Academic literature on the topic 'Index of inflation'

In this paper we consider a class of inflation models on the brane where the dominant part of the inflaton scalar potential does not depend on the inflaton field value during inflation. In particular, we consider supernatural inflation, its hilltop version, A-term inflation, and supersymmetric (SUSY) D- and F-term hybrid inflation on the brane. We show that the parameter space can be broadened, the inflation scale generally can be lowered, and still possible to have the spectral index ns = 0.96.

The present study estimates various specifications of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve (NKPC) models for India over 1996Q2 to 2017Q2 using Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation, separately. The empirical results suggest that the data support all the specifications of the Phillips curve models based on both the CPI and WPI inflations. However, the backward looking and hybrid models provide robust results for both the inflation indices. While the forward-looking behaviour dominates the CPI inflation trajectory, the backward-looking behaviour greatly influences the trajectory of WPI inflation. Also, a small-to-moderate degree of persistence is evident in both the CPI and WPI inflation. The output gap, which mainly represents the demand side pressures, turns up the major force determining both the CPI and WPI inflations. Besides the output gap, real effective exchange rate (reer), international crude oil price inflation, global non-fuel commodity price inflation and rainfall have a modest impact on the CPI and WPI inflations. JEL Classification: E12, E52, C36, C14

We have studied constant-roll inflation using the q-de Sitter scale factor. Both the cold and warm inflation have been considered, and the scalar potential and inflaton field have been determined. Also tensor to scalar ratio and the spectral index are obtained. In the cold inflation case, the perturbations have been investigated using Mukhanov–Sasaki equation, and the results determined for the spectral index and tensor to scalar ration are consistent with observations. In the warm inflation two cases of constant damping ([Formula: see text]) and the field dependent damping ([Formula: see text]) have been studied. In both cases the power spectrum and the tensor to scalar ratio are determined as a function of the inflaton field. It has been shown that in both cases the spectral index is independent of the inflaton field. In the case of constant damping the obtained value for the spectral index is inconsistent with observations but for the case of field dependent damping the parameter [Formula: see text] can be chosen such that the value obtained for all the physical quantities including the spectral index be consistent with present cosmological observations.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between PPI inflation and CPI inflation in Indonesia both in general and for each group of commodity, and to identify whether PPI inflation can be a leading indicator for CPI inflation or vice versa. This study employs Granger causality based on VAR model for monthly data series from January 2010 until August 2016. The results show that there are unidirectional relationship between PPI inflation and CPI inflation generally, bidirectional relationship from PPI inflation to CPI inflation for foodstuffs group, unidirectional from CPI inflation to PPI inflation for clothing group, and no causality between PPI inflation and CPI inflation for processed food, beverage, cigarette, and tobacco group.Keywords: Granger causality, producer price index, consumer price index, VAR JEL classification: E31, C22

This study aims to investigate the relationship between PPI inflation and CPI inflation in Indonesia both in general and for each group of commodity, and to identify whether PPI inflation can be a leading indicator for CPI inflation or vice versa. This study employs Granger causality based on VAR model for monthly data series from January 2010 until August 2016. The results show that there are unidirectional relationship between PPI inflation and CPI inflation generally, bidirectional relationship from PPI inflation to CPI inflation for foodstuffs group, unidirectional from CPI inflation to PPI inflation for clothing group, and no causality between PPI inflation and CPI inflation for processed food, beverage, cigarette, and tobacco group.Keywords: Granger causality, producer price index, consumer price index, VAR JEL classification: E31, C22

We study a class of generalized inflation models in which the inflaton is coupled to the Ricci scalar by a general f(φ, R) term. The scalar power spectrum, the spectral index, the running of the spectral index, the tensor mode spectrum and a new consistency relation of the model are calculated.

A index that closely approximates the rate of inflation in consumer prices has been constructed from eight components that are available daily. The index has been compiled monthly from January 1968 through June 1990, with the results shown in Figure 1. The Daily Inflation Index includes the prices of foods, textiles, metals and oil as quoted in the commodity markets and also an index of dollar exchange rates, the Treasury bill rate, a price index for utility stocks, and the price of gold. The index accounts for 84 percent of the variation in the CPI inflation rate from 1968 to 1990 and is expected to be used as an independent measure of inflationary trends. In essence, the Daily Inflation Index is designed to measure the market assessment of inflation and should provide hedgers, traders, and consumers with timely information about inflation.

Inflationary models with a superheavy scale F-term hybrid inflation followed by an intermediate scale modular inflation are considered. The restrictions on the power spectrum [Formula: see text] of curvature perturbation and the spectral index ns from the recent data within the power-law cosmological model with cold dark matter and a cosmological constant can be met provided that the number of e-foldings N HI * suffered by the pivot scale k* = 0.002/ Mpc during hybrid inflation is suitably restricted. The additional e-foldings needed for solving the horizon and flatness problems are generated by modular inflation with a string axion as inflaton. For central values of [Formula: see text] and ns, the grand unification scale comes out, in the case of standard hybrid inflation, close to its supersymmetric value M GUT ≃ 2.86 × 1016 GeV , the relevant coupling constant is relatively large (≈ 0.005 – 0.14), and 10 ≲ N HI * ≲ 21.7. In the shifted [smooth] hybrid inflation case, the grand unification scale can be identified with M GUT for N HI * ≃ 21 [N HI * ≃ 18].

