4 Mar 2024
2024 has started as 2023 finished, with markets trying to work out when central banks will move towards rate cuts, and how quickly they will then be reduced. On the back of January’s central bank meetings, market interest rate cut expectations may have been pushed back a touch while our forecasts still look for Federal Reserve and European Central Bank rate cuts to start in June, and to be smaller in magnitude than is currently being priced in.
Inflation has come down markedly, particularly over the past six months (see Chart 1), giving room for central bankers to think about easing. But activity data continue to hold up particularly in the US (see Chart 2). The early signs from 2024 suggest economic activity continues to tick along despite the risks to growth from higher rates and geopolitical uncertainty.
As a result, central bankers face a tough balancing act – trimming rates may limit any downside risks to the economy, but it could risk cutting too early and stoking another leg higher in inflation. The ongoing disruption to global shipping poses additional inflation complications, too.
Source: Macrobond
Source: Macrobond
But 2024 isn’t just about monetary policy. As a big election year, fiscal policy is likely to remain close to centre stage. Governments have played a key role in supporting economic growth in recent years, but with higher interest bills and regular spending growth lifted by past inflation, how much is left for incumbent governments to spend?
We’re not starting from a favourable position: public debt stands at record high levels. In fact, the World Bank projects global public debt to rise by 1ppt of GDP per year over the medium term (2023-28) with the US and mainland China as the main contributors. And with much spending needed to meet net zero emissions targets, this could lead to debt levels relative to GDP rising by as much as 40-50ppt. Enhancing private sector investments for greener energy and other areas will likely be needed. That means higher tax revenues – especially in emerging markets – will be needed to tame debt levels.
Source: IMF. Note: Shaded region denotes IMF estimates
Source: Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment,
Investments for Green Recovery and Transformational Growth 2020–30, June 2021.
Note: Energy estimate is 2.8-3.3 USDtrn pa.
Usually, ahead of elections, we wouldn’t expect the fiscal breaks to be pressed. But with debt issues gathering more headlines in recent months and concerns over fiscal sustainability, we could see incumbent or new governments show more restraint. In the US, for example, the fiscal deficit widened to 6.3% of GDP in 2023 and will likely widen further in 2024 to 6.5%. As a result, investors will be watching for signs of fiscal discipline, not just in emerging markets but in developed economies too.
Source: Bloomberg, HSBC
⬆ Positive surprise – actual is higher than consensus, ⬇ Negative surprise – actual is lower than consensus, ➡ Actual is in line with consensus
Source: Refinitiv Eikon, HSBC
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