This newsletter is quite long, so there's a Summary section at the top. Everything you find there is derived from data and news I show in detail in the second and third parts of the newsletter (Week in Review and Market Analysis). I encourage you to go through those parts because they are basically the reasoning behind the conclusions I present in the Summary. The final section is a collection of things I read during the week that influence my thinking. If you're using Gmail, you will need to click “View entire message” at the bottom since it can't display the whole thing.
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Before we get started, I’d like to give a shout-out to Yuri from Snippet Finance!
Snippet Finance is an easy-to-read newsletter with highly curated and bite-sized content on macro, stocks and investing. Here’s an example:
I know you like long newsletters (because you are reading this one right now), but I’m sure you will like Yuri’s as well. Also, check out his website where he posts daily for more great content and his Twitter @SnippetFinance!
This is the shortest possible summary of everything you will find in the rest of this newsletter.
Relevant market risks I have on my radar (it's obviously not a comprehensive list and mostly unchanged from last week). If you have any suggestions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment:
Europe:
More and more headlines and articles about energy nationalism… could spill over into monetary policy if push comes to shove
An unexpected resolution of the Ukraine war seems very unlikely, but it could escalate very quickly especially given the mobilization and referendums
UK: the fallout from the close shave in the gilt market and UK pension funds isn’t clear yet
Global markets:
The UK pension funds are a canary in the coal mine that signals that cracks can appear anywhere out of seemingly nowhere
The risk from commodity market squeezes spilling over seems to have diminished a bit; it's become a major factor in energy and electricity markets
China/Taiwan: keeping an eye on the Taiwanese stock market as a risk gauge
Economic Calendar for next week
If you're based in Europe: there's the daylight savings time shift.
Important levels to watch and look out for in the Majors
The Morning Hark is a great way to stay on top of what’s going on in markets. If you like fx:macro, you will love The Morning Hark, so check it out!
Week in Review
Central Banks
Bank of Canada Rate Decision (26.10.)
The BOC surprised to the downside with a 50 bps hike to 3.25%:
Guidance:policy rates will need to rise further, QT is complementing rate hikes, and future rate increases will depend on the evolution of demand, supply challenges, and how inflation and inflation expectations are behaving
The Canadian economy continues to operate in excess demand, the labour market remains tight, businesses report widespread labour shortages
Housing activity has retreated sharply, spending by households and businesses is slowing
Growth is expected to stall through the first half of next year, GDP growth is expected to slow from 3.25% this year to 1% in 2023 and 2% in 2024
Inflation remains broad-based, core inflation is not yet showing meaningful evidence that underlying price pressures are easing
Increasing risk of inflation expectations becoming entrenched
CPI expected to move down to 3% in 2023 and 2% in 2024
If you want to take a look at the Monetary Policy Report, you can check out my Twitter thread with the most important charts:
Forward guidance remained largely unchanged: expects to raise rates further (but dropped “over next several meetings”), meeting-by-meeting approach based on outlook on inflation and the economy
The GC has made “substantial progress” in withdrawing monetary policy accommodation with today’s hike
No change to APP or PEPP; PEPP re-investments will continue to be flexible
Adjusted TLTRO III to offer additional early repayment dates for banks, applicable interest rates will be indexed to the average ECB key interest rates, remuneration of minimum reserves will be set at the ECB deposit facility rate
Bank of Japan Rate Decision (28.10.22)
As expected, the BOJ left basically everything unchanged. Their economic outlook did up the forecasts for CPI:
2.9% for 2022 vs. 2.3% projected in July
1.6% for 2023 (prev. 1.4%)
1.6% for 2024 (prev. 1.3%)
One key sentence from the Outlook: “[After 2023, CPI] is projected to accelerate again moderately on the back of improvement in the output gap and rises in medium- to long-term inflation expectations and in wage growth.”
From the bank’s Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices:
Lagarde (Dove). Thu: We expect to raise rates further, have made substantial progress with this third major hike in a row, we're data-dependent, ready to adjust all instruments. Did not discuss substantial APP issues today, still have ground to cover on normalization, may need to go beyond normalization, might well be "several meetings" but will be determined meeting by meeting. Inflation remains far too high, expects further economic slowdown for the remainder of the year, labour market performed well so far, somewhat higher unemployment possible, risks to economic outlook on the downside and to inflation on the upside, weakening of demand would lower price pressures.
Villeroy (Neutral). Fri: No obligation to raise by 75 bps at the December meeting, next increases will be flexible, must be quick on normalization of rates but careful on QT, QT must be started carefully and accelerated gradually.
Simkus (Hawk). Fri: Expects ECB's inflation projections to be raised in December, discussion on QT in December should be about start date and amounts.
Kazimir. Fri: Rates will go up in December and first months of next year, need to get rates into restrictive territory "like a runaway train", risk is that inflation will remain higher for longer, risks of a recession are growing, fiscal policy starting to add to inflationary pressures.
Sources. Thu: Three officials wanted to go for 50 bps instead of 75. The ECB's mention of "progress" was not meant to imply a slower pace of hikes. All sources were surprised by the market reaction (bonds and bank shares rallying).