Abstract We have realized non-minimal Higgs inflation and standard hybrid inflation in the supersymmetric flipped SU(5) model with U(1) R symmetry using the no-scale form of the Kähler potential. In non-minimal Higgs inflation the waterfall Higgs field plays the role of inflaton, and in standard hybrid inflation the gauge singlet field S is employed as an inflaton. The predictions of both models are in good agreement with the Planck 2018 data. For numerical calculations we have fixed the gauge symmetry breaking scale, M, around 2 × 1016 GeV. In both models the inflaton field values are constrained below mP . The tensor to scalar ratio r in non-minimal inflation is of the order of 10-3 and for standard hybrid inflation r is tiny, of order 10-15–10-4. The scalar spectral index in both cases lie within the Planck 1-σ bounds, and the running of the scalar spectral index lies in the range, -dns /d ln k ∼ 6 × 10-4 for non-minimal model and 10-9–10-3 for the standard hybrid model. A realistic scenario of reheating and non-thermal leptogenesis is employed with reheat temperature Tr ∼ 109 GeV for non-minimal model and 106–1010 GeV for standard hybrid model. The R-symmetry plays a vital role in forbidding rapid proton decay, but at the same time it also suppresses terms responsible for generating right handed neutrino masses. A realistic scenario of right handed neutrino masses is obtained by considering effective R symmetry breaking at the nonrenormalizable level with adequate suppression of rapid proton decay.

The Fisher Equation suggests that the spread between nominal and real interest rates is equal to the inflation expectations. In Sweden, where both nominal and inflation linked bonds exist the fisher equation implies that the yield spread could provide investors and policymakers with important information about markets inflation expectations. The aim of this thesis is therefore to estimate whether the yield spread between Swedish nominal and real interest rates - widely referred to as the Breakeven Inflation (BEI) - is a market based measure of inflation expectations. A sample based on historical bond prices between year 2000 and 2007 is used and adjusted for 3 distortions: i) The mismatch in cash flow structure arising from different bond characteristics. ii) The inflation indexation and bond finance implications (carry). iii) The seasonality in Consumer Price Index (CPI). In the absence of “true” inflation expectations, the benchmark used for the evaluation and comparison of the unadjusted and adjusted BEI series is the survey based, Prospera Money Market Players inflationary expectations, i.e. professional forecasters. The evaluation uses two statistical measures to estimate the errors, the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) to estimate the size of the forecast error and the Mean Error (ME) to measure the bias or the tendency for the forecast error to point in a particular direction. The general conclusion of the study is that both the unadjusted and the adjusted BEI series have improved significantly throughout the sample period as predictors of inflation expectations.

Further, in the first half of the sample, the MEs show that the BEI tends to underestimate inflation expectations, while in the second part of the sample the direction of the errors are less univocal. However, the carry adjusted and in some extent the carry and seasonality adjusted BEI seem to improve the BEI somewhat, although the conclusions are not very convincing. When using BEI to measure inflation expectations the conclusions should also be balanced against the possible bias associated with survey based expectations.

In this thesis we consider the production of primordial black holes (PBH) in the context of single field inflation with the aim of describing a significant fraction of dark matter. In the models we consider, the inflaton is a string modulus and its potential is typical of type IIB fibre inflation. The potential presents a plateau at CMB scales and an extremely flat region on smaller scales. The background is analysed by solving the Friedmann's and the Klein-Gordon equations for the system. Perturbations are introduced through the usual Mukhanov-Sasaki equation for the gauge invariant curvature perturbations, whose solution allows us to find the primordial power spectrum which is then compared to observations. In the class of models considered there is an often occurring tension between the tilt of the scalar power spectrum and observations. We study this tension and propose mechanisms to minimise it. We modify the form of the fibre inflationary potential, modifying therefore the slope of the ultra slow-roll plateau. We find that a better agreement with the experimentally measured value of the spectral index can be reached. Therefore that tension between the value of the spectral index on CMB scale and the power spectrum enhancement on PBH scales can be explained as a consequence of the class of potential taken into account. This tension can be avoided in models that provide a different plateau form.

Magister Commercii - MCom
This study analyses the extent to which stock returns provide forecasts of changes in interest rates and inflation for the South African market. The period under investigation, January 1966 - February 1989, is characterised by structural changes in the South African economy, especially in the financial markets. The earnings yield on shares is used as a measure of the return on stocks. Stock returns of 10 specific industries are used in addition to the overall market return. Monthly inflation series were constructed by employing both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI). Before examining that relationship, tests were done to examine the relationship between nominal stock returns and expected inflation. The relation between the stock market and expected inflation is estimated by using three measures of expected inflation. The results appear to suggest that the stock market reacted positively to expected inflation during the 1966 - 1982 period. Two proxies of expected inflation. Best results inflation are used to were obtained with measure future the Fama-Gibbons measure. In addition, the results suggest that stock returns provide additional information of future inflation to that contained in the Fama-Gibbons and interest rate models. Returns for specific industries, used in this study, appear to provide marginally better forecasts of inflation than the overall market return. The results also suggest that stock returns provide forecasts of changes in interest rates and inflation. There is no evidence that the specific industries used, provide consistent better forecasts of interest rate changes than the overall market.

