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12 Oct 2023

Emerging market stocks have fallen to their lowest valuation relative to the S&P 500 in AT LEAST 36 years

Source: Barchart, Bloomberg

4 Oct 2023

A tweet by Robin Brooks: "Brazil's trade surplus remains in the stratosphere

There is no other EM that has transformed itself over the past decade in the way that Brazil has. The sharp rise in US interest rates is currently weighing on Real, but that's temporary. The massive trade surplus is permanent..."

25 Aug 2023

The BRICS economic coalition of emerging markets has decided to extend membership invitations to six nations.

The BRICS alliance — which presently reunites Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — is set to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join, Ramaphosa said in a speech published on the X social media platform, previously known as Twitter. The new composition of BRICS will control 80% of world oil production. The same goes for the sharp GDP growth of the new BRICS countries. It will amount to 30% of world GDP and exceed $30 trillion. Source: Sprinter, MoneyRadar

8 Aug 2023

Brazil central bank says faster key rate cuts are Unlikely

“The Committee judges that there is low probability of an additional intensification in the pace of adjustment,” central bankers wrote in the minutes of their Aug. 1-2 meeting published on Tuesday.

Source: Brazil Central Bank, Bloomberg

7 Aug 2023

EM returns over past 5-10yrs have been lackluster, w/most EM equities returning low-to-mid single digits

Over longer-term, returns range from extraordinary (India: 1000%) to respectable (Indonesia: 469%) despite volatility & some prolonged periods of choppy trading, BofA has calculated. All EMs have outperformed China's 22% total return. Source: HolgerZ, BofA, Bloomberg

7 Aug 2023

Tavi Costa: "Brazilian equities have been attracting unprecedented levels of foreign capital investments, marking a fundamental shift since the global financial crisis

Net inflows from international investors over the past 50 days have reached historically elevated levels, maintaining a consistent upward trajectory over the last two years". Source: Tavi Costa, Bloomberg

3 Aug 2023

Banco Central do Brazil Surprises with a Larger-than-Expected Rate Cut!

Following the surprising rate cut by 100bps from Chile's Central Bank earlier this week, Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) has also made an unexpected move by announcing a rate cut of 50bps, surpassing market expectations of 25bps. The BCB President, Roberto Campos Neto, reduced the Selic to 13.25% yesterday, with a split decision among board members, four of whom voted for a smaller quarter-point cut. In a related statement, policymakers emphasized the improved consumer price outlook and the decline in longer-term inflation expectations. With Brazil's recent rating upgrade and positive progress in inflation, the country appears well-positioned to continue its path of prudent monetary policy decisions. Could we expect similar rate cuts from Peru and Mexico in the region? In any case, just as at the beginning of the tightening cycle, Latin American central banks are once again ahead of their developed counterparts. Source : Bloomberg.  

31 Jul 2023

Chile Central bank cut its key rate by 100bps!

Here we go ! The Banco Central de Chile (BCCh) is the first central bank to kick off easing cycle! The Chilean Central Bank made a surprising move by cutting its key interest rate by 100bp to 10.25%, surpassing market expectations of a 50bp reduction. The decision was unanimous, and the BCCh hints at further rate cuts in the near future. This move comes as inflationary pressures ease rapidly, and economic activity weakens. Despite recent challenges, the CLP (Chilean Peso Spot) has shown resilience this year, benefiting from reduced political uncertainty. Policymakers aim to support the #economy amidst deteriorating #sentiment and economic activity. The minutes scheduled for August 14 will provide further insights into the central bank's outlook. Source : Bloomberg

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