US DATA: Robust GDP Growth Expected For Q3 - 0830ET
Today sees long-awaited Q3 GDP data at 0830ET, in “initial” release form that replaces what would have been the second GDP and the preliminary corporate profits estimates (the advance release was cancelled). This will be the first GDP release since the third Q2 report on Sep 25.
- The extended tracking window of the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow points to strong real GDP growth of 3.5% annualized after an average 1.6% in 1H25 (-0.65% in Q1 before 3.84% in Q2). Bloomberg consensus is a little softer at 3.3% annualized.
- Expect continued close attention on private demand, best seen by Powell’s preferred PDFP category, which is currently tracking at ~2.4% annualized to match the 2.4% averaged in 1H25 (1.9% Q1 before 2.9% in Q2).
- Consumption dynamics remain important, seen at a healthy 2.7% annualized by both GDPNow and Bloomberg consensus, but there’s less scope to surprise this time having received the September PCE data on Dec 5.
- Investment will continue to be watched closely, with further strong increases expected for IP products and equipment. It follows a very strong 1H25, including software alone adding 0.6pps in Q2 and 0.4pps in Q1 to quarterly GDP growth and computers & peripheral equipment adding 0.4pps in Q2 and 0.5pp in Q1.
- As for the more volatile GDP components, GDPNow eyes a net export boost of 1.0pps (after a huge +4.8pp in Q2 and -4.7pps in Q1) along with broadly neutral changes in inventories at 0.1pps (after -3.4pp in Q2 and +2.6pp in Q1) in some stabilization after major tariff distortions.
- The “third” Q3 GDP release has been confirmed for Jan 22 whilst there’s no current set date for the Q4 advance originally planned for Jan 29.
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RATINGS: Moody's Upgrades Italy To Baa2 From Baa3, Still A Notch Below Others
The Moody's upgrade to Italy's credit rating announced late Friday was the first from the agency since 2002 but shouldn't be considered a major surprise. Among the 3 major ratings agencies, Moody's had the lowest rating on Italy - by two notches (Fitch and S&P both BBB+).
- So this upgrade to Baa2 from Baa3 represents something of a closing of that gap rather than a major breakthrough for Italy.
- From the release:
- "The rating upgrade reflects a consistent track-record of political and policy stability which enhances the effectiveness of economic and fiscal reforms and investment implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). It also points to prospects of further policy actions supporting growth and fiscal consolidation beyond the plan's deadline in August 2026. As a result, we expect that Italy's high government debt burden will gradually decline from 2027 onwards."
FED: Heading Into Its Final Weeks, QT Pace Remains At $20B/Month (2/2)
On the asset side of the Fed balance sheet, we saw a $25B drop in assets, of which just $2B could be attributed to QT in one of its final weeks (ends Dec 1).
- Instead it was a $6B drop in dealer repo operations vs a week earlier, and $17B in "other" areas that aren't related directly to monetary policy and typically don't have any significant impact on the size of the balance sheet (such changes are largely due to items such as bank premises, accrued interest, and other accounts receivable.)
- Discount window takeup edged up $0.3B to $6.1B but remains relatively low.
- QT has totaled just under $21B over the last month, around the expected pace, though as noted this will flatline in December with a pickup in net bills as MBS proceeds are rolled over into T-bills.
LOOK AHEAD: US Week Ahead: Retail Sales, PPI & Claims Headline Thanksgiving Week
A Thanksgiving-condensed week sees data highlights from delayed retail sales and PPI reports for September on Tuesday (Nov 25) before a Wednesday release for weekly jobless claims (Nov 26). Aside, the Fed’s Beige Book should also offer another important update on Wednesday for latest liaison reporting, with no Fedspeak currently scheduled around the holiday and the FOMC media blackout due to start on Saturday, Nov 29.
- As we regularly comment in this weekly publication, Redbook and Chicago Fed CARTS indicators point to solid nominal growth in retail sales, something broadly reflected in analyst consensus for the release.
- PPI inflation will offer a useful albeit not overly timely update on input cost pressures.
- Jobless claims will be watched particularly closely, both for latest initial claims for signs of layoffs and a notable update for continuing claims. The latter covers the payrolls reference period for November and will be an important reference point for FOMC members trying to get a sense of latest unemployment rate clues with the next payrolls reports coming after the Dec 9-10 FOMC decision (going into it with this week’s 0.12bp rise to 4.44% back in September).