Інфляція є досить негативним процесом як для економіки окремої країни, так і для світу в цілому. Вважається, що інфляція виникла з появою паперових грошей і стабільно розвивається до сьогодні. Вона породжує руйнівні наслідки для економічного зростання, економічної рівноваги та стабільності, збільшення обсягів виробництва, працевлаштування, соціальної рівності, добробуту населення та рівня життя в країні. Інфляційні процеси призводять до знецінення результатів праці, зменшення заощаджень фізичних та юридичних осіб; перешкоджають притоку інвестицій та вкладень у новітні технологічні розробки в країні; спричиняють соціальну нерівність, оскільки відбувається перерозподіл капіталу, від бідних до заможних та багатих верств населення.

All over the world, the level of poverty is increasing. In South Africa it is mainly concentrated in rural areas and differs significantly from whether considering race, sex, provinces or community areas. This dissertation studies the relationship between poverty and inflation in Sharpeville by determining the impact of rising prices on the poor households in Sharpeville. The study focuses on three areas, namely the theoretical background of poverty and inflation, the impact of rising prices in expenditure patterns and the relationship to poverty. There are different approaches in defining poverty. Poverty can either be absolute or relative. For the purpose of this study, poverty is defined as absolute. Thus the study defines individuals as poor due to their inability to attain a minimum material standard of living. This minimal standard of living is normally referred to as the poverty line. Inflation may be defined in different ways. For the purpose of this dissertation, inflation is defined as the rise in the general price levels over a specific period of time. Changes in expenditure patterns are caused by an increase in inflation. This study uses the regression model to determine the impact of inflation on poverty in Sharpeville. According to the macroeconomic theory’s implication, the same level of inflation on the same basket of commodities has a different level of effect on each household. Accordingly, in this study, all households are assumed to be faced with the same inflation rate. Household size is positively related to poverty gap squared. This means that the more members there were in a household in Sharpeville the poorer they were. Households with the highest number of members were poorer than those with few members. Statistically, the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between household size and poverty gap is rejected, even at the 1% level of significance. EXPINFL is negatively related to poverty gap. The correlation matrix confirms the results in the regression analysis. The correlation coefficient between The relationship between poverty and inflation in Sharpeville Page EXPINFL and PGAP is -0.34467. Although it is relatively weak, the fact that there is a negative correlation confirms that inflation negatively affects poverty. Finally, the study recommends that government provides more job opportunities for the individuals without any source of income in Sharpeville. The government could also provide business funding to the unemployed individuals to enable them to start their own businesses. This would enable those individuals to create additional employment. In addition, measures should be introduced to determine the effect of inflation on those households who are not employed (that is, not receiving any form of income, not even through any form of grant), but do benefit from some form of feeding scheme administered by either government or non-profit organisations.
MCom, Economics, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

The aim of this thesis is to examine how wealth inequality alters when macroeconomic factors such as housing price index, inflation rate, and minimum wage change. In the theoretical part, the potential connection between some macroeconomic factors and wealth inequality is described through the link of the Lorenz Curve and Pareto distribution. In the empirical part, we analyze the development of wealth inequality in 21 countries from the European Union from 2004 to 2015. The study presents significant evidence that the housing price index is negatively correlated with wealth inequality while similar conclusions cannot be made regarding inflation rate and minimum wage. In this paper, the Gini index is used as a proxy for wealth inequality.

Abstract   Title: High-Risk Funds vs. Mutual- Index Funds A study of macro -variables influence on different funds choice   Level: Final assignment for Bachelor Degree in Business Administration   Author: Moses Yokie & Bo Lemar   Supervisor: Ogi Chun & Cheick Wagué   Date: 2011-05-25   Aim: The purpose with this thesis is to compare two different types of mutual-index fond and a high-risk fund in relation to the macro variables. The purpose also includes an investigation about if an investor will receives a higher return on high-risk fund than on mutual-index fund in a 10 years period. Method: A quantitative method has been use in this study, where the information has been received from Morningstar. Microsoft Excel has been used to process the collected data in order to calculate the expected return and the risk measures. The result is presented in graphs and tables on the empirical capital, in order to analyse and compare it with the theories and the selected macro- variables to see if there will be any correlation.   Conclusion: This research shows that there is no possibility that the macro-variable factors can benefit an investment on high-risk fund or on mutual-index fund in the short run. On the other hand there is a correlation between the high-risk fund and mutual-index fund with the macro-variables factors in the long run.   Suggestion for future research: Base on the results on this thesis. It would be interesting to do a quantitative investigation on more fund category with other macro-variable factors that are not included in this study to compare if there will be any correlation between them.   Key words: High-risk fund, BNP, Mutual-index, Arbitrage, Macro-variable, Inflation.
Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats är att jämföra två olika aktieindex och högriskfonder med avseende på makrovariabler. Syftet innefattar också att undersöka om en investerare kan få bättre avkastning på högriskfonder än aktieindexfonder på 10 år period. Metod: En kvantitativ metod har använts i uppsatsen, där data inhämtats från Morningstar. Det insamlade material har sedan bearbetats i Microsoft Excel för att beräkna fonderna avkastning och Sharpekvoten. Resultatet har redovisats i grafer och tabeller i empirikapitlet, för att sedan analyseras och jämföras med de teorierna som används. Resultatet har jämförts med de valda makrovariablerna för att hitta korrelationer. Slutsats: Det har inte gått att påvisa några möjligheter att utnyttja makrovariabler för att skapa kortsiktiga vinster i högriskfonder eller aktieindexfonder. Däremot finns det långsiktiga samband mellan de valda investeringarna och de valda makrovariablerna Förslag till fortsatta studier: Det kan vara intressant att gör en kvantitativ undersökning på fler former av fondkategorier för att få ytterligare information om tillämpbarhet. Dessutom att undersöka samband med andra makrovariabler som inte innefattas i denna undersökning.

