FX Markets Update The Colombian peso looks poised for a rebound As political risks appear to be largely discounted by investors, we expect the Colombian peso to outperform other major EM currencies over the next couple of years. In view of the wider interest we... 2nd March 2023 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil: is a corporate debt crisis brewing? The dramatic rise in borrowing costs in Brazil in the past few years appears to be causing debt problems at a growing number of companies. So far at least, there is little evidence of widespread... 28th February 2023 · 4 mins read
FX Markets Update We expect the Mexican peso to reverse course before long The Mexican peso’s outperformance since the start of 2022 has pushed up its valuation substantially, and we think that this leaves it vulnerable to sharp falls against the US dollar if, as we expect... 16th February 2023 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Tight monetary policy despite peak inflation Inflation across most of Latin America has peaked, but this is mainly an energy story – core price pressures are proving much more persistent. And underlying price pressures are likely to ease only... 16th February 2023 · 3 mins read
Industrial Metals Update The impact of civil unrest in Peru on copper Anecdotal reports and high frequency data suggest that ongoing civil unrest in Peru is beginning to choke off activity at key copper mines. But, if recent history is anything to go by, output can... 15th February 2023 · 2 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Lula and the threat to the BCB’s independence Brazil’s president Lula seems to be on the warpath in his quest for lower interest rates and now has the central bank’s (BCB’s) independence in his sights. Were Lula to get his way, the experience... 8th February 2023 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil’s BNDES: new leader, old problems The newly-appointed head of the Brazilian development bank, BNDES, takes charge today and is likely to be under pressure to increase lending. But the experience from the 2000s suggests that credit... 6th February 2023 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Lula’s hopes for a higher inflation target would backfire The suggestion by Brazil’s President Lula that the central bank’s inflation target should be raised is likely to be a bigger concern for the second half of his presidential term (2025-26) than the... 2nd February 2023 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil: Copom casts doubt on 2023 rate cuts The statement accompanying yesterday’s Brazilian central bank meeting, at which the Selic rate was left at 13.75%, hinted that interest rates may need to stay at their current high level into next... 2nd February 2023 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Colombia: end of tightening cycle approaching The minutes to the Colombian central bank meeting last Friday revealed that worries about the growth outlook will bring the tightening cycle to a close soon. We expect the central bank to deliver one... 1st February 2023 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update What China’s re-opening means for Latin America China’s rapid move away from zero-Covid and the resulting rally in commodity prices present upside risks to our GDP forecasts, but we remain of the view that 2023 will be a challenging year for Latin... 26th January 2023 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update The fallout from protests in Peru Widespread unrest across several regions in Peru could make the central bank’s job of reducing above-target inflation even more difficult while also threating to hamper activity in some of the country... 16th January 2023 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update First thoughts on the riots in Brasília The implications of the invasion of Brazil’s congress by protestors yesterday are mainly political. But the riots could result in a long-lasting risk premium on the country’s financial assets... 9th January 2023 · 3 mins read
Emerging Markets Economics Update The World in 2023: What to watch for in EMs EMs will experience one of the broadest slowdowns in GDP growth in 2023 since the 1990s. China is one of the few places where growth will accelerate next year, but its move away from zero-COVID will... 15th December 2022 · 4 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Policy paralysis here to stay in Peru The impeachment of Peru’s controversial (former) left-wing President Pedro Castillo might bring short-term relief to investors, but it does not solve Peru’s governability issues. With policy paralysis... 8th December 2022 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil’s fiscal risks could keep rates higher for longer The statement accompanying the Brazilian central bank’s meeting yesterday, at which the Selic rate was left at 13.75%, made clear that policymakers are increasingly concerned about fiscal loosening... 8th December 2022 · 2 mins read