Bank of England
Ramsden (Hawk). Mon: Will take necessary steps to get inflation back to target, today's PMI consistent with the UK being in recession, was reluctant to do bond purchases. Gilt market shows credibility is being recovered, temporary expanded collateral repo facility hasn't been called on yet, having clarity on fiscal plans by October 31 will be really important, we have built up a reasonable degree of credibility on inflation and it's obvious we're being challenged now.
Woods. Thu: De-regulating the City would be self-defeating, financial stability is the single most important ingredient of competitiveness in financial services.
Reserve Bank of Australia
Kent. Mon: Expects to increase interest rates further in the period ahead, size and timing dependent on data.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Conway. Tue: Early indications that the economy is cooling, hopeful that inflation has peaked, fall in house prices expected to slow consumption, China is no longer the deflationary force it once was.
Orr. Thu: Inflation is still absolutely too high, firmly committed to meeting inflation target.
Bank of Japan
Kanda (FX diplomat). Mon: No change in stance that we are ready to take necessary action 24/7, will continue to take action against excessive and disorderly markets, no comment on whether we intervened in FX markets, no comment on intervention on Monday morning. Wed: Will continue to take bold steps against excessive FX moves, in close touch with G7 and other countries every day, Yellen respects Japan's stance of not unveiling FX interventions.
Suzuki (FinMin). Mon: Monitoring the forex market with a sense of urgency, we are attempting to confront speculators. Tue: Ready to take appropriate steps on FX markets if necessary, no comment on daily FX moves, watching with a high sense of urgency, in constant touch with US authorities, aware of Yellen's comment that she did not know about Japan's intervention, no comment on whether we intervened in FX market, monetary policy is up to the BOJ to decide. Fri: Must be mindful of adhering to fiscal discipline, learned lesson from British experience that governments could come under attack from markets if trust in fiscal management is lost, continues to expect the BOJ to conduct appropriate monetary policy.
Matsuno (Chief Cabinet Secretary). Mon: No comment on FX intervention, closely watching FX moves with a high sense of urgency, will take appropriate action.
Kuroda. Tue: Recent sharp and one-sided moves in the yen are undesirable for the economy. Fri: Japan's economy is improving, will not hesitate to ease further if needed, necessary to achieve 2% inflation target in tandem with wage growth, wages are rising gradually and are expected to rise further next year. JPY weakening has been one-sided, rapid yen moves are negative for Japan's economy, not commenting on FX interventions, government has taken appropriate steps on FX volatility.
Kishida (PM). Fri: Ready to take appropriate action on excessive FX volatility, watching FX moves closely, coordinating with the BOJ, speculative and sharp FX volatility is not desirable.
“Australia’s private sector saw renewed contraction in October with the service sector primarily showing signs of stress. A fall in demand for services was underpinned by higher interest rates and prices, altogether reflective of the detriments of aggressive monetary policy tightening and capacity constraints upon business activity.
“Although input price inflation declined in October, output price inflation climbed in the private sector according to the PMI data suggesting that price pressures have yet to ease steadily. A tight labour market also indicates that wage inflation may persist.
“Overall business confidence meanwhile continued to trend lower in October to the weakest since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, which is not a positive sign for the Australian economy.”
“The flash PMI data show the downturn in German business activity gathering pace at the start of the fourth quarter, adding to the growing signs of an impending recession in the eurozone’s largest economy.
“We’re seeing weakness across the board in the survey data, with both the manufacturing and service sectors reporting accelerating rates of contraction, led by rapidly declining inflows of new work. Businesses are reporting a growing reluctance amongst clients due to increased strain on budgets and an uncertain economic outlook, with high energy costs compounding the situation by fuelling inflationary pressures and directly impacting factory production in some cases.
“Notwithstanding the downturn in activity and deeply negative business expectations, employment levels are yet to fall, pointing to resilience in the German labour market. Firms are showing a willingness to retain staff, and even continue to fill vacancies in some cases, despite facing sharply rising costs – including wage pressures – and the growing prospect of a recession.”
“The eurozone economy looks set to contract in the fourth quarter given the steepening loss of output and deteriorating demand picture seen in October, adding to speculation that a recession is looking increasingly inevitable.
“While October’s headline flash PMI is consistent with GDP falling at a modest rate of around 0.2%, demand is falling sharply and companies are increasingly growing worried over high inventories and weaker than expected sales, especially as winter approaches. The risks are therefore tilted towards the downturn accelerating towards the year-end.
“While the rising cost of living remains the predominant cause of the economic slowdown, the region’s energy crisis remains a major concern and a drag on activity, especially in energy intensive sectors.
“Price pressures meanwhile remain stubbornly elevated, as rising energy and staff costs, and the weakened euro, offset any lowering of commodity prices linked to improving supply conditions. As such, the elevated survey price gauges will likely add the ECB’s resolve to tighten policy further in the coming months despite the growing recession risk. But there will likely also be some growing discomfort among some policymakers regarding the economic impact of tightening policy too aggressively in the face of other economic headwinds.”
