Macro Matters THE BIG PICTURE Issue 104, 16 October 2014
Transcription
Macro Matters THE BIG PICTURE Issue 104, 16 October 2014
MARKET ECONOMICS | GLOBAL WEEKLY Macro Matters Issue 104, 16 October 2014 Page THE BIG PICTURE Market fluctuations have reached fever pitch in recent days, largely due to the suspicion that the global economy is losing steam at a time when some central banks are twitching to start raising rates. The eurozone is at the epicentre of it all. 2-3 THEMES OF THE WEEK ECB asset purchases: A stitch in time … The ECB is aiming to steer its balance sheet back toward 2012 levels. We think purchases under its announced assetbuying programmes will leave it short of this goal. 4-5 France: Zeroing in on inflation French inflation fell to a five-year low in September. However, unlike 2009, when the decline was driven by oil prices, this bout of low inflation is broad based. 6-7 Italian 2015 budget: Playing to the home crowd Italy’s draft budget for 2015 includes a number of growth-boosting measures, in part financed by spending cuts. It raises the budget-deficit target to 2.9% of GDP from 2.2%. The European Commission will probably reject it. 8-9 US: Dollar signs The effects of the stronger USD on US growth and inflation may not, in themselves, be enough to stay the Fed’s hand from tightening in the middle of next year, but weaker foreign demand and higher risk premia add to the case for a delay. 10-11 Japan: Fate of the VAT hike may rest with Q3 GDP Growth of 2% q/q or so in Q3 2014 is unlikely to be hailed as a triumph in Japan’s political circles. We expect the government to stick to its plan to raise the country’s VAT rate once again in October 2015, but weak Q3 growth could allow a delay. 12-13 China: Deflation nation China is sliding into deflation. Manufacturing prices have been falling for 33 months in y/y terms, matching their record losing streak of the Asian crisis. Surveys signal no respite. 14-15 Latam: Who’s afraid of the big, bad Fed? Despite the market’s gyrations, we still expect the Fed to hike rates slowly from June 2015. Historically, though, Fed tightening has not been kind to Latam. Our strategists have come up with trade ideas to capitalise on our macro views. 16-17 DATES AND DATA One-week calendar 18-20 Economic forecasts 32 Contacts 34 Key data preview 21-28 Recently published research 33 Disclaimer 35 Central bank watch 29-31 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Please refer to important information at the end of the report. Big picture Markets in panic mode Market fluctuations have reached fever pitch over the past few days, with the continued decline in equity markets accompanied by new cyclical lows in bond yields and, more recently, a sharp widening of eurozone bond spreads. One of the culprits behind these moves has probably been the suspicion that the global economy was losing momentum at a time when some central banks were twitching to start normalising interest rates. The epicenter of the move has been the eurozone, due to the heightened vulnerability of the economy to possible external shocks and its perceived limited scope for policy reaction. The bloc is facing a whole raft of problems. Eurozone suffering from a lack of growth … The first issue is the eurozone’s lack of growth. Expectations of a gradual economic recovery in H2 have been dashed by falls in the leading indicators and, more recently, the hard data (industrial production fell 1.8% m/m in August). We are maintaining our forecast of 0.1% q/q growth in Q3, but see an increasing risk of Q4 growth coming in well below our forecast of 0.2%. The drag from the EU-Russian rift is part of the story, as is, we believe, the economic slowdown underway in China. The extent of the impact on euro-area growth prospects is telling in terms of how vulnerable the economy is to external shocks. With trend growth very low, uncertainty burgeoning and deleveraging still in train in many economies, an external shock is likely to have severe and enduring effects on growth. … limited fiscal room for manoeuvre … A second, aggravating factor is that the eurozone’s fiscal room for maneuver is very limited, thanks to its high level of public debt (and the budgetary rules of the EU’s fiscal compact). EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s plan to boost infrastructure spending at the EU level has merit. However, it is not yet clear how such a plan would be financed. Moreover, even if implemented, it would take time to have a meaningful impact on the economy. At the national level, attempts by France and, most recently, Italy to shy away from fiscal consolidation have met with criticism from Brussels. The draft budgets of both countries risk being rejected by the European Commission, potentially triggering a damaging political spat. ... and low inflation Third, at 0.3% y/y in September, euro-area inflation is simply too low. What’s more, the prospects of a rebound thanks to energy-related base effects in Q4 have now evaporated with the sharp decline in oil prices. We have cut our inflation forecast for Q4 to 0.3% y/y from 0.5% and now expect inflation to average 0.6% next year, down from 0.9% previously. The risk of a negative inflation print over the next six months or so is non-negligible, in our view. ECB’s credibiity is being questioned Fourth, markets appear to have growing doubts on the willingness and/or ability of the ECB to respond effectively to the shock that has hit the economy. The maths suggests that the ECB’s plan to steer its balance sheet back towards 2012 levels by buying asset-backed securities (ABS) and covered bonds is ambitious, while influential members of the Governing Council continue to oppose more radical action, such as government bond purchases. It is in this context that the 5y5y inflation swap rate, which is closely monitored by the ECB as a measure of inflation expectations, has fallen to lows around 1.7%. The market looks to be testing the ECB’s resolution to defend price stability. The reaction of ECB speakers out on the circuit so far has been pretty muted, probably fuelling speculation that the more conservative members of the ECB board have the upper hand at the moment. Higher spreads are a reason for concern It is, therefore, very significant, in our view, that eurozone bond spreads, which had remained remarkably stable in view of the market jitters so far, have recently widened and not only in the eurozone periphery. Unlike the decline in oil prices, which boosts consumer purchasing power, and the depreciation of the currency, which boosts corporate competiveness, higher spreads are not a self-correcting mechanism. They lead to a tightening of monetary conditions with a detrimental impact on confidence and, ultimately, growth in what risks becoming vicious circle. Our Financial and Monetary Conditions Index (FMCI) suggests monetary conditions have tightened again of late after easing due to EUR depreciation over the previous six months. So, what happens next? A speedy catalyst for change in current market sentiment would be a shift in rhetoric from the ECB. We think it highly likely that the ECB will change its tune – and potentially very soon. Luigi Speranza Macro Matters 16 October 2014 2 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com ECB needs to change its Our view has been that a significant ‘shock’ would probably be required to push the ECB into a rhetoric, possibly very soon broad-based asset purchase programme that includes sovereign bonds, given how contentious such a step would be. We noted that such a shock could take various forms: the economy going back into recession, persistently lower-than-expected inflation, an abrupt fall in inflation expectations and/or an unwelcome tightening of financial and monetary conditions, either via the exchange rate or a rise in risk premia, including sovereign debt markets. Not just one, but all of these are now materialising and it is difficult to see how the ECB can avoid a broader programme of quantitative easing (QE) under such circumstances. The longer the current turmoil persists, the more likely we are to get a “we’ll do whatever it takes”-type comment from ECB chief Mario Draghi at, if not before, the next policy meeting on 6 November. The clock is ticking and the potential costs associated with delaying are on the rise. Because of the continued turmoil, therefore, the least we would expect from November’s meeting is a signal that the ECB is getting closer to launching a long-overdue, full-blown QE programme. US Fed is leaving all of its options open In the US, it is more difficult to fully reconcile the rally in government bonds and the decline in stock prices with the economy’s performance. Retail sales have certainly disappointed, but other indicators (including the Fed’s Beige Book, initial claims and industrial production) have fared better and continue to point to reasonably strong growth. The recent decline in oil prices will translate into sizeable gains in purchasing power and, hence, consumption. Still, comments, such as those from St. Louis Fed President James Bullard (that the “Fed could continue with QE beyond October” and that if the economy remained strong, the Fed “could end QE in December”) suggests concern among policymakers is mounting as to the possible damage that could be caused by a negative wealth effect and lower external growth. The central bank is likely to leave all of its options open and reiterate its mantra that policy is data dependent. In Asia, lower oil prices are creating policy space In Asia, the decline in oil prices is transforming the region’s inflation outlook, increasing the scope for most regional central banks to ease policy. The Bank of Korea this week trimmed rates for a second time in three months (by 25bp), as widely expected, pushing its key policy rate back to its financial crisis-low. With sluggish global growth outside the US increasing the risk that economic growth will remain tepid and the disinflationary impact of tumbling oil prices set to push well-below-target inflation even lower, the door remains ajar for more easing. Indian rates have also fallen but, while CPI data this week showed headline inflation dropping to a record low of 6.5% in the index’s three-year history, challenging base effects and substantial shortfalls in crop production due to insufficient monsoon rains are expected to see food inflation pick up again. Still, high inflation expectations will continue to fend off core disinflation. The RBI has little scope to cut policy rates anytime soon if it wants to hit its 6% target by early 2016. China’s deflationary pressures are intensifying Inflation data also confirm intensifying deflationary pressure in China. PPI deflation worsened in September, with the y/y rate negative for the 33rd consecutive month. Perhaps of greater concern is CPI inflation’s downward surprise for a second straight month. Already at a 56-month low of 1.6% y/y, inflation could dip into negative territory if oil and house price falls gather pace. The imbalance between housing supply and demand, combined with the latest foreign-reserves data, showing a record pace of hot-money outflows (even when valuation effects are taken into account), suggests house price falls will likely deepen. Greater deflationary pressure plus tumbling industrial growth mean China will continue to struggle to generate the double-digit nominal growth needed for debt sustainability. The Q3 national accounts data, due for release next week, should show official real growth slowing to just 7.1% y/y (from 7.5% in Q2) and the economy’s broadest measure of costs and prices – the GDP deflator – flirting with deflation. Brazilian inflation to see little relief from falling oil In Latam, the sharp decline in oil prices is set to be detrimental to oil-exporter economies, such as Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia. This is likely to show up in a deterioration of Colombia’s current-account deficit (of 1.2pp to 5% of GDP, based on current oil prices, by our estimates), while the impact on Mexico’s current account is likely to be more muted. Lower oil prices will bring little inflationary relief to Brazil, however. The impact of the decline in oil prices is being offset in part by the accompanying foreign-exchange depreciation. What’s more, for countries like Brazil, the real inflation challenge is domestic, not external. A domestic supply-demand mismatch has already pushed inflation well above the official target, despite the repression of regulated prices to contain headline inflation. Luigi Speranza Macro Matters 16 October 2014 3 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com ECB asset purchases: A stitch in time … The ECB is aiming to steer its balance sheet back toward 2012 levels. We think purchases under its announced asset-buying programmes will leave it short of this goal. At present, EUR 300bn of ABS is held as collateral for ECB operations. Since the financial crisis, most ABS have been retained rather than sold and, thereby, used as collateral. Weak market dynamics raise doubts about whether the ECB can promote a significant increase in ABS issuance. Large covered bond purchases also look problematic. The timing is far too slow. TLTRO and asset purchases will not begin to expand the balance sheet until 2015. With falling oil prices, the deflationary threat is immediate. Doing too little now raises the chances of having to do more later. Balance-sheet expansion of EUR 1trn In June, the ECB announced a package of measures to boost the eurozone economy and its flagging inflation rate, including targeted long-term refinancing operations (TLTROs) and two asset purchase programmes. At its 2 October press conference, the ECB provided more details on the purchase programmes, but the announcement was disappointingly light on detail. No quantitative target was set for either of the programmes and ECB President Mario Draghi refused to be drawn on whether his stated desire to expand the ECB balance sheet back to 2012 levels meant a January 2012-like balance sheet of EUR 2.7trn or a July 2012-like balance sheet of EUR 3.1trn. Still, Mr Draghi cited EUR 1trn as the amount of assets that could be purchased. The shrinkage of the ECB balance sheet since its 2012 peak is of this magnitude. Purchased ABS to be similar to ABS collateral There are certain features of the asset-backed securities (ABS) market that will act to limit the size of the purchase programme in that market. According to the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) securitisation report for Q2 2014, there are roughly EUR 1trn of European ABS, but less than EUR 900bn are from eurozone countries. In terms of credit quality, Mr Draghi cited the fact that the ECB had been accepting ABS as collateral in its liquidity operations for 10 years and that the ABS purchased would be of similar credit quality to those pledged as collateral, with concessions for Greece and Cyprus as long as they remained in a bailout programme. Only EUR 400bn of ABS to qualify for purchases ECB data show that there is currently EUR 300bn pledged in eurosystem operations out of EUR 680bn in eligible assets (Chart 1). This leaves EUR 380bn as the pool of available assets, broadly in line with the EUR 400bn estimated by ECB Vice President Vitor Constancio in a speech on 6 October. Mr Constancio’s slightly higher number may take into account