by EM ended the week on a soft note, as the dollar reasserted broad-based strength against most currencies. The FOMC meeting this week could see the Fed push back against the market’s dovish take on policy, in which case EM would be likely to remain under pressure. Idiosyncratic risk remains in play across several countries. The Turkish situation remains fluid, with the nation subject to ongoing ratings downgrades. Malaysia’s 1MDB is back in the spotlight, highlighting some rising political risks there. Overall, we caution investors to remain very choosy on a country-by-country with regards to EM. Singapore Singapore reports June CPI Monday, which is expected at -1.1% y/y vs. -1.6% in May. It then reports IP Tuesday, which is expected to grow 0.4% y/y vs. 0.9% in May. Singapore then reports Q2 unemployment Thursday. Recent data have been soft. If this trend continues, we believe the MAS may ease again in October by adjusting again its S$NEER trading band. Israel Israel’s central bank meets Monday and is expected to keep rates steady at 0.10%. The economy is sluggish, but we know the central bank is concerned about feeding a housing bubble with further easing measures. For now, a weaker shekel will be the favored lever of stimulus. Korea Korea reports Q2 GDP Tuesday, which is expected to grow 3.0% y/y vs.
Topics:
Win Thin considers the following as important: emerging markets, Featured, newsletter, win-thin
This could be interesting, too:
Marc Chandler writes Sterling and Gilts Pressed Lower by Firmer CPI
Ryan McMaken writes A Free-Market Guide to Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
Wanjiru Njoya writes Post-Election Prospects for Ending DEI
Swiss Customs writes Octobre 2024 : la chimie-pharma détermine le record à l’export
EM ended the week on a soft note, as the dollar reasserted broad-based strength against most currencies. The FOMC meeting this week could see the Fed push back against the market’s dovish take on policy, in which case EM would be likely to remain under pressure.
Idiosyncratic risk remains in play across several countries. The Turkish situation remains fluid, with the nation subject to ongoing ratings downgrades. Malaysia’s 1MDB is back in the spotlight, highlighting some rising political risks there. Overall, we caution investors to remain very choosy on a country-by-country with regards to EM.
Singapore
Singapore reports June CPI Monday, which is expected at -1.1% y/y vs. -1.6% in May. It then reports IP Tuesday, which is expected to grow 0.4% y/y vs. 0.9% in May. Singapore then reports Q2 unemployment Thursday. Recent data have been soft. If this trend continues, we believe the MAS may ease again in October by adjusting again its S$NEER trading band.
Israel
Israel’s central bank meets Monday and is expected to keep rates steady at 0.10%. The economy is sluggish, but we know the central bank is concerned about feeding a housing bubble with further easing measures. For now, a weaker shekel will be the favored lever of stimulus.
Korea
Korea reports Q2 GDP Tuesday, which is expected to grow 3.0% y/y vs. 2.8% in Q1. It reports June IP Friday, which is expected to rise 0.2% y/y vs. 4.3% in May. We do not think that the surprise June cut was “one and done.” BOK cut its growth and inflation forecasts at its July meeting, setting the table for another 25 bp cut in August or September.
Brazil
Brazil’s COPOM releases its minutes Tuesday. At that meeting, it kept rates steady and maintained a very hawkish tone. Brazil also reports June current account data Tuesday. July IGP-M wholesale inflation and June central government budget data will be reported Thursday. June manufacturing PPI and June consolidated budget data will be reported Friday.
Hungary
Hungary’s central bank meets Tuesday and is expected to keep rates steady at 0.90%. It has signaled that rates are on hold for now, but that further easing could be seen with unconventional measures. Deflation risks persist, and so we cannot rule out a resumption in rate cuts too.
Mexico
Mexico reports June trade and May IGAE GDP proxy Tuesday. It then reports Q2 GDP Friday. The economy remains sluggish even as inflation remains below target. We see no further tightening this year from Banco de Mexico.
Taiwan
Taiwan reports Q2 GDP Friday, which is expected to grow 0.7% y/y vs. -0.7% in Q1. Much of the improvement is due to low base effects. The economy continues to face headwinds, and so the central bank is likely to continue cutting rates with another 12.5 bp cut in September.
South Africa
South Africa reports June money and credit growth Friday, along with June fiscal and trade data. Last week, the SARB signaled that the tightening cycle is on pause and cut its growth forecast for this year. This week’s data is expected to reflect the ongoing weakness in the economy.
Turkey
Turkey reports June trade Friday, which is expected at -$6.4 bln. If so, the 12-month total would widen for the first time since July 2015. While it’s too early to say that the external accounts have turned for the worse, they bear watching in the aftermath of the failed coup attempt.
Russia
Russia’s central bank meets Friday and is expected to keep rates steady at 10.5%. Of the 30 analysts polled by Bloomberg, 23 see no change and 7 see a 50 bp cut to 10%. With the ruble remaining firm, we see a small chance of a dovish surprise this week.
Colombia
Colombia’s central bank meets Friday and is expected to hike rates 25 bp to 7.75%. Higher than expected inflation in June may have forced the bank’s hand, as officials seemed to signal an end to the tightening cycle after its June hike.