There are many economic reports that
will vie for investors’ attention. The flash PMI readings for the eurozone may be the most
contemporaneous data, while the UK and US are the first G7 countries to report
Q3 GDP. Japan will provide September CPI figures,
and the both Sweden’s Riksbank and Norway’s Norges Bank hold policy meetings.
Spain’s reassertion of its authority over the secessionist-minded Catalonia
will draw attention, and investors will digest the results of the Japanese
national elections. Abe’s gamble with a snap election appears to have paid off, and the government is seems set to have retained its super-majority. Japan’s election concludes an unlikely twelve-month
period where all of the G5 countries held national elections. The Czech Republic election results seem consistent with the shift to the right by the Visegrad Group, as well as many countries in western Europe.
will vie for investors’ attention. The flash PMI readings for the eurozone may be the most
contemporaneous data, while the UK and US are the first G7 countries to report
Q3 GDP. Japan will provide September CPI figures,
and the both Sweden’s Riksbank and Norway’s Norges Bank hold policy meetings.
Spain’s reassertion of its authority over the secessionist-minded Catalonia
will draw attention, and investors will digest the results of the Japanese
national elections. Abe’s gamble with a snap election appears to have paid off, and the government is seems set to have retained its super-majority. Japan’s election concludes an unlikely twelve-month
period where all of the G5 countries held national elections. The Czech Republic election results seem consistent with the shift to the right by the Visegrad Group, as well as many countries in western Europe.
We focus on three
developments that may have the broadest
impact. The first
is the Bank of Canada meeting, which is not often thought to have global
implications, especially given that policy will remain on hold. However,
the reason we think it is important is that the Bank of Canada with two rate
hikes this year as seen as the epitome of “end of divergence” meme
that seemingly became consensus.
developments that may have the broadest
impact. The first
is the Bank of Canada meeting, which is not often thought to have global
implications, especially given that policy will remain on hold. However,
the reason we think it is important is that the Bank of Canada with two rate
hikes this year as seen as the epitome of “end of divergence” meme
that seemingly became consensus.
The Bank of Canada hiked the
overnight lending rate by 25 bp in July and again in September. Initially, the market moved to price
in a hike on October 25. As recently as mid-September the market was
discounting more than a 50% chance of a hike at this month’s meeting and a
nearly 75% chance of a hike by the end of the year.
overnight lending rate by 25 bp in July and again in September. Initially, the market moved to price
in a hike on October 25. As recently as mid-September the market was
discounting more than a 50% chance of a hike at this month’s meeting and a
nearly 75% chance of a hike by the end of the year.
Guided by official comments
and some softer data, the market has reconsidered. Interpolating from the Overnight
Index Swaps, Bloomberg estimates that the market is now discounting less than a
one-in-five chance of a hike in the week ahead and a little more than a one-in-three chance of a hike this
year.
and some softer data, the market has reconsidered. Interpolating from the Overnight
Index Swaps, Bloomberg estimates that the market is now discounting less than a
one-in-five chance of a hike in the week ahead and a little more than a one-in-three chance of a hike this
year.
The rate hikes that were delivered were not the beginning of a
monetary tightening cycle like the Fed
has entered. The
two rate hikes were the taking back of the precautionary cuts delivered in 2015
as the economy coped with the drop in oil prices and the terms of trade
shock.
monetary tightening cycle like the Fed
has entered. The
two rate hikes were the taking back of the precautionary cuts delivered in 2015
as the economy coped with the drop in oil prices and the terms of trade
shock.
If the Bank of England
hikes rates early next month, as the market expects (~80% probability), it will
look more like the Bank of Canada’s move
than the Fed’s. The
Bank of England cut rates, and eased policy in other ways, around last year’s
referendum. With the economic activity moderating, and price pressures
expected to peak soon, and the significant pass-through
of higher rate to households, a sustained campaign to normalize monetary policy
does not appear to be at hand.
hikes rates early next month, as the market expects (~80% probability), it will
look more like the Bank of Canada’s move
than the Fed’s. The
Bank of England cut rates, and eased policy in other ways, around last year’s
referendum. With the economic activity moderating, and price pressures
expected to peak soon, and the significant pass-through
of higher rate to households, a sustained campaign to normalize monetary policy
does not appear to be at hand.
Canada illustrates another
broader issue, and that is the significance of interest rate differentials,
which is a way to quantify a dimension of divergence. On a purely directional
basis, the US dollar-Canadian dollar exchange rate is highly correlated with the two-year interest rate
differential. Over the past 60 sessions, the two move in the same
direction a little more 90% of the time.
broader issue, and that is the significance of interest rate differentials,
which is a way to quantify a dimension of divergence. On a purely directional
basis, the US dollar-Canadian dollar exchange rate is highly correlated with the two-year interest rate
differential. Over the past 60 sessions, the two move in the same
direction a little more 90% of the time.
