India’s core infrastructure sector grew just 3.0% year-on-year in September, marking a steep slowdown from 6.5% in August and the weakest expansion in several months. The moderation was broad-based, with lower output in crude oil, natural gas, and electricity offsetting modest gains in steel and cement production.
The sharp deceleration highlights cooling industrial momentum amid uneven domestic demand and global trade headwinds. While government-led infrastructure spending remains supportive, the slowdown suggests that high borrowing costs and weaker export demand are beginning to weigh on India’s heavy industry performance.
Market impact: Mildly negative for INR; softer infrastructure growth may temper optimism over India’s near-term industrial outlook.
Argentina recorded a trade surplus of $921 million in September, down significantly from $1.402 billion in August, reflecting weaker export performance amid softer commodity prices and lingering import restrictions. The decline highlights continued external pressure as the country struggles to rebuild reserves and stabilize its currency.
The narrowing surplus suggests that the boost from agricultural exports earlier in the year is fading, while domestic demand remains constrained by triple-digit inflation and tight monetary conditions. Sustained improvement in Argentina’s external balance will likely depend on stronger export competitiveness and improved investor confidence.
Market impact: Mildly negative for ARS; a smaller trade surplus signals weakening external support for the peso and may heighten concerns over Argentina’s balance of payments stability.
Turkey’s central government debt stock increased to ₺12.964 trillion in September, up from ₺12.477 trillion in August, reflecting a monthly rise of roughly ₺487 billion. The continued expansion in public debt underscores the fiscal pressures stemming from elevated borrowing needs, earthquake-related spending, and rising interest costs.
While the Treasury continues to rely on domestic borrowing to finance budget deficits, the growing debt burden highlights challenges in maintaining fiscal discipline amid persistent inflation and tight monetary policy. Analysts expect Ankara to focus on lengthening debt maturities and attracting foreign investors to ease refinancing risks in the coming quarters.
Market impact: Mildly negative for TRY; rising public debt reinforces fiscal strain concerns, potentially weighing on investor confidence and sovereign risk perception.
Israel’s M1 money supply — a key measure of liquidity that includes cash and demand deposits — declined 4.9% year-on-year in September, extending the downward trend seen throughout 2024. The contraction highlights the ongoing impact of elevated interest rates and restrained credit growth on domestic liquidity.
The Bank of Israel’s restrictive policy stance, aimed at containing inflation and stabilizing the shekel, continues to weigh on money growth and private sector borrowing. While inflation has moderated, tighter liquidity conditions suggest that monetary easing is unlikely in the near term until clear signs of economic slowdown emerge.
Market impact: Mildly positive for ILS; the continued contraction in money supply supports the currency by signaling sustained monetary discipline from the Bank of Israel.
India’s bank loan growth rose to 11.4%, up from 10.4% in the previous period, highlighting sustained momentum in business and consumer lending. Deposit growth also picked up slightly to 9.9% from 9.5%, indicating balanced liquidity conditions within the banking sector. Meanwhile, FX reserves edged lower to $697.78 billion from $699.96 billion, while M3 money supply expanded 9.6% YoY, maintaining steady monetary growth.
The rise in credit demand underscores the resilience of India’s domestic economy amid global headwinds, supported by infrastructure spending and rising consumer confidence. Historically, double-digit credit expansion has correlated with stronger GDP performance and private-sector investment.
Market impact: Positive for INR and equities; robust loan growth reflects healthy financial conditions and continued support for India’s growth outlook.
Brazil’s IGP-10 Inflation Index increased 0.1% MoM in October, below expectations of 0.2%, signaling subdued price momentum at the start of Q4. The moderation follows a period of mild monthly increases driven by fuel and food costs but reflects easing inflationary pressures across wholesale and consumer components.
Historically, IGP-10 — which combines wholesale, consumer, and construction price movements — serves as an early indicator for broader inflation trends. The latest reading supports the view that Brazil’s disinflation process remains intact, giving the Central Bank of Brazil room to maintain a gradual easing cycle.
Market impact: Neutral to mildly positive for BRL; softer inflation reinforces the case for controlled monetary policy and economic stability.
