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December EMAE confirms 2017 GDP growth below 3.0% - No GDP Warrant payment in 2018
ARGENTINA · In Brief · 28 Feb 2018

The INDEC published today the monthly GDP proxy (EMAE) for the month of December 2017, with an annual growth rate of 2.0%y/y. With this result the 12-month-moving growth projection climbed from 2.7% in November to 2.8% for 2017 as a whole. Therefore the preliminary GDP result falls short of the 3...

Fiscal results follow the growth composition: Dynamic exports and investment, and stagnant private consumption
PANAMA · Report · 28 Feb 2018 · 3 responses

The Monthly Index of Economic Activity grew 4.1% during Q4 2017 and 5.2% from January to December compared to the same period in 2016. The main drivers were transportation and communications including canal, ports and air transportation; construction; mining; and water and electricity supply—most...

Chaos and control
VENEZUELA · Report · 28 Feb 2018

The opposition decided to boycott the April 22 presidential election and push for a credible process later in the year. International pressure on the regime is ratcheting up: Venezuela’s neighbors are militarizing their borders—ostensibly to deal with the growing influx of Venezuelan refugees—and...

Banks' Profitability Improved
INDONESIA · Report · 27 Feb 2018

The Indonesian banking industry has shown an interesting development in recent days. In the past few years the banking industry was busy consolidating after a hike in its non-performing loans, but the consolidation has been more than halfway completed. The rise in non-performing loans was due to ...

The recovering economy helps the government candidate
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 27 Feb 2018 · 1 response

The headline printed by one of the main newspapers in the country, Estado de São Paulo, is worrisome for the left and for the PSDB: “Economic recovery reaches 62% of industry”. The improved economic environment is one of the critical vectors of the presidential race. Although it may not be suffic...

The presidential race and other weekly topics
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 26 Feb 2018

The federal intervention in Rio de Janeiro is still a focal point; this week, General Walter Souza Braga Netto will release a plan of action for the state. President Temer may announce the new Minister of Public Security, a cabinet ministry to be created via provisional measure. In the Lower Hous...

The Year of the Dog begins
CHINA FINANCIAL · Report · 26 Feb 2018 · 1 response

Special points to highlight in this issue: • Wang Qishan was recently appointed to the National People’s Congress. It is very rare for a nominally retired CCP high official to gain a seat in the NPC, so his appointment may be significant. There are rumors that he will soon be appointed the count...

Economics: Not a very bright outlook
MEXICO · Report · 26 Feb 2018

In recent weeks officials have been trying to offer an optimistic take on the economic outlook even while admitting to significant risks (Nafta, US fiscal reform and monetary policy, Mexico elections and related market volatility), but the evidence that has emerged during this period shows a weak...

Politics: Data set from the presidential race
MEXICO · Report · 26 Feb 2018

Now that the presidential nomination phase of this year's electoral contest has concluded, a look back at the sort of campaigning that took place between December 1 and February 11 tells a lot about how each nominee used that period to try to overcome their biggest challenges. José Antonio Mea...

Inflation Trend and Risks Ahead
BRAZIL ECONOMICS · Report · 26 Feb 2018

At this point in time, the Central Bank is probably looking not only at 2018, but also 2019, when it will have to strive for convergence of the interest rate to the “neutral” level. The ideal situation would be for the government to make progress in the reforms – not only in the fiscal field, but...

Oops - a surprising result at an interim local election today
HUNGARY · In Brief · 25 Feb 2018

It was only a few days ago that we published our latest report, saying repeatedly that Fidesz was heading safely towards a big victory at the parliamentary election on April 8. Opinion polls still strongly suggest that outlook, but as it happened, an interim local election held today and followed...

What’s in Our Minds?
TURKEY · Report · 25 Feb 2018

This month’s report arrives in your inboxes in a Q&A format, thanks to several meetings with groups of investors and experts that allowed us to focus on the FAQ, and areas we consider important yet have been missing from the radar. In politics, Turkish Forces and allies are rapidly moving towa...

High expectations, but beware of the hurricane
CHILE · Report · 23 Feb 2018

According to the Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMACEC), the Chilean economy expanded by a meager 1.6% in 2017. Nevertheless, the fourth quarter of last year marked a turning point. According to the Central Bank, the leading sectors were once again commerce and services, coherent with the st...

COSTA RICA: Uncertainty Is the flavor of the day
CENTRAL AMERICA · Report · 23 Feb 2018 · 1 response

Costa Rica’s political environment looks unsatisfactory, a situation that affects our short-term economic outlook. Right now, uncertainty is the flavor of the day. The results of the February 4th presidential and congressional elections didn’t curb either uncertainty or negative expectations. In ...

External accounts are balancing
CHINA · Report · 23 Feb 2018

The ex-factory price index of industrial products was up 4.3% y/y in January, down 1.6 pps from Q4 2017. PPI was up 5.2% y/y, down 1.9 pps. Given tightening monetary policy, we expect producer prices will continue their downward trend in 2018. Due to the Spring Festival – the Chinese New Year -- ...