The indicator increased at the margin
Retail sales sensitive to income lose steam at the margin
We believe that the Copom will withdraw its forward guidance, but it will keep the Selic rate at 2.00% p.a. at its next meeting.
In Brazil, vaccines await Anvisa’s approval, but new cases continue to increase.
The indicator came in higher than expected, and ended 2020 with an increase of 4.52%.
Industrial production enjoys a Strong recovery process.
In countries that have not yet started vaccinating, negotiations to start their own vaccination campaigns quickly are ongoing.
Exports as well as imports declined in 2020 due to the slowdown in global trade amid the pandemic.
Approval by the European country sets an important precedent for emerging regions, including Brazil.
Fiscal results better at the margin
Recovering employment.
Overall delinquency slid 0.1 p.p. to 2.2%.
Fears about virus mutation are offset by optimism with vaccines
IPCA-15 ends the year with a 4.23% increase, from 3.91% in 2019.
Smaller-than-expected current account surplus in November due to stronger profits and dividends outflows.
There is little room for negative inflationary surprises in 1Q21, while positive surprises may anticipate the end of forward guidance.
In the U.S., the first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine started to be distributed this week.
Minutes clarify conditions to discard forward guidance. Given our inflation forecast, we expect this to happen only in the fall (S. Hem.)
Strong retail sales in October. We expect a deceleration in the coming months.
The committee kept the Selic rate at 2.0% p.a., as widely expected, at its last monetary policy meeting for 2020.
Europe and Brazil to start vaccinating in early 2021.
Food-at-home and housing prices came in above expectations.
We expect the Copom to keep the Selic rate at its all-time low (2.00% p.a.) at its meeting on December 8 and 9.
The breakdown among components shows a V-shaped recovery in the goods sector.
Worsening trend in the region has reversed in the past few days.
In October, industrial production climbed 1.1% mom/sa
Last month's figures begin to show some normalization in imports, but overall surplus remains high.
Fiscal challenges are high.
The seasonally-adjusted deliquency rate in the system remained broadly stable.
Employment improves at the margin
In Brazil, relative stability of cases and deaths at the margin, but hospitalizations on the rise.
IPCA-15 rose 0.81% in November, above expectations. Some services (food away from home and transportation) prices accelerated at the margin.
New cases show signs of improvement in Europe, but continue to rise in the US. In Brazil, cases also increased, but with some distortions.
Retail sales are well above their pre-crisis levels
Second wave remains in focus, particularly in Europe and in the U.S. In Brazil, official data remains unavailable due to system issues.
IPCA rises 0.86% in October. Core inflation continues to accelerate at the margin.
Industrial production increases 2.6% mom/sa in September
Second wave in the U.S. and in Europe remains in focus. In Brazil, the number of new cases resumed its downward trend.
Still weak imports keep trade surplus at historically-high levels
We see the minutes as consistent with our view that the committee will leave the base rate unchanged, at 2.0% pa, until late 2021.
Fiscal challenges remain high
Low participation rate prevents sharper increase in unemployment
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The Copom left the base rate unchanged at 2.0% p.a., as had been expected by the market, and tweaked its communication in a hawkish direction.
Overall delinquency slid 0.2 p.p. to 2.4%.
September marks the sixth consecutive monthly current account surplus. Over 12 months, the CAD reached 1.4% of GDP.
IPCA-15 advances 0.94% in October, pressured by food and airfare prices. Core inflation also accelerated.
We expect the Copom to keep the Selic rate at its all-time low of 2.00% p.a. at its next meeting.
New deaths in Europe are now rising faster, but still at trend that is proportionally much smoother than in the first half of the year.
Economic activity continues to improve in Brazil
Furniture & appliances and construction material boost retail sales
Our daily indicator for Brazil continues to rise and has momentarily surpassed pre-crisis levels during the past week.
Imports were stronger than expected in September, but remain at low levels. Trade Surplus remains wide.
Case counting also shows a downward trend in India and some stabilization (but still quite preliminary) in some European countries.
Lower participation rate prevents sharper increase in unemployment
.Fiscal challenges are high
The average interest rate and spread decreased.
The report shows forecasts that are consistent, in our view, with the maintenance of the Selic rate at a low level for a long period.
News cases show some stabilization in India, but continue to accelerate in most of Europe
IPCA-15 rises 0.45% in September. Pressure on food prices is expected to continue for the next readings.
Slower economic activity, a weaker exchange rate and social isolation have been impacting the current account
The Copom minutes reinforce that their forward guidance (low rates for long) still applies
The 7-day moving averages jumped with the latest bulletin, because data for the Sep. 7 holiday dropped out, not because of a change of trend
The committee left the Selic rate at its all-time low of 2.0% p.a., in a unanimous decision.
