GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

Israeli institutional investors sold $5.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026, following sales of about $13 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. These data are consistent with a reduction in their dollar exposure, mainly through increased hedging and adjustments to rising U.S. equity markets, ...

What in the Middle East "ceasefire" did not cease

PHILIPPINES · Report · 05 May 2026

The so-called Middle East “ceasefire” was not a true ceasefire but a fragile and ambiguous pause that failed to resolve underlying geopolitical tensions. While global markets initially reacted with optimism, the relief proved short-lived as oil prices remained elevated and volatility persisted. ...

The government published the details of the Desenrola 2 program, Congressman Jardim presented his report on the bill addressing critical minerals, and Lula travels to the U.S tomorrow to meet with Trump

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 05 May 2026

The government announced the Desenrola 2 program, one of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s key bets to improve his approval ratings. The new program has four pillars: Desenrola Families, considered the main one; Desenrola FIES; Desenrola Businesses; and Desenrola Rural. Yesterday, Congressman Arnaldo J...

Politics: The U.S. requests the extradition of Morena politicians, including sitting Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya

MEXICO · Report · 04 May 2026 · 1 response

On April 28th, the U.S. Department of Justice submitted an extradition request for Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former state officials on charges of drug trafficking conspiracy, narcotics distribution, and firearms offenses in connection with the Sinaloa Cartel. Th...

Executive Branch weakens further and other weekly topics

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 04 May 2026

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced the Desenrola II program. The Special Committee discussing the end of the 6x1 work schedule will present its work plan. At the Supreme Court, attention turns to the trial of direct actions of unconstitutionality challenging Law No. 12,734/12, which es...

Iran war could erode Bahamian growth and reserves as election race tightens

JAMAICA / BAHAMAS · Report · 04 May 2026

The electoral race in The Bahamas appears to be tightening, with the traditionally sleepy advance poll held last week for essential government workers such as police, and importantly seniors (the latter a traditional key opposition Free National Movement ((FNM)) voting bloc), seeing extremely hig...

Russian macro: the economy at a crossroad

RUSSIA ECONOMICS · Report · 04 May 2026

In earlier reports, we pointed out that this year’s economic data look a bit puzzling, mainly because of ongoing revisions to historical figures. These updates shift short-term growth patterns, as the adjusted m-o-m numbers from last year heavily influence this year’s y-o-y results. Monthly busin...

Inflation's fuel is not just fuel prices

BRAZIL ECONOMICS · Report · 04 May 2026

The inflation outlook is shaped by both the external shock associated with the situation in the Middle East and the deterioration of underlying inflation measures. The acceleration of core inflation and underlying services, combined with broader diffusion, signals that price pressures reflect per...

Lula will announce a new program aimed at reducing household debt, the special committee on the 6x1 work schedule proposal will meet to discuss the work plan, and the STF will decide on the distribution of oil royalties

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 04 May 2026

Today, President Lula will announce Desenrola II, a program aimed at reducing household debt. The signing ceremony for the provisional measure is scheduled for this morning at the Planalto Palace. Tomorrow, the special committee reviewing the proposed constitutional amendment to end the six-days-...

Near the interim target already

TURKEY · Report · 04 May 2026

Monthly CPI inflation surprised notably to the upside in April, coming in at 4.2%, m/m, compared with the (median) market expectation of around 3.2%, with the 12-month CPI-rate increasing materially by 1.5 pps to 32.4%, from 30.9% in March. Monthly domestic PPI inflation was 3.2% in April, markin...

Economics: Mexico's economy facing stagnant growth, persistent inflation, and mounting fiscal risks

MEXICO · Report · 04 May 2026

Figures released in April 2026 depict a Mexican economy under stress. Economic activity weakened, with GDP virtually stagnant at 0.2% YoY in Q1 2026 — a sharp deceleration from 1.8% YoY in Q4 2025 — as industry contracted and services lost momentum. Private consumption growth, although positive, ...

Economic activity resilient -- at least for now

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · Report · 04 May 2026

The Dominican economy strengthened in Q1 2026, with growth accelerating from 2.2% in 2025 to 4.1%, supported by a gradual decline in inflation toward the 4% target. Headline inflation moderated to 4.63% in March. This performance reflects strong external inflows and improved financial conditio...

Private consumption declined sharply in March and partially recovered in April; high-tech services exports remain strong

ISRAEL · In Brief · 04 May 2026

Private consumption declines in March, recovery expected to be gradual Credit card purchases fell by 11.9% in March (real terms, seasonally adjusted), reflecting the disruption to economic activity caused by the war. By comparison, during Operation “Rising Lion” in June 2025, purchases declined b...

Magyar in Brussels, Varga on HUF speculation, and politically driven capital flight

HUNGARY · In Brief · 03 May 2026

Incoming PM Magyar visited the EU headquarters in the middle of last week, seeing the heads of the Commission and the Council separately. With Mme von den Leyen, they agreed that Mr. Magyar will return to Brussels, already as PM, on May 25, to strike a political deal on what exactly Hungary will ...

Early elections, trip notes, etc.

TURKEY · Report · 03 May 2026

Since President Erdogan needs early elections to be eligible for the next presidential race and with only two years left to the deadline for regularly scheduled ones, it is natural that this topic will steadily increase in importance. Despite numerous alleged election dates swirling at the scuttl...