The US dollar fell against
the Canadian dollar from early May’s high close to CAD1.38 to near CAD1.21 in
early September. The
greenback has recovered in recent weeks
and moved toward CAD1.2625 before the weekend. About a week after the US
dollar peaked in early May, the US two-year premium peaked near 65 bp. As
the dollar was tumbling, the differential swung to a discount of
25 bp by early September. The US
premium, now a little more than 11 bp has been
restored, and the US dollar appears set to recoup its earlier
losses.
the Canadian dollar from early May’s high close to CAD1.38 to near CAD1.21 in
early September. The
greenback has recovered in recent weeks
and moved toward CAD1.2625 before the weekend. About a week after the US
dollar peaked in early May, the US two-year premium peaked near 65 bp. As
the dollar was tumbling, the differential swung to a discount of
25 bp by early September. The US
premium, now a little more than 11 bp has been
restored, and the US dollar appears set to recoup its earlier
losses.
Another broad point that the
Canadian dollar helps illustrate is market positioning. We use the non-commercial
positioning in the futures market as a proxy for short-term speculative,
momentum and trend followers. This market segment is going into the
meeting with a substantial long bias. The net long position of almost 74k
contracts is nearly the most in five years. The gross long position of
94.5k contracts is about 10% below its recent peak, which itself was the
highest since 2012.
Canadian dollar helps illustrate is market positioning. We use the non-commercial
positioning in the futures market as a proxy for short-term speculative,
momentum and trend followers. This market segment is going into the
meeting with a substantial long bias. The net long position of almost 74k
contracts is nearly the most in five years. The gross long position of
94.5k contracts is about 10% below its recent peak, which itself was the
highest since 2012.
The ECB meeting is the
second event with broad implications. Many observers cited the ECB’s tapering as evidence that
the forces of divergence were exhausted. A new convergence was declared,
but it has not materialized. The US two-year premium over Germany is at
its widest since 1999.
second event with broad implications. Many observers cited the ECB’s tapering as evidence that
the forces of divergence were exhausted. A new convergence was declared,
but it has not materialized. The US two-year premium over Germany is at
its widest since 1999.
The consensus call in until
a few weeks ago had been for the ECB to bring down its monthly asset purchases
to 40 bln euros a month from 60 bln and extend the purchases for six months.
We had thought a large reduction would maximize the flexibility to end the program.
a few weeks ago had been for the ECB to bring down its monthly asset purchases
to 40 bln euros a month from 60 bln and extend the purchases for six months.
We had thought a large reduction would maximize the flexibility to end the program.
Based it
seems on mostly unsourced reports, the market now expects a larger reduction of the purchases, but
for the duration to be extended for nine months. There is a debate over what is more
important, the monthly purchases or the duration of the program. We are
inclined toward the latter because
in the current context, the signaling effect (forward guidance) is particularly
important.
seems on mostly unsourced reports, the market now expects a larger reduction of the purchases, but
for the duration to be extended for nine months. There is a debate over what is more
important, the monthly purchases or the duration of the program. We are
inclined toward the latter because
in the current context, the signaling effect (forward guidance) is particularly
important.
Due to the sequencing that
the ECB has outlined, favoring no rate hikes until after the purchases are
complete, the longer the purchases, the
more distant is the first rate increase. The market appears to have given up on ideas of an ECB
hike next year. The euro may be sensitive to signals that the ECB wants
to push expectations out further into 2019.
the ECB has outlined, favoring no rate hikes until after the purchases are
complete, the longer the purchases, the
more distant is the first rate increase. The market appears to have given up on ideas of an ECB
hike next year. The euro may be sensitive to signals that the ECB wants
to push expectations out further into 2019.
Perhaps the different
markets may respond differently to the trade-offs. The coupon curves may be more
sensitive to quantities rather than the duration of the program. In the
first instance, if the purchases are scaled back to 20 bln euros, it might be a
bit disappointing. In the second instance, with coming maturities can
average 10-15 bln euros a month, whose proceeds will be recycled, we suspect that some emphasis on gross purchases could
be part of the signaling effect.
markets may respond differently to the trade-offs. The coupon curves may be more
sensitive to quantities rather than the duration of the program. In the
first instance, if the purchases are scaled back to 20 bln euros, it might be a
bit disappointing. In the second instance, with coming maturities can
average 10-15 bln euros a month, whose proceeds will be recycled, we suspect that some emphasis on gross purchases could
be part of the signaling effect.
