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.

Slowdown may induce Czech loosening despite inflation

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Commodity Markets ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Conditions ◽  
Equity Funds ◽  
China’S Economy

Significance Domestic inflationary pressures have intensified, with headline inflation significantly above the CNB’s 2% target. However, the sharp deterioration in the external environment, exacerbated by the spread of the deadly coronavirus to Italy, is putting pressure on the CNB to reverse the hike in rates it announced this month, and potentially to start easing policy more aggressively if growth slows more sharply. Impacts Falling German bond yields are dragging down yields in Central Europe and contributing to a further loosening in financial conditions. The near-20% fall in Brent crude prices, part of a sharp sell-off in commodity markets, reflects mounting concerns about China’s economy. Investors’ continued ‘hunt for yield’ will still attract significant inflows into emerging market bond and equity funds this year.

Country-specific euro area government bond yield reactions to ECB’s non-standard monetary policy program announcements

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Fendel ◽  
Frederik Neugebauer
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Euro Area ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Government Bond ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Bond Yield ◽  
Current Spread ◽  
Policy Program ◽  
Government Bond Markets ◽  
Country Specific

AbstractThis paper employs event study methods to evaluate the effects of ECB’s non-standard monetary policy program announcements on 10-year government bond yields of 11 euro area member states. Measurable effects of announcements arise with a one-day delay meaning that government bond markets take some time to react to ECB announcements. The country-specific extent of yield reduction seems inversely related to the solvency rating of the corresponding countries. The spread between core and periphery countries reduces because of a stronger decrease in the latter. This result is confirmed by letting the announcement variable interact with the current spread level.

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.

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.

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.

Monetary policy will remain loose in Central Europe

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
Currency Markets ◽  
Bond Yields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inflation Rates ◽  
National Bank

Subject Factors keeping monetary policy loose, despite stronger growth. Significance The Hungarian National Bank (MNB), one of the most dovish emerging market (EM) central banks, has cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low and called an end to its three-year-long monetary easing cycle. Hungary's inflation rate has only just turned positive after a period of deflation. The Czech National Bank (CNB) has been forced to intervene in the currency markets for the first time since 2013 in order to stem appreciation of the koruna, which is being buoyed by a stronger-than-expected growth pick-up. However, the prospect of subdued inflation should allow central banks in Central Europe (CE) to keep interest rates at current levels for a considerable period of time. Impacts The renewed decline in oil prices will exert downward pressure on inflation rates in many advanced and emerging economies. Exceptionally low CE local government bond yields could spark a sell-off if fallout from higher US interest rates is sharper than expected. The ECB's sovereign QE programme, to run at least until September 2016, should help mitigate any Fed-driven deterioration in CE sentiment.

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.

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.

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