Amid many unknowns, EM assets will remain strained

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Market ◽  
Treasury Bonds ◽  
Government Bonds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bond Yield ◽  
The Us ◽  
Equity Funds ◽  
Treasury Bond ◽  
Mexican Peso ◽  
Bureau Of Labor Statistics

Subject Emerging markets under strain from dollar rally. Significance The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on January 6 that average hourly earnings grew at the fastest pace since 2009 in December -- a further fillip to the ‘trumpflation trade’ that has gripped financial markets since the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election. Expectations of further Fed rate increases have driven the dollar index and the ten-year Treasury bond yield higher, straining emerging market (EM) assets. EM mutual equity funds have suffered a wave of uninterrupted outflows since Trump’s victory. The Mexican peso and the Turkish lira have plumbed record lows against the dollar. Impacts Many EMs are preparing to sell dollar-denominated debt in anticipation of higher borrowing costs, including Argentina, Brazil and Nigeria. Speculative bets against US Treasury bonds have risen to a record high amid expectations of higher US inflation and further rate hikes. The stock of negative-yielding government bonds stands at 10.8 trillion dollars, fuelling demand for higher-yielding securities. In April, the US Treasury’s next Foreign Exchange Report could label China a currency manipulator though the criteria would need to change.

US rates may rise but economic risks are rising faster

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Euro Area ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Risks ◽  
Bond Yield ◽  
Treasury Bond ◽  
The Face ◽  
Equity Index

Subject Global equity market trends. Significance The four main US stock market indices began March at record highs, including the benchmark S&P 500 index at 2,400. Driven by expectations of stimulative and pro-business policies under the new US administration, equity markets are flying in the face of signals from the Federal Reserve (Fed) that interest rates will rise three times this year. The probability of a hike at the Fed’s March 14-15 meeting has risen above 80% on growing price pressures and stronger economic data, buoyed by hawkish comments from several Fed governors, including those who were previously dovish. Impacts Despite the post-election US bond market sell-off, around one-third of the stock of euro-area sovereign debt remains negative yielding. The gap between the two-year US Treasury bond yield and its German equivalent has widened to a record, a sign of rising monetary divergence. The euro lost 2% against the dollar in February as political risks escalated in the euro-area, centred around the French election. The emerging market MSCI equity index is 8.6% up this year, after losing 4.5% from November 9 to end-2016, a sign of higher confidence.

US-induced volatility clouds the 2019 markets outlook

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Markets ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Treasury Bond ◽  
Asset Class ◽  
Main Support ◽  
Global Growth

Significance The idiosyncratic vulnerabilities that built up in financial markets in 2018 are morphing into a more pronounced global growth scare, exacerbated by concerns about the US Federal Reserve (Fed) being too hawkish. The combination of slower euro-area and Chinese growth and US monetary tightening is weighing on asset prices and increasing volatility after a year in which almost every major asset class suffered a loss. Monetary stimulus withdrawal is the focal point, as it has been the main support for markets since 2008. Impacts Ten-year US Treasury bond yields are down 50 basis points since April; global growth worries will make such ‘safe havens’ more attractive. Amid the worries, emerging market (EM) equities are up 1.5% from an October 29 low and may be more resilient than in previous downturns. The Brent crude oil price will be to the lower end of 50-80 dollars/barrel in 2019 amid growth and oversupply worries, reducing inflation.

Flatter US yield curve reflects rising price pessimism

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Yield Curve ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Commodity Markets ◽  
Treasury Bonds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bond Yield ◽  
Corporate Earnings ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Growth

Subject Rising US market divergence between strong stock market and flatter yield curve. Significance The S&P 500 has returned more than 20% over the past twelve months, setting a record high in early November, while the Vix Index, which measures the anticipated volatility in the S&P 500, hit a record low on November 3. Solid corporate earnings and stronger global growth are buoying US stocks, but persistently low inflation is keeping yields on long-dated Treasury bonds at low levels, helping to flatten the yield curve. Impacts China’s 10-year local currency bond yield is rising; Beijing is increasing its campaign to curb corporate debt, hitting commodity markets. The dollar index is up 2.8% from early September and will continue to trend upwards, pressuring emerging market currencies and local debt. Investors continue to fear the impact of QE removal, seeing a ‘policy mistake’ as the biggest market ‘tail risk’, according to a survey.

Fed and ECB will ease Central European policy dilemmas

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Treasury Bonds ◽  
Government Bonds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Index ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Push Down

Subject Impact of global policy shifts on monetary policy in Central Europe. Significance The dramatic decline in euro-area government bond yields has helped push down yields across Central Europe, with bond markets now pricing in interest rate cuts in the Czech Republic, only a month after the Czech National Bank (CNB) increased borrowing costs to 2%. However, the scope for monetary stimulus in Central Europe is limited, thanks to inflationary pressures. Impacts MSCI’s index for Polish, Hungarian and Czech equities is rising, despite a slight loss for the broader emerging market index. Government bonds are rallying sharply in both developed and developing economies as ten-year US Treasury bonds fall. The Brent crude international oil benchmark has reached 65 dollars/barrel thanks to escalating US-Iranian tensions and dollar weakness.

Negative euro-area bond yield universe will expand

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Government Bonds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bond Yield ◽  
The Us ◽  
Debt Issuance ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Lift Off

Subject The euro-area government bonds outlook in the wake of the ECB's QE. Significance Strong demand among investors is pushing down yields on both government and corporate debt to unprecedentedly low levels, creating a rapidly expanding universe of negative bond yields. According to Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), approximately one-third of euro-area government bonds now trade with a negative yield, including more than 50% of German, French, Dutch and Austrian public debt. Of the ECB's 60 billion euros (65 billion dollars) of monthly bond purchases, about 40 billion euros are estimated to involve government bonds, exceeding net government debt issuance across the euro-area. Therefore, yields are likely to fall further in the short term. Impacts Strong demand for 'safe haven' assets is compressing yields on government and corporate bonds, with negative rates on many securities. About one-third of euro-area sovereign debt is currently trading with a negative yield. The ECB's bond purchases and a relative scarcity in debt issuance will contribute to lower euro-area bond yields further. Persistent fears about growth and inflation will also contribute to lower yields. Negative yields will exacerbate the mispricing of risk, as investors bring forward their expectations regarding the US rates lift-off.