ineligible Greek and Cypriot ABS. Actual purchases likely to be much lower The ECB reckons that the stock of appropriate covered bonds should make up the EUR 600bn shortfall in assets suitable for purchase. Of course, just because there is a stock of EUR 1tn that looks suitable to purchase does not mean that the ECB will able to purchase it all. Purchases could fall well short of the theoretical maximum. If the ECB were to purchase EUR 400bn of ABS, it would be holding a very large share of existing issuance, either in outright terms or Chart 1: ABS eligible and used for ECB operations Chart 2: Assets held as collateral by the ECB 1200 EUR bn 1000 ABS Eligible Non‐Marketable 23% 800 600 Other Marketable Assets 6% ABS Used 400 200 0 Jan 12 Jan 13 Regional Government Securities 5% Uncovered Bank Bonds 11% Covered Bank Bonds 18% Corporate Bonds 5% Jan 14 Source: Macrobond Financial, ECB, BNP Paribas Source: Macrobond Financial, ECB, BNP Paribas Colin Bermingham Macro Matters Asset‐Backed Securities 15% Central Government Securities 17% 16 October 2014 4 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com through collateral. This means it would need to bid up the price significantly in order to secure its target ownership level, increasing the amount of credit risk transferred to the ECB balance sheet. Our view is that the ECB will generally only purchase 15-25% of the outstanding assets, putting an upper limit of EUR 100bn on ABS purchases. Most recent ABS created just as collateral One ECB strategy is to try to encourage further issuance of ABS. If it could boost the size of the market, then it could also boost the size of its purchase programme. Attempting to revive the European ABS market could prove difficult, however. Chart 3 shows how European ABS issuance has been placed (sold) or retained since 2006. After the market collapsed in 2008, most of the issuance was retained on the balance sheet of the issuer. Strong issuance in 2008 and 2009, despite the market collapse, is down to the fact that ABS originators could use their issued securities as collateral in ECB operations. Thus, banks that needed liquidity, but could not use individual loans (or anything else) as collateral, could package the loans and use this as collateral (in a process known as ‘originate-to-repo’). True market depth is much shallower The lower portion of each bar in Chart 3 shows the amount of ABS sold, so is probably a better measure of the true strength/demand of the ABS market than the amount issued. Amounts sold remain paltry, at less than EUR 100mn a year since 2008, underlining that liquidity in the market remains moribund. The ECB can encourage the markets and hope that regulators sign off on lower capital charges for ABS, which are acting as a deterrent to buyers. Still, the numbers show the ECB has a tough task on its hands. ECB faces a significant shortfall of bonds to buy Ultimately, purchases under these two programmes are likely to fall well short of EUR 1trn. ABS will probably be in the region of EUR 100bn over the next two years. Purchases of covered bonds are likely to be little more than EUR 100bn over the same period, we estimate. The 70% purchase limit on new issuance prevents the ECB from buying private placement directly from banks and from paying off-market prices in the primary market. What’s more, the market is also shrinking; with gross issuance falling – partly because banks shifted funding from covered bonds to LTROs – it is becoming difficult to purchase large tranches in the secondary market. In short, the ECB could struggle to buy more than EUR 200bn in an asset pool of EUR 1trn. Of course, the ECB could make up the shortfall in its balance-sheet expansion through the TLTRO programme, but the initial take-up has been disappointing. It may be that the banks are waiting for the results of the ECB’s comprehensive assessment and asset quality review before increasing their TLTRO funding. More likely, though, the banks have little appetite to lend in the real economy and the deterioration in the growth outlook will only prolong this behaviour. While the purchase of covered bonds should start this month, the timetable for the ECB to begin ABS purchases is vague (sometime in Q4) and the next round of TLTRO funding takes place in December. In the case of the TLTRO, the funding given out by year end is unlikely to match expiring LTRO funds, meaning no net expansion of the ECB’s balance sheet under this programme until 2015. Thus, the process of balance-sheet expansion is going to be very slow, but the threat of deflation is immediate, particularly amid falling oil prices. The ECB’s drip-feed of policy initiatives lacks the ‘big-bang’ impact of QE in other countries and has been unsuccessful in halting the slide in inflation expectations. The longer the ECB takes to expand its balance sheet, the greater the odds that it will have to do more to have the desired effect. Too little, too late? Chart 3: Placed versus retained issuance 900 800 Placed Eur bn Chart 4: 5y5y forward inflation expectations at a new low Retained 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 YTD Source: AFME securitisation data snapshot Q2 2014, BNP Paribas Source: Macrobond Financial, BNP Paribas Colin Bermingham Macro Matters 16 October 2014 5 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com France: Zeroing in on inflation French inflation fell to a five-year low in September. However, unlike 2009, when the decline was driven by oil prices, this bout of low inflation is broad based. Core inflation is low, despite tax increases earlier this year. Underlying inflation, which excludes volatile items and taxes, has fallen to an unprecedented 0%. The low level of French economic activity has pushed down prices. However, France should be able to avoid deflation, primarily thanks to the stickiness of wages. French inflation falls to a five-year low in September French September inflation fell 0.1pp to 0.3% y/y on a CPI basis and 0.4% y/y on a HICP basis. In both cases, this was the lowest level since October 2009. However, the structure of inflation is very different today to what it was five years ago (Chart 1). For most of 2009, energy prices were down more than 10% y/y, after jumping in 2008. Last month, energy prices declined, too, but by a more moderate 2.5% y/y. Conversely, food prices (driven by fresh food prices, which rebounded 4.9% m/m in September, but declined 2.1% y/y) made less of a negative contribution to inflation, falling just 0.6% y/y. The combined negative effect of food and energy actually declined slightly, from 0.4pp to 0.3pp. Though the Brent crude oil price is currently heading south, we believe the negative role of food and energy will continue to fade. Core inflation is the culprit It is core inflation that lies behind the decline in headline inflation. Manufactured goods prices suffered a slight distortion in July and August due to the early start of seasonal sales, similar to that seen in January and February. They are now back in line with trend, down 0.7% y/y (Chart 1). The euro’s recent decline has not yet had a visible impact on imported goods. The inflation rate on services prices has also fallen to 1.5% y/y, its lowest level this year (ie, since the value-added tax (VAT) rate was increased on 1 January 2014). Excluding taxes, inflation actually declined to zero Looking at the domestic measure of underlying inflation, which excludes volatile items (such as energy and fresh food), but also taxes, September inflation fell to 0.04%, the lowest level ever recorded for this measure, which goes back to 1991, and probably the lowest level for more than 50 years, would comparable data be available. The contribution of taxes remains important, though hard to measure. Taxes on tobacco still account for 0.07pp of the domestic headline rate, though that is about half their contribution in the first half of 2014. Producer and retailer pricing power is weak The gap between the core HICP and French underlying inflation rates gives us a fair idea of the impact of the VAT increase. Compared with the inflation rates just before the January tax hike, we can see that a large part of the gap, about 60%, of the VAT hike was absorbed by producers and retailers, which cut ex-tax prices rather than pass on the rise to customers. Clearly, the tax absorption rate was more significant for goods and services taxed at the standard rate, which rose modestly, from 19.6% to 20%, rather than for services taxed at the intermediate rate (mainly home repairs and restaurants) which jumped from 7% to 10% (Chart 2). Chart 1: French CPI inflation, main items (% y/y) Chart 2: Impact of the intermediate VAT rate hike Source: Macrobond, INSEE, BNP Paribas Source: Macrobond, INSEE, BNP Paribas; blue = home repairs; green = cafes and restaurants; *VAT hike applies to both items Dominique Barbet Macro Matters 16 October 2014 6 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Weak activity weighing on consumer prices Such behaviour is a response to low final demand and only serves to underline concerns about the risk of recession and deflation down the road. Moreover, a key reason the corporate sector has been able to cut (or not raise) ex-tax prices is the tax credit for competitiveness and employment (TCCE). This credit has been used to cut prices rather than bolster profitability or finance investment. Producers and retailers are most concerned about maintaining turnover (please see France: 2015 budget preview of 22 September 2014). The TCCE has not been enough to buoy revenue, however. Over the past four quarters, France’s corporate gross operating surplus has fallen to 34.2% of GDP, its lowest level since 1986. With a further credit to come next year, on top of the so-called ‘responsibility pact’, prices may continue to fall. Low inflation should help bolster consumption The solution may lie in the problem, however, as the low level of inflation should bolster households’ purchasing power. Some of these gains have been absorbed by a rise in direct taxation in a vain attempt to reduce the budget deficit. The rest went into savings in the first half of the year, which saw the household savings ratio at 15.9%, up 1.0pp from H2 2013. With inflation continuing to decline and a portion of the rise in direct taxation due to be repealed, some of the purchasing power gains could filter through to consumption in the coming quarters. French inflation aligning with the eurozone average France’s HICP inflation rate fell to 0.36% in September, converging on the eurozone inflation rate of 0.31%. This was not expected just a few months ago due to France’s higher tax rates. France’s core HICP inflation rate (0.9% in September), which is more sensitive to the VAT hike, is also converging on that of eurozone (0.8%), but remains higher for the time being (Chart 3). Other measures of French inflation are also weak. The September median inflation rate eased to 0.89%, 1.4 standard deviations below its 15-year average. Despite tax hikes, at 0.61% in September, the trimmed mean was also close to its historical low of 0.57% in January 1999 (Chart 4). What’s more, the share of items for which prices have been on the decline has been close to 30% for the past five months. Though not a record, this is quite high, especially as most items were subject to the rise in VAT. The risk of French deflation is remote Although French inflation excluding taxes is at zero, we do not believe France is at risk of deflation. First up, there are a few more tax hikes scheduled for next year, mainly in relation to energy, which should continue to make a positive contribution to the headline rate, although the 2015 budget is not yet finalised. The decline in food prices is unlikely to persist at its current pace. EUR depreciation will have a greater effect on imported prices in the near future, as the pass-through to prices is always quicker than the effect on volumes. Labour costs will rise, but inflation will remain low Most importantly, however, French nominal wages are less flexible than in most other eurozone countries, both to the upside and the downside (please see French wages: The cause and effect of rigidity of 4 February 2014 for more). The average monthly wage was up 1.4% y/y in Q2 2014, at least a 20-year low and even lower than during the period of wage restraint that accompanied the decline in French working hours (from 1999 to 2001). For legal reasons, nominal wage cuts remain the exception rather than the rule. With productivity gains limited by the slow pace of growth, therefore, French unit labour costs will continue to rise, preventing France from seeing full-blown deflation. Chart 3: HICP inflation: France vs the eurozone (% y/y) Chart 4: Indicators of the risk of French deflation 3.0 ‐ Trimmed mean (% y/y) 5 2.5 10 2.0 15 20 1.5 25 1.0 30 35 0.5 Share of items in deflation (RHS, inverted scale, %) 40 0.0 45 99 Source: Macrobond, Eurostat, BNP Paribas 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Source: INSEE, BNP Paribas Dominique Barbet Macro Matters 00 16 October 2014 7 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Italian 2015 budget: Playing to the home crowd Italy’s draft budget for 2015 includes a number of growth-boosting measures, in part financed by spending cuts. It raises the budget-deficit target to 2.9% of GDP from 2.2%. If passed by parliament and implemented effectively, the measures should boost GDP next year. The European Commission will probably reject the plans as they stand, however. