On January 11th, China announced its first death related to the Coronavirus. 120 Days later, the pandemic has wreaked havoc in the lives of all. This week ahead marks many important indicators that, in regular times, would be an indicator of the prosperity of the global economy. We now look to the same indicators and quantify the damage Coronavirus has done to our lives and the global economy. Note: Dates are in NZST.
The People’s Bank of China has been wary of cutting their lending rates in favor of direct approaches, such as bond issues and direct lending – a stark contrast to how many central banks tackled the issue Coronavirus. However, due to implementing one of the strictest lockdown measures at the epicenter of the virus, consumer demand has been shattered. The PBOC in a statement stated that “ there was no foundation for persistent inflation or deflation in the country” Analysts predict a 3.7% inflation rate, down from 4.3%.
In contrast, the US government has favored bolstering financial stability of households – providing them with stimulus checks to keep the economy afloat. This is on the back of the Federal Reserve announcing an unlimited quantitative easing program. These measures are textbook ways in which the rate of inflation increases in the long run. However, the consensus has been that it is more important to keep the economy afloat and worry about inflation later. Analysts forecast a 1.7% inflation rate, down from a previous 2.1%.
With one of the lowest coronavirus fatalities in the world, New Zealand has been praised for its swift and immediate response to the threat of the Coronavirus. However, this has not shielded them from the economic shortfalls a retraction of demand has caused. With the RBNZ expecting to double their quantitative easing measures, it remains to be seen whether their aim of keeping inflation between 1% and 3% is feasible. Analysts predict the RBNZ to keep interest rates at 0.25%.
With having the worst fatality rate concerning the Coronavirus of around 16%, analysts forecast the UK to revise their GDP rate down from 0.1% to -2.9%. This is on the back of their Prime Minister, Boris Johnson contracting the Novel Coronavirus. The UK is set to slowly come out of their 7-week lockdown as their infection rates slowly decline.
With the Eurozone thriving over the free travel between Europe’s borders, lockdowns across the continent have severed this fundamental backbone of the European nations. Alongside devastating Coronavirus figures from the UK and Italy, analysts are forecasting a 3.3% drop in GDP year over year, in contrast to last year’s 1% growth.
With lockdown measures across the United States and all across the world, in person, retail sales have suffered gravely. Retail sales fell 8.4% in March, with clothing and accessories suffering the worst plunging 50.5% in March. This is on the back of JCPenney and Neiman Marcus filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Analysts forecast a further 12% drop in retail sales.
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