GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

On January 14 the Mayor of Moscow announced that schools will reopen. That is because coronavirus infections have fallen to a manageable level. Children shall return to school on January 18. Over 65s will be permitted to move around freely on January 21. The rule on workplaces' having no more tha...

RUB most undervalued major currency

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 13 Jan 2021

On January 12 the Economist's "Big Mac" Index proved that the RUB is threefold undervalued. Judging by market exchanges it ought to be worth 24 to the USD and not 73 to the USD, as it is.This index accounts for differences in the standard of living according to GDP per head. The RUB is the most u...

The Worsening Pandemic and Uncertainty over the Economy

BRAZIL ECONOMICS · Report · 13 Jan 2021

We start by urging those who typically attribute “subjective probabilities” to the occurrence of events to read the book Radical Uncertainty, written by Mervin King (former governor of the Bank of England) and John Kay. They recommend that when faced with a situation of radical uncertainty – as i...

Russia speeding up large scale vaccinations

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 13 Jan 2021

On January 12 Russia started public vaccinations at an astronaut training center. Cosmonauts were the top priority of Sputnik V since the space program is a huge source of national pride. A space mission is due to be launched in April 2021.On January 13 massive public vaccinations were rolled out...

International Reserves Replacement and Expansion Program

CHILE · In Brief · 13 Jan 2021

In an unexpected decision, the Central Bank of Chile announced today the purchase of US$ 12 billion in the spot market with the goal of increasing international reserves to 18% of GDP (the highest figure since 2003). The Central Bank plans to buy US$ 40 million per day over a period of 15 months....

Minfin is back as an FX buyer

RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 13 Jan 2021 · 1 response

Today, the Finance Ministry announced that it resumes purchasing of the hard currency on the open market according to the “fiscal rule”. From Jan 15 till Feb 4 it will spend R7.1 bln daily for this purpose. To remind, the rule was working in the opposite direction for the last 8 months, since Apr...

Russia's gold reserves worth more than its USD holdings

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 12 Jan 2021

On January 11 the Russian Central Bank (CBR) published statistics showing how its gold reserves have appreciated in value. The report details the situation 6 months ago.In June 2020 Russia had USD 128.5 billion in gold. That was 23% of the country's international reserves. These gold reserves wer...

Lower than expected deficit in 2020 results in excess fiscal financing

ISRAEL · In Brief · 12 Jan 2021

The final print for the fiscal deficit in 2020 was 160.3bn ILS, or an estimated 11.7% in terms of GDP. The Ministry of Finance currently expects only a modest contraction in GDP of 3.3% in 2020 (The Bank of Israel expects -3.7%). The main reason for the sharp increase in the fiscal deficit (from ...

Politics: The fate of 4T is riding on Campaign 2021

MEXICO · Report · 11 Jan 2021

President López Obrador’s 2021 political agenda will have a clear "before and after" straddling the June 6 elections. Until that date his main and perhaps only priority will be to pull off another historical victory at the polls. At a bare minimum that means retaining control over the lower chamb...

Bolsonaro's statements create new controversies and other weekly topics

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 11 Jan 2021

There are expectations around the possibility of Anvisa's authorizing the emergency of use of CoronaVac. Some legislators are continuing to work for an extraordinary congressional session during the recess. Parties may take sides in the presidential succession races in the House and Senate. Presi...

A perplexing number on the December cash budget deficit

HUNGARY · In Brief · 11 Jan 2021

No doubt, the Finance Ministry cares to keep analysts busy, which is no reason for a complaint, of course.The monthly cash deficit of the central government for December has just been reported at HUF2251bn, an annualized 57.8% of GDP. No mistake, the figure is correct, and it is definitely an unp...

The macro economy in 2021

INDIA · Report · 11 Jan 2021

The 2021 budget announcement will come on February 1. In this note, we review the overall macroeconomic situation. While vaccines will help reduce fear, India is at the late stage of the epidemic through the onset of herd immunity. Household consumption remains below pre-pandemic levels. I...

Jack Ma, the Party and US-China Relations

CHINA ADVISORY · Report · 11 Jan 2021

There have been a number of key political events in China that will have significant impact on the economy, the financial system, and the international investment environment. These include: 1) The rise of the Party in the economy; 2) The postponement of the Ant Group IPO and the subsequent i...

The BoI expects growth of 6.3% this year, assuming rapid vaccination

ISRAEL · Report · 11 Jan 2021

The BoI central forecast sees a rapid recovery following inoculation, with growth reaching 6.3% this year and 5.8% in 2022. Under this scenario, the Governor expects a reassessment of QE in the summer months. The fiscal deficit reached 11.5% in 2020, below initial expectations, on the back of str...

Economics: Banxico Law reform initiative poses major risk

MEXICO · Report · 11 Jan 2021

When the governing Morena party’s Senate leader proposed, and in short order passed in December reforms to the law governing Banco de México the reaction was swift. Private sector analysts, deputy governors at the central bank, the Mexican Bankers Association (ABM), international ratings agencies...