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As análises apresentadas neste trabalho sobre o comportamento dos índices de preços da economia brasileira corroboram a hipótese de que, ao menos no período recente, o IGP, em suas várias modalidades, tornou-se um indicador enviesado da evolução dos preços. Entre 1999-2005, o IGP acusou variações de preços muito superiores às registradas pelos demais índices de preços apurados por diversas instituições brasileiras. Identifica-se o IPA - que tem peso de 60% na composição do IGP - como sendo o grande responsável por esse comportamento anômalo do IGP. A não convergência entre a inflação acumulada pelo IPA e o IPCA no período 1999-2005, evidenciada pelos testes de cointegração aqui aplicados, ratifica a hipótese acima, fortalecendo a tese de que o IGP teria deixado de cumprir o seu papel de medida síntese da inflação nacional. Os efeitos das flutuações cambiais têm sido acentuadamente mais fortes sobre o IGP do que em relação aos IPCs. Apesar das atualizações realizadas em seus componentes, a estrutura de ponderação do IGP, que remonta a década de 1940, mostrou-se ultrapassada e inadequada para uma economia que optou pelo regime de livre flutuação do câmbio e promoveu uma substancial liberalização comercial e financeira, como é o caso da economia brasileira. Conclui-se o presente trabalho explicitando alguns dos efeitos reais do comportamento do índice sobre a economia, indicando a necessidade de reformulação ou substituição do IGP como indexador de certos preços e contratos econômicofinanceiros.
The analyses presented in this article about the performance of the prices indexes of the Brazilian economy corroborate to the hypothesis that the General Index of Price (IGP), considering its all modalities, became a biased index of prices. In the period 1999-2005, the prices changes measured by the IGP were well above those accused by the other indexes of prices provided by several Brazilian institutions. The Index of Wholesale Prices (IPA) - responsible for 60% of the IGP - is identified as the main responsible for this anomalous performance of the IGP. The non convergence between the inflation measured by the IPA and the inflation measured by the Index of Amplified Consumer Prices (IPCA) in the period 1999- 2005, confirmed by the econometric tests applied here, ratifies the above hypothesis, reinforcing the thesis that the IGP would have failed to perform as an index-synthesis of the national inflation. The effects of the exchange rate floating have been much stronger on the IGP than on the Indexes of Consumer Prices. Despite of the updating of its components, the weighting pattern of the IGP, formulated in the decade of 1940, became old-fashioned and inadequate to an economy that adopted the floating exchange rate system and promoted a substantial trade and financial liberalization, as it is the case of the Brazilian economy.

Measuring the stance of monetary policy is of importance for the analysis and implementation of monetary policy. The existence of multiple instrument framework as well as the significance of the interest rate and exchange rate channel in emerging economies imply that monetary condition index can play an important role in evaluating whether monetary policy is restrictive or expansive in these economies. In this paper, we use the VAR model to evaluate the role of monetary condition index as an overall measure of monetary policy in emerging economies. The weight of components of monetary condition index is derived from the inflation equation in the VAR estimation. The empirical results suggest that a contraction in monetary policy causes a reduction in inflation. The finding implies that monetary condition index is a useful indicator that can predict the stance of monetary policy and predict the trend of inflation in emerging economies.

Unemployment and inflation, the main components of the misery index, continue to be vital macroeconomic problems, which draw researchers’ attention both in developed and developing countries. The study investigates the interaction among economic growth and misery index in the selected transition countries using Panel ARDL. In the study, annual data for the period of 1996-2017 of selected 16 transition countries are used. The findings of the study show that there is a long-run relationship between the misery index and economic growth. In other words, it can be concluded that economic misery deteriorates economic growth. If the economy is to be sustainably improved, the misery index should be taken into account. The government needs a policy of decreasing inflation and unemployment, which is one of the fundamental macroeconomic policy priorities. This study may provide policy-makers with new insights to evaluate the role of economic misery in enhancing economic growth in transition countries.

In this work we analyse the CPI index as the official index to measure inflation in Albania, Harmo-nized Indices of Consumer Prices (HICPs) as the bases for comparative measurement of inflation in European countries and other financial indicators that may affect CPI. This study is an attempt to model CPI based on combination of multiple regression model with time series forecasting models. In the first approach, time series models were used directly on the CPI time series index to obtain the forecast. In the second approach, the time series models (SARIMA, ETS) were used to model and simulate forecast for each subcomponent with significant correlation to CPI and then use the multiple regression model to obtain CPI forecast. The projection of this indicator is important for understand-ing the country's economic and social development. This study helps researchers in the field of time series modeling, economic analysis and investments.

