After an initial wobble, the markets have
stabilized as two themes emerge: reflation and the spread of populism.
The shift away from monetary policy towards
fiscal policy had already begun, and both US presidential candidates had
promised fiscal stimulus. Trump offered greater stimulus (spending and tax
cuts), and other policies on trade and immigration that seen as
pro-growth.
Canada has already shifted some burden of
stimulus to fiscal policy, and the UK government is expected to unveil a small
step in that direction with the Autumn statement in a fortnight, the US move
may be bigger. The obvious comparison is Reagan in 1980. Since
the financial crisis, low real growth and low inflation has bedeviled
policymakers across Europe, North America and Japan.
Comparisons between the Brexit and the US
election were being drawn by some observers, and now with two points on the
line, the third is expected from Europe. The Italian referendum
in early December coincides with the Austrian presidential election. The
Italian referendum is over the size and powers of the Senate, the reformist
center-left Prime Minister Renzi had threatened to resign if defeated. He
has since backtracked, but some political damage is likely, and some are still
suggesting it could topple the government. This is important as the
leading opposition party, the Five-Star Movement, favors a referendum to leave
the monetary union.
Some bookmakers shifting odds that Le Pen wins
the French presidency next year. She promises a referendum on EU
membership is she wins. The Netherlands and Germany also hold elections
next year. The populist parties do not appear as powerful; there as
elsewhere, but seem to enjoy some momentum.
Asian markets played catch-up today.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index rose 2.8% after yesterday’s 3.2% slide. The
Nikkei rallied 6.7%, more than offsetting yesterday’s 5.4% drop. Bond
yields rose, with Australian and New Zealand 10-year yields rising 21 and 28 bp
respectively.
European bonds are extending yesterday’s
sell-off, while stocks continue to move higher. Financials are
leading European shares higher. The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is up 1.1% near
midday in London, and the financials are up 3.3%. Interest rate
sensitive utility sector is off nearly 2%. Given the continued rally in
US after European markets closed yesterday, spurred a gap higher opening in
Europe today, including in the German DAX and the French CAC. The French
chart is particularly interesting in that today’s gap launched the CAC into the
gap created in the sharply lower opening to start the year. For its part,
the DAX is holding just below the 10800 level that has capped the index despite
repeated tried since mid-August.
Bearish curve steepening is the theme in the
debt markets. Two year benchmark yields are 1-3 bp higher in
Europe. The RBNZ did cut the cash rates 25 bp as expected at the start of
today’s session, but it shifted its stance to neutral, hinting that it is the
last cut. Yesterday’s surge in 10-year US yields is dragging global
yields. Typically when yields rise in Europe, the peripheral premium
grows but that is not the case today. Core bond yields up around 7
bp while peripheral yields are up a few basis points less. Italian
bonds are underperforming a little while its equities are outperforming the
other large European bourses. Italian bank share are up for the fourth
consecutive session for a cumulative gain of 9.2%. Last week it is off
nearly 9%. However, bank shares were up in the four weeks of October for
an 11% recovery.
France and Italy reported weaker than expected
September industrial output figures, but investors paid little notice.
The data is seen as old and have been preempted by other issues. US data
is also of little consequence today with weekly jobless claims the main
feature. The stabilized of the markets has seen expectations for a Fed
hike next month increase. Bloomberg estimates the odds at 82% while the
CME calculation is near 71% chance.
The US dollar is mostly higher as the larger interest rate premium gives the greenback traction. Investors remain confident of a Fed hike next month. The Australian dollar is pushing the $0.7700 again, while the Scandi currencies are recovering from yesterday’s slide. Outside of these three, the other major currencies are heavier against the dollar. The yen is off nearly 1.0% is leading the drop. The dollar is also advancing against most emerging market currencies, which may struggle in the higher interest rate environment despite the firmer commodity prices. Gains in the industrial metals is particular noteworthy. Iron ore, aluminum, nickel, copper and tin are all posting strong gains.