Latin America Economics Update Trump & the Mexican peso: how low can you go? The likely market sell-off in response to a victory for Donald Trump next week could push the Mexican peso to as low as 25/$. What happens to the peso beyond the initial sell-off would depend upon... 3rd November 2016 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed on track for December rate hike As widely expected, the Fed left interest rates unchanged at this week’s FOMC meeting, but it appears to be intent on hiking interest rates at the upcoming December meeting. Nevertheless, next week’s... 2nd November 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Would a Trump win really be bad for the S&P 500? The consensus is that a victory for Donald Trump in next Tuesday’s presidential election would deal a lasting blow to the US stock market. Our sense, though, is that the performance of the S&P 500... 2nd November 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Federal fiscal update doesn't alter dismal growth outlook Finance Minister Bill Morneau focused entirely on longer-term infrastructure spending in today’s fiscal update, offering no new short-term stimulus measures to bolster the struggling economy. If, as... 1st November 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response GDP by Industry (Aug.) The 0.2% m/m gain in August GDP, partly driven by the further recovery in oil extraction, all but confirms that the economy grew by close to 3.5% annualised in the third quarter following the wildfire... 1st November 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Sep.) After seasonal adjustment, house prices on the Core-Logic measure jumped by 1.4% m/m in September. That reading will almost certainly be revised down next month, but even so it is clear that house... 1st November 2016 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Fed likely to delay rate hike until December The markets are convinced that the Fed will stand pat at this week’s FOMC meeting, which concludes on Wednesday, and will instead raise interest rates at the final policy meeting of the year in mid... 28th October 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Should the Bank of Canada be more transparent? The mixed messages coming from Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz last week, which caused a stir in financial markets and the media, makes us wonder if, like most other major central banks, the... 28th October 2016 · 1 min read
US Data Response GDP (Q3 1st Estimate) The bigger than expected 2.9% annualised gain in third-quarter GDP confirms that the economic recovery has regained some of the momentum lost within the last year. As such, this leaves the Fed firmly... 28th October 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Homeownership & Vacancy Rates (Q3) The drop in the homeownership rate in the second quarter was reversed in the third, as a favourable economic backdrop allowed for a gradual rise in first-time buyers. As a result, the number of rental... 27th October 2016 · 1 min read
US Employment Report Preview Wage growth still relatively subdued We estimate that non-farm payroll employment increased by 190,000 in October. Given the recent rebound in labour force participation, however, we suspect that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5... 27th October 2016 · 1 min read
US Data Response Durable Goods (Sep.) Despite the 0.1% m/m decline in headline orders last month, September’s durable goods report is actually a very slight positive as far as third-quarter GDP growth is concerned. 27th October 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Canada caught in the global backlash against free trade The potential collapse of Canada’s Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union would not be a big economic blow, since estimates suggested that even the long-term boost to... 27th October 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report (26th Oct. 16) US crude oil stocks fell last week as demand from refineries picked up. However, a rise in production and an uptick in imports meant the decline in stocks was only small. 26th October 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Focus Explaining recent developments in housing equity withdrawal Our estimate of housing equity withdrawal (HEW) shows that, in aggregate, households have yet to return to using their homes as a piggy bank. While the factors holding HEW back are likely to ease the... 26th October 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Sep.) The small 3.1% m/m rise in new home sales in September comes after a significant downward revision to August’s reading, highlighting that low inventory levels are preventing any sustained rise in... 26th October 2016 · 1 min read