I was with CBRE for 10 years and perhaps the thing I miss the most is their research department. They really know their numbers. Asieh Mansour, PhD, the head economist for the Americas, just published an interesting report about our third consecutive summer 
economic slump. She covers the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil in her quick two page synopsis.
Her more interesting observations are:
- The Brazilian economy is slowing with economic growth this year at its lowest since 4Q2009.
- The weak Brazilian Real will support its manufacturers but the Brazilian main growth drivers will be infrastructure projects for the 2014 World Cup and a rebound in China.
- Mexico is struggling under relatively high unemployment, a slowdown in manufacturing exports and declining energy prices.
- Both the U.S. and Mexico are in an election year which adds additional uncertainty.
- The U.S. Safe Haven status continues to drive down interest rates.
- The U.S. is expected to continue to lag behind the world in real GDP growth while Mexico is anticipated to exceed it and Brazil will keep pace in 2012 and then outpace the world averages in 2013.
For the full report, click http://www.cbre.us/AssetLibrary/Americas-Economic-Snapshot-June-2012.pdf
These numbers are particularly important here in Miami since our economy is more driven by world economies as opposed to domestic drivers. How does this compare to what you are seeing in your business? Is this economist on target or has she missed the mark? Your thoughts on this are always welcome.
