Household confidence has dropped slightly since April. This reflects a decline in purchasing intentions for durable goods and a deterioration in the outlook for unemployment. Nevertheless, the Italian labour market remains on track. Unemployment fell to 7.3% in August, its lowest rate in fifteen years. As a result of this drop, recruitment problems are intensifying: the proportion of companies citing labour shortages as a factor limiting production was, in Q2 2023, the largest seen since the early 1990s. Although the working population is far from having closed the gap between the levels seen in 2019 (the deficit was 1.3% in August compared to the peak in April 2019), employment has continued to rise very significantly. This has helped to raise the employment rate (to 61
In September, the European Commission’s economic sentiment indicator fell to its lowest level of the year in Spain. This reflects a slowdown in activity which, according to our forecasts, will result in a slowdown in growth to 0.3% q/q in Q3 and 0.2% q/q in Q4. Inflation is also regaining ground and is again weighing on household confidence, as is the modest deterioration in the unemployment expectations index. It should be noted that the outlook for price developments differs quite significantly depending on the sector, according to the European Commission’s survey: it indicates a new pullback in price pressures in construction (-1.9 pts) and industry (-1.6 pts, the lowest since January 2021), while an upturn is observed in services (+3
Business climate has marginally weakened in September in the United States due to diverging developments in the Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing sectors. The latter has slowed to 53.6 (-0.9pp) in the ISM survey, torn between a vigorous activity (‘Business Activity’ component standing at 58.8) and a large drop in ‘New Orders’ (51.8, -6.7pp). On the other hand, the ISM Manufacturing index rose for a third month in a row and reached 49.0 (+1.4pp), thereby reaching a 10-month high despite remaining in the contraction area.
The UK labour market has reached a tipping point. For the Bank of England (BoE), in addition to the slowdown in the housing market, this is a further indication of the wider transmission of the rise in interest rates to the real economy. The ONS labour market report for September was postponed until October 24th. Nevertheless, data from the HMRC indicated an 8,360 drop in employees last month; this is the second consecutive monthly fall and a steeper decline than in the previous month (-5,071). Furthermore, the PMI employment indices fell sharply in September, pulled down by services (-3.3 points to 47.9), which slipped below the rate of expansion for the first time since the beginning of the year.
Japanese economic surveys are sending out mixed signals. On the positive side, the business condition index from the Tankan survey improved from 8 in Q2 to 10 in Q3, driven by services: business confidence in the sector was the highest since 1991. The PMI for services is also proving resilient. Although down 0.5 points in September, it remains in expansionary territory at 53.8. Conversely, the manufacturing PMI fell further into the contraction zone for the fourth consecutive month (-1 point to 48.5). As a result, the composite PMI dipped to 52.1 in September. The Economy Watchers Survey dropped from 3.7 points to 49.9 points in September.
In recent decades, Japanese companies have extended significantly their activity abroad. According to the Ministry of Industry data, a quarter (25.8%) of the total turnover of Japanese manufacturers is now coming overseas subsidiaries.
In Central Europe, capital flows (foreign direct investments, portfolio flows and bank lending flows) have resisted rather well despite geopolitical uncertainties. Similarly, they do not seem to be affected, for the time being, by the weakening of economic activity in the region.
In the US, economic policy uncertainty, based on media coverage, increased slightly in September, after four months of decline. The economic policy uncertainty, based on media coverage, increased slightly after four months of decline. In the Eurozone, the European Commission’s economic uncertainty index also moved upwards in September.
GDP growth, inflation, interest rates and exchange rates
Growth in emerging countries held up quite well in H1 2023, thanks to countries in Asia, Brazil and Mexico. In Asia, inflation returned to very moderate levels in August or September (with the exception of India) and, compared to other areas, monetary tightening between mid-2021 and mid-2023 was on a much smaller scale. This helped offset the drop in exports. However, Central European countries did not benefit from this offset effect. Business and household surveys indicate that disparities between areas became more pronounced over the summer. These surveys also show that the heavyweights in Latin America (Brazil, Mexico) are better positioned within the major EM regions.
After some hesitation, the Chinese authorities finally stepped up their stimulus measures over the summer. The recent slight upturn in economic growth is set to continue in Q4 2023. However, action by the central bank and the government remains constrained, cautious and measured, while internal and external obstacles to economic activity are still powerful. In the real estate sector, even if activity stabilises in the short term thanks to support measures, it is likely to remain hampered by the financial fragility of developers and weak buyer sentiment. In the export sector, enterprises are affected by the slowdown in global demand and US-China tensions, while multinationals are starting to rethink their production strategies.
The Hong Kong economy is struggling to recover from the series of shocks experienced between 2019 and 2022. Following political and institutional upheavals in 2019 and 2020, the territory was severely affected by the health crisis up until last year. In 2023, activity is recovering, but Hong Kong is now facing the weakening in external demand and, above all, significant tightening of monetary conditions. The rise in interest rates since March 2022 has impacted domestic demand, particularly through its effects on the property market. Fiscal policy, meanwhile, remains resolutely expansionary.
