BBVA Research

Argentina establishes itself as a key player in the global agricultural market, excelling in the production of soybeans, corn, wheat, and sunflower. The sector is a crucial source of foreign currency, with agricultural complexes projected to contribute 42% of the country's total exports in 2026.

We have revised our 2026 growth forecast upward to 1.4% (from 1.2% before); we anticipate that the gradual recovery of domestic demand will sustain the pace of expansion. Following a weak 2025, formal employment is beginning to improve. We expect core inflation to resume its downward trend in the second quarter of the year.

Tighter global financial conditions and persistent inflation pressures require a prudent policy mix. We expect monetary policy to stay restrictive, with historically high real rates and continued macroprudential measures, while fiscal and credit support is likely to be selective.

The Chinese economy slowed to 4.3% in Q2 2026 due to domestic risks such as a supply-demand mismatch, weak consumption, and a housing crisis. The GDP growth forecast is maintained at 4.5% for 2026 and 4.2% for 2027, and the CPI forecast is lowered to 0.8%.

Colombia’s economy will grow 2.6% in 2026, ease to 2.3% in 2027, and rebound to 3.1% in 2028. The 2027 slowdown will be temporary as growth shifts from public to private-sector support, which will strengthen in 2028. Fiscal imbalances and inflation remain the key challenges ahead.

The BBVA Research Multidimensional Manufacturing Indicator (IMM BBVA Research) grew 3.2% YoY in August, broadly unchanged from the 1H26 average (3.1%).

In this edition of the QLMO, we analyse labour market developments based on data available through Q2 2026. We take stock of the main aggregate indicators and examine occupational exposure to generative AI, as well as its relationship with the occupational structure of employment and labour market entry.

Social Security affiliation fell by 162,800 people and unemployment grew by 44,400. Adjusted for seasonality, an estimated rebound of 74,000 contributors and 10,500 unemployed is estimated. The extraordinary regularization of immigrants may have added 211,000 foreign affiliates and 64,900 unemployed up to August.

The Turkish economy grew by 2.3% y/y in 2Q26, below both our expectation (3%) and market consensus (2.9%), bringing growth in 1H26 to 2.5% y/y. Assuming a prudent policy mix going forward and no further escalation in geopolitical tensions, we maintain our 3.0% GDP growth forecast for 2026 with limited downside risks now.

Mexico's current account recorded a surplus of USD 8.9 billion in 2Q26, driven by a record high in the non-oil merchandise balance. In contrast, Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) showed an annual decrease of 11.7% during the first half of 2026.