We expect the Copom to keep the Selic rate at its all-time low of 2.00% p.a. at its next meeting
Core retail sales on the rise
After months hovering around 1000 per day, new deaths in Brazil seem to have entered a clear downward trend
IPCA rises 0.24% in August, with pressure on food prices and relief in the education group
Strong and widespread growth.
New deaths receded again in Brazil, reaching the same levels of the second half of May
Brazilian imports resume growth but remain at low levels
Result reflects the pandemic's impacts
The main challenge is to rebalance fiscal accounts
The average interest rate and spread also decreased.
After a long period of stability, our indicator for the U.S. now shows an upward trend, consistent with the retreating outbreak
July marks the fourth consecutive monthly current account surplus.
Deflation in education prices helped to decrease the monthly gain.
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Breakdown shows widespread gains
Core retail sales return to pre-crisis level
In Brazil, the number of new cases has decreased slightly at the margin, while new deaths remain broadly stable
The Copom minutes reinforce the perception that the authorities will not move in the next policy meeting
July’s IPCA close to estimates. Underlying service inflation remains on a declining trend.
Falling participation rate prevents steeper increase in unemployment rate.
With improvement in the U.S. and some stability in Brazil, global new cases interrupted (maybe temporarily) their upward trend
The text does not formally close the door to additional easing, but indicates that, if any, it will be even more gradual than today’s move.
Widespread growth
the decline in economic activity continues to yield strong trade surpluses
Fiscal deterioration, amid a pandemic
Overall delinquency slid 0.1 p.p. to 3.0% in seasonally adjusted terms.
The state of São Paulo found problems that may also have distorted the data of other locations
Lower pressure on the service and income deficit yields fourth consecutive current account surplus
Despite the already low level, the additional Selic rate cut would be mainly driven by recent inflation data, which was lower than expected
Weaker-than-expected IPCA-15 in July. Inflation dynamics remain benign.
In Brazil, slower growth of cases in the smaller cities may mean that the peak is already behind.
Over the past days, the countries with most significant increases of new cases per capita were the U.S., South Africa, Colombia and India
Retail stands out positively during the month
July’s IPCA inflation below expectations. Core inflation measures remain on a benign path.
Brazil in maps: starting with this edition, we will feature state-level comparative maps.
Gains topped expectations and were widespread across sectors
Widespread growth across sectors.
We forecast a wide trade surplus this year as imports fall more sharply than exports
In Brazil, cases are growing faster in smaller cities, while capitals have a less explosive curve of new cases, and declining new deaths
Fiscal accounts will deteriorate in 2020
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reaches 12.6% in May
Overall delinquency slid 0.1 p.p. to 3.1% in seasonally adjusted terms.
The QIR shows forecasts that are consistent, in our view, with the maintenance of the Selic rate at a low level for a prolonged period.
IPCA-15 close to zero in June. Core inflation measures below expectations.
Continuing declines in the current account deficit are expected in the coming months.
Data on new cases and new deaths rose again in the country, after showing some stability.
The Copom minutes reinforce the perception that the authorities will not move in the next policy meeting
The statement did not clearly close the door to additional easing, but its tone suggests that this is not the base case .
Over the last weeks, new cases and new deaths have been broadly flat in Brazil
Available data so far indicate that economic activity indicators have reached a low in April
Developed countries continue to recover, while Brazil gains some traction again.
IPCA posted a 0.38% deflation in May. Core inflation measures remain subdued.
Copom will take Selic rate to 2.25% p.a. and may signal an interruption of monetary adjustment for now.
Important differences within sectors
The improvement is clear only in the northern region. To confirm a trend reversal, other regions must follow.
The May trade balance continued to show the slowdown in global trade and, in particular, the decline in domestic economic activity
The consolidated primary deficit over 12 months increased to 2.3% from 0.9% of GDP.
The result was in line with expectations (mkt: -1.5%; Itaú: -1.4%)
The overall delinquency rate was virtually stable at 3.2% in seasonally adjusted terms.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reaches 12.1% in April.
We expect fiscal accounts to continue to deteriorate in 2Q20.
Brazil leads the group of emerging countries with accelerating outbreaks, followed by Peru, Mexico, India and South Africa, among others.
Lower prices for fuel and airline tickets contributed to the deflation in the month. Core inflation measures remain low.
In the coming months, we expect new declines in the current account deficit.
Russia and Brazil now occupy, respectively, the second and third global position in terms of total cases, only behind the U.S.
In Brazil, the death ratio is increasing fast in Rio. North and NE regions continue to see strong per capita increases of new cases and deaths.
Supermarket sales prevent a sharper decline
We understand that the focus on the inflation target and on falling expectations points towards another 75-bp move in the next meeting
April's IPCA posted a 0.31% monthly deflation, leading the 12-month reading to 2.4%.