In this paper we use high frequency multidimensional textual news data andpropose an index of inflation news. We utilize the power of text mining and itsability to convert large collections of text from unstructured to structured formfor in-depth quantitative analysis of online news data. The significantrelationship between the household’s inflation expectations and news topics isdocumented and the forecasting performance of news-based indices isevaluated for different horizons and model variations. Results suggest that withoptimal number of topics a machine learning model is able to forecast theinflation expectations with greater accuracy than the simple autoregressivemodels. Additional results from forecasting headline inflation indicate that theoverall forecasting accuracy is at a good level. Findings in this paper supportthe view in the literature that the news are good indicators of inflation and areable to capture inflation expecta-tions well.

Central Asian Republics have been facing high unemployment rates and inflation problems since they established. This work is based on the Phillips curve, which deals the opposite relationship between inflation and unemployment. In the article, unemployment rates and Consumer Price Index (CPI) are used. Within this work, the relationship between inflation and unemployment is examined by the panel data analysis for Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia and Turkey (1996-2012).We acquired the data of this work from the web site of the IMF. Panel Unit Root Tests are used in order to test stagnation of the data. Afterwards Cointegration Test and Panel Causality Test are used. After that panel cointegration and panel causality tests were made to learn if a cointegral relationship was occurred between inflation and unemployment rate or not. As a result of this study we done, the data level is not stable. Because of that reason, we took the difference of them. There is a one-sided causal relation from inflation to unemployment rates in Turkey and other countries.

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether the Gibson paradox is valid in Turkey. As it is known, inflation is an important issue that should be emphasized by policy makers. For this reason, inflation has been the subject of many studies in economics. One of the highlights of these studies is the Gibson paradox. The same directional and statistically strong relationship between the general level of prices (inflation) and interest rates in the long run is expressed as the Gibson Paradox in economics literature. The Gibson's paradox, first put forward by John Maynard Keynes, is called a paradox because the relationship in question contradicts the propositions of Classical Economic Thought. In this study, the interaction between the consumer price index (CPI) and 12 months term TL deposit interest rates in Turkey was analyzed for the period 2003:QI-2021:QI, using the Johansen Co-integration Test approach. According to the analysis results, inflation in the Turkish economy has an undeniable positive effect on interest rates. In other words, Gibson paradox is valid in Turkey in the period under consideration.

Abstract Tire inflation pressure affects both tire longitudinal and lateral stiffness and thus may impose a considerable influence on vehicle dynamics and handling performance. This paper presents a comprehensive study revealing the effects of tire pressure variations and their distribution among four tires on vehicle dynamics and handling performance. An extended Magic Formula tire model and a modified UniTire model involving tire inflation pressure are employed to describe the tire longitudinal and lateral forces, respectively. Two groups of vehicle maneuvers are simulated in CarSim: a single lane change maneuver with braking and a double lane change maneuver, to exhibit the effects of tire inflation pressure. Various tire pressure variations including all four tires at same and different pressures are examined. A vehicle dynamics, lateral motion stability index, and driver steering workload are utilized to quantify the influence of tire pressure variations and distributions. Analyses on the simulation results indicate that: 1) a front tire pressure reduction induces vehicle understeering tendency and a larger steering angle; 2) a rear tire pressure reduction causes oversteering characteristics and a sacrifice on vehicle stability with a larger vehicle sideslip angle; 3) all-tire inflation pressure decrease will increase driver’s steering workload; and 4) lower rear-tire inflation pressure can promote the combined performance of vehicle path-tracking and driver’s steering workload.

This paper investigates the impact of real exchange rate (RER) misalignment on business cycles among 22 economies in Asia and the Pacific from 1990 to 2018. It employs a panel vector autoregression involving consumer price index (CPI) inflation, output gap, short-term interest rate, and RER misalignment. The authors find that RER overvaluation may lead to a reduction in CPI inflation and short-term interest rate. The study also illustrates Asia and the Pacific’s heterogeneity as evidenced by the output gaps of some economies, particularly in Southeast Asia, which are shown to be more susceptible to RER misalignment shocks.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.

Researchers have been studying wide-base tires for over two decades, but no evidence has been provided regarding the net benefit of this tire technology. In this study, a comprehensive approach is used to compare new-generation wide-base tires (NG-WBT) with the dual-tire assembly (DTA). Numerical modeling, prediction methods, experimental measurements, and environmental impact assessment were combined to provide recommendations about the use of NG-WBT. A finite element approach, considering variables usually omitted in the conventional analysis of flexible pavement was utilized for modeling. Five hundred seventy-six cases combining layer thickness, material properties, tire load, tire inflation pressure, and pavement type (thick and thin) were analyzed to obtained critical pavement responses. A prediction tool, known as ICT-Wide, was developed based on artificial neural networks to obtain critical pavement responses in cases outside the finite element analysis matrix. The environmental impacts were determined using life cycle assessment. Based on the bottom-up fatigue cracking, permanent deformation, and international roughness index, the life cycle energy consumption, cost, and green-house gas (GHG) emissions were estimated. To make the outcome of this research effort useful for state departments of transportation and practitioners, a modification to AASHTOWare is proposed to account for NG-WBT. The revision is based on two adjustment factors, one accounting for the discrepancy between the AASHTOware approach and the finite element model of this study, and the other addressing the impact of NG-WBT.