Turkey’s End-Year CPI Forecast increased to 31.77% in October from 29.86% in September, according to the Central Bank’s latest market participants survey. The upward revision highlights persistent inflationary pressures, driven by a weaker lira, higher energy costs, and resilient domestic demand.
This marks the third consecutive monthly increase in inflation expectations, signaling skepticism among market participants regarding the pace of monetary tightening. Historically, year-end inflation forecasts above 30% have tended to anchor expectations for prolonged high interest rates and tighter policy guidance by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT).
Market impact: Negative for TRY; rising inflation expectations may weigh on currency sentiment and reinforce the need for continued policy tightening.
South Korea’s unemployment rate edged down to 2.5% in September from 2.6% in August, marking one of the lowest levels in over a year and signaling continued labor market strength despite external headwinds. The data reflect solid employment in manufacturing, technology, and public sectors, while youth and part-time job growth also remained steady.
Historically, unemployment below 3% indicates a near full-employment economy in South Korea, supported by resilient domestic demand and robust export-linked hiring. Analysts note that although hiring momentum may cool slightly in Q4 amid slowing global demand, the labor market remains fundamentally strong and continues to underpin consumer spending.
Market impact: Mildly positive for KRW; a stable, tight labor market reinforces confidence in the economy’s resilience and supports monetary policy stability.
South Korea’s Export Price Index increased 2.2% YoY in September, rebounding sharply from a 1.1% decline in August and marking the first annual gain since May. Meanwhile, the Import Price Index also turned positive, rising 0.6% YoY after a 2.2% drop the previous month, signaling gradual stabilization in trade-related price pressures.
The rebound was driven by higher semiconductor and petrochemical prices amid firm global demand and a relatively weaker won. Historically, export price growth has correlated closely with industrial profitability and trade balance trends — both of which are showing improvement as global tech demand recovers. Economists expect the price uptick to support earnings for exporters in Q4.
Market impact: Positive for KRW; rising export prices strengthen trade margins and reflect improving external competitiveness.
Argentina’s budget balance showed a $697 million surplus in September, down sharply from $1.557 billion in August, reflecting softer revenue growth and rising fiscal spending pressures. The decline highlights the government’s struggle to maintain fiscal discipline amid persistent inflation, subsidy costs, and social welfare expenditures.
Historically, Argentina’s fiscal position has been volatile, with occasional monthly surpluses often offset by broader structural deficits. The September moderation suggests that while revenues remain supported by exports and tax adjustments, expenditure rigidity continues to challenge fiscal consolidation efforts. Analysts warn that sustaining surpluses will be crucial for currency stability and meeting IMF targets.
Market impact: Slightly negative for ARS; narrowing surplus may raise investor concerns over fiscal sustainability and external financing needs.
Brazil’s IBC-Br Economic Activity Index — a key monthly proxy for GDP — rose 0.4% MoM in August, rebounding from a 0.5% decline in July and signaling a modest recovery in domestic momentum. The improvement was driven by stronger services and industrial output, offsetting mild weakness in agriculture.
This marks the first positive reading in two months and suggests that Brazil’s economy remains resilient despite tight monetary conditions. Historically, monthly IBC-Br gains above 0.3% have correlated with steady quarterly GDP expansion. Economists note that if the trend continues into September, Brazil may achieve stronger-than-expected Q3 growth.
Market impact: Positive for BRL; stronger activity data support the outlook for stable growth and may reduce expectations for additional rate cuts from the central bank.
Turkey’s gross foreign exchange reserves rose slightly to $87.34 billion in the latest report, up from $87.03 billion, while net FX reserves increased notably to 79.22% from 75.25%, signaling continued recovery in the country’s external balance sheet.
The improvement reflects ongoing foreign inflows, stronger central bank management, and reduced reliance on short-term swap funding. Historically, Turkey’s reserves have been under pressure from currency interventions and external debt repayments, making the latest stabilization a positive development for investor confidence. Analysts note that if sustained, the improving reserve position could enhance lira stability and bolster the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye’s (CBRT) credibility ahead of year-end.
Market impact: Positive for TRY; strengthening reserves boost market confidence and reduce perceived external vulnerability.