Equities webinar with Peter Garnry

Equity rally has stopped for now

Equities 5 minutes to read
Picture of Peter Garnry
Peter Garnry

Chief Investment Strategist

Summary:  In today's equity update we highlight that macro numbers are doing the best this year against expectations and that it could support equities. Once again we highlight DAX and Nikkei futures as the markets with most momentum as these markets are high beta plays on the global economy. India has been a darling for years but recently growth has come under severe pressure and we highlight the fact that India's equity valuations seem disconnected from macro reality. Finally we focus on Ford Motor that had its debt downgraded to junk status by Moody's.


The