In Q2 2023, Indian economic growth remained solid. But since the summer, the situation has deteriorated slightly. In addition to the contraction in exports, rural demand is slowing. Inflation has rebounded and downward pressures on the rupee have increased slightly due to the sharp slowdown in capital inflows. External accounts are expected to remain under pressure until the end of the year. The sharp rise in oil prices and a below-normal monsoon are weighing on the trade deficit and fuelling inflationary pressures. In addition, the narrowing yield spread between Indian and US government bonds is limiting portfolio investment. So far, the banking sector has weathered the rise in interest rates well
Despite the global economic slowdown, Indonesia’s economic growth has remained robust. Inflationary pressures remain contained despite rising rice prices. Public finances have strengthened and the fiscal deficit has fallen below the regulatory threshold of 3% of GDP a year earlier than expected. Although government debt is higher than before the crisis, it remains modest and its refinancing is less reliant on portfolio investments. The increase in the payment of interests on debt should be monitored as it reduces the government’s fiscal leeway to support the economy
The normalisation of economic policy (tightening of monetary policy and a dose of fiscal restraint) has restored confidence among investors and rating agencies. Official foreign exchange reserves consolidated over the summer, the lira is much more stable and risk premiums have eased. Economic growth remains resilient despite the slowdown in domestic credit, and the budget deficit is much lower than expected given pre-election promises. However, inflation has accelerated once again and the current account deficit has just about stabilised. The rebalancing of growth and de-dollarization have not yet been achieved, but it is more likely now that these will be seen in 2024.
The current government is running for a third term in the general elections on 15th October. Whatever the outcome, the future government will face three major economic challenges: a marked slowdown in growth, a deterioration in budget deficit and an increase in credit risk. However, this increase in risk is not a real cause for concern. There are safeguards against rising public debt. The country also has comfortable external liquidity and the banking sector is strong. The decline in inflation has facilitated the shift in gear in monetary policy, but this seems premature given strong pressure on wages.
Egypt’s management of external accounts, which consists of buying time thanks to external support between two drastic exchange rate readjustments, is reaching its limits. The persistence of a significant external financing need, notably due to the amortisation of external debt, and international creditors (Gulf States and the IMF) who condition their support on painful and politically costly reforms, have led the Egyptian economy to a dead end. The banks’ net external position is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Restrictions on foreign currency transactions are increasing, with negative consequences on activity in a country highly dependent on imports
Brazil’s cyclical performance continues to boast positive surprises. Growth and employment have held up well, core inflation is retreating, trade surpluses are beating all-time records and the real is holding its ground despite a rising dollar. Against this backdrop, the Central Bank eased its monetary policy in August for the first time in a year. These developments coupled with the revival of social policies, have helped spur a rise in Lula's approval ratings. In search of new growth drivers to reduce inequality and accelerate the energy transition, the President unveiled the third act of his Growth Acceleration Pact (Novo PAC). Financing the investment programme, however, poses questions in the face of the recently enacted fiscal framework
Mexico’s economic activity is expected to slow in the next few quarters under the combined effect of the slowdown in the US economy and the continuation of high interest rates. Beyond 2024, growth could be supported by a new driver, nearshoring, the effects of which are starting to be seen in export and investment data. The next administration, to be elected in June 2024, will therefore face the challenge of implementing the structural reforms necessary to take full advantage of this new relocation strategy and maintain financial support for Pemex, while limiting the slippage in public finance.
The current period is very favourable for the Saudi economy due to high oil revenues and implementation of extensive reform and investment programmes. Nevertheless, despite real progress in diversification, activity remains vulnerable to oil market vagaries and OPEC production policy. A moderate upturn in activity is expected in 2024 after a slight recession this year. Oil revenues remain decisive for maintaining budgetary balance and implementing Vision 2030 investments. However, the scale of funding requirements and the lack of attractiveness of the Kingdom to foreign investors mean massive use of debt as well as the sale of public assets
Since the beginning of 2023, Angola’s oil production has fallen short of the target set by the government and is declining compared to 2022, which is severely penalising economic growth. Combined with the fall in Brent prices, this underperformance is weakening the external accounts of the country, which is also dealing with particularly high external debt repayments. Dollar liquidity therefore fell in Q2 2023 and the Kwanza depreciated sharply. The government’s solvency also deteriorated. To counteract this, the authorities announced major budget cuts at the beginning of August. In the short term, the rise in Brent prices will stabilise foreign exchange reserves, which still stand at a satisfactory level
The Ghanaian economy is gradually recovering from the severe macroeconomic crisis of 2022. GDP growth is holding up better than expected and inflation has started to fall even though it remains too high. In terms of public finances, progress is also encouraging. In addition to satisfactory budget implementation during the first six months of the year, the authorities completed their domestic debt restructuration operation. However, the country remains in default on its external debt. Despite the support from the FMI, it also lacks a cushion to protect it from a possible new external shock.
The rate hikes cycle is coming to an end. The further weakening of economic activity and lower inflation that we expect to see by the end of this year should prompt the Fed, like the ECB and the BoE, to stop raising their policy rates. However, a further tightening cannot be ruled out. Interest rate hikes would not be followed immediately by cuts: to continue the fight against inflation, monetary response is expected to hold policy rates at their current high level for an extended period, until mid-2024 according to our forecasts. The first rate cuts would then occur to accompany the sharper fall in inflation and offset its positive impact on real policy rates. From this point of view, monetary policy would remain restrictive until the end of 2024.
The US economy keeps growing and postponing the occurrence of a recession that is still likely, but not in 2023 and in a circumscribed way. While households’ consumption has so far proven resilient to the monetary tightening, the delayed and cumulative effects should eventually impulse a recessionary dynamic. The first fallout is already visible on the real estate market and the labour market has exhibited signs of easing. If rate hikes are probably over, the restrictive stance is not.
After some hesitation, the Chinese authorities finally stepped up their stimulus measures over the summer. The recent slight upturn in economic growth is set to continue in Q4 2023. However, action by the central bank and the government remains constrained, cautious and measured, while internal and external obstacles to economic activity are still powerful. In the real estate sector, even if activity stabilises in the short term thanks to support measures, it is likely to remain hampered by the financial fragility of developers and weak buyer sentiment.