ECB may spark rate rises in Central-Eastern Europe

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Sentiment ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
The Us ◽  
Equity Funds ◽  
Central Eastern

Significance Inflation rates are rising sharply across Central-Eastern Europe (CEE), mainly thanks to a recovery in commodity prices. A flurry of stronger-than-expected economic data is fuelling speculation in financial markets about the timing of increases in interest rates across the CEE region. Forward markets are already pricing in rate hikes in Romania and Poland within the next twelve months. Impacts Traders are now expecting the US Federal Reserve to achieve its goal of hiking interest rates three times this year. Emerging-market bond and equity funds are enjoying a surge in inflows, market sentiment having improved sharply after the US election. Mounting uncertainty regarding France’s presidential election next month is having a negligible impact on euro-area government bond markets.

The dollar will determine emerging market asset moves

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Government Bonds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Currency ◽  
Treasury Bond ◽  
Asset Class ◽  
Capital Outflows ◽  
Firing Line

Subject Emerging market asset gyrations. Significance Emerging markets (EMs) are under strain as the dollar has risen by nearly 4% since the middle of April, triggered by a sharp increase in US Treasury bond yields and increasing evidence of slower economic activity in the euro-area. Argentina and Turkey are in the firing line as they hold a high proportion of their external debt in dollars, but the entire EM asset class has suffered sizeable capital outflows, and year-to-date returns on dollar-denominated and local currency government bonds are now firmly negative. Impacts US sanctions could squeeze Iran’s oil exports, putting upward pressure on the oil price though US shale should cap prices below 80 dollars. Foreign holdings of EM local currency sovereign bonds, at risk of a sell-off, are highest in South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia and Russia. Bank for International Settlements Chief Agustin Carstens recommends EMs build up reserves as “sometimes whatever comes in … will … go out”. For the Institute for International Finance, China, Argentina, South Africa and Turkey are high risk; Russia, Brazil and Philippines lower. US Fed Chair Jerome Powell has reminded investors that tighter monetary policy has been well signposted and should be “manageable” for EMs.

Mixed bond market moves raise policy-tightening risks

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Federal Reserve ◽  
Yield Curve ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Bond Market ◽  
Bond Markets ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Industrial Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Equity Funds

Significance Its two-year equivalent, which is more sensitive to US monetary policy, has risen faster, as expectations have increased that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will raise rates at least twice more this year. The gap between ten- and two-year yields is the narrowest since 2007, suggesting that bond markets expect aggressive short-term policy tightening to dampen growth and inflation in the longer term. Impacts The VIX Index, which anticipates S&P 500 equity volatility, is settling near its three-year average of 15, having touched 50 in February. The dollar has risen by nearly 2% since April 16 despite bearish bets continuing -- suggesting that its slump may have run its course. The ‘search for yield’ will draw investors to emerging market bond and equity funds; 2018 inflows so far are nearing 73 billion dollars. The US yield curve is close to inversion, traditionally signposting recession, but the backdrop of ultra-low rates obscures the outlook. US industrial firms including Caterpillar report solid first-quarter earnings but warn of already teaching a peak, worrying investors.

US dollar has firm fundamentals despite market doubts

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Stock Market Index ◽  
Treasury Bonds ◽  
Government Bonds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Index ◽  
The Us ◽  
First Time ◽  
High Uncertainty

Subject The Dow Jones US stock market index rose above 20,000 for the first time on January 25 but in contrast the dollar has weakened recently, betraying investor nerves about upcoming US policies. Significance After surging by more than 5.5% in the seven weeks following the US election, the dollar has fallen by 2.7% since December 20 amid signs that investor enthusiasm for the shift to reflationary policies is waning. US President Donald Trump’s protectionist and anti-establishment inaugural address on January 20 reinforced the downturn. Trump has also questioned the United States' long-standing ‘strong dollar’ policy -- clouding the outlook further as more Federal Reserve (Fed) rate rises will increase the attractiveness of the dollar, potentially setting the Fed on a collision course with Trump. Impacts Fears of an abrupt end to the 30-year bull market in government bonds have eased because of high uncertainty over Trump’s economic policies. The yen has plunged 9% since the US election, leading to a double-digit rise in equities -- and restoring some confidence in ‘Abenomics’. The spread between the yield on two-year US Treasury bonds and its German equivalent is 187 basis-points, reflecting monetary divergence.

ECB will decide Central Europe’s turn from rate rises

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Government Bond ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Car Industry ◽  
Bond Yield ◽  
Inflation Rates ◽  
Equity Funds ◽  
China’S Economy

Significance Pressure is mounting on the ECB to justify its withdrawal of monetary stimulus, following a sharp fall in German industrial activity in November that has increased the risk of Europe’s largest economy slipping into recession in the final quarter of 2018. The downturn across the euro-area, which is dragging down inflation rates and government bond yields, is starting to dampen growth in Central Europe. Impacts The euro-area economy’s outlook has dimmed, with Germany’s ten-year government bond yield plumbing its lowest level since April 2017. The open Hungarian and Czech economies are most at risk from a euro-area slowdown, since the weakness is concentrated in the car industry. However, sentiment towards emerging market bond and equity funds has improved despite a global growth scare centred around China’s economy.

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