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.

Weaker euro-area may affect Emerging Europe

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
Credit Rating ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Corporate Bond ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
Political Risks ◽  
Government Bond Markets ◽  
The Uk

Subject The fallout in Central-eastern Europe (CEE) from Brexit. Significance While CEE government bond markets are being supported by investor expectations of further monetary stimulus in response to the uncertainty stemming from the UK decision to leave the EU ('Brexit'), the zloty is suffering from both its status as one of the most actively traded emerging market (EM) currencies and concerns about the policies of Poland's new nationalist government. A sharp Brexit-induced slowdown in the euro-area economy would put other CEE currencies and equity markets under strain. Impacts The ECB's full-blown QE is helping keep government and corporate bond yields in vulnerable southern European economies historically low. Uncertainty generated by Brexit reduces the scope for further US interest rate hikes later this year, lifting sentiment towards EM assets. The Brexit vote will increase investors' sensitivity to political risks, auguring badly for Poland. Poland has already suffered a downgrade to its credit rating mainly as a result of the interventionist policies of the PiS government.

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.

Fiscal policy may deter holding Romanian debt

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
Bond Markets ◽  
Social Democrat ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East European ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
National Bank

Subject The outlook for Central-East European debt. Significance A flurry of hawkish commentary from the world’s leading central banks, in particular the ECB, which is preparing the ground for a withdrawal of monetary stimulus, has put significant strain on the domestic bond markets of Central-Eastern Europe (CEE). Under particular pressure are Romanian domestic bonds, because of the threat of fiscal slippages under the new Social Democrat (PSD)-led government, which are likely to force the National Bank of Romania (NBR) to hike interest rates more aggressively than its regional peers. Impacts Despite the central-bank-driven sell-off in global markets, negative-yielding bonds still account for one-fifth of global sovereign debt. Persistent concerns about a supply glut are keeping Brent crude below 50 dollars per barrel, with oil prices down by 14% since end-May. Emerging Market stocks are declining under pressure of hawkish rhetoric from central banks, but not Hungarian and Czech equities.

The risks surrounding ECB stimulus withdrawal are high

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Inflation ◽  
Bear Market ◽  
The Past ◽  
Downward Pressure ◽  
Export Competitiveness ◽  
Equity Funds ◽  
Equity Index

Subject Monetary divergence Significance After reaching multi-year highs in the second half of 2017, euro-area manufacturing and services surveys are now signposting slower growth. Meanwhile, euro strength is dampening inflation pressures. Thus the ECB will be cautious in its plans to ‘normalise’ its ultra-loose monetary policy. Impacts The euro has gained 15% against the dollar over the past twelve months; growing divergence with US policy will fuel further strength. Further euro strength is likely to put more downward pressure on euro-area core inflation and could damage export competitiveness. Markets are likely to remain volatile; the S&P 500 equity index is experiencing its second-most volatile year outside a bear market. Investors’ appetite for ‘risk assets’ will remain strong; 65 billion dollars has gone into emerging market bond and equity funds in 2018.

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.

Pre-poll investor jitters stress the US stock market

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Euro Area ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Capital Inflows ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Bond Funds

Significance On September 3, the benchmark S&P 500 index suffered its sharpest fall since early June having gained more than 50% since March 23. Expectations for future volatility in the Nasdaq 100 index, a gauge that includes tech giants Apple and Amazon, this month hit a 16-year high relative to the rest of the stock market and remains elevated. Impacts The Federal Reserve’s move to target average inflation and tolerate periods of higher prices may keep interest rates ‘lower for longer’. The trade-weighted dollar has lost nearly 10% since March, helping the euro to surge and exacerbating euro-area disinflationary pressures. Capital inflows are starting to return to emerging market bond funds, which lost an unprecedented USD120bn earlier this year.

Low global volatility is hiding credit risks

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
The United States ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Fiscal Stimulus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Election Result ◽  
Credit Risks ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Equity Index

Subject Downward pressure on bond yields. Significance Government bond yields rose in late 2016 as a result of higher inflation and expectations of US fiscal stimulus. However, although GDP growth is picking up in the euro-area, the United States and Japan, inflation pressures remain subdued and US fiscal plans have been delayed. Combined with falling political risk in the euro-area, this has pushed yields down and the global stock of negative-yielding sovereign debt is rising again. Moreover, ultra-accommodative monetary policies continue to supress yields, distorting asset prices and contributing to the mispricing of credit risk. Impacts China’s attempts to crack down on financial leverage is seen as a bigger risk by Bank of America Merrill Lynch than a euro-area break-up. Despite the uncertainty of the UK election result, markets have been calm and the S&P 500 equity index hit a new intraday high on June 9. The loss of momentum behind reflation trading has led the dollar index to fall by 5% this year and it will remain under pressure. US technology shares fell sharply on June 9, raising concerns that their surge this year leaves them overvalued and at risk of a correction.

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.

Fed hike raises risk of a politics-led market downturn

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Economic Data ◽  
Crude Oil Price ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Risks ◽  
Expected Inflation ◽  
Equity Mutual Funds

Significance The probability of a rise in interest rates has shot up to around 90%, from 40% at the end of February, on stronger-than-expected inflation and economic activity. In the euro-area, the surge in headline inflation to 2% in February and a series of robust purchasing managers’ index (PMI) surveys are putting pressure on the ECB to begin debating an exit from quantitative easing (QE). The stronger economic data is outweighing mounting political risks, particularly the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of France’s presidential election. Impacts Emerging market (EM) assets are benefiting from global reflation, with EM bond and equity mutual funds enjoying strong inflows in 2017. Oil prices are under strain again owing to renewed supply concerns, with the Brent crude oil price dropping to around 51 dollars per barrel. The dollar index has risen since end-January in response to stronger US economic data and further upside is likely. Higher US rates, a strong dollar and lower oil prices increase risks in EMs heavily reliant on dollar-denominated debt.

Policy risks will dog Europe's emerging markets

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Government Bond ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Regimes ◽  
Political Risks ◽  
European Economies

Subject Political and policy risks in Emerging Europe. Significance Although the currencies and government bond yields of Central European economies remain stable, the region's equity markets are coming under increasing strain, partly because of political risk. However, strong demand for Turkish local debt suggests there is still appetite for higher-yielding emerging market (EM) bonds. Impacts The recovery in oil prices is helping underpin favourable sentiment towards EMs despite persistent vulnerabilities and risks. Waning confidence in the efficacy of monetary policy will increase investors' sensitivity to political risks in EMs. This is particularly the case if these risks undermine the credibility of countries' policy regimes. Many Latin American economies have been forced to hike interest rates to counter a surge in inflation. By contrast, historically low inflation lets Central-Eastern Europe's central banks keep monetary policy ultra-loose.

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