demand will slow marginally in H2, due to high inflation and increased interest rates.
External threats also remain significant, but the economy probably will weather the storm.
Andres Abadia (Senior International Economist)Latin America
