Slight downward revision of global growth forecasts. This revision is based on the slight moderation of global activity indicators. The global composite purchasing manager index (PMI), for instance, remains well within expansionary territory (above 50 points) but declined for the third consecutive month, down to 52.8 points in September. This setback has occurred both in the aggregate for emerging economies and for advanced economies. The scenario by CaixaBank Research has been adjusted to reflect this moderation, with a slight downward revision (1 decimal point) in the global growth figures for this year and next, although the forecasts remain strong (3.7% in 2018 and 3.6% in 2019). The IMF also reduced its global growth forecasts in the recent update of its World Economic Outlook report (down to 3.7% for 2018 and 2019) and maintained a balance of downside risks. The IMF’s review largely reflects a lower expected growth among the emerging economies and is the result of two opposing trends: while the recovery of the price of oil justifies improving the outlook for energy exporters, other emerging economies are going to see their future growth suffer due to the escalating global trade tensions (the IMF explicitly mentions China and India). Besides these general trends, there are certain emerging economies (such as Argentina, Turkey and Iran) that are exhibiting idiosyncratic weaknesses, in addition to suffering from the combination of global trends that are hindering growth (tightening of global financial conditions, geopolitical tensions and effects of the trade war).

The downside risks remain present. In the sphere of trade, despite the agreement reached in recent weeks between the US, Mexico and Canada to reform the trade treaty between the three countries (previously known as NAFTA, and now USMCA), the trade tensions between the US and China remain ever present. Although we do not believe that the escalation of tariffs between the two countries will lead to a fully-fledged trade war on a global scale, the risks have increased considerably in recent months. In this regard, the US midterm elections (on 6 November) could play an important role in how these tensions are to develop. If the Republicans come out stronger, Trump could see it as an endorsement of his trade policy and continue to impose tariffs. If, on the other hand, the Democrats recover the House of Representatives with a resounding election result, the president might choose to recalibrate his trade policy. Not in vain, 56% of Americans believe that free trade agreements have been positive for the country as a whole. Although this percentage is considerably lower among Republican voters (43%), it has tended to increase significantly in recent years (according to a survey by the Pew Research Center).

In Europe, geopolitical factors dominate the risk map. In particular, at the European Council meeting in mid-October, the United Kingdom and the EU were unable to reach an agreement on the United Kingdom’s departure, due to take place on 29 March next year. Such an agreement is a requirement for the transition agreement previously reached, according to which the United Kingdom will remain in the single market and the customs union until the end of 2020, to come into effect. Although we expect an exit agreement to eventually be reached, its formalisation is likely to be delayed more than would be desirable, since the process of ratifying the agreement in the United Kingdom is expected to prove difficult. Italy, meanwhile, has been the focus of attention over the past few weeks, due to the fact that its new public budget for 2019 represents a significant deviation from the target previously agreed with Brussels in May (increasing from a deficit of 0.8% of GDP to 2.4%). This change will make it difficult to correct Italy’s high levels of public debt (currently above 130% of GDP) and it is causing tensions with Brussels. In fact, the European Commission has already formally rejected this proposal, considering it a serious breach of the EU’s fiscal rules, and it has given Italy three weeks (until mid-November) to revise it.

EURO AREA

In the euro area, GDP growth proved to be a disappointment in Q3 2018, falling well below analysts’ expectations. In particular, GDP grew by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 (1.7% year-on-year), which represents a slowdown compared to the first half of the year (in which GDP grew by 0.4% quarter-on-quarter). Among the countries for which we have data, there were both strong points and weaknesses. In particular, France stood out with a growth of 0.4% quarter-on-quarter and 1.5% year-on-year in Q3 (0.2% quarter-on-quarter and 1.7% year-on-year in Q2 2018). On the other hand, Italy produced disappointing figures, with zero quarter-on-quarter growth and a year-on-year growth rate of 0.8% (0.2% quarter-on-quarter and 1.2% year-on-year in Q2 2018). As for Germany, although we do not yet know the GDP data, everything seems to indicate that its economy has been temporarily weighed down by the new regulations on vehicles, which came into force on 1 September and introduced stricter regulations on emissions.

The first economic sentiment indicators point towards a more moderate growth rate in the last quarter of the year. In particular, the composite PMI index for the whole of the euro area (which measures business sentiment) fell to 52.7 points in October. Although still in expansive territory, this is its lowest level in the past two years. The decline was supported by the (expected) slowdown in exports, in an environment of persistent trade tensions. The new regulations on vehicles may also have contributed to this lower figure. The consumer confidence index, meanwhile, rebounded slightly in October to –2.7 points, similar to the 2017 average (–2.5 points).

US

The growth data for Q3 confirm the positive performance of the American economy. In particular, GDP grew by a solid 0.9% quarter-on-quarter (3.0% year-on-year). This growth has been a positive surprise, particularly given the already very high growth in Q2 (1.0% quarter-on-quarter). In its expenditure breakdown, the strong growth was largely supported by the rise in personal consumption expenditure and the significant positive contribution of private inventory investment, as well as government spending (with the higher public expenditure approved in February in the US Congress). These elements offset the fall in exports and residential investment. On the other hand, business investment proved weak, particularly in capital goods, despite the new tax rules that should have benefited it (including a tax cut and greater tax incentives for investment). As such, the gradual withdrawal of the fiscal stimulus will contribute to moderating GDP growth in 2019.

The encouraging data for the labour market and inflation should not lead us to complacency. Despite the slight moderation in inflation in September, both headline and core inflation remained at strong levels (2.3% and 2.2%, respectively). In an environment of strong growth and with a labour market close to full employment (the unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in September, the lowest level since 1969), the risks of overheating are by no means negligible. Thus, the scenario by CaixaBank Research foresees the Federal Reserve continuing to normalise its monetary policy in order to contain these risks, with a new rate hike this year and two more during 2019. This would bring the reference rate up to the 2.75%-3.00% range by the end of 2019.

EMERGING MARKETS

In China, the slowdown of the economy is confirmed. In particular, China’s GDP grew by 6.5% year-on-year in Q3. Although this is a strong growth rate, it is 2 decimal points below the previous quarter, thus confirming that the country is slowing down. In fact, the CaixaBank Research activity rate for China’s economy suggests that the slowdown could be more pronounced than suggested by the official GDP data. Looking ahead to the coming quarters, we anticipate that the country’s economy will continue to decelerate, albeit gradually. Therefore, the Chinese Government is likely to continue with some of the stimulus measures already implemented (such as reductions in the capital requirements for banks).

In Latin America, the two major economies are following different paths. In Brazil, uncertainty will continue to weigh down economic growth. Bolsonaro’s victory could provide a moderate reformist agenda with the goal of correcting the significant imbalance in Brazil’s public accounts. However, it will be difficult for more ambitious changes to be made due to the political fragmentation in the legislative power (see the Focus «The public finances, the Achilles heel of the Brazilian economy» in this Monthly Report). In Mexico, meanwhile, GDP in Q3 grew by a considerable 0.9% quarter-on-quarter (2.6% year-on-year), leaving behind the last few quarters which had shown a certain weakness due to uncertainty surrounding politics and trade.