The Copom cut the base rate to 3.0% pa (we expected a more modest move, to 3.25%) and signaled one final cut in June.
Widespread contraction seen in the first month of social distancing
Given the deterioration of the economic outlook, another 50bps cut this month is likely
Larger-than-expected exports in the last week of the month yield stronger trade surplus in April
We expect the Copom to reduce the Selic rate by 50 bps, to 3.25% pa, and to signal caution regarding additional movements.
Fiscal result will worsen in 2020
Drop in the workforce prevents higher unemployment
The outbreak in Brazil is still more concentrated in the Southeast, but spreading fast.
Overall delinquency increased by 0.2 p.p. to 3.2% in seasonally adjusted terms
IPCA-15 falls -0.01% in April with core inflation measures lower than expected
$868 million current account surplus in March due to surprises in both services and income accounts
Brazil seems to have a “seasonal” effect: softer data during weekends, with jumps on Tuesdays.
March’s IPCA inflation came in at 0.07% mom, slightly below market expectations
Numbers in Brazil are evolving more favorably, but this may be caused by reporting problems.
Supermarket sales reinforce positive monthly result
Positive capital and intermediate goods production
The U.S. leads new cases, while Europe seems about to peak.
Stronger-than-expected exports yield higher-than-antecipated trade surplus in March
Primary result will temporarily deteriorate due to coronavirus crisis.
Equal growth in employment and workforce prevents a decline in unemployment
Overall delinquency remained stable at 3.0% in seasonally adjusted terms.
The inflation report shows forecasts that are consistent, in our view, with further rate cuts in 2020
IPCA-15 increases 0.02% in March. We forecast a 0.07% increase for the CPI at the end of this month.
Recent numbers: cases continue to grow worldwide, driven by Europe and the U.S.
In the coming months, the current account deficit is expected to recede due to slower economic activity and a weaker exchange rate.
We expect the Copom to cut again once the market situation calms down, taking the Selic to 3.25% p.a., not necessarily in the next meeting.
The Copom reduced the Selic rate to 3.75% pa and stated that, for now, they see base rate stability as adequate.
We expect the Copom to reduce the Selic rate by 25bps to 4.0% per year.
Core inflation measures remain at comfortable levels.
Capital goods production was the main positive highlight.
Consumer spending and investment on the rise, exports and government spending decline in 2019
The trade balance in February was positive by $3.1 billion, beating our forecast and market estimates
Participation rate supports the decline in unemployment during the month
Largest primary surplus for the month
Overall delinquency was virtually stable at 3.0%.
The retreat in the service and income deficits could not offset the decline in trade balance in January
IPCA-15 increases 0.22% in February. Core inflation measures remain subdued
Widespread weakness
Widespread weakness in the retail sector
The text points to unchanged interest rates for the time being – we expect the Selic rate to end the year at the present 4.25%.
IPCA below expectations in January
The Monetary Policy Committee (COPOM) cut the Selic rate to 4.25% p.a. and decided to interrupt the easing cycle.
Investment-related components cool down in December
Capital goods imports were inflated by transactions involving oil-drilling rigs in the final week of the month
We expect the Copom to cut the Selic rate by 25bps to 4.25% p.a. in its February 4-5 meeting.
Participation rate supports the decline in unemployment in late 2019
Fiscal prints are gradually improving
Interest rates and the average spread declined
The current account posted a $5.7 bn deficit in December, leading the 2019 deficit to $50.8 bn (2.8% of GDP)
IPCA-15 increases 0.71% in January. We forecast a 0.29% increase for the CPI at the end of this month.
Widespread declines in components
Advance in core retail sales and drop in the broad concept
IPCA rises 1.15% in December and closes 2019 at 4.31%
Manufacturing recedes after three consecutive monthly increases
The trade surplus declined in 2019, but remained at a historically-high level.
The consolidated primary deficit over 12 months receded to 1.2% of GDP from 1.3% in the previous month.
Unemployment remains high by historical standards
Overall delinquency rose 0.1 p.p. to 3.0% in seasonally-adjusted terms.
IPCA-15 rises 1.05% in December due to higher beef prices
The main surprise came from the equipment rental account, which is typically volatile. At the margin, the current account deficit is narrower.
The IR reinforces our belief that the monetary authority will see room to reduce the Selic rate again.
While the written text indicates a somewhat hawkish tone, we understand that inflation forecasts allow lower interest rates ahead.
Widespread growth in October.
The statement does not commit to additional rate cuts, but does not rule them out either.
Retail sales advance in October
We expect the Copom to cut the Selic rate by 50 bps at next week’s meeting, to 4.5% p.a.
We expect the Copom to cut the Selic rate by 50 bps at next week’s meeting, to 4.5% p.a.