Economics Fixed Income Commentary

Global Macro Outlook: Fourth Quarter 2024

04 October 2024
1 min read
Global Macro Outlook: Fourth Quarter 2024

What You Need To Know

Monetary policy began to transition from restrictive to neutral last quarter, and we’re optimistic that continued easing can prevent a hard landing. Labor market direction, however, will provide the real answers to how far and quickly easing will move from here. Non-economic risks could factor large, too, such as excess leverage and market weakness, not to mention uncertainty surrounding the US election.  
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Key Forecast Trends

  • Cooling price pressures this summer helped an overall pivot toward a more balanced view of the growth/inflation trade off. 
  • Central banks are well into easing, but not to fix as much as prevent economic weakness. 
  • We see more Fed easing ahead, with cuts of 0.25% at each meeting well into next year. 
  • Where rates end up will much depend on job growth, which has weakened but still at levels aligned with a growing backdrop. 
  • China’s woes are influencing developments beyond its borders, so we’re closely watching how recent measures will address a potential deflationary spiral. 
  • The US election outcome is a tossup, but just the uncertainty in the leadup could impede growth and some capex spending in the coming months. 
Global Macro Outlook: The Next Six Months
Three gauges visually represent Economic Activity, Inflation, and Monetary Policy, each with a labeled range.

Global Forecast

Forecast Overview
A summary chart of economic outlook: key assumptions, central narrative, and upside/downside risks.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations, and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams, and are subject to change over time.