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.

German shift on austerity would risk 'wrong' lessons

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
Credit Rating ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Trade Surplus ◽  
Fiscal Stimulus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Black Spots ◽  
Angela Merkel ◽  
Deficit Financing ◽  
The Government

Significance Chancellor Angela Merkel faces a rising tide of euro-area members in favour of a policy shift away from austerity and possibly towards more favourable debt deals for euro-area black spots. Adding to the pressure for change, her own voters may prefer a slower pace of debt reduction: German government debt has already been falling as a percentage of GDP -- from over 80% in 2010 to under 77% at the end of 2014 -- and debt is starting to fall in absolute terms as well. The government has delivered enough stabilisation (ie, austerity) and growth to tame the 2009-10 debt surge and maintain its AAA credit rating, but is now over-achieving in terms of its own tough targets because the greater-than-expected fall in debt interest costs is pushing the budget into surplus. Some modest spending adjustments look likely to curb this windfall surplus, yet many will argue that more could be done to re-energise the sluggish economy -- and boost the euro-area. Impacts The plummeting euro will provoke another rise in German exports (already near 50% of GDP) and tensions over Germany's bulging trade surplus. While a fiscal stimulus and/or higher wage payments could address these tensions and raise imports, there is no sign of such action. Germany's critics are gathering support to end austerity, to the point of ignoring the risks of deficit financing and reneging on debts. Ultra-low German bond yields, encouraged by the prospective supply fall, are dragging down euro-area yields, delivering wider benefits.

Negative bond yields will fuel global equity rally

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Asset Prices ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
Oil Price ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Fiscal Stimulus ◽  
Government Bonds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Risk Appetite

Significance The gains in global equities stem from the expanding universe of negative-yielding government bonds, which now account for nearly a third of the stock of global sovereign debt. This is pushing yield-hungry investors into riskier assets, despite concerns about the sustainability of a stock market rally with weak fundamental underpinnings and central banks' ultra-loose policies driving asset prices. Impacts Sterling will remain under pressure because of the BoE's aggressive monetary easing, both conventional and unconventional. The recent oil price rebound will support equity valuations and risk appetite. Fiscal stimulus will benefit stocks in the construction and defence sectors.

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.

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.

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.

US equities will drive market volatility and gains

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Market Volatility ◽  
Foreign Exchange Reserves ◽  
Fiscal Stimulus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
The World ◽  
Market Capitalisation ◽  
Equity Index ◽  
Stimulus Package

Significance The combination of more COVID-19 cases in parts of the United States and unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus is straining the dollar. In parallel, the euro is benefiting from a push for closer euro-area integration. Nevertheless, the US MSCI equity index has risen by 6.3% this year, with the tech sub-index gaining 25%. Europe’s MSCI equity index is down 7.4%. Impacts ‘Big Tech’ accounts for 40% of the market capitalisation of the S&P 500 equity index and looks set to continue powering the equity rally. The world stock of negative-yielding sovereign and corporate bonds has almost doubled from end-February to over USD15tn; it may rise more. The euro reached its highest level to the dollar in over two years this month; Europe’s stimulus package should help it maintain momentum. Dollars make up nearly two-thirds of the world stock of foreign exchange reserves; this share will fall very gradually, over years.

Volatility undercuts bitcoin’s effort to go mainstream

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Market Structure ◽  
Euro Area ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
Equity Market ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Fiscal Stimulus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bubble Bursting ◽  
Dot Com

Significance Bitcoin is benefiting from the growing institutionalisation of the investor base for digital tokens, and the appeal of crypto-assets as a hedge against the debasement of currencies by money-printing central banks. Having reached an all-time high of USD41,823 on January 8, bitcoin, the world’s most widely traded cryptocurrency, has since lost nearly 20%. Impacts Wild price swings and the lack of a central market structure will limit bitcoin’s ability to challenge gold as a hedge against inflation. The S&P 500 equity market price-to-earnings ratio is near its highest since the 2000 dot-com crash, raising fears of the bubble bursting. The prospect of more aggressive US fiscal stimulus is driving a sell-off in treasuries, raising fears of a disorderly rise in bond yields. Europe’s COVID-19 resurgence raises the prospect of more stimulus, but also the scope for more tension about this among euro-area states.

Euro-area outlook depends on continued fiscal support

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Fiscal Stimulus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
The Us ◽  
Fiscal Support ◽  
European Economies

Significance The lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions, the revival in intra-EU tourism and a strong rebound in private consumption are key factors behind the optimistic forecasts. The outlook, nevertheless, is uncertain due to COVID-19. In addition, southern European economies are not expected to return to pre-pandemic growth levels until 2023. Impacts Euro-area inflation is unlikely to rise above 2% over the coming years. Southern countries risk facing a new 'brain drain' wave once international travel returns to pre-pandemic levels. EU states with closer trade relations with the United States will benefit from the US fiscal stimulus and the appreciation of the dollar.

Markets are overreacting to US price and rates risks

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Federal Reserve ◽  
Futures Markets ◽  
The United States ◽  
Oil Price ◽  
Bond Markets ◽  
Crude Oil Price ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bond Yield ◽  
Ongoing Support

Significance The continuation of the modest manufacturing downturn follows the recent report of slower third-quarter GDP growth. Despite slower growth, bond markets are challenging an attempt by the Federal Reserve (Fed) to delink tapering from tightening by bringing forward their forecasts for rate increases: futures markets are pricing in two 25-basis-point rate hikes by end-2022. Impacts Equities are at a record high in the United States; providing ongoing support for this, real US bond yields remain in negative territory. The Brent crude oil price is near its highest since 2014; further upside will be limited but it is likely to stay high well into 2022. Germany’s ten-year bond yield, negative since April 2019, has risen by 40 basis points since end-August and will soon turn positive.

Assessing sovereign risk: the case of rich countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Gaillard
Keyword(s):  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Credit Rating ◽  
Debt Crisis ◽  
Sovereign Debt Crisis ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Investment Grade ◽  
Rich Countries

Purpose – This paper aims to shed new light on the inability of credit rating agencies (CRAs) to forecast the recent defaults and so-called quasi-defaults of rich countries. It also describes how Moody’s sovereign rating methodology has been modified – and could be further improved – to solve this problem. Design/methodology/approach – After converting bond yields into yield-implied ratings, accuracy ratios are computed to compare the respective performances of CRAs and market participants. Then Iceland’s and Greece’s ratings at the beginning of the Great Recession are estimated while accounting for the parameters included in the new methodology implemented by Moody’s in 2013. Findings – Market participants outperformed Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s in terms of anticipating the sovereign debt crisis that hit several European countries starting in 2008. However, the new methodology implemented by Moody’s should lead to more conservative and accurate sovereign ratings. Originality/value – The chronic inability of CRAs to anticipate public debt crises in rich countries is dangerous because the countries affected – which are generally rated in the investment-grade category – are substantially downgraded, amplifying the sovereign debt crisis. This study is the first to demonstrate that Moody’s has learned from its recent failures. In addition, it recommends ways to detect serious threats to the creditworthiness of high-income countries.

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