Macroeconomic Summary Overall inflation (1.61%) and core inflation (excluding food and regulated items) (1.11%) both declined beyond the technical staff’s expectations in the fourth quarter of 2020. Year-end 2021 forecasts for both indicators were revised downward to 2.3% and 2.1%, respectively. Market inflation expectations also fell over this period and suggested inflation below the 3% target through the end of this year, rising to the target in 2022. Downward pressure on inflation was more significant in the fourth quarter than previously projected, indicating weak demand. Annual deceleration among the main groups of the consumer price index (CPI) was generalized and, except for foods, was greater than projected in the October report. The CPI for goods (excluding foods and regulated items) and the CPI for regulated items were subject to the largest decelerations and forecasting discrepancies. In the first case, this was due in part to a greater-than-expected effect on prices from the government’s “VAT-fee day” amid weak demand, and from the extension of some price relief measures. For regulated items, the deceleration was caused in part by unanticipated declines in some utility prices. Annual change in the CPI for services continued to decline as a result of the performance of those services that were not subject to price relief measures, in particular. Although some of the overall decline in inflation is expected to be temporary and reverse course in the second quarter of 2021, various sources of downward pressure on inflation have become more acute and will likely remain into next year. These include ample excesses in capacity, as suggested by the continued and greater-than-expected deceleration in core inflation indicators and in the CPI for services excluding price relief measures. This dynamic is also suggested by the minimal transmission of accumulated depreciation of the peso on domestic prices. Although excess capacity should fall in 2021, the decline will likely be slower than projected in the October report amid additional restrictions on mobility due to a recent acceleration of growth in COVID-19 cases. An additional factor is that low inflation registered at the end of 2020 will likely be reflected in low price adjustments on certain indexed services with significant weight in the CPI, including real estate rentals and some utilities. These factors should keep inflation below the target and lower than estimates from the previous report on the forecast horizon. Inflation is expected to continue to decline to levels near 1% in March, later increasing to 2.3% at the end of 2021 and 2.7% at year-end 2022 (Graph 1.1). According to the Bank’s most recent survey, market analysts expect inflation of 2.7% and 3.1% in December 2021 and 2022, respectively. Expected inflation derived from government bonds was 2% for year-end 2021, while expected inflation based on bonds one year forward from that date (FBEI 1-1 2022) was 3.2%.

