Latin America Economics Update How vulnerable is Chile to a global slowdown? Chile’s open economy is more susceptible than most in the region to a deterioration of external demand. Policy stimulus will provide some relief, however we anticipate a below-consensus 3% growth in... 23rd September 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economic Outlook Heading into choppy waters The economies of Latin America are likely to slow by more than most expect over the next year. We do not anticipate a prolonged downturn, but the marked deterioration in the external environment means... 21st September 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Chart Pack Market rout focuses attention on risks to growth Financial markets in Latin America suffered heavy losses during the recent global market turmoil, extending their poor performance so far this year. Equity markets fell by around 15% amid a widespread... 25th August 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chile shifts to neutral on softer global growth prospects There were no surprises from Chile’s Central Bank (CBC) last night as the benchmark rate was maintained at 5.25%. With global demand set to slow but not collapse altogether, the likelihood of further... 20th August 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chile’s resilient growth faces tougher times ahead Today’s Chilean GDP figures confirmed that the economy remained in good health over the second quarter. Even so, we are likely to witness a weaker performance from Q3 on the back of deteriorating... 19th August 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Mexican rates on hold until 2013 The recent turmoil in the financial markets has re-shaped the debate on how far interest rates may need to rise in Latin America. We still expect one or two more hikes in Peru, Colombia and perhaps... 18th August 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chile’s slowing inflation makes another pause probable Slowing inflation in Chile raises the probability of a second successive pause at this month’s monetary policy meeting. What’s more, a weakening external backdrop will make policymakers more reluctant... 9th August 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Chart Pack Interest rates close to peaking Policymakers in most of Latin America’s inflation-targeting countries have begun to signal an end to the current cycle of monetary tightening. In the very near term, we still expect the combination of... 28th July 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Rates should peak this year The recent spike in food inflation has a little further to run and, in most economies, core inflation pressures are building. But even so we still expect headline inflation to start to fall in pretty... 19th July 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chile: interest rates pause for breath The Central Bank of Chile (CBC) as expected held interest rates at 5.25% last night. Strong domestic conditions and above-target inflation make further increases likely, but we are nearing the end of... 16th July 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Chart Pack Markets continue to struggle Financial markets across Latin America have had a fairly torrid time over the past month or so. Fears of a renewed global slowdown and a subsequent drop in commodity prices, along with worries about... 30th June 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Food price shock still has a little further to run Central bankers – and some in the markets – appear increasingly hopeful that the recent spike in food price inflation, which has driven headline inflation above its target in pretty much every country... 17th June 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chilean interest rates close to peaking The Central Bank of Chile (CBC) raised interest rates by 25bps to 5.25% last night but signalled that, while more hikes are likely over the coming months, we are now approaching the end of the current... 16th June 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Chart Pack Domestic demand drives decent Q1 growth First quarter GDP data released over the past month confirm what we already knew – most countries in Latin America experienced a strong start to 2011. The problem, however, is that growth is still... 31st May 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economic Outlook Domestic demand set to drive growth The growth outlook for Latin America remains good. GDP growth is likely to slow a little over the coming quarters as external demand weakens and commodity prices come off of the boil, but the domestic... 26th May 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Q1 growth bolstered by spike in commodity prices The spike in commodity prices in Q1 supported strong growth in both Chile and Venezuela. But while Chilean policymakers are well placed to deal with any fall in commodity prices next year, Venezuelan... 18th May 2011 · 1 min read