Some look for the ECB to try
to secure greater flexibility its purchases, and abandon monthly targets and
instead focus on the overall size. The Financial Times recently reported: “Officials
think there are about 300 bln euros worth of eurozone bonds left they could
buy. They would prefer to commit to purchases of slightly less than 300
bln euro to have some room to speed up should conditions
deteriorate.”
to secure greater flexibility its purchases, and abandon monthly targets and
instead focus on the overall size. The Financial Times recently reported: “Officials
think there are about 300 bln euros worth of eurozone bonds left they could
buy. They would prefer to commit to purchases of slightly less than 300
bln euro to have some room to speed up should conditions
deteriorate.”
We are not completely persuaded. After all, the ECB has changed the modalities
several times, to include corporate bonds, for example, and it has increased the universe of other non-sovereign
issuers. There is some thought the ECB could tweak the other assets that
it is buying, including asset-backed securities and corporate bonds.
Nevertheless, if the total net amount of bonds the ECB commits to buy is more
than 300 bln euros, the market’s response may be more dramatic.
several times, to include corporate bonds, for example, and it has increased the universe of other non-sovereign
issuers. There is some thought the ECB could tweak the other assets that
it is buying, including asset-backed securities and corporate bonds.
Nevertheless, if the total net amount of bonds the ECB commits to buy is more
than 300 bln euros, the market’s response may be more dramatic.
While providing an end date
of its purchases is possible, the ECB likely will try to maximize its flexibility. When it reduced its purchases from
80 bln euros a month to 60 bln euros starting this past March, it argued it was
not tapering because there was no termination date. By the same logic,
don’t be surprised if the ECB refrains from discussing its re-scaling as tapering.
of its purchases is possible, the ECB likely will try to maximize its flexibility. When it reduced its purchases from
80 bln euros a month to 60 bln euros starting this past March, it argued it was
not tapering because there was no termination date. By the same logic,
don’t be surprised if the ECB refrains from discussing its re-scaling as tapering.
The ECB may also choose not to show its entire hand at this
meeting, holding back details of either its purchases, new initiatives,
reinvestment of maturing proceeds, or modify the terms of the existing targeted
long-term repo operations (TLTRO) for the next meeting. While these may be important for
individual participants and in some market segments, investors are
unlikely to wait for such details before judging the ECB’s stance.
meeting, holding back details of either its purchases, new initiatives,
reinvestment of maturing proceeds, or modify the terms of the existing targeted
long-term repo operations (TLTRO) for the next meeting. While these may be important for
individual participants and in some market segments, investors are
unlikely to wait for such details before judging the ECB’s stance.
The speculative positioning
in the futures market is heavily biased in favor of the euro. The net long position of a little
more than 90k contracts is less than 10% from its six-year high set earlier this
month. The gross speculative long position reached a record high of a
little more than 200k contracts in early August. It stood at almost
187k contracts as of Tuesday, October 17, the end of the latest CFTC reporting
period. The gross short speculative position is a little larger than 96k
contracts. The three-year low set in June was 85.2k contracts.
Recall that at the end of last year, the speculative short euro position was
200k contracts.
in the futures market is heavily biased in favor of the euro. The net long position of a little
more than 90k contracts is less than 10% from its six-year high set earlier this
month. The gross speculative long position reached a record high of a
little more than 200k contracts in early August. It stood at almost
187k contracts as of Tuesday, October 17, the end of the latest CFTC reporting
period. The gross short speculative position is a little larger than 96k
contracts. The three-year low set in June was 85.2k contracts.
Recall that at the end of last year, the speculative short euro position was
200k contracts.
US tax reform is the third
force with broad implications. The rise in the long-end of US curve last week, with the
10-year yield increasing 11 bp and the nine
bp rise in the 30-year yield appear to have been driven expectations around US
fiscal policy. We succinctly summarize in nonpartisan terms where the process
is and what to expect going forward.
force with broad implications. The rise in the long-end of US curve last week, with the
10-year yield increasing 11 bp and the nine
bp rise in the 30-year yield appear to have been driven expectations around US
fiscal policy. We succinctly summarize in nonpartisan terms where the process
is and what to expect going forward.
The new development last
week was that the Senate passed a 2018 budget. It is different than the House
version in that it anticipates a loss of
revenue (tax cuts) that will increase the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the
next 10 years. Part of the reason
is that unlike the House that offered a little more than $200 bln in spending
cuts and other offsets.
week was that the Senate passed a 2018 budget. It is different than the House
version in that it anticipates a loss of
revenue (tax cuts) that will increase the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the
next 10 years. Part of the reason
is that unlike the House that offered a little more than $200 bln in spending
cuts and other offsets.
To proceed to tax reform, both houses of Congress must approve the same budget. The reconciliation process typically
takes weeks. This time could be different. A parliamentary maneuver
allows a shortcut. As early as next week, the House may simply vote
on the Senate’s version.
takes weeks. This time could be different. A parliamentary maneuver
allows a shortcut. As early as next week, the House may simply vote
on the Senate’s version.