Macroeconomic summary Several factors contributed to an increase in projected inflation on the forecast horizon, keeping it above the target rate. These included inflation in December that surpassed expectations (5.62%), indexation to higher inflation rates for various baskets in the consumer price index (CPI), a significant real increase in the legal minimum wage, persistent external and domestic inflationary supply shocks, and heightened exchange rate pressures. The CPI for foods was affected by the persistence of external and domestic supply shocks and was the most significant contributor to unexpectedly high inflation in the fourth quarter. Price adjustments for fuels and certain utilities can explain the acceleration in inflation for regulated items, which was more significant than anticipated. Prices in the CPI for goods excluding food and regulated items also rose more than expected. This was partly due to a smaller effect on prices from the national government’s VAT-free day than anticipated by the technical staff and more persistent external pressures, including via peso depreciation. By contrast, the CPI for services excluding food and regulated items accelerated less than expected, partly reflecting strong competition in the communications sector. This was the only major CPI basket for which prices increased below the target inflation rate. The technical staff revised its inflation forecast upward in response to certain external shocks (prices, costs, and depreciation) and domestic shocks (e.g., on meat products) that were stronger and more persistent than anticipated in the previous report. Observed inflation and a real increase in the legal minimum wage also exceeded expectations, which would boost inflation by affecting price indexation, labor costs, and inflation expectations. The technical staff now expects year-end headline inflation of 4.3% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023; core inflation is projected to be 4.5% and 3.6%, respectively. These forecasts consider the lapse of certain price relief measures associated with the COVID-19 health emergency, which would contribute to temporarily keeping inflation above the target on the forecast horizon. It is important to note that these estimates continue to contain a significant degree of uncertainty, mainly related to the development of external and domestic supply shocks and their ultimate effects on prices. Other contributing factors include high price volatility and measurement uncertainty related to the extension of Colombia’s health emergency and tax relief measures (such as the VAT-free days) associated with the Social Investment Law (Ley de Inversión Social). The as-yet uncertain magnitude of the effects of a recent real increase in the legal minimum wage (that was high by historical standards) and high observed and expected inflation, are additional factors weighing on the overall uncertainty of the estimates in this report. The size of excess productive capacity remaining in the economy and the degree to which it is closing are also uncertain, as the evolution of the pandemic continues to represent a significant forecast risk. margin, could be less dynamic than expected. And the normalization of monetary policy in the United States could come more quickly than projected in this report, which could negatively affect international financing costs. Finally, there remains a significant degree of uncertainty related to the duration of supply chocks and the degree to which macroeconomic and political conditions could negatively affect the recovery in investment. The technical staff revised its GDP growth projection for 2022 from 4.7% to 4.3% (Graph 1.3). This revision accounts for the likelihood that a larger portion of the recent positive dynamic in private consumption would be transitory than previously expected. This estimate also contemplates less dynamic investment behavior than forecast in the previous report amid less favorable financial conditions and a highly uncertain investment environment. Third-quarter GDP growth (12.9%), which was similar to projections from the October report, and the fourth-quarter growth forecast (8.7%) reflect a positive consumption trend, which has been revised upward. This dynamic has been driven by both public and private spending. Investment growth, meanwhile, has been weaker than forecast. Available fourth-quarter data suggest that consumption spending for the period would have exceeded estimates from October, thanks to three consecutive months that included VAT-free days, a relatively low COVID-19 caseload, and mobility indicators similar to their pre-pandemic levels. By contrast, the most recently available figures on new housing developments and machinery and equipment imports suggest that investment, while continuing to rise, is growing at a slower rate than anticipated in the previous report. The trade deficit is expected to have widened, as imports would have grown at a high level and outpaced exports. Given the above, the technical staff now expects fourth-quarter economic growth of 8.7%, with overall growth for 2021 of 9.9%. Several factors should continue to contribute to output recovery in 2022, though some of these may be less significant than previously forecast. International financial conditions are expected to be less favorable, though external demand should continue to recover and terms of trade continue to increase amid higher projected oil prices. Lower unemployment rates and subsequent positive effects on household income, despite increased inflation, would also boost output recovery, as would progress in the national vaccination campaign. The technical staff expects that the conditions that have favored recent high levels of consumption would be, in large part, transitory. Consumption spending is expected to grow at a slower rate in 2022. Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) would continue to recover, approaching its pre-pandemic level, though at a slower rate than anticipated in the previous report. This would be due to lower observed GFCF levels and the potential impact of political and fiscal uncertainty. Meanwhile, the policy interest rate would be less expansionary as the process of monetary policy normalization continues. Given the above, growth in 2022 is forecast to decelerate to 4.3% (previously 4.7%). In 2023, that figure (3.1%) is projected to converge to levels closer to the potential growth rate. In this case, excess productive capacity would be expected to tighten at a similar rate as projected in the previous report. The trade deficit would tighten more than previously projected on the forecast horizon, due to expectations of an improved export dynamic and moderation in imports. The growth forecast for 2022 considers a low basis of comparison from the first half of 2021. However, there remain significant downside risks to this forecast. The current projection does not, for example, account for any additional effects on economic activity resulting from further waves of COVID-19. High private consumption levels, which have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels by a large margin, could be less dynamic than expected. And the normalization of monetary policy in the United States could come more quickly than projected in this report, which could negatively affect international financing costs. Finally, there remains a significant degree of uncertainty related to the duration of supply chocks and the degree to which macroeconomic and political conditions could negatively affect the recovery in investment. External demand for Colombian goods and services should continue to recover amid significant global inflation pressures, high oil prices, and less favorable international financial conditions than those estimated in October. Economic activity among Colombia’s major trade partners recovered in 2021 amid countries reopening and ample international liquidity. However, that growth has been somewhat restricted by global supply chain disruptions and new outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff has revised its growth forecast for Colombia’s main trade partners from 6.3% to 6.9% for 2021, and from 3.4% to 3.3% for 2022; trade partner economies are expected to grow 2.6% in 2023. Colombia’s annual terms of trade increased in 2021, largely on higher oil, coffee, and coal prices. This improvement came despite increased prices for goods and services imports. The expected oil price trajectory has been revised upward, partly to supply restrictions and lagging investment in the sector that would offset reduced growth forecasts in some major economies. Elevated freight and raw materials costs and supply chain disruptions continue to affect global goods production, and have led to increases in global prices. Coupled with the recovery in global demand, this has put upward pressure on external inflation. Several emerging market economies have continued to normalize monetary policy in this context. Meanwhile, in the United States, the Federal Reserve has anticipated an end to its asset buying program. U.S. inflation in December (7.0%) was again surprisingly high and market average inflation forecasts for 2022 have increased. The Fed is expected to increase its policy rate during the first quarter of 2022, with quarterly increases anticipated over the rest of the year. For its part, Colombia’s sovereign risk premium has increased and is forecast to remain on a higher path, to levels above the 15-year-average, on the forecast horizon. This would be partly due to the effects of a less expansionary monetary policy in the United States and the accumulation of macroeconomic imbalances in Colombia. Given the above, international financial conditions are projected to be less favorable than anticipated in the October report. The increase in Colombia’s external financing costs could be more significant if upward pressures on inflation in the United States persist and monetary policy is normalized more quickly than contemplated in this report. As detailed in Section 2.3, uncertainty surrounding international financial conditions continues to be unusually high. Along with other considerations, recent concerns over the potential effects of new COVID-19 variants, the persistence of global supply chain disruptions, energy crises in certain countries, growing geopolitical tensions, and a more significant deceleration in China are all factors underlying this uncertainty. The changing macroeconomic environment toward greater inflation and unanchoring risks on inflation expectations imply a reduction in the space available for monetary policy stimulus. Recovery in domestic demand and a reduction in excess productive capacity have come in line with the technical staff’s expectations from the October report. Some upside risks to inflation have materialized, while medium-term inflation expectations have increased and are above the 3% target. Monetary policy remains expansionary. Significant global inflationary pressures and the unexpected increase in the CPI in December point to more persistent effects from recent supply shocks. Core inflation is trending upward, but remains below the 3% target. Headline and core inflation projections have increased on the forecast horizon and are above the target rate through the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the expected dynamism of domestic demand would be in line with low levels of excess productive capacity. An accumulation of macroeconomic imbalances in Colombia and the increased likelihood of a faster normalization of monetary policy in the United States would put upward pressure on sovereign risk perceptions in a more persistent manner, with implications for the exchange rate and the natural rate of interest. Persistent disruptions to international supply chains, a high real increase in the legal minimum wage, and the indexation of various baskets in the CPI to higher inflation rates could affect price expectations and push inflation above the target more persistently. These factors suggest that the space to maintain monetary stimulus has continued to diminish, though monetary policy remains expansionary. 1.2 Monetary policy decision Banco de la República’s board of directors (BDBR) in its meetings in December 2021 and January 2022 voted to continue normalizing monetary policy. The BDBR voted by a majority in these two meetings to increase the benchmark interest rate by 50 and 100 basis points, respectively, bringing the policy rate to 4.0%.

