The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.

Our Purchasing Managers' Index team compiles data for more than 40 economies around the world. In this episode, the economists explore the divergence in the performance of the manufacturing and services sectors in countries including Australia and Greece. They zero in on how this is showing up in labor markets, looking at employment growth and wages.  Learn more about our Purchasing Managers' Inde...

The 74-year-old North Atlantic Treaty Organization, better known as NATO, is holding its summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11 and 12. The event will be attended by representatives of the 31 member states, as well as candidate country Sweden. Aspiring NATO members Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine are also likely to send delegates. What's on their agenda? And how is NATO staying relev...

House prices experienced sharp increases in most developed economies during the last decade as record-low interest rates supported demand for property. The tightening of global monetary conditions over the past year has driven a softening of house prices, which in some key markets are expected to decline in 2023 and 2024. The degree of impact, of course, varies by market. In this episode — the thi...

House prices experienced sharp increases in most developed economies during the last decade as record-low interest rates supported demand for property. The tightening of global monetary conditions over the past year has driven a softening of house prices, which in some key markets are expected to decline in 2023 and 2024. The degree of impact, of course, varies by market.    In this episode — the...

House prices experienced sharp increases in most developed economies during the last decade as record-low interest rates supported demand for property. The tightening of global monetary conditions over the past year has driven a softening of house prices, which in some key markets are expected to decline in 2023 and 2024. The degree of impact, of course, varies by market.    In this episode — the...

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking to position Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, as a country willing to expand and diversify its trade relations. The government is seeking to strengthen strategic sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, renewable energy and infrastructure, particularly via public-private partnerships. Even with emerging opportunities, companies operati...

On May 28, voters in Turkey went to the polls for a second time to choose their president after a vote two-weeks earlier proved inconclusive. In this second round, current President Erdogan won a close contest 52% to 48%, extending his two-decade long administration for at least another five years. What does his victory mean for the country, the region and the world? Our experts share their insigh...

It's a big year for India. It's become the world's most populous country. In September, it will host the G20 summit, at a crucial time for global partnerships in a post-pandemic world and an ongoing conflict in Ukraine. And in just about a year, voters will go to the polls in parliamentary elections. These recent global events have prompted India to recalibrate its geopolitical strategy. India has...

As the stressed economy continues to impact global industries, volatility, reduced demand, disrupted supply chains, and higher costs, among other factors, are affecting businesses' revenue and cash flow, and many industries are at a higher risk of the likelihood of default and bankruptcy. Credit and risk management professionals need to be prepared for unpredictable conditions and act quickly to m...

Our Purchasing Managers' Index team compiles data for more than 40 economies around the world. In this episode, the economists unpack recent events in sub-Saharan Africa and discuss how the PMI data illuminate economic trends across the region. Featured speakers: Paul Smith Director, Economic Indices, S&P Global Market Intelligence https://www.spglobal.com/en/enterprise/experts/smith-paul.html And...

What is driving construction spending in 2023? Our expert discusses the economic forces at play in various regions and shares our global outlook for the year.

Russia has repeatedly stated that it will not work with the G7 oil price cap for crude oil that took effect in December 2022, or with the subsequent price cap on refined products that became effective in February 2023. If Russia insists on not conforming to the price cap, it can't use services located in G7 countries due to sanctions controls. This scenario gives rise to the need for a substantial...

We began 2023 grappling with worries of high and persistent inflation. Now we are looking at a new downside risk to  the  global economy: turbulence in  the   banking  sector. Recent events have sparked a fear of contagion—and a crisis in confidence—especially in  the  US and Western Europe. How worried should we be? What comes next?  Our experts discuss  the  differences between now and  the 2008...

The US economy has been on a roller coaster ride since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, making the job of economists even harder. What indicators should we be paying attention to as we watch for a recession that may or may not materialize? Where should we look for signs that inflation is easing? Here to share his insights on these questions is: Chris Varvares, Vice President and co-head of...

The year 2023 is a year of two halves for global supply chains. During second quarter 2023, a normalization of supply chain conditions will continue after getting underway in late 2022. Later in 2023, post-pandemic corporate strategies should be clearer and global policy uncertainties may be resolved. What do purchasing managers and C-suite executives need to know to make smart business decisions?...

While the Russia-Ukraine war continues, violent incidents are occurring across the globe, including ongoing protests in Europe, terrorist attacks in Africa, criminal activity in Mexico, and the potential for conflict in the Middle East. In this episode, our experts assess how these episodes of violence are impacting businesses and what companies are doing to mitigate their exposure. John Raines (m...

The global economic expansion is moving forward at a subdued pace in 2023, as tightening monetary policies and pandemic scars are creating challenging business conditions. Tight labor market conditions could delay progress in reducing inflation, prompting more aggressive monetary policy responses that threaten growth. Our experts share their views on the global economic outlook. Sara Johnson, Exec...

We've seen some positive surprises recently on real GDP and survey data in the eurozone and European Union, indicating the economy is more resilient than expected. What's driving those surprises and what do we see when we look beyond the headline figure?

Trade between the US and China reached a record in 2022 with imports and exports between the countries exceeding $690 billion. What are the forces shaping the economic relations between the two countries and what can we expect on US China trade going forward? Hear from our experts: John Raines, Principal Global Risks Adviser, Head of North America Risk and Director at S&P Global Market Intelligenc...

Countries around the world are developing strategies around minerals that they consider critical to their economies and their national security, such as copper and lithium. We discuss these strategies and their potential geopolitical impacts with our experts: Carla Selman, head of Latin America Country Risk, S&P Global Market Intelligence https://www.spglobal.com/en/enterprise/experts/selman-carla...

This episode will provide you with a deep dive into the uncertainty facing South Africa's economy in 2023. Our expert shares the top macroeconomic forecasts for the global economy as well as the South African economy for the coming year. Thea Fourie, Associate Director, Sub-Saharan Africa Economics, S&P Global Market Intelligence https://www.spglobal.com/en/enterprise/experts/fourie-thea.html

This episode will provide you with a deep dive into the political governance and policy changes expected in South Africa at the start of 2023, following a significant elective conference for the country's ruling ANC party. Langelihle Malimela, Senior analyst, Country Risk, Africa, S&P Global Market Intelligence https://www.spglobal.com/en/enterprise/experts/malimela-langelihle.html

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, creating the largest land war in Europe since World War II. In the process, the war accelerated already-high inflation, caused economic dislocation, and produced millions of refugees. In this episode, our experts assess the conflict and the overall economic impact and share where we think the situation is headed.

Economists on our Purchasing Managers' Index team use the prism of our PMI datasets to look at some of the most important themes in the global economy at the start of 2023. These include inflation, the recent reopening of China's economy, and supply chain risks. They also discuss the top 10 PMI indicators they think will be interesting to watch this year. Click here to watch the full video on the...

Tight labor markets made headlines in 2022 as inflation rose to a record and employment and vacancy rates remained high. But what will 2023 bring? Economists from our Pricing & Purchasing team talk about what's happening in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions and what it means for businesses. Emily Crowley, Associate Director, Pricing and Purchasing, S&P Global Market Intelligence https...