Once the budget is passed, Brady, the chair of the House Ways
and Means Committee will reportedly release a detailed tax reform bill. His committee will vote on it, and with 2/3 Republicans, it is not much of
a hurdle. The bill would then face a vote in the entire House. The
Republicans can afford to lose 22 member votes at the most. Speaker of
the House Ryan has suggested a floor vote
could be held in early
November.
and Means Committee will reportedly release a detailed tax reform bill. His committee will vote on it, and with 2/3 Republicans, it is not much of
a hurdle. The bill would then face a vote in the entire House. The
Republicans can afford to lose 22 member votes at the most. Speaker of
the House Ryan has suggested a floor vote
could be held in early
November.
The Senate is working its own version. The Republican majority on the
Senate Finance Committee (chaired by Hatch) is a narrower 14-12. The
Republican majority in the Senate is 52-48. Vice President Pence casts a
vote in a tie, so in the Senate, the Republicans can loss two votes and still
pass tax reform.
Senate Finance Committee (chaired by Hatch) is a narrower 14-12. The
Republican majority in the Senate is 52-48. Vice President Pence casts a
vote in a tie, so in the Senate, the Republicans can loss two votes and still
pass tax reform.
It is on the floor votes
that health care reform faltered in the House and Senate. The recurring problem is not
obstructionist tactics from the minority Democrats, but the inability of the
Republican leadership is cross the divide within their party. As
all of the House members face election next year, it may be easier to
maintain party discipline than in the Senate, where only eight sitting Republican Senators will defend
their seats, though one (Corker) has indicated intentions on stepping
down. These Senators immediate challenge stems
from a potential primary challenge threatened by Steve Bannon.
that health care reform faltered in the House and Senate. The recurring problem is not
obstructionist tactics from the minority Democrats, but the inability of the
Republican leadership is cross the divide within their party. As
all of the House members face election next year, it may be easier to
maintain party discipline than in the Senate, where only eight sitting Republican Senators will defend
their seats, though one (Corker) has indicated intentions on stepping
down. These Senators immediate challenge stems
from a potential primary challenge threatened by Steve Bannon.
The gulf
between those Republican Senators who want significant tax cuts even if it
means greater deficits and those who have been critical of deficit spending
throughout their careers may be too difficult to bridge. While there are many components to the tax
reform, part of the challenge is that there are few constituents that are
concerned about more than one two components, which make larger compromises
more difficult.
between those Republican Senators who want significant tax cuts even if it
means greater deficits and those who have been critical of deficit spending
throughout their careers may be too difficult to bridge. While there are many components to the tax
reform, part of the challenge is that there are few constituents that are
concerned about more than one two components, which make larger compromises
more difficult.
Toward the end of last week,
reports emerged that suggested that under consideration was limits on tax-free retirement savings (e.g., 401k). The problem is that because of the
disparity of income and wealth, many people and households cannot benefit from
the financial incentives to save. So these types of inducements, which
Obama saw in the college saving programs (529B), contribute to the
disparity. However, Obama was forced to back off quickly, and many middle-class
families use pre-tax dollars to save for retirement, and there are more
regressive taxes that can reconsider.
reports emerged that suggested that under consideration was limits on tax-free retirement savings (e.g., 401k). The problem is that because of the
disparity of income and wealth, many people and households cannot benefit from
the financial incentives to save. So these types of inducements, which
Obama saw in the college saving programs (529B), contribute to the
disparity. However, Obama was forced to back off quickly, and many middle-class
families use pre-tax dollars to save for retirement, and there are more
regressive taxes that can reconsider.
That said, a shift from
pre-tax to post-tax savings front loads tax receipts for the government. All else being equal, it would make
for a smaller deficit. The change may initially squeeze household cash
flow, and consumption, but the underlying rate of savings, adjusted for
anticipated tax obligation may not be altered
on the medium term.
pre-tax to post-tax savings front loads tax receipts for the government. All else being equal, it would make
for a smaller deficit. The change may initially squeeze household cash
flow, and consumption, but the underlying rate of savings, adjusted for
anticipated tax obligation may not be altered
on the medium term.
To conclude, the challenges
that bedeviled the health care debate cast a cloud over tax reform and that
lies ultimately in the narrow majorities that are majorities in party
affiliation and little else. Finishing the 2018 budget is the first step, and that is
possible in the days ahead. Then details of the House tax plan will be
published. The floor vote is where the challenge lies, but the Senate
obstacles may be more formidable. While some parts of the tax
reforms seem stimulative, others like removing the state and local tax
deductions, and/or further limiting tax
incentives for retirement savings, seem to raise the effective tax burden on middle-class households that drive consumption.