Macroeconomic summary The Colombian economy sustained numerous shocks in the second quarter, pri¬marily related to costs and supply. The majority of these shocks were unantic¬ipated or proved more persistent than expected, interrupting the recovery in economic activity observed at the beginning of the year and pushing overall inflation above the target. Core inflation (excluding food and regulated items) increased but remained low, in line with the technical staff’s expectations. A third wave of the pandemic, which became more severe and prolonged than the previous outbreak, began in early April. This had both a high cost in terms of human life and a negative impact on Colombia's economic recovery. Between May and mid-June roadblocks and other disruptions to public order had a sig¬nificant negative effect on economic activity and inflation. The combination and magnitude of these two shocks likely led to a decline in gross domestic product (GDP) compared to the first quarter. Roadblocks also led to a significant in¬crease in food prices. The accumulated effects of global disruptions to certain value chains and increased international freight transportation prices, which since the end of 2020 have restricted supply and increased costs, also affected Colombia’s economy. The factors described above, which primarily affected the consumer price index (CPI) for goods and foods, explain to a significant degree the technical staff’s forecast errors and the increase in overall inflation above the 3% target. By contrast, increases in core inflation and in prices for regulated items were in line with the technical staff’s expectations, and can be explained largely by the elimination of various price relief measures put in place last year. An increase in perceived sovereign risk and the upward pressures that this im¬plies on international financing costs and the exchange rate were further con¬siderations. Despite significant negative shocks, economic growth in the first half of the year (9.1%) is now expected to be significantly higher than projected in the April re¬port (7.1%), a sign of a more dynamic economy that could recover more quickly than previously forecast. Diverse economic activity figures have indicated high¬er-than-expected growth since the end of 2020. This suggests that the negative effects on output from recurring waves of COVID-19 have grown weaker and less long-lasting with subsequent outbreaks. Nevertheless, the third wave of the coro¬navirus, and to an even greater degree the previously mentioned roadblocks and disruptions to public order, likely led to a decline in GDP in the second quar¬ter compared to the first. Despite this, data from the monthly economic tracking indicator (ISE) for April and May surpassed expectations, and new sector-level measures of economic activity suggest that the negative impact of the pandemic on output continues to moderate, amid reduced restrictions on mobility and im¬provements in the pace of vaccination programs. Freight transportation registers (June) and unregulated energy demand (July), among other indicators, suggest a significant recovery following the roadblocks in May. Given the above, annual GDP growth in the second quarter is expected to have been around 17.3% (previously 15.8%), explained in large part by a low basis of comparison. The technical staff revised its growth projection for 2021 upward from 6% to 7.5%. This forecast, which comes with an unusually high degree of uncertain¬ty, assumes no additional disruptions to public order and that any new waves of COVID-19 will not have significant additional negative effects on economic activity. Recovery in international demand, price levels for some of Colombia’s export com¬modities, and remittances from workers abroad have all performed better than projected in the previous report. This dynamic is expected to continue to drive recovery in the national income over the rest of the year. Continued ample international liquidity, an acceleration in vacci¬nation programs, and low interest rates can also be ex¬pected to favor economic activity. Improved performance in the second quarter, which led to an upward growth revision for all components of spending, is expected to continue, with the economy returning to 2019 production levels at the end of 2021, earlier than estimated in the April report. This forecast continues to account for the short-term effects on aggregate demand of a tax reform package along the lines of what is currently being pro-posed by the national government. Given the above, the central forecast scenario in this report projects growth in 2021 of 7.5% and in 2022 of 3.1% (Graph 1.1). In this scenar¬io, economic activity would nonetheless remain below potential. The noted improvement in these projections comes with a high degree of uncertainty. Annual inflation increased more than expected in June (3.63%) as a result of changes in food prices, while growth in core inflation (1.87%) was similar to projections.