BRAZIL: Weakening Q3 Activity Increases Prospects For Near-Term Rate Cut
Nov-18 12:02
- USDBRL closed 0.6% higher yesterday amid a risk-off move towards the end of the session. Nonetheless, the pair remains just 1.2% above last week’s cycle lows and the pair maintains a short-term bearish tone. Key support at 5.2697, the Sep 18 low has been pierced and a clear break would confirm a resumption of the medium-term downtrend, with scope for a move towards 5.2000, a psychological round number, followed by the May 2024 low at 5.0449. Initial key resistance is seen at 5.3720, the 50-day EMA.
- No macro data are due today, with the calendar remaining light for the rest of the week. Yesterday’s Sept economic activity data came in close to expectations, with the 0.24% m/m decline in activity suggesting that the economy have contracted in Q3, adding to signs that the BCB’s very restrictive monetary policy stance is having the desired effect. Near-term CPI expectations also declined further, with analysts now expecting the headline rate to end this year within the 3%+/-1.5% target range, according to the BCB’s Focus survey.
- For now, BCB officials still sound hawkish, maintaining their high for longer messaging. However, the continued moderation in inflation and inflation expectations and weakening of activity suggests that there will be room for the Copom to soften its stance soon, potentially at the Dec meeting, opening the door to a Q1 rate cute.
- Today, BCB Governor Galipolo is due to attend the meeting of the Financial Stability Committee in Brasilia.
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LOOK AHEAD: US Week Ahead Headlined By Delayed CPI Report On Friday
Oct-17 20:51
- The September US CPI report will be released on Friday, delayed amidst the government shutdown but with the BLS making a special exception on social security payment considerations.
- Bloomberg consensus looks for headline CPI inflation at a rounded 0.4% M/M after 0.38% back in August and for Y/Y inflation to firm two tenths to 3.1% for what would be its highest since May 2024.
- Core inflation is seen at a rounded 0.3% M/M after 0.35% in August (exceeding the median unrounded estimate of 0.31%) and 0.32% in July. It’s expected to see core CPI inflation hold at 3.1% Y/Y having in August increased to its highest since February.
- Core details should see focus on both goods and services angles: underlying goods inflation has clearly firmed in recent months on tariff pressures although the median increase has currently seen a peak back in June, whilst services will be watched for any spillover after some strong recent non-housing readings.
- The report will come within the FOMC blackout period ahead of the Oct 28-29 decision, with a 25bp cut fully priced and likely needing a large surprise to alter this.
- As for broader inflation details, Fed Chair Powell this week confusingly suggested that we will have the September PPI report but the BLS had previously said “No other releases will be rescheduled or produced until the resumption of regular government services”.
US DATA: Latest Jobless Claims Estimates During The Shutdown
Oct-17 20:30
As noted earlier, MNI estimates initial jobless claims at a seasonally adjusted 218k in the week to Oct 11 and continuing claims at a seasonally adjusted 1929k in the week to Oct 4.
- To give a better idea of sensitivity around these estimates, which rely on estimates for some missing states, we note the below analyst estimates:
- Goldman Sachs have a central estimate of 217k for initial claims in a range of 211-225k, whilst they see continuing claims at 1917k in a range of 1885-1930k.
- JPMorgan meanwhile also see 217k for initial claims whilst they see continuing claims as having held constant at 1927k.
NATGAS: Venture Global in Talks with Ukraine for more LNG Deliveries, Reuters
Oct-17 20:28
Ukraine is seeking more cargoes from Venture’s Plaquemines facility as the embattled nation approaches the winter heating season, according to Reuters sources
- Venture is in talks with Ukraine’s DTEK to procure more LNG cargoes after a year of gas infrastructure attacks by the Russians.
- Venture Global CEO Michael Sabel met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday October 16.
- DTEK signed an agreement in 2024 for an undisclosed amount of LNG from the facility, as well as 2 mtpa from Calcasieu Pass Phase 2 currently under construction.
- Plaquemines currently has spare capacity to deliver more cargoes to Ukraine on the spot market, per Reuters.
- Plaquemines now sends out the second highest LNG volume in the US, with feedgas demand averaging 3.45 bcf/d according to MNI figures.
