Real retail sales growth came in weaker than expected, implying stagnation since April. This warrants some caution regarding the consumption outlook. Still, households have relatively strong resources which could support robust spending as the year approaches an end
The 0.1% GDP contraction was driven by the net exports drag, partially offset by inventories and gross fixed capital formation. Consumption was flat, but could improve a bit over the rest of the year should inflation remain under control, as we believe
As a new fiscal discipline, we need a new fiscal target that can take into account macroeconomic conditions, guiding net domestic fund demand to be around -5%. The previous fiscal target of achieving a primary balance surplus was flawed because it aimed to achieve a surplus regardless of macroeconomic conditions, making it impossible to sustainably expand the size of the economy.