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s reform zeal is boosting his approval ratings, however, and a bill going through parliament to facilitate labour-market reform is a major step forward. Italy’s growth outlook remains grim, though. We expect GDP to contract again in Q3 and the risks have increased of another decline in Q4. This article was originally published as an eponymous desknote on 16 October 2014. Italy abandons austerity for growth-boosting plans Draft budget: A change of gear The draft Italian budget for 2015, approved by the cabinet late last night, is a significant break from the past. The bill foresees a number of growth-boosting measures worth EUR 36bn (or 2.3% of GDP), including tax cuts aimed at cutting labour costs for companies. This is to be financed in part through spending cuts (EUR 15bn) and other measures (EUR 10bn) in the context of a comprehensive spending review. As a result, Italy’s budget-deficit target for 2015 will rise to 2.9% of GDP from 2.2% previously. In our forecasts, we had already taken into account some relaxation of Italy’s budgetary consolidation efforts and pencilled in a deficit of 2.6% of GDP for 2015. The draft budget not only goes beyond our already generous figure, but aims to strike a more growth-friendly balance between revenue and spending. As suggested by the poor response of the economy to the tax cuts implemented last May, some caution is warranted here: against a backdrop of great uncertainty, the multiplier associated with tax cuts may be lower than normal. Still, if passed by parliament and implemented effectively, the budget has the potential to boost GDP growth somewhat next year compared with our current forecast of 0.3%. European Commission likely to reject the draft Opposition in Brussels The budget will raise more than one eyebrow in Brussels, however, for at least three reasons. First, it envisages a limited improvement in the structural budget balance, contrary to EU rules requiring an improvement of half a percentage point per year. Second, Italy’s already lofty public debt-to-GDP ratio is likely to keep rising as a result of the higher deficit. Third, the plan is subject to significant implementation risk. The tax cuts will be implemented immediately, while the impact and effectiveness of the spending cuts are more uncertain. The European Commission is therefore likely to argue that in the absence of additional spending cuts, the 3% budget-deficit limit is at risk. The risk is therefore high that the Commission will reject Italy’s draft 2015 budget – its prerogative under the rules of the European fiscal compact. Italy also planning reforms to kick-start growth Progress on the reform agenda The budget is part of a more comprehensive strategy, which includes structural reform, to kickstart the Italian economy. Prime minister, Matteo Renzi, recently upped his reform efforts and is currently pushing a proposal through parliament to increase the flexibility of Italy’s labour market. The bill, approved by the senate last week, tasks the government with legislating on the issue within set limits (an ‘enabling’ law). The bill now has to be approved by the lower house and this will probably happen by year end. From then, the government will have six months to introduce detailed legislation. One of the goals of the bill, dubbed the Jobs Act, is to overcome the dualism of Italy’s labour market by reducing the difference between temporary and permanent contracts. Among other initiatives, the government intends to modify article 18 of the country’s labour law, which governs unfair dismissal, with a view to relaxing the rules on terminating employment contracts. Luigi Speranza Macro Matters 16 October 2014 8 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Latest reforms not uncontroversial at home This is a particularly controversial issue and the premier is up against plenty of opposition from within the rank and file of his own party, not to mention the country’s labour unions. In this context, last week’s passage of the bill by the senate has to be viewed as a major victory for Mr Renzi, enhancing the credibility of his reform agenda. That said, this is only the first step on a long legislative road. What’s more, the bill does not tackle other crucial issues, such as the wage-bargaining process, which is still too centralised and rigid, especially when viewed against progress made in other countries, such as Spain. Italian voters seem to be embracing Renzi’s zeal Mr Renzi reaps his reward in higher approval ratings One thing in Mr Renzi’s favour here is the positive response of voters to recent developments. After losing ground in the opinion polls earlier in the year, when the government appeared to run out of reform steam, the popularity of the prime minister and his government is again in the ascendant, according to the latest polls. Significantly, most of the gains are at the expense of the centre-right, while the ratings of the anti-austerity Five Star have remained broadly stable, around 20%. We view this as a sign that Mr Renzi’s reform enthusiasm is paying off. There are a lot of hurdles to overcome, however Still, Italy’s political climate remains highly uncertain. Former premier Silvio Berlusconi, down but not out, still has a de facto veto on the institutional reforms on which current Prime Minister Renzi has staked much of his credibility. The passage of the reform, therefore, is potentially subject to the strategic whims of the media magnate. Opposition to structural reform from within Mr Renzi’s own party is also rife. His opponents are a minority in the party, but have a not insignificant number of seats in both houses of parliament. Any split in the party would, therefore, potentially put the government’s parliamentary majority at risk. And it is also worth remembering that Five Star leader Beppe Grillo’s populist stance – including recent calls for a referendum on remaining in the euro, though that has failed to gather significant momentum – remains pretty appealing for a significant portion of the population. Mr Renzi to stay in power until at least mid-2015 Against this fragmented backdrop, the lack of a concrete alternative to the current government appears to remain one of the key reasons for its survival, underlining its vulnerability. Still, we think the most likely scenario is that Matteo Renzi will remain in power, at least until mid-2015, when there is likely to be a presidential election, giving him sufficient time to pass a number of key reforms, including the Jobs Act. Growth could throw a large spanner in the works Lack of growth is the key risk The weakest link in all of this is Italy’s growth outlook. Expectations of an economic recovery in the second part of 2014 have once again been dashed. As noted, the tax cuts implemented in May had a smaller-than-expected impact on consumption due to a lack of consumer confidence and the need to replenish savings depleted during the crisis to smooth consumption. Credit constraints and slower export growth (due to the EU-Russian sanctions and the economic slowdown in Italy’s main trading partners in the rest of the eurozone, such as Germany) is likely to stall the improvement underway in investment. We, therefore, expect Italian GDP to continue to fall in Q3 (-0.1% q/q). And the risks of another fall in Q4 (our current forecast is for a flat reading) have increased. We still think the economy will pick up next year As some of the headwinds currently facing the economy are likely to abate in 2015, we continue to believe the Italian economy will recover gradually next year, possibly with some help from the measures included in today’s draft budget. However, the budget notwithstanding, the risks to our forecasts remain skewed to the downside. With Italian inflation already in negative territory (-0.1% y/y in September), the risk of a prolonged period of very low, or even negative, nominal growth is high. This will have a detrimental impact on Italy’s deficit and debt dynamics. Moreover, it could eventually erode Mr Renzi’s popularity, with potentially significant implications for both confidence and reform. Luigi Speranza Macro Matters 16 October 2014 9 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com US: Dollar signs The USD’s strength has been more marked against the EUR and JPY than against the effective exchange-rate basket. A stronger USD will impact growth and inflation only slightly. The appreciation we have seen to date might knock 0.1-0.2% off growth in the first year and a bit less off inflation. This, by itself, may not be enough to stay the Fed’s hand from tightening in the middle of next year, but weaker foreign demand and higher risk premia add to the case for a delay. The Fed has plenty of time before the middle of next year to make a data-based analysis. Lower inflation, especially in light of recent oil price weakness, means the Fed would have more room for manoeuvre when it comes to a delay if doubts about growth rise. The dollar is strong across the board The dollar is strong across the board, especially against the JPY and EUR. Since mid-March, it has appreciated 3.7% against the JPY and 8.2% against the EUR. So, what does this general appreciation mean for US growth, inflation and the Fed? Broad dollar index is not high on an historical basis Table 1 shows the key destinations of US goods exports and Table 2 shows where US imports come from. In calculating an effective exchange-rate index, note also has to be taken of competition in third markets (between US and European plane manufacturers, for example). The Fed publishes a few different measures of the effective exchange rate of the US dollar. One covers just the currencies of advanced economies, but as a result of the increased importance of emerging markets to world trade, we prefer the broader index that covers 26 currencies. Chart 1 shows how the broad and narrow exchange-rate indices have evolved in recent years. The first point to make is that the moves in the USD recently have been mild and that its effective index is not high on an historical basis. The recent appreciation has been more marked against high-income countries than against the broad basket. The impact on the US economy looks to be small What is the impact of appreciation on US exports, imports, GDP and inflation? Table 3 shows estimates from simulations run by the OECD for a 10% uniform one-step appreciation of the USD against its trade-weighted index. Given that the broad index for the dollar has risen by only about 3% since mid-March, the year 1 impact on growth of what has been experienced so far would be 0.1-0.2%, with a similar effect in year 2 (note that the table shows the effect on the level of GDP). The impact on inflation would be about 0.1% in the first year and less in year 2. Currency moves affect the US less than others The figures for other currencies (for example, the euro) tend to be bigger (a 10% euro appreciation knocks 0.7% off GDP in the first year and pushes inflation up 0.7% in the second, according to the OECD). So, why is the effect on the US so lean? US trade as a share of GDP is low (exports only account for around 14% of GDP). Table 1: Key destinations for US exports, 2013 (USD bn) Canada Mexico China UK Japan Germany Brazil South Korea France India Saudi Arabia Italy Total (USD bn) % of total exports % of GDP 366.3 256.6 160.6 108.7 112.8 75.3 70.7 64.4 51.6 35.7 28.0 26.2 16.1 11.3 7.0 4.8 4.9 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.3 1.6 1.2 1.2 2.2 1.5 1.0 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 Table 2: Key places of origin of US imports, 2013 (USD bn) China Canada Mexico Japan Germany UK South Korea France India Italy Saudi Arabia Brazil Source: US Census Bureau, BNP Paribas % of total imports % of GDP 455.9 368.8 304.5 171.3 148.2 101.6 73.7 61.8 61.1 49.9 53.3 34.6 16.5 13.4 11.0 6.2 5.4 3.7 2.7 2.2 2.2 1.8 1.9 1.3 2.7 2.2 1.8 1.0 0.9 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 Source: US Census Bureau, BNP Paribas Paul Mortimer-Lee Macro Matters Total (USD bn) 16 October 2014 10 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Many prices are set in USD, leading to a weak price effect, so the pass-through of depreciation to import prices in slower and less full in the US than in many other countries. FX pass-through has waned in recent years Thus, the appreciation of the dollar so far will have some effect on the US economy through both growth and inflation. In almost all countries, there is substantial evidence that exchangerate pass-through (ERPT) has declined in recent years, with a number of hypotheses being advanced to explain it: Monetary policy over the last quarter of a century has aimed at lower and more stable inflation. Expectations have become more solidly anchored. There is greater central-bank credibility. When long-term expectations are solidly anchored, nominal shocks have a limited effect. They become shocks to relative prices (eg, traded goods vs non-traded) rather than shocks to the price level or inflation as a whole. Lower inflation has reduced the frequency of price changes (prices are ‘stickier’). In advanced economies, imports from emerging markets are no longer primarily commodities. There is a much bigger share of manufactured goods and these can be ‘priced to market’ far more, leading to a smaller pass-through. Greater competition in international markets may have lessened the second-round effects of higher import prices on wages. Cross-border supply chains may incorporate output from more countries than in the past, lowering the pass-though. At face value, the Fed should delay tightening … Will the Fed allow the recent appreciation to affect its judgement of when and how much to raise rates? The effects of the recent appreciation of the USD exchange rate are small. However, if we examine OECD simulations of the effects of interest rates on the economy, they are even more muted, especially on inflation. The OECD’s simulations suggest that a 100bp hike in interest rates would have almost no effect on inflation in year 1, a 0.1% effect in year 2 and 0.3% in year 3. If we were to take such results at face value, they would say “delay tightening”. … but there’s more to the story than just the USD Is this likely to happen? The Fed has fallen out of love with zero rates and appears to want to tighten. But if the exchange rate continues to appreciate quickly, especially if foreign demand and inflation fall and risk premia rise, it will have to seriously consider delaying. The moves in the dollar so far are more likely to affect the speed of tightening than the start date, however, in our opinion, though if US growth were to begin to falter or the labour market to weaken, then a stronger exchange rate could tip the balance. Domestic considerations matter more to the Fed In short, then, USD strength is one factor to be weighed in the balance, but domestic considerations, particularly in relation to the labour market, matter more. Chart 1: Fed nominal trade-weighted exchange index Table 3: Impact on the US of a 10% rise in the USD % GDP (level) Inflation Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 -0.5 -0.3 -1.0 -0.4 -1.1 -0.9 Source: OECD Source: Reuters Ecowin Pro, Federal Reserve Paul Mortimer-Lee Macro Matters 16 October 2014 11 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Japan: Fate of the VAT hike may rest with Q3 GDP Based on the data to date, we estimate Japanese real GDP to have rebounded by ‘only’ 2% q/q or so (saar) in Q3. In political circles, this is unlikely to be hailed as a triumph. Our view remains that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to stick to his plans to increase the VAT rate again in October 2015, as the political cost of backtracking would be sizeable. That said, we cannot rule out the possibility that the premier will opt to postpone the tax hike, citing lacklustre Q3 2014 GDP growth and uncertainty about global economic prospects. Japan’s government will decide in early December whether a second increase in the country’s value-added tax (VAT) rate is feasible next year, after it has seen the Q3 2014 GDP data. Naturally, other criteria will also come into play, but the market seems fixated on the GDP data (first estimate mid-November), as weakness in the Q3 numbers will inevitably lead to louder calls from within the ruling coalition for a deferral of the October 2015 tax increase. Based on the data to date, we see Japanese Q3 real GDP growth at about 2% q/q annualised (up from a 7.1% contraction in Q2). There is considerable margin for error here, as virtually no data have been published for September as yet. But, at this point, we think it unlikely that the Q3 GDP report will be strong enough to provide the government with an unambiguous signal either way. We estimate GDP to have rebounded by ‘only’ 2% A weak rebound in consumer spending Many forecasters were initially expecting real GDP growth of about 4% in Q3 on an annualised basis on the grounds that consumer spending was likely to rebound solidly from the steep 5.1% q/q decline recorded in Q2. Yet, the indicators that the cabinet office has created from various monthly consumption-related metrics show average consumption no more than 0.5% above Q2 levels in July and August. The