“October's flash PMI data showed the pace of economic decline gathering momentum after the recent political and financial market upheavals. The heightened political and economic uncertainty has caused business activity to fall at a rate not seen since the global financial crisis in 2009 if pandemic lockdown months are excluded. GDP therefore looks certain to fall in the fourth quarter after a likely third quarter contraction, meaning the UK is in recession.
“Business confidence has meanwhile collapsed, sliding to a level rarely seen before in 25 years of survey history, meaning companies are becoming increasingly nervous about the outlook. As night follows day, investment and employment will suffer in the months ahead as companies adjust to the increasingly challenging environment. Hiring is already slowing sharply, with manufacturing now even shedding workers.
“While the economic downturn has led to reduced upward pressure on prices, the weak pound and high energy costs meant that input cost inflation remains higher than at any time in the survey’s history prior to the pandemic.
“The resulting elevated, albeit easing, price pressures look set to drive the Bank of England into further aggressive interest rate hikes. On top of the collapse in political stability, financial market stress and slump in confidence, these higher borrowing costs will add to speculation of a worryingly deep UK recession.”
“The US economic downturn gathered significant momentum in October, while confidence in the outlook also deteriorated sharply. The decline was led by a downward lurch in services activity, fuelled by the rising cost of living and tightening financial conditions. While output in manufacturing remains more resilient for now, October saw a steep drop in demand for goods, meaning current output is only being maintained by firms eating into backlogs of previously placed orders. Clearly this is unsustainable absent of a revival in demand, and it’s no surprise to see firms cutting back sharply on their input buying to prepare for lower output in coming months.
“One upside of this drop in input buying has been a further alleviation of supply constraints, which alongside the stronger dollar have helped cool price pressures in the manufacturing sector.
“Although price pressures picked up slightly in the service sector due to high food, energy and staff costs, as well as rising borrowing costs, increased competitive forces meant average prices charged for services grew at only a fractionally faster rate. Combined with the easing of price pressures in the goods-producing sector, this adds to evidence that consumer price inflation should cool in coming months.
“The surveys therefore present a picture of the economy at increased risk of contracting in the fourth quarter at the same time that inflationary pressures remain stubbornly high. However, there are clearly signs that weakening demand is helping to moderate the overall rate of inflation, which should continue to fall in the coming months, especially if interest rates continue to rise.”
USD is still the strongest currency over three months but underperforming over 1 month and 5 days
GBP is the strongest currency over a medium and short timeframe
EUR comes in second place on all three timeframes
The worst performers are JPY, AUD and CHF; NZD comes in third place over 1 month
ETF flows are pretty interesting with significant creations of ETFs for equities, MBS, and high-yield credit:
Source: etf.com
Equity sector performance:
Energy (OIH, XLE, XOP) has been the clear outperformer once again
Industrials (XLI), Financials (XLF) and Healthcare (XLV)
Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Utilities (XLU) and Semiconductors (SMH) come in last
Value (VTV) still outperforming Growth (VUG)
Equity sector performance, 1 month
Different look at sectors:
Real Estate 6.4% higher this week on the drop in yields
The S&P is up for the week but Utilities, Consumer Defensives and Healthcare are among the strong sectors while Tech/Communication and Consumer Cyclicals were rather weak
Over 1 month, it looks mixed as well
Source: finviz.com
Sector performance charts:
It's not looking pretty, the only things up are Industrials, Energy, Healthcare, and (to some degree Staples)
Everything else is near lows
International stock markets:
Hong Kong deteriorating further, Taiwan isn't catching much of a break either
European indexes at/near the top
Brazil not outperforming anymore
International stocks markets, 1 month
BNY Mellon iFlow:
Equity flows broadly negative, one exception: South America (i.e. Brazil)
Market breadth: The NYSE Advance/Decline Line is tracking price without any divergence at this point.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 stocks above their 200-day moving averages: This is pretty disappointing with both metrics not getting off their lows. Both remain between -1 and -2 SD and both tanked despite the bullish price action on Friday:
The same is true for the shorter-term metric of stocks above their 50-day moving average: it's looking a bit better for the S&P, though both haven't even made it to their long-term average.
25-delta risk reversals:
Calls are being priced richer on AUDUSD and NZDUSD
With the Chinese FX intervention going on, it's a bit surprising to see that the risk reversal in USDCNY is barely reacting (i.e. the puts remain cheap)
25-delta risk reversals, source: Refinitiv
Finally, seasonality for November:
Historically, the best month for Bitcoin (but: it's average returns, so distorted by large outliers… of which Bitcoin has many)
I've decided to retire this section for the time being: I'm pretty constrained time-wise, and while I'm often seeing interesting (and important) charts on Twitter or Harkster, I don't find the time to archive them and put them in here, unfortunately.
I recommend you check out Daily Chartbook here on Substack instead:
Pity for "Other Stuff I've been looking at", but thanks so much for the time and effort you put into your updates.
great comprehensive take, thank you, appreciate!