September figure should be stronger, as the unseasonably cool summer weather proved a drag on consumer spending. Still, the overall indications are that consumer spending in Q3 will only be about 1% higher than in Q2. We have consistently taken a cautious view on to how quickly consumer spending would recover after the first consumption tax hike in April, but the figures to date have been even weaker than we expected. Insipid spending reflects lower real income levels Some attribute the weakness in consumption to the lingering repercussions of front-loaded spending prior to the last VAT hike, but we regard the fall in real household income as the fundamental factor. The increase in the VAT rate, itself, of course, is one factor that has brought down real income, but households’ real purchasing power had actually started to trend lower before that due to the impact of yen devaluation, which had translated into higher goods prices. Indeed, if we ignore the significant pulling-forward effect on demand for consumer durables, this factor has been causing consumer spending to soften since H2 2013. Yet, business investment is still trending higher That said, on a sequential basis, worker compensation is likely to have grown in Q3, even in real terms, thanks in part to an increase in summer bonuses. Business investment also looks to have grown, by slightly more than 1% q/q. Due to the impact of one-off factors, business investment has fluctuated considerably over the past two quarters, surging 7.8% q/q in Q1 and Chart 1: Japanese private consumption, integrated estimates (sa) Chart 2: Contracted amount of public works (JPY trn, three-month average, annualised, sa) 116 18 114 17 112 16 110 15 108 14 106 13 104 102 12 100 11 98 08 09 10 11 12 13 10 14 Source: Cabinet office, BNP Paribas 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Source: EJCS, BNP Paribas Ryutaro Kono / Hiroshi Shiraishi Macro Matters 04 16 October 2014 12 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com falling 5.1% q/q in Q2. But with the index of aggregate capital goods supply 1.6% higher than Q2 levels on average in July-August and the production plan survey pointing to an increase in capital goods output in September, there appears to have been a mild uptrend in capex in Q3. Public-works spending likely to resume expansion We also expect the impact of the FY2014 supplementary budget to show up as an increase in public investment of about 5% q/q. Expansionary fiscal policy continues to support the construction sector, although it is highly questionable whether public-works projects are being implemented as fast as the GDP statistics indicate, given the bottlenecks in the construction sector due to the shortage of construction workers. Exports still in the doldrums On the external front, exports have remained weak and probably fell by around 1% q/q in Q3. This is largely down to a decline in services exports, though goods exports barely grew either. Supply-side factors are exerting a major influence here, with companies continuing to gradually close low-margin domestic production facilities and shift more production offshore. Indeed, although the US economy is recovering solidly, Japanese exports to the US continue to put in a relatively weak performance. One of the major reasons for this is Japanese automakers’ decision to shift production to Mexico and elsewhere, the effect of which has been to break the link between increasing sales in the US market and export growth out of Japan. Inventory build-up not a serious issue Meanwhile, we expect inventories to have detracted 0.3pp from GDP growth in Q3, having boosted it by hefty 1.5pp in Q2. Inventories of finished goods continued to increase until August, but then started to slow. In addition, relatively solid auto sales data for September suggest that there was some inventory correction in this sector, where the build-up of unsold stock was most acute. The latest BoJ Tankan survey also indicated that most firms are not too worried about current inventory levels, suggesting that a further significant increase in unwanted inventories did not occur in the quarter. Additional monetary easing is unlikely Thus, while the Q3 GDP report is likely to show that the Japanese economy is proving slow to recover due to the sluggishness of consumer spending, it is unlikely to point to a sustained downturn either. With the sequential increases in worker compensation and moderate growth in business investment, policymakers should be able to assert that the mechanisms of economic recovery remain in place. The BoJ has been maintaining an optimistic view of Japan’s economic prospects on the basis that there is still a positive cyclical link between income and expenditure. Economic growth to date has been falling short of the bank’s projection. Nevertheless, the labour market has continued to tighten and the yen is weakening again. For this reason, further monetary easing seems unlikely, at least in the near term, as long as there is no sudden, sharp deterioration in external conditions. Second VAT hike a close call, but likely to go ahead In the political arena, a rebound of about 2% in annualised Q3 GDP after a plunge of 7.1% in Q2 is unlikely to be hailed as an economic triumph. As the political cost of back-peddling on a tax increase that has already been signed into law would be quite significant, we continue to believe that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will stick to the current plan to raise the VAT rate in October 2015 (though we expect him to push for other fiscal stimulus at the same time). Even if the financial markets took the move calmly, any decision to defer the VAT hike would make things more difficult for the cabinet when the Diet is back in regular session in January 2015. The government would need to pass new legislation for the deferral and this could delay the debate on the FY2015 budget and other legislation central to Prime Minister Abe’s main policy goals, such as the right to collective self-defence. That said, Mr Abe hopes to remain in power until 2018 and probably views the VAT hike as a significant risk to his political longevity. Opting for another rise in the VAT rate at a time when household frustration at rising prices is mounting is, without doubt, a huge political gamble. At the end of the day, therefore, it will be a political judgement. We cannot, therefore, rule out the possibility that Mr Abe could opt to defer the second VAT hike, citing a lacklustre Q3 2014 GDP figure and uncertainty about global economic prospects. Ryutaro Kono / Hiroshi Shiraishi Macro Matters 16 October 2014 13 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com China: Deflation nation China is sliding into deflation. Manufacturing prices have been falling for 33 months in y/y terms, matching their record losing streak of the Asian crisis. Surveys signal no respite. Even more worrying is that property prices are falling at a 10%-plus annualised clip. The yawning imbalance between supply and demand suggests price falls are likely to accelerate. The economy’s broadest measure of costs and prices, the GDP deflator, is also flirting with deflation. The imminent Q3 national accounts data should show further weakness. CPI inflation is now falling fast. Already at a 56-month low of 1.6% y/y, it could easily fall below 1% by mid-2015. CPI deflation is possible if oil and house price falls accelerate. Capex-centric growth fuels deflationary pressure China’s deflationary chickens continue to come home to roost. The biggest investment bubble in 1 history, financed by one of the biggest credit bubbles in history is producing serial overcapacity across swathes of the economy, especially basic industries and real estate. The logic of China’s wildly unbalanced growth is steadily intensifying deflationary pressure, a fading ability to generate cashflow and a slow, grinding march towards unsustainable debt dynamics. With system-wide leverage already well over 2x the size of the economy and the average interest rate paid by corporates around 7%, nominal GDP growth needs to run well in double-digit territory for debt to be sustainable. Q3 GDP data could show nominal growth slowing to 6-7% with the deflator close to zero or even negative in y/y terms (China: Stumbling & mumbling). Industrial deflation engrained and intensifying These pressures are, of course, not new and China’s state-controlled financial system ensures that its capacity to sustain the Ponzi finance dynamics that artificially elongate the credit cycle remains considerable. The asset-management companies (AMCs), aka China’s ‘bad banks’, have increasingly emerged as credit-risk absorbers and liquidity providers of last resort. Clear evidence of growing deflationary pressure on an economy-wide basis, however, is accruing as growth fades and the diminishing return from stimulus worsens. Producer prices have been falling for over two years, but deflationary pressures at the factory gate are once again intensifying. The output price balance of the HSBC/Markit PMI manufacturing survey, which correlates closely with PPI innovations, signalled industrial deflation was once again intensifying in September. The official data confirmed this, with the PPI sliding by a worse-than-expected 1.8% y/y, extending its run of negative y/y prints to 33 months, already matching the prior ‘record’ of monthly declines set during the Asian crisis. Property prices now also falling at a record rate Developments in the housing market are even more disturbing, with over-supply already producing house-price declines at an annualised pace of 10-12% (Chart 2). As noted, house prices are now falling both at a record pace and in a record number of cities. Given the scale of the required likely flow adjustment (real-estate capex probably needs to fall by at least 3% of GDP) and the likely required stock adjustment (‘shadow inventory’ of 40% of GDP), deflation in the housing market looks virtually certain to intensify near term (China: The real (estate) deal). Chart 1: China’s factory-gate deflation Chart 2: China’s house price deflation Source: Reuters Ecowin Pro, BNP Paribas 1 Source: Reuters Ecowin Pro, BNP Paribas The IMF’s recent Article IV noted that it could only find four credit booms on a similar scale to China’s in the last 50 years. Richard Iley Macro Matters 16 October 2014 14 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Authorities trying to fight housing-market deflation Because of its centrality to the economy (real-estate capex has directly accounted for 23% of all nominal GDP growth over the past three years), the authorities are increasingly alarmed and attempting to combat deflation in the property market by easing restrictions on property purchases in the hope of unleashing any pent-up demand. This is unlikely to work. First, the fundamental mismatch between supply and demand is so egregious that further substantial deflation is virtually guaranteed. Second, deflation is becoming ever more engrained and is likely to be adaptively feeding into expectations. Why buy today when prices will be cheaper tomorrow? Lastly, the amount of ‘pent-up’ demand may be less than assumed. A survey 2 conducted by Southwestern University, as reported by the Peterson Institute , says that Chinese urban household ownership is already at a sky-high 87% and that first-time buyers account for less than one-fifth of housing demand, despite restrictions on second and third home purchases. All told, further deep and rapid house price inflation looks baked in. CPI inflation now also subsiding quickly Deflationary pressures are also beginning to eat into the CPI, which is to a degree insulated by the still relatively healthy services sector. CPI inflation drooped to a 56-month low of 1.6% y/y in September, less than half the authorities’ official target of 3.5%. In line with global food developments (in CNY terms), CPI food inflation (33% of the total) continued to ease, sliding to 2.3% y/y. Outside food, there was strong disinflation in residence prices (15% of the basket) and transportation costs (c.8.5% of the index). The official, ex-food and energy ‘core’ inflation rate slowed to a 20-month low of 1.5%. Three-month annualised growth is a still slower 1.3%. Econometric work helps quantify CPI deflation risk In order to gauge the CPI deflation risk more formally, we use a relatively parsimonious, but powerful, inflation equation (Table 1). With six variables, we can explain more than 90% of the variation in CPI inflation since 2000. All variables are significant and the equation’s ‘errors’ pass most standard diagnostic tests. The output gap of the economy’s industrial sector does considerable work in the equation, helping explain why CPI inflation slipped as industrial growth slowed abruptly in Q3. Inflation expectations, proxied by one-quarter-ahead actual inflation, are also a key driver and provide a degree of stability in inflation outcomes. The other key variables are global food prices in CNY terms (a 10% move reduces CPI inflation by 0.3pp), house prices (a 10% move causes a 0.7pp swing in CPI inflation), oil prices in CNY terms (a 10% shift gives a 0.1pp change in CPI inflation) and the wedge between M2 and M1 money supply, which proxies the relativity of financial conditions (a 10% move sparks an 0.8pp swing in CPI inflation). CPI inflation could tumble as low as ½% by mid-2015 if authorities don’t react The equation suggests that the risk to CPI inflation is already significant. Even on relatively conservative assumptions (industrial output gap stays the same, oil flat at USD 90/bbl, CNY rises by 5% to the end of 2015, global food prices are flat at September’s level, as is the M2/M1 gap, house prices fall 10% by end-2015 and inflation expectations are fixed at 2%), CPI inflation is seemingly on course to fall as low as ½% y/y (Chart 3). The results underscore that the authorities’ policy dilemma continues to intensify and show the urgency of reinvigorating industrial production growth and credit growth and attempting to put a floor under skidding house prices. While the increasing drive to lower domestic rates (and banks’ cost of funding) will remain the first of defence, another engineered CNY depreciation looks inevitable. Table 1: Chinese CPI equation Chart 3: What gives? 9 D e p e n d e n t Va ria b le : C P I (% y/y) S a m p le : 2 0 0 0 Q 1 2 0 1 4 Q 2 Va ria b le O u tp u t g a p (-3 ) B re n t o il (-1 ) G lo b a l fo o d (-1 ) M2 /M1 g a p H o u s e p ric e in fla tio n C P I (1 ) C o e ffic ie n t 0 .3 1 0 .0 1 0 .0 3 0 .0 8 0 .0 7 0 .7 1 Ad ju s te d R -s q u a re d D u rb in -W a ts o n s ta t 0 .9 3 1 .7 8 Sim ulations 7 t-s ta t 4 .4 3 2 .2 3 3 .9 4 4 .6 7 2 .4 4 1 3 .8 8 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 * A ll va ria b le s (e xc e p t t h e o u t p u t g a p & M 2 M 1 g a p ) a re in % y/ y t e rm s O u t p u t g a p , in % d e via t io n f ro m H P t re n d , is b a s e d o n I P M 2 M 1 g a p is y/ y g ro wt h d if f e re n t ia l b e t we e n M 2 & M 1 -3 -4 Source: BNP Paribas CPI(1) 00 01 02 O G (-3) 03 04 O IL(-1) 05 06 FO O D(-1) 07 08 09 M 2M 1G AP 10 11 12 HP 13 M odel 14 15 Source: BNP Paribas 2 http://blogs.piie.com/china/?p=4085 Richard Iley Macro Matters CPI, % y/y 8 16 October 2014 15 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com This section is classified as non-objective research Latam: Who’s afraid of the big, bad Fed? Despite the market’s gyrations this week, we continue to expect the Fed to hike rates slowly from June 2015. Historically, Fed tightening has not been kind to Latam. In Brazil, a rise in Fed rates will conspire with high domestic inflation to force the BCB to increase interest rates. Mexico, however, is likely to sit and wait. Our strategists have estimated how much Latam yield curves are likely to rise with Fed tightening and have suggested trade ideas for capitalising on our macroeconomic views. The trade recommendations included this note were written by Gabriel Gersztein and were previously published on 24 June 2014, 15 August 2014 and 1 October 2014. Be careful what you wish for, as the Fed now knows The US Fed is facing a problem it has wanted to face, but sooner than it would like and for reasons it doesn’t much care for: the economy is approaching full employment. This means rates cannot stay at zero for much longer. The Fed reckons that in the long run, unemployment should stabilise in the range of 5.2-5.5%. The jobless rate has fallen by 1.3pp over the past year and is now at 5.9%, so we will be in the Fed’s range by spring. US near full employment far sooner than expected This has occurred sooner than the Fed had predicted, much sooner, and at a much lower level of output than it had hoped (which is why it had expected to face this problem later). In step with its downward revisions to the unemployment rate have come successive downward revisions to its growth forecasts. Lower-than-expected unemployment, despite weaker-than-expected growth, has come about for two reasons. First, productivity growth has been slow, perhaps because of a lack of investment and because a lot of the new jobs have been low paid (and low productivity). Second, the participation rate has fallen much more than the Fed expected, which it now acknowledges has a very large structural component. The Fed now faces a dilemma The net result is that the Fed is nearing the level of unemployment at which inflation should start to rise, the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (the NAIRU). As noted, it reckons this to be 5.2-5.5%. The OECD says it is 6.1% and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) puts it at 5.5%. The Fed faces a dilemma. If it wants to raise rates in a slow and steady fashion (to avoid a sharp market correction), it needs to raise rates before inflation starts to pick up, or it may see inflation rise more than expected and be backed into a corner and have to hike too fast, risking a financial and economic convulsion. If it goes too soon, however, and the US economy crash lands on take-off, the US may become Japan. On the whole, a bit more inflation is easier to deal with than Japanisation, so the Fed will err on the side of going too late rather than too early. We expect the Fed to hike from June 2015, but slowly As things stand, despite the market’s fluctuations this week, it looks like the Fed will hike in June 2015, which is not too early if it wants to adhere to its excessively low inflation target of 2%, as it will be at the bottom end of its (excessively low?) estimated range for the NAIRU. It will go slowly, as it is unsure how much the economy will respond to higher rates; the ‘taper tantrum’ of last year sounded a cautionary note. The slowing of fiscal tightening means the US economy can accelerate in growth terms despite monetary tightening, as long as the tightening Chart 2: Mexico dynamic response to UST 10y yield 10y yield theoretical path if UST10y yield goes up 50bps by the end of the year 46 50 40 Theoreticsal Impact (bps) on MX 10Y yield from UST 10y yield Theoreticsal Impact (bps) on BR 10Y yield from UST 10y yield Chart 1: Brazil dynamic response to UST 10y yield 35 30 20 10 0 UST goes up in a steady, behaved state If a shock of 50bps take place in 1st week -10 T-2 1 4 7 10 13 40 39 30 31 20 10 0 UST goes up in a steady, behaved state If a shock of 50bps take place in 1st week -10 T-2 Number of w eeks until the end of the year 2014 1 4 7 10 13 Number of w eeks until the end of the year 2014 Source: Bloomberg LLP; BNP Paribas Source: Bloomberg LLP; BNP Paribas Paul Mortimer-Lee, Marcelo Carvalho, Nader Nazmi, Gabriel Gerzstein Macro Matters 10y yield theoretical path if UST10y yield goes up 50bps at the end of the year 50 17 October 2014 16 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com This section is classified as non-objective research is slow and fairly predictable. We expect 2.8% US growth next year, up from 2.1% in 2014. Rate hikes are like roaches: there’s never just one The last Fed hike was in 2006. A lot of market participants have never seen a rate-hiking cycle. Rate hikes are like cockroaches – there’s never just one. This can have a big effect on global risk appetite, with knock-on effects on emerging markets, in general, and Latam, in particular. Latam knows all too well that Fed tightening hurts Indeed, history shows that Fed tightening has not been kind to Latam. In Brazil, Fed tightening is only likely to amplify domestic developments, forcing the BCB to hike interest rates. As we forecast, Brazil’s inflation has proved far worse than many expected. Worryingly, regulated domestic prices (fuel, energy, bus fares) have been kept artificially low. Next year, the inevitable price adjustment will boost inflation. To contain inflationary pressures and repair its credibility, the central bank will have to start raising interest rates again. Against this backdrop, Fed tightening can only strengthen the case for the BCB to resume raising rates. Our aboveconsensus call sees Brazil’s policy rate rising to 13% next year, up 200bp from the current 11%. Brazil will have to raise rates, but Mexico will wait In Mexico, in contrast, we think Banxico will sit and wait. By mid-2015, inflation will be on a clear downtrend. We see CPI inflation falling from 4.1% at end 2014 to 3.4% y/y by June thanks to (1) base effects that will kick in in January due to taxes that came into effect this year and (2) a new government pricing scheme that will fix gasoline inflation at 3.0% y/y, down from double-digit rates in 2014. The economy will also still have slack capacity. Banxico, therefore, will only react to Fed rate hikes if they lead to disorderly adjustments in the local markets. Due to Mexico’s strong fundamentals, we attach a low probability of no more than 10% to such an event. Mexico will only raise rates slightly in late 2015 Evidence of a growing link between US-Latam rates The direction and speed of the UST correction matter There are also increasing links at the front end We think Banxico will remain on the sidelines in the immediate aftermath of the Fed’s first rate hike in June. The steeper local yield curve that is likely to be sparked by the Fed’s tightening will have little impact on activity because domestic credit to the private sector only accounts for 30.6% of GDP. Because of the inflation-output trade-off and USDMXN at an estimated 12.90 or so in H1 2015, Banxico will stay put. We see it removing a bit of its abundant monetary stimulus in Q3 2015, as the output gap gradually moves to zero and the Fed continues to hike. We expect Banxico to raise the policy rate in Q3 2015 in two 25bp increments. Notwithstanding these hikes, Mexico’s monetary and financial conditions will remain expansionary into 2016. From a market perspective, rising US interest rates have historically boosted both the short end and the long end of Latam’s yield curves. Our Latam strategists ran a bivariate value-at-risk (VAR) model to get the impulse-response function to simulate hypothetical moves in US yields and quantify the responses for Brazil and Mexico. In all cases, we found strong statistical evidence of a growing link between US and Latam rates (Charts 1 and 2). It is not only the magnitude of the correction in the 10y UST yield that matters, but also its path and its speed. If 10y UST yields rise by a gradual 50bp, the impact on both Brazil and Mexico’s 10y rates is lower than if the adjustment is sudden. The model also shows considerable inertia in the responses: in both cases, and even after a theoretical stabilisation, local rates continue to inch upwards. The effect lingers for almost nine months in Brazil and six months in Mexico and our results suggest the theoretical long-term impact (permanent shock scenario) would be 1.4 times bigger in Brazil than in Mexico. We looked also at the front end of the local yield curves. Once again, we found strong statistical evidence of an increasing link between the front end of the US and Latam curves. We simulated a scenario under which the Federal Reserve hikes rates by 100bp over a period of four months (25bp a month), using the very short end of the US curve as an explanatory variable. There is also significant inertia in the responses. In both cases, the impact is 40-50bp for the 2y tenor and the bulk of the effect lingers for almost six months in both Brazil and Mexico. We also found statistical evidence that a rise in the 10y UST yield is absorbed and amplified away in both cases. Yet, the Brazil and Mexico’s sensitivity and responses varied. A shock from the UST 10y yield could have different implications for each country, depending on the speed and direction of the correction. Target Latam spreads over UST in the medium term Based on our forecast for the 10y UST yield of 2.9% at year end, we should expect both the long and short ends of the Brazilian and Mexican interest-rate curves to rise. As nominal rates will be increasingly affected, our strategists have recommended targeting the spread over UST in any medium-term strategy. Please see Mexico: TIIE 2s5s flattening out, Mexican Rates: Where you goin’, güey? See also Brazil DI strategy: Receive the belly of the 17/18/21 fly. Paul Mortimer-Lee, Marcelo Carvalho, Nader Nazmi, Gabriel Gerzstein Macro Matters 17 October 2014 17 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Economic calendar: 17 – 24 October HIGH-INCOME ECONOMIES GMT Local Fri 17/10 Spain Norway Eurozone Previous EU, Asian leaders meet in Italy Moody's ratings review Moody's ratings review ECB’s Coeuré speaks in Riga, Latvia ECB Vice-President Constâncio speaks in Frankfurt ECB's Nowotny speaks in Vienna ECB's Weidmann speaks in Riga, Latvia CPI (nsa) m/m: Sep 0.0% CPI y/y: Sep 2.1% CPI index: Sep 125.7 BoC core CPI m/m: Sep 0.5% BoC core CPI y/y: Sep 2.1% Housing starts: Sep 956k Fed Chair Yellen speaks at Boston Fed conference on inequality Michigan sentiment (prel): Oct 84.6 Forecast Consensus 06:45 07:45 08:00 09:00 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 13:55 09:45 09:45 10:00 12:00 08:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 09:55 12:30 08:30 08:00 10:00 07:30 09:30 Tue 21/10 14:00 10:00 US Existing home sales: Sep 5.05mn 5.10mn 5.09mn Wed 22/10 23:50 (21/10) 00:30 08:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 14:00 14:00 08:50 Japan Trade balance (nsa): Sep JPY -949.7bn JPY-836.4bn JPY-773.0bn 11:30 09:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 10:00 10:00 Australia UK US 0.5% 0.6% - -0.2% 1.7% 237.852 0.0% 1.7% 1.00% 0.1% 1.7% 238.120 0.2% 1.8% 1.00% 0.0% 1.6% 0.2% 1.8% 1.00% 06:45 07:00 08:00 08:00 08:00 14:00 08:00 08:30 08:30 12:30 13:45 08:45 09:00 10:00 10:00 10:00 16:00 10:00 09:30 09:30 08:30 09:45 France Spain Eurozone 96 24.5% 50.3 52.4 52.0 -11.4 96 24.3% 50.1 52.2 51.8 -12.5 50.0 52.0 -12.0 0.2% 4.5% 264k 57.5 0.4% 3.7% 285k 57.0 57.5 06:00 08:00 8.3 8.0 8.1 102.0 99.0 - Sat 18/10 Mon 20/10 Thu 23/10 Canada US Eurozone US 0.1% 2.0% 0.2% 2.1% 1008k 84.0 84.0 ECB's Visco speaks in Bologna, Italy Boston Fed's Rosengren speaks at Boston Fed conference on inequality ECB's Coeuré speaks at OMFIF policy group roundtable in London Current account (sa): Aug EUR 18.7bn EUR 19.0bn Germany Bundesbank monthly report Netherlands Consumer confidence: Oct -7 -7 Eurozone Fri 24/10 Canada Norway UK US Germany Italy 10:00 12:00 CPI q/q: Q3 BoE MPC minutes CPI m/m: Sep CPI y/y: Sep CPI (nsa): Sep Core CPI m/m: Sep Core CPI y/y: Sep BoC monetary policy announcement BoC monetary policy report Industry survey: Oct Unemployment rate q/q: Q3 PMI manufacturing (flash): Oct PMI services (flash): Oct PMI composite (flash): Oct Consumer sentiment: Oct Norges Bank rate announcement Retail sales ex fuel m/m: Sep Retail sales ex fuel y/y: Sep Initial claims Markit US PMI (prel): Oct Moody’s ratings review GfK consumer confidence: Nov Fitch ratings review ISAE consumer confidence: Oct Market Economics Macro Matters 0.1% 2.1% 125.8 0.2% 2.1% 1000k - 16 October 2014 18 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Economic calendar: 17 – 24 October (cont) HIGH-INCOME ECONOMIES GMT Fri 24/10 (cont) 08:20 08:30 08:30 13:00 14:00 Local 10:20 09:30 09:30 15:00 10:00 Previous Spain Eurozone UK Belgium US Fitch ratings review ECB's Praet speaks in Milan, Italy GDP (prel) q/q: Q3 GDP (prel) y/y: Q3 Business confidence: Oct New home sales: Sep Sat 25/10 Eurozone ECB's Visco speaks in Philadelphia, PA Sun 26/10 Eurozone Clocks go back one hour Eurozone EU leaders hold summit in Brussels During week 23-24/10 0.9% 3.2% -7.2 504k Forecast 0.7% 3.0% -7.0 460k Consensus 0.7% 3.0% 473k Release dates and forecasts as of close of business prior to the date of publication; see Daily Macro Monitor for any revisions Source: BNP Paribas, Reuters, Bloomberg, national statistics, central banks, ratings agencies ASIA GMT Local Fri 17/10 00:30 09:00 08:30 17:00 Singapore Malaysia Tue 21/10 02:00 02:00 02:00 02:00 10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00 China 01:45 08:00 08:00 08:00 09:45 16:00 16:00 16:00 Philippines 23:00 23:00 (23/10) 08:00 S. Korea 05:00 13:00 05:00 13:00 Thu 23/10 Fri 24/10 During 24-27/10 Previous Holiday China Taiwan 08:00 Vietnam Singapore NODX y/y: Sep CPI y/y: Sep Consensus 6.5% 2.6% 2.9% 2.6% 16.5% 11.9% 6.9% 7.5% 16.4% 11.6% 8.0% 7.1% 16.3% 11.7% 7.5% 7.2% 50.2 1.4% 7.0% 50.4 -0.8% 8.6% - GDP (prel) q/q: Q3 0.5% 0.7% - GDP (prel) y/y: Q3 3.5% 3.3% 3.3% CPI y/y: Oct CPI y/y: Sep 3.6% 0.9% 4.2% 3.2% 0.8% 2.0% - USD 1.2bn USD 1.7bn - Urban FAI (ytd) y/y: Sep Retail sales y/y: Sep Industrial production y/y: Sep GDP y/y: Q3 India, Malaysia, Singapore HSBC PMI manufacturing (flash): Oct Industrial production m/m: Sep Industrial production y/y: Sep BSP rate announcement Industrial production y/y: Sep Thailand Forecast 6.0% 3.3% Trade balance: Sep Week Release dates and forecasts as of close of business prior to the date of publication Source: BNP Paribas, Reuters, Bloomberg, national statistics, central banks, ratings agencies For our four-week calendar, please click here Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 19 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Economic calendar: 17 – 24 October (cont) CEEMEA GMT Local Fri 17/10 Previous Russia Czech Rep. Wed 22/10 Thu 23/10 Real wages y/y: Sep Retail sales y/y: Sep Unemployment rate: Sep Moody’s ratings review Industrial production y/y: Sep PPI y/y: Sep 12:00 12:00 14:00 14:00 08:00 08:00 12:00 12:00 10:00 South Africa CPI m/m: Sep 10:00 CPI y/y: Sep 14:00 Medium-term budget policy statement 14:00 Main budget deficit (% GDP): 2014/15 08:00 08:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 10:00 10:00 14:00 14:00 14:00 14:00 Poland Poland Turkey Russia Fri 24/10 Retail sales y/y: Sep Unemployment rate: Sep CBRT one-week repo rate CBRT overnight borrowing rate CBRT o/n lending rate to primary dealers CBRT overnight lending rate Forecast Consensus 1.4% 1.4% 4.8% 1.2% 1.7% 5.0% 1.2% 1.5% 5.0% -1.9% -1.5% 4.0% -1.7% 2.7% -1.5% 0.4% 6.4% 0.2% 6.1% - -4.7% -5.0% - 1.7% 11.7% 8.25% 7.50% 10.75% 11.25% 3.9% 11.7% 8.25% 7.50% 10.75% 11.25% 2.4% 11.6% - S&P ratings review Release dates and forecasts as of close of business prior to the date of publication; (p) = preliminary; (r) = revised Source: BNP Paribas, national statistics, ratings agencies, central banks, Bloomberg, Reuters LATIN AMERICA GMT Local Mon 20/10 21:00 16:00 Colombia Previous Tue 21/10 12:00 12:00 09:00 09:00 Brazil Wed 22/10 13:00 19:00 08:00 16:00 Mexico Argentina Retail sales y/y: Aug Trade balance: Sep Thu 23/10 12:00 19:00 19:00 09:00 16:00 16:00 Brazil Argentina Unemployment rate: Sep Economic activity index m/m: Aug Economic activity index y/y: Aug Fri 24/10 13:00 13:30 13:30 08:00 10:30 10:30 Mexico Brazil Trade balance: Aug IBGE inflation IPCA-15 m/m: Oct IBGE inflation IPCA-15 y/y: Oct Economic activity IGAE y/y: Aug Current account balance: Sep FDI: Sep Forecast Consensus USD -779.40 - - 0.39% 6.62% 0.51% 6.65% - 2.0% USD 0.9bn 4.4% - - 5.0% 0.1% 0.0% 5.0% - - 2.5% USD -5.5bn USD 6.8bn 2.6% USD -6.8bn USD 3.5bn 2.0% - Release dates and forecasts as of close of business prior to the date of publication: See Daily Latam Spotlight for any revision Source: BNP Paribas, Reuters, Bloomberg, national statistics, central banks, ratings agencies For our four-week calendar, please click here Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 20 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: Europe Eurozone: ‘Flash’ composite PMI (October) BNP Paribas forecast: Down again 59 0.6 GDP % q/q 0.4 baseline +/‐0.5*RMSE Composite PMI (RHS) 56 0.2 53 0.0 50 ‐0.2 47 ‐0.4 44 ‐0.6 Mar‐12 41 Sep‐12 Mar‐13 Sep‐13 Mar‐14 Sep‐14 Mar‐15 Sep‐15 Index Composite PMI Manufacturing PMI Services PMI Oct (f) 51.8 50.1 Sep 52.0 50.3 Aug 52.5 50.7 Jul 53.8 51.8 52.2 52.4 53.1 54.2 RELEASE DATE: Thursday 23 October The eurozone ‘flash’ composite PMI is likely to continue its downward trend in October. We expect it to decline to 51.8 from 52 in September. The services PMI is likely to slip lower as weak manufacturing spills over to the domestic economy. This will reinforce concern that eurozone growth may dip. However, sentiment and growth are not perfectly correlated. PMI levels around 51.5 on a four-quarter average would still be in line with some growth. Source: Reuters EcoWin Pro, Markit UK: Retail sales (September) BNP Paribas forecast: Continued recovery % Sales excluding fuel (m/m) Sales excluding fuel (y/y) Sep (f) 0.4 3.7 Aug Jul Jun 0.2 4.5 0.4 3.4 -0.1 3.7 RELEASE DATE: Thursday 23 October UK retail sales growth went through a soft patch in the middle of the year following some exceptional strength in late 2013 and early 2014. However, it has recovered through Q3 thanks to a strong labour market and falling inflation, which is helping real incomes. In line with a solid labour market, consumer confidence remains high and consistent with robust retail spending growth. One possible headwind is the softening of the housing market, but overall, we expect the recovery from earlier soft readings to continue. Source: Macrobond, ONS UK: GDP (Q3 2014) BNP Paribas forecast: Solid growth % GDP growth (q/q) GDP growth (y/y) Q3 (f) 0.7 3.0 Q2 Q1 Q4 0.9 3.2 0.7 2.9 0.6 2.7 RELEASE DATE: Friday 24 October Monthly data on services, industrial and construction output suggest that the UK economy expanded by 0.7% q/q in Q3. While this is a touch slower than in Q2, growth will still be comfortably above trend. Industrial production growth has been soft over the quarter. Construction output fell sharply in August, but given the strength of confidence in the sector, it is likely to have rebounded in September. The service sector is expected to have grown at a similar pace to that seen in H1 2014. Source: Macrobond, ONS Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 21 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: North America US: Housing starts (September) BNP Paribas forecast: Modest pick-up 000s, saar Sep (f) Aug Jul Jun 1,000 956 1,117 909 Housing starts RELEASE DATE: Friday 17 October We expect housing starts to have picked up in September, to a solid 1.0 million units saar, after August’s large drop. In July, building permits increased to over 1.0 million units and remained high in August. As such, we are expecting this to support the expected strength in starts in September. Residential construction hours worked showed a slight pick-up in September, also supporting our forecast for an improvement in starts. Source: Census Bureau, Reuters EcoWin Pro, BNP Paribas Canada: CPI (September) 6 % y/y 5 BNP Paribas forecast: Modest increase % m/m Headline 4 2 1 0 BoC core -2 Jan 00 Jan 02 BoC target bands Jan 04 Jan 06 Jan 08 Jan 10 Aug Jul Jun 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 RELEASE DATE: Friday 17 October Unadjusted prices are expected to have ticked up 0.1% m/m in September, while seasonally-adjusted inflation likely increased 0.2%. Gasoline prices were down 0.8% in the month, but core prices are expected to have largely offset this impact with a relatively firm print. Both the headline and core annual inflation rates likely held firm at 2.1% y/y. 3 -1 Sep (f) Headline CPI Bank of Canada core Nominal wages Jan 12 Jan 14 Source: Statistics Canada, Bank of Canada, Reuters EcoWin Pro, BNP Paribas US: U of Mich. consumer sentiment (October, prelim.) 150 Real PCE (% 3m/3m saar, RHS) 130 Conference Board consumer confidence (index) BNP Paribas forecast: Still elevated 10 8 110 6 90 4 70 2 50 0 -2 30 10 -10 Jan 00 University of Michigan consumer sentiment (index) Jan 02 Jan 04 Jan 06 -4 Jan 08 Jan 10 Jan 12 Jan 14 -6 Michigan sentiment Oct (p) H2 Sep Sep (p) Sep 84.0 84.6 84.6 84.6 RELEASE DATE: Friday 17 October Due to recent mixed data signals, we expect the University of Michigan index to have pulled-back to 84.0 in the first half of October, from 84.6 in H2 September. Equities started the month on a soft note and earnings reports were subdued; while employment data were strong and gasoline prices continue to fall. The retracing in the weekly Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index is consistent with our view for confidence to moderate in October. Source: University of Michigan, Bloomberg, Reuters EcoWin Pro, BNP Paribas US: Existing and new home sales (September) 1000 BNP Paribas forecast: Steady and retracing Thousands of homes, SAAR Existing home sales (mn, saar) New home sales (000s, saar) 900 800 700 600 New single-family home sales 500 400 300 200 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 Sep(f) Aug Jul Jun 5.10 460 5.05 504 5.14 427 5.03 419 RELEASE DATE: Tuesday 21 & Friday 24 October Existing home sales are projected to have increased modestly in September, to 5.10 million units (saar), just above their three-month average trend. Contract signings, which typically lag resales by one-totwo months, declined in August, but had strengthened in July. Following August’s 18% m/m surge, new home sales likely retreated considerably in September, in line with the recent weakness in mortgage applications. 14 Source: Census Bureau, Haver Analytics, BNP Paribas Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 22 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: North America (cont) US: Consumer price index (September) BNP Paribas forecast: Core rebound Sep (f) Aug 238.120 0.12 237.852 -0.20 Core CPI (% m/m, sa) % NSA CPI Index CPI (% m/m, sa) 0.3 12 month average gain (% m/m) 0.2 Sep forecast 0.18 0.1 0.0 Dec 11 Jun 12 Dec 12 Jun 13 Dec 13 Jun 14 Jul Jun 238.250 0.09 238.343 0.26 CPI (% y/y, nsa) 1.7 1.7 2.0 2.1 Core (% m/m, sa) 0.18 0.01 0.10 0.13 Core (% y/y, nsa) 1.8 1.7 1.9 1.9 RELEASE DATE: Wednesday 22 October We project that headline consumer prices increased modestly in September, reflecting a rebound in core prices following August’s slump and a small gain in food prices. A modest 1.1% m/m drop in seasonally-adjusted gasoline prices is projected to partially offset increases in non-energy prices. Source: BLS, Haver Analytics, BNP Paribas. Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 23 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: Asia Malaysia: CPI inflation (September) 30 BNP Paribas forecast: Base effects drop out 70 % 3 M /3 M s a a r 65 20 60 10 M a la y s ia P P I 0 55 50 M a la y s ia C P I 45 -1 0 -3 0 40 C h in a P M I O u tp u t P ric e s , 3 m m a (R H S ) -2 0 35 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 30 14 % y/y CPI inflation Sep (f) 2.6 Aug 3.3 Jul 3.2 Jun 3.3 RELEASE DATE: Friday 17 October September CPI inflation should have eased markedly to 2.6% y/y from 3.3% y/y in August. We see core inflation being unchanged at 2.8% y/y. With the base effects of September 2013’s fuel price hike dropping out of the equation, inflation should better reflect underlying inflationary pressures, at least until further fuel-subsidy rationalisation occurs. Food prices should have remained stable at 3.3% y/y, while gains in transport prices should have fallen below 1% y/y from 5.5% in August. The sharp drop in inflation should ease any lingering pressure on the BNM to tighten policy, allowing it to keep rates unchanged. Source: CEIC, BNP Paribas China: FAI and non-property FAI (September) BNP Paribas forecast: No bottom yet % y/y Fixed-asset investment (YTD %) 60 Infrastructure 40 FAI growth Property 30 20 10 0 -10 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 Aug 16.5 Jul 17.0 Jun 17.3 RELEASE DATE: Tuesday 21 October Property has been the major culprit behind China’s investment slowdown so far this year. Most local administrations relaxed homepurchase restrictions in August, but it seems that reinvigorating impact on sales was fairly muted. Infrastructure growth softened in July and August, undermined, perhaps, by tight credit conditions and more constraints on localgovernment borrowing. Manufacturing investment growth may have slowed further, too, due to intensive PPI deflation and deteriorating profitability. 50 Manufacturing Sep (f) 16.4 12 13 14 Source: NBS China: Nominal and real retail sales (September) 24 BNP Paribas forecast: More softness % y/y Retail sales growth (YTD %) 22 Nominal retail sales 20 18 16 14 12 10 Real retail sales 8 6 4 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Sep (f) Aug Jul Jun 11.6 11.9 12.2 12.4 RELEASE DATE: Tuesday 21 October Nominal retail sales growth is a function of two factors: the real growth rate and inflation. We expect China’s real growth rate to have held steady in September, thanks to robust household income growth and a resilient job market. Meanwhile, retail price inflation is likely to have softened, as CPI inflation dipped to a 56-month low of 1.6% y/y. Sales of home goods, such as furniture and appliances, were probably subdued, owning to the slump in property sales. Source: NBS China: PMI and industrial production (September) CFLP PMI (%, leading 2m, LHS) 60 BNP Paribas forecast: A small rebound 24 HSBC PMI (%, leading 2m, LHS) 20 55 16 50 12 45 IP growth (% y/y, RHS) 40 35 Apr-05 8 4 Jun-06 Aug-07 Oct-08 Dec-09 Mar-11 May-12 Jul-13 Sep-14 % y/y Industrial production Sep (f) Aug Jul Jun 8.0 6.9 9.0 9.2 RELEASE DATE: Tuesday 21 October China’s CFLP PMI remained flat at 51.1 in September, with output jumping to 53.6 from 53.2. The HSBC PMI staged a small rebound to 50.5 from 50.2, indicating that underlying momentum has improved. Moreover, base effects for September will be slightly better more favourable than in August, as industrial production growth moderated to 10.2% in September 2013 from 10.4% in August. 0 Source: NBS Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 24 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: Asia (cont) China: GDP growth (Q3) BNP Paribas forecast: Weaker again % y/y 13 GDP growth 12 GDP growth (% y/y) 11 10 GDP growth (% q/q SAAR) 9 8 7 2Q14 3Q14E 1Q14 4Q13 3Q13 2Q13 1Q13 4Q12 3Q12 2Q12 1Q12 4Q11 3Q11 2Q11 1Q11 4Q10 3Q10 1Q10 5 2Q10 6 Q3 (f) 7.1 Q2 Q1 Q4 7.5 7.4 7.7 RELEASE DATE: Tuesday 21 October Given the poor activity growth data for July and August, especially for industrial production, GDP growth should have weakened again in Q3. On a y/y basis, we estimate GDP growth to have declined to 7.1% y/y from 7.5% y/y in Q2. On a seasonally adjusted q/q basis, GDP growth probably softened to 1.7% from 2% in Q2. The sluggish growth is likely to prompt the authorities to keep monetary policy conditions loose and embark on more mini-stimulus in order to achieve their GDP growth target of “close to 7.5%” GDP growth. Source: NBS Japan: Trade balance (September) BNP Paribas forecast: Trade gap to shrink JPY bn Trade balance (nsa) Trade balance (sa) (sa, JPY billion ) 1500 1000 0 -500 -1000 -1500 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 Aug -949.7 -924.2 Jul Jun -962.1 -1021.8 -828.5 -1069.5. RELEASE DATE: Wednesday 22 October We expect the deficits in both Japan’s seasonally adjusted trade account and unadjusted (original series) account to have shrunk in September from August. On a seasonally adjusted basis, nominal exports appear to have expanded and outpaced the gains expected in nominal imports. Real exports are also likely to have increased for the first time in two months. However, the tone of real exports remains muted, owing to Japan’s reduced productive capacity. 500 -2000 Sep (f) -836.4 -793.4 14 Source: MoF, BNP Paribas South Korea: GDP (preliminary, Q3) BNP Paribas forecast: Downside risk % GDP growth (q/q) GDP growth (y/y) Q3 (f) 0.7 3.3 Q2 Q1 Q4 0.5 3.3 0.9 4.0 0.9 3.6 RELEASE DATE: Friday 24 October Q2 GDP growth was held back by a decline in consumer sentiment and household consumption (-0.2% q/q), attributed in part to the sinking of the Sewol in April. More recently, consumer sentiment has recovered somewhat and department-store sales have been robust. Export growth was steady through Q3. On balance, we see sequential growth picking up in Q3, though still subdued business confidence suggests the risks are skewed to the downside. Source: Reuters EcoWin Pro, BNP Paribas Singapore: CPI inflation (September) 12 BNP Paribas forecast: Core holding up % y/y CPI inflation % 3m th avg/3m th avg sa an nualised 10 8 CPI 6 4 2 C o re C P I 0 -2 -4 -6 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Sep (f) Aug Jul Jun 0.8 0.9 1.2 1.8 RELEASE DATE: Friday 24 October Singaporean CPI inflation is likely to have eased to 0.8% y/y in September from 0.9% y/y in August. Despite continuing sequential gains in the price of certificates of entitlement (COE), downward pressure on global oil prices should push transport prices further into negative territory on a y/y basis. Meanwhile, the pass-through from a slight weakening of the SGD should keep food price gains stable at 2.9% y/y. The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s preferred measure of core inflation, with excludes accommodation and private road transport, should be 2.0% y/y, unchanged from August. Source: CEIC, BNP Paribas Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 25 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: Asia (cont) Singapore: Industrial production (September) 4 BNP Paribas forecast: Digging deeper 60 S ta n d a rd d e via tio n fro m m e a n IP e x-b io m e d , 3 40 2 20 1 0 0 -1 -2 0 -2 -4 -4 0 H S B C C h in a P M I, la g g e d 3 m o n th s -3 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 -6 0 % y/y Industrial production Sep (f) Aug Jul Jun 2.0 4.2 3.0 0.8 RELEASE DATE: Friday 24 October Singaporean industrial production is likely to have grown 2.0% y/y in September, slower than the 4.2% y/y rise seen in August. Although PMI data indicate that recent sequential gains in electronics output may have continued, base effects are likely to have been more challenging in September. As a result, electronics output is likely to have softened to around 2.5% y/y. A further sequential pullback in pharmaceuticals seems likely given the cluster’s repeated ebb and flow. However favourable base effects make a double-digit headline gain likely, lending significant support to the headline. Still, such a superficial lift is likely to be laid bare by industrial production ex-biomed slipping back into negative territory. Source: CEIC, BNP Paribas Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 26 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: CEEMEA Poland: Industrial production (September) BNP Paribas forecast: Stronger % y/y Industrial production Sep (f) 4.0 Aug Jul Jun -1.9 2.4 1.8 RELEASE DATE: Friday 17 October We expect Polish industrial production to have risen 4% y/y in September after an almost 2% contraction in August. The rebound will have stemmed chiefly from a working-days effect and a resumption of production in the automotive sector, which saw a marked 30% y/y slump in output in August, due to the impact of the summer holiday break. Although, the impact of the bilateral EU-Russian sanctions will weigh on the Polish economic outlook in the months ahead, the leading indicators suggest that the country’s industrial output dynamics should remain pretty decent over the coming months. Source: GUS, Reuters EcoWin Pro Poland: Retail sales (September) BNP Paribas forecast: Stronger % y/y Retail sales Sep (f) Aug Jul Jun 3.9 1.7 2.1 1.2 RELEASE DATE: Friday 17 October We expect Polish nominal retail sales to have risen 3.9% y/y in September, up from August’s 1.7% y/y. The robust situation on the labour market, coupled with a lack of price pressures, should bolster household disposable income over the coming months. After a short-lived correction, consumer confidence is now heading north again. Against this backdrop, we expect private consumption to remain the key driver of Polish economic growth over the coming months. Source: GUS, Reuters EcoWin Pro South Africa: CPI inflation (September) 9 Headline CPI (% y/y) BNP Paribas forecast: Lower % y/y Consumer price inflation Core CPI 8 Aug Jul Jun 6.4 6.3 6.6 RELEASE DATE: Wednesday 22 October We expect South African headline consumer price inflation to moderate to 6.1% y/y in September from 6.4% in August on the back of softer y/y growth in fuel and food prices. On the month, the CPI is likely to have ticked up 0.2%, thanks to a rise in quarterly surveyed prices of owner-equivalent rent and domestic worker wages. We expect September core inflation to have climbed to 5.9% y/y. 7 6 5 4 3 2 Sep (f) 6.1 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: Stats SA, BNP Paribas Cadiz South Africa: Main budget deficit (2014/15) BNP Paribas forecast: Slower consolidation % of GDP Main budget deficit -3.0 -3.5 2013/14* -4.7 2014/15* 2015/16* 2016/17* -5.0 -4.5 -3.7 RELEASE DATE: Wednesday 22 October South Africa’s starkly weaker economic environment than that estimated by the government in February is likely to prompt the National Treasury to slow its budget deficit-consolidation profile, boosting the estimated gap by 0.3-0.4pp a year over the course of the medium-term expenditure framework. -4.0 -4.5 -5.0 -5.5 Main Budget bal (% GDP) - Feb 2014 BNP Cadiz estimated main budget balance (% GDP) 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 Source: Stats SA, BNP Paribas Cadiz Market Economics CEEMEAnomics 16 October 2014 27 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Key data preview: Latam Mexico: Retail sales (August) BNP Paribas forecast: Rising Consumer confidence 20% 8% 10% 4% 0% 0% -10% -20% -30% Jan-07 -4% Retail sales (rhs) Jul-08 Jan-10 Jul-11 Jan-13 -8% Jul-14 % y/y Retail sales Aug (f) Jul Jun May 4.4 2.0 1.1 1.6 RELEASE DATE: Wednesday 22 October We expect retail sales growth to have accelerated to 4.4% y/y in August, from.2.0% in July. Sales at Antad affiliates and WalMex rose at a robust pace during the month. Strong sales in the auto sector likely provided additional support. August’s retail sales buoyancy will likely be short-lived, as preliminary September data point to a sharp slowdown. Consumer confidence is recovering, but from a low base; while consumer credit growth has been subdued. Source: Inegi and BNP Paribas Mexico: Global economic indicator (August) 3mma q/q sa (%) 2 1 110 105 0 -1 Level -2 100 95 -3 -4 BNP Paribas forecast: Recovering 115 3 Jun Dec Jun Dec Jun Dec Jun Dec Jun Dec Jun 09 09 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 90 % y/y IGAE Aug (f) Jul Jun May 2.6 2.5 2.7 1.7 RELEASE DATE: Friday 24 October We forecast a 2.6% y/y rise in August’s GDP proxy (IGAE), broadly in line with IGAE’s June and July growth rates. Industrial production increased only 1.4% y/y in the month, keeping the growth of the secondary sector in check. We have pencilled in growth of 3.1% y/y in the services sector, up from 2.5% in July. If our IGAE August growth projection is correct, real GDP growth’s 3mma would have accelerated to 2.6% y/y, its fastest pace since January 2013. Source: INEGI, BNP Paribas Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 28 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Central bank watch EUROPE Interest rate Current rate (%) Date of last change Next change in coming six months 0.05 -10bp (4/9/14) No change The communication at the 4 September press conference was definitive that the ECB’s policy rates have now reached the lower bound. The ECB’s balance sheet will, therefore, be the focus of additional policy easing. 0.5 -50bp (5/3/09) +25bp (5/2/15) The economy is growing well and the labour market is tightening. However, wage growth is lagging and this means the BoE will wait until Q1 2015 to deliver its first rate hike. We see rates rising by 25bp per quarter in 2015. 0.25 -50bp (3/7/14) No change The Riksbank has increased its focus on deflationary risks, cutting rates by 50bp in July. With the lower bound now reached, policy looks to be on hold. 1.50 -25bp (14/3/12) No change The Norwegian economy is fairly anaemic, but with inflation not far from target, Norges Bank is constrained. We do not expect a change in policy until 2015. 0-0.25 -50bp (3/8/11) No change The SNB maintains a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 to the euro. We do not expect a shift in the policy stance, but the economy is at risk of entering a protracted period of deflation. Comments EUROZONE Refinancing rate UK Bank rate SWEDEN Repo rate NORWAY Sight deposit rate SWITZERLAND 3m LIBOR target range NORTH AMERICA Current rate (%) Date of last change Next change in coming six months Fed funds rate 0-0.25 -75bp (16/12/08) No change Discount rate 0.75 +25bp (18/2/10) No change Interest rate Comments US We expect the FOMC to taper the last USD 15bn of its QE purchases at its October meeting. With slightly higher inflation and better growth, the Fed funds target range is likely to increase to 0.25-0.50% in Q2 2015, with help from the IOER and reverse repo rates. We expect the Fed to begin a controlled reduction of its balance sheet in early 2016. CANADA +25bp (8/9/10) +25bp (8/9/10) No change Current rate (%) Date of last change Next change in coming six months 0-0.10 -10bp (5/10/10) No change 0.30 -20bp (19/12/08) No change 2.50 -25bp (6/8/13) No change Overnight rate 1.00 Bank rate 1.25 No change Underlying inflation is stubbornly low as the Canadian economy remains well below potential, with a sizable output gap. We believe inflation will pick up as growth improves, albeit slowly, and do not expect a rate hike until Q1 2016. ASIA Interest rate Comments JAPAN Call rate Basic loan rate Inflation is likely to ease in H2 2014 as the impact of past yen depreciation fades. However, with the slack in the economy having largely disappeared, any additional easing is unlikely. We expect the BoJ to relax its stance on the timing of achieving 2% inflation and to prolong its current policy into 2015. AUSTRALIA Cash rate Low inflation and a strong AUD led the RBA to cut the cash rate to a record low in August. With policy guidance dialled back to neutral, our base case now assumes a long period of stable policy rates. Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 29 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Central bank watch (cont) ASIA (cont) Interest rate Current rate (%) Date of last change Next change in coming six months Comments 3.00 -25bp (5/7/12) No change The PBoC has defied expectations of a general cut in the RRR or the benchmark interest rate. It has chosen instead to undertake targeted RRR cuts and selective re-lending programmes to channel credit to preferred policy areas. We continue to expect more selective monetary easing. 0.50 -100bp (17/12/08) No change The HKMA base rate moves in step with the US Fed funds rate given the currency board. We do not expect the Fed to raise rates for the next couple of years, implying no change in Hong Kong rates. 8.00 +25bp (28/1/14) No change CPI’s faster-than-expected falls of late have knocked out the latent risk of any further tightening by RBI this year. However, elevated inflation expectations and the extremely insufficient monsoon rains to date leave inflation risks still skewed to the upside. There is no scope for any policy easing by the RBI. 7.50 +25bp (12/11/13) No change With improved monetary policy discipline, narrowing external deficits, a natural downturn in the domestic credit cycle and a benign outlook for inflation, we have withdrawn the 50bp of hikes previously pencilled into our forecasts and now expect BI to remain on hold for the remainder of 2014. 3.25 +25bp (10/7/14) No change Although weak underlying price momentum and an impending slowdown in GDP growth would normally suggest a bias to cut interest rates, financial stability concerns now drive policy. Early indications of a slowdown in household borrowing should give BNM scope to leave rates unchanged for some time. 4.00 +25bp (11/9/14) (Q1 2015) – (13/4/12) No change MAS maintained its SGD NEER policy settings at its April 2014 meeting. A tight labour market has ensured underlying inflationary pressures persist. This, plus above-trend growth, suggests the MAS will retain a tightening policy bias. 2.25 -25bp (14/8/14) No change The BoK succumbed to political pressure in August, cutting the policy rate for the first time in 15 months, by 25bp. However, with more pertinent forward indicators suggesting that aggregate growth is set to pick up in the coming quarters, we now expect rates to remain on hold for some time. 1.875 +12.5bp (30/6/11) No change The upswing in US domestic demand bodes well for Taiwan’s GDP growth outlook. Inflation remains low, however, giving the CBC scope to leave rates on hold for the foreseeable future. 2.00 -25bp (12/3/14) No change Greater certainty about the fiscal outlook following May’s military coup has improved consumer and business sentiment and markedly reduced the need for further monetary easing. Conversely, though, core inflation is rising. Thailand’s negative output gap should keep it within target, limiting the need for tightening. CHINA 1y bank deposit rate HONG KONG HKMA base rate INDIA Repo rate INDONESIA 1m BI rate MALAYSIA Overnight policy rate PHILIPPINES Overnight borrowing rate +25bp With M3 money supply and credit growth momentum on the rebound, a further 25bp hike in the SDA rate, taking it to 2.75%, appears imminent. The BSP may, however, delay further hikes in the OBR until Q1 2015, as an expected decline in headline CPI should help contain inflation expectations. SINGAPORE SOUTH KOREA Seven-day repo rate TAIWAN Discount rate on 10day loans THAILAND One-day repo rate CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST Interest rate Current rate (%) Date of last change Next change in coming six months Comments 0.05 -20bp (1/11/12) No change The CNB’s current policy is to intervene in the FX market, targeting EURCZK at 27.0 until inflation rises to the 2% target. This will fend off deflationary risk, but may hurt domestic demand, delaying a broader-based economic recovery. CZECH REPUBLIC Repo rate Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 30 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Central bank watch (cont) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST (cont) Interest rate Current rate (%) Date of last change Next change in coming six months Comments 2.10 -20bp (22/7/14) No change The NBH cut rates by 20bp in July, by more than expected, and announced the end of its monetary easing cycle. Barring any surprises on the growth or inflation fronts, we expect interest rates to remain unchanged for several months. 2.00 -50bp (8/10/14) 8.00 +50bp (25/7/14) (31/10/14) 5.75 +25bp (17/7/14) +25bp (20/11/14) 8.25% -50bp (17/07/14) - -75bp (27/08/14) -75bp (27/08/14) - HUNGARY Base rate POLAND Repo rate As we expected, the NBP cut rates by 50bp in October. With a lack of inflationary pressure and slowing economic growth, we see a further 50bp in rate cuts by the end of Q1 2015, with the next move likely to be a 25bp reduction in November. -25bp (5/11/14) RUSSIA Repo rate Stubbornly high inflation and the EU-Russian sanctions are lifting Russia’s risk premium and hurting the RUB, increasing the odds of more monetary tightening. Against this backdrop, we expect a 50bp rate hike to be delivered before the end of the year, most probably at the October meeting. +50bp SOUTH AFRICA Repo rate We expect the SARB to deliver one more 25bp rate hike in November this year as it seeks to stay ahead of the curve and keep inflation expectations anchored, while remaining sensitive to the weaker economic environment. TURKEY One-week repo rate Overnight lending rate to PDs Overnight lending rate to non-PDs 10.75% 11.25% Because of the continued depreciation pressure on the TRY, the CBRT has started to utilise the interest-rate corridor. By squeezing TRY liquidity, the CBRT has been forcing primary dealers to tap the overnight borrowing facility at 10.75% and the rest of the market to borrow at 11.25%. - LATIN AMERICA Interest rate Current rate (%) Date of last change Next change in coming six months Comments 11.00 +25bp (2/4/14) +50bp (22/1/15) The BCB paused its tightening cycle in May, leaving the Selic rate at 11%. The central bank won’t be able to keep rates on hold for long, though. High inflation will force it to resume raising rates later, probably in Q1 next year. 3.25 -25bp (11/9/14) -25bp (16/10/14) The Chilean central bank is likely to deliver a final 25bp rate cut in October. After that, it will likely remain on hold to assess how the stimulus is helping Chile’s weak economy. We forecast a flat policy rate of 3% through end 2015. 4.50 +25bp (29/8/14) No change BanRep ended its rate normalisation process with a 25bp hike in August, we believe. We think the board will stay on hold from here, as the policy rate has probably reached its neutral level. 3.00 -50bp (6/6/14) No change Banxico’s recent communications, including the quarterly inflation report, have underscored its neutral policy stance. With growth set to rebound and inflation stuck above target, we expect Banxico to remain on hold until Q3 2015. 3.50 -25bp (11/9/14) No change The bank has used its two Q3 windows of opportunity to bring the real policy rate closer to zero without compromising its inflation target. We think the bank is done cutting and that the next rate move will be a hike next year. BRAZIL Selic overnight rate CHILE Overnight rate COLOMBIA Overnight rate MEXICO Overnight rate PERU Overnight rate Source: BNP Paribas, BNP Paribas Cadiz, TEB, national central banks Market Economics Macro Matters 16 October 2014 31 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Economic forecasts (GDP and CPI) Table 2: CPI forecasts (% y/y) (1) Table 1: GDP forecasts (% y/y) 2012 World (2) Advanced (2) Emerging & developing G7 (2) Asia ex Japan (2) CEE and Russia Latam (2) (2) (2) 2013 2014 (1) 2015 (1) 2016 (1) 2012 (3) 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.3 3.7 World 1.3 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.0 Advanced 5.2 4.8 4.4 4.5 5.3 Emerging & developing 1.5 1.5 1.7 2.0 1.9 G7 6.1 6.1 6.0 5.9 5.8 Asia ex Japan 2.4 2.0 0.9 0.2 2.5 CEE and Russia(3) 2.9 2.5 1.2 2.0 3.2 Latam (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) 2013 2014 (2) 2015 (2) 2016 (1) 3.6 3.3 3.5 3.6 3.7 1.9 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.9 5.2 5.2 5.4 5.7 5.5 1.9 1.3 1.7 1.6 2.0 3.6 3.4 2.9 3.1 3.1 5.2 5.0 6.1 6.2 5.0 6.2 7.4 10.8 11.6 11.5 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.8 2.4 US 2.1 1.5 1.8 1.7 2.0 -0.6 -0.4 0.7 0.9 1.5 Eurozone 2.5 1.4 0.5 1.0 1.1 Japan 1.5 1.5 0.8 0.5 0.4 Japan 0.0 0.4 2.8 2.0 3.3 China 7.7 7.7 7.3 6.8 6.5 China 2.6 2.6 2.2 2.4 2.9 US Eurozone Eurozone countries Eurozone Countries Germany 0.6 0.2 1.4 1.4 1.8 Germany 2.1 1.6 0.9 1.3 1.4 France 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.7 1.3 France 2.2 1.0 0.7 1.0 1.1 Italy -2.4 -1.8 -0.3 0.3 0.8 Italy 3.3 1.3 0.2 0.5 0.7 Spain -1.6 -1.2 1.2 1.6 1.5 Spain 2.4 1.5 -0.2 0.2 0.7 Netherlands -1.6 -0.7 0.5 0.9 1.4 Netherlands 2.8 2.6 0.4 1.4 1.6 Belgium -0.1 0.2 0.9 0.9 1.5 Belgium 2.6 1.2 0.7 1.1 1.4 0.7 0.4 1.1 1.2 1.8 Austria 2.6 2.1 1.8 1.7 1.9 Austria Portugal -3.3 -1.4 0.9 1.3 1.4 Portugal 2.8 0.4 -0.1 0.8 1.2 Finland -1.5 -1.2 -0.1 0.7 1.3 Finland 3.2 2.2 1.1 1.2 1.5 Ireland -0.3 0.2 4.9 3.5 3.3 Ireland 1.9 0.5 0.5 1.3 1.5 Greece -7.0 -3.9 0.4 2.1 2.9 Greece 1.0 -0.8 -0.9 0.3 0.8 Other Europe Other Europe UK 0.3 1.7 3.0 2.8 2.1 UK 2.8 2.6 1.6 1.9 2.3 Sweden Norway 0.0 2.8 1.5 0.7 2.4 1.8 3.0 2.3 2.8 2.1 Sweden Norway 0.9 0.7 0.0 2.1 0.0 2.1 0.9 2.5 1.9 2.7 Switzerland 1.0 1.9 1.1 1.4 1.7 Switzerland -0.7 -0.2 0.1 0.5 0.3 CEEMEA CEEMEA Russia 3.5 1.3 -0.6 -2.5 1.5 Russia 5.1 6.8 7.6 7.1 4.7 Ukraine 0.3 0.0 -9.5 -4.5 1.0 Ukraine 0.6 -0.3 11.2 17.0 12.3 Poland 2.0 1.6 2.9 2.5 3.1 Poland 3.7 0.9 0.2 1.3 2.1 Hungary -1.7 1.1 3.2 1.6 2.1 Hungary 5.7 1.7 0.2 2.6 3.4 Czech Republic -0.9 -0.9 2.5 2.2 2.7 Czech Republic 3.3 1.4 0.5 2.1 2.1 Romania 0.6 3.3 1.7 2.2 3.0 Romania 3.3 4.0 1.3 2.5 2.7 Turkey 2.1 2.5 4.1 1.9 3.5 1.5 3.0 2.6 3.7 3.2 Turkey South Africa 8.9 5.7 7.5 5.8 8.9 6.2 7.3 5.7 7.0 5.5 Saudi Arabia 5.8 4.0 4.4 4.3 4.0 South Africa 2.9 3.5 2.8 2.9 3.4 4.7 5.2 3.9 4.3 3.3 Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates 0.7 1.1 2.0 2.8 3.1 Qatar 6.1 6.5 6.1 6.9 7.4 United Arab Emirates Qatar 1.9 3.1 3.4 4.4 4.3 Australia 1.8 2.4 2.8 2.3 2.4 India 7.5 6.3 4.8 5.3 4.3 South Korea 2.2 1.3 1.6 1.9 1.6 Asia Pacific Asia Pacific Australia 3.6 2.3 3.1 2.7 3.1 India 4.8 4.7 5.2 5.9 6.5 South Korea 2.3 3.0 3.5 3.3 3.0 Indonesia 6.3 5.8 5.2 5.0 5.5 Taiwan 1.5 2.1 3.6 3.6 3.3 Thailand 6.5 2.9 2.5 5.0 4.5 Malaysia 5.6 4.7 5.5 4.5 5.0 Hong Kong 1.5 2.9 1.8 1.7 1.7 Singapore 3.5 4.1 4.0 5.0 4.0 Philippines 6.6 7.2 6.5 5.5 6.0 Vietnam 5.0 5.4 6.0 6.0 6.5 Canada 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.3 Brazil 1.0 2.5 0.0 1.0 2.5 Americas 4.0 6.4 6.0 5.5 5.0 Taiwan 1.9 0.8 1.4 1.4 1.1 Thailand 3.0 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.0 Malaysia 1.7 2.1 3.2 3.5 2.5 Hong Kong 4.0 4.3 4.0 3.0 2.3 Singapore 4.6 2.3 1.5 2.5 2.5 Philippines 3.1 3.0 4.3 4.2 3.5 Vietnam 9.1 6.6 5.0 7.0 7.0 Canada 1.5 0.9 2.0 2.0 2.2 Brazil 5.4 6.2 6.3 6.7 6.7 Mexico 4.1 3.8 4.0 3.3 3.5 Colombia 3.2 2.0 2.9 3.3 3.3 Chile 3.0 2.1 4.2 3.6 3.0 10.0 10.6 25.0 26.0 30.0 3.7 2.8 3.2 2.8 2.9 63.0 (Venezuela ) , , ( ) 21.1 , ( ) 40.6 based on weights calculated using PPP valuation of GDP in IMF WEO October 2013 Source: BNP Paribas, central banks, national statistics 75.0 65.0 Americas Mexico 4.0 1.1 2.9 4.2 4.3 Colombia 4.0 4.7 4.9 4.3 4.5 Chile 5.6 4.1 2.0 3.5 4.5 Argentina 1.9 3.0 -1.5 -1.0 2.0 Peru 6.0 5.6 4.1 5.4 5.7 Venezuela 5.5 1.3 -2.5 -3.0 0.5 Argentina Peru (1) Forecast, (2) BNPP estimates based on weights calculated using PPP valuation of GDP in IMF WEO October 2013 Source: BNP Paribas, central banks, national statistics Market Economics Macro Matters Indonesia 16 October 2014 32 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Recently published research Italian 2015 budget: Playing to the home crowd Luigi Speranza 16 October 2014 Poland: Lombard rate cut may hurt consumer loans Michal Dybula 15 October 2014 South African politics: Band of bothers Nic Borain 15 October 2014 Eurozone recession: What are the odds? Colin Bermingham, Victor Echevarria 15 October 2014 Eurozone: The wrong type of depreciation Paul Mortimer-Lee 15 October 2014 Latam chartbook: Wake up and smell the coffee Latam Market Economics Team 14 October 2014 Global: Something wicked this way comes? Paul Mortimer-Lee 14 October 2014 South Africa: Strike Three! Jeffrey Schultz, Nic Borain 14 October 2014 Malaysia: Keeping balance Philip McNicholas 13 October 2014 Global: Oil and central banks Paul Mortimer-Lee 10 October 2014 Brazil 2014 election tracker Latam Market Economics Team 10 October 2014 Eurozone inflation: Oil on troubled waters? Gizem Kara 10 October 2014 Brazil’s election: Can the opposition win? Marcelo Carvalho 10 October 2014 UK: Cut me some slack Dominic Bryant 10 October 2014 South Korea: Free hit Mark Walton 10 October 2014 US FOMC preview: Keep calm and carry on Paul Mortimer-Lee, Laura Rosner 9 October 2014 Eurozone: Surprise, volatility or trend? Evelyn Herrmann 9 October 2014 Japan: Return to deflation or stagflation? Ryutaro Kono 9 October 2014 China: Blow back Richard Iley 9 October 2014 Brazil: Can the opposition win? Marcelo Carvalho 9 October 2014 Portugal: Calmer waters Colin Bermingham 9 October 2014 US: FOMC minutes suggests baby steps are afoot US Economics Team 8 October 2014 Ukraine: Election preview Yevgeniy Orudzhev / Serhiy Yahnych 8 October 2014 South African politics: Party optimism but strikes loom Nic Borain 8 October 2014 Hungary and Czech Republic: Catching ‘down’ Michal Dybula 8 October 2014 US: Inflation and the NAIRU Paul Mortimer-Lee 8 October 2014 US: Knock, knock, knocking on NAIRU'S door Paul Mortimer-Lee 6 October 2014 French 2015 budget: Between Scylla and Charybdis Dominique Barbet 6 October 2014 Hong Kong: Counting the cost Mole Hau 6 October 2014 Brazil’s election: Neves to face Rousseff in a runoff Marcelo Carvalho 6 October 2014 US non-farm payrolls: The BNPP guide Paul Mortimer-Lee 3 October 2014 For further research, please see: Economic research CEEMEAnomics Global rates plus Global outlook: Heavy going EM strategy plus FX weekly Market Economics Macro Matters Global Strategy Outlook: The Shifting Balance 16 October 2014 33 www.GlobalMarkets.bnpparibas.com Market coverage Market Economics Paul Mortimer-Lee Global Head of Market Economics, Chief Economist New York North America 1 212 841 3709 paul.mortimer-lee@us.bnpparibas.com Ken Wattret Co-Head of European & CEEMEA Market Economics London 44 20 7595 8657 kenneth.wattret@uk.bnpparibas.com Luigi Speranza Co-Head of European & CEEMEA Market Economics London 44 20 7595 8322 luigi.speranza@uk.bnpparibas.com Dominic Bryant Global, UK London 44 20 7595 8502 dominic.bryant@uk.bnpparibas.com Gizem Kara Eurozone, Greece London 44 20 7595 8783 gizem.kara@uk.bnpparibas.com Evelyn Herrmann Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Eurozone London 44 20 7595 8476 evelyn.herrmann@uk.bnpparibas.com Colin Bermingham Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal London 44 20 7595 8228 colin.bermingham@uk.bnpparibas.com Victor Echevarria Spain London 44 20 7595 8842 Victor.echevarria@uk.bnpparibas.com Dominique Barbet Eurozone, France Paris 33 1 4298 1567 dominique.barbet@bnpparibas.com Bricklin Dwyer US, Canada New York 1 212 471-7996 bricklin.dwyer@us.bnpparibas.com Laura Rosner US New York 1 212 471 8180 laura.rosner@us.bnpparibas.com Derek Lindsey US New York 1 212 841 2281 derek.lindsey@us.bnpparibas.com Ryutaro Kono Head of Economics, Japan Tokyo 81 3 6377 1601 ryutaro.kono@japan.bnpparibas.com Hiroshi Shiraishi Japan Tokyo 81 3 6377 1602 hiroshi.shiraishi@japan.bnpparibas.com Azusa Kato Japan Tokyo 81 3 6377 1603 azusa.kato@japan.bnpparibas.com Makoto Watanabe Japan Tokyo 81 3 6377 1605 makoto.watanabe@japan.bnpparibas.com Richard Iley Head of Economics, Asia Hong Kong 852 2108 5104 richard.iley@asia.bnpparibas.com Philip McNicholas SE Asia Hong Kong 852 2108 5077 philip.mcnicholas@asia.bnpparibas.com Mole Hau Asia Hong Kong 852 2108 5620 mole.hau@asia.bnpparibas.com Mark Walton Australia, South Korea, Taiwan Hong Kong Xingdong Chen Chief Economist, China Beijing 86 10 6535 3327 xd.chen@asia.bnpparibas.com Jinuo LU Senior China Economist Beijing 86 10 6535 0933 jinuo.lu@asia.bnpparibas.com Jacqueline Rong China Beijing 86 10 6535 3363 jacqueline.rong@asia.bnpparibas.com Marcelo Carvalho Head of Economics, Latin America São Paulo 55 11 3841 3418 marcelo.carvalho@br.bnpparibas.com Gustavo Arruda Brazil São Paulo 55 11 3841 3466 gustavo.arruda@br.bnpparibas.com Nader Nazmi Mexico, Colombia, Peru New York 1 212 471 8216 nader.nazmi@us.bnpparibas.com Oscar Munoz Mexico, Colombia, Peru New York 1 212 471 6599 oscar.munoz@us.bnpparibas.com Florencia Vazquez Chile, Argentina, Venezuela Buenos Aires 54 11 4875 4363 florencia.vazquez@ar.bnpparibas.com Michal Dybula Chief Economist Central & Eastern Europe Warsaw Marcin Kujawski Poland Warsaw Selim Cakir Chief Economist, Turkey, GCC Istanbul 90 216 635 2972 selim.cakir@teb.com.tr Emre Tekmen Turkey, GCC Istanbul 90 216 635 2975 emre.tekmen@teb.com.tr Tugba Talınlı Turkey, GCC Istanbul 90 216 635 2973 Tugba.talinli@teb.com.tr Jeffrey Schultz South Africa Johannesburg 852 2108 5105 mark.walton@asia.bnpparibas.com 48 22 697 2354 michal.dybula@pl.bnpparibas.com 48 22 697 2355 marcin.kujawski@pl.bnpparibas.com 27 11 088 2171 Jeffrey.Schultz@bnpparibascadiz.com For production and distribution, please contact: Ann Aston, London. Tel: 44 20 7595 8503 Email: ann.aston@uk.bnpparibas.com, Jessica.Bakkioui, London. Tel: 44 20 7595 8478 Email: jessica.bakkioui@uk.bnpparibas.com, Judith Wailes, New York Tel: 1 212 471 8161Email: judith.wailes@us.bnpparibas.com Martine Borde, Paris. Tel: 33 1 4298 4144 Email martine.borde@bnpparibas.com Editors: Poilin Breathnach, London. Tel: 44 20 7595 3145 poilin.breathnach@uk.bnpparibas.com, Maureen Maitland, New York. Tel: 1 212 471 6479 maureen.maitland@us.bnpparibas.com BNP Paribas Global Fixed Income Website www.globalmarkets.bnpparibas.com BNP Paribas Market Economics Fixed Income Website Bloomberg Fixed Income Research BPGR Market Economics 34 BPEC RESEARCH DISCLAIMERS Some sections of this report have been written by our strategy teams. These sections do not purport to be an exhaustive analysis, and may be subject to conflicts of interest resulting from their interaction with sales and trading which could affect the objectivity of this report. 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Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request. BNP Paribas London Branch is registered in England and Wales under no. FC13447. www.bnpparibas.com This report has been approved for publication in France by BNP Paribas SA, incorporated in France with Limited Liability and is authorised by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) whose head office is 16, Boulevard des Italiens 75009 Paris, France. This report is being distributed in Germany either by BNP Paribas London Branch or by BNP Paribas Niederlassung Frankfurt am Main, a branch of BNP Paribas S.A. whose head office is in Paris, France. 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BNP Paribas Securities (Japan) Limited accepts responsibility for the content of a report prepared by another non-Japan affiliate only when distributed to Japanese based firms by BNP Paribas Securities (Japan) Limited. Some of the foreign securities stated on this report are not disclosed according to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan. Hong Kong: This report is being distributed in Hong Kong by BNP Paribas Hong Kong Branch, a branch of BNP Paribas whose head office is in Paris, France. BNP Paribas Hong Kong Branch is registered as a Licensed Bank under the Banking Ordinance and regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. BNP Paribas Hong Kong Branch is also a Registered Institution regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission for the conduct of Regulated Activity Types 1, 4 and 6 under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. 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Australia: This material, and any information in related marketing presentations (the Material), is being distributed in Australia by BNP Paribas ABN 23 000 000 117, a branch of BNP Paribas 662 042 449 R.C.S., a licensed bank whose head office is in Paris, France. BNP Paribas is licensed in Australia as a Foreign Approved Deposit-taking Institution by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and delivers financial services to Wholesale clients under its Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) No. 238043 which is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).The Material is directed to Wholesale clients only and is not intended for Retail clients (as both terms are defined by the Corporations Act 2001, sections 761G and 761GA). The Material is subject to change without notice and BNP Paribas is under no obligation to update the information or correct any inaccuracy that may appear at a later date. Brazil: This document was prepared by Banco BNP Paribas Brasil S.A. or by its subsidiaries, affiliates and controlled companies, together referred to as "BNP Paribas", for information purposes only and do not represent an offer or request for investment or divestment of assets. Banco BNP Paribas Brasil S.A. is a financial institution duly incorporated in Brazil and duly authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil and by the Brazilian Securities Commission to manage investment funds. Notwithstanding the caution to obtain and manage the information herein presented, BNP Paribas shall not be responsible for the accidental publication of incorrect information, nor for investment decisions taken based on the information contained herein, which can be modified without prior notice. Banco BNP Paribas Brasil S.A. shall not be responsible to update or revise any information contained herein. Banco BNP Paribas Brasil S.A. shall not be responsible for any loss caused by the use of any information contained herein. https://globalmarkets.bnpparibas.com © BNP Paribas (2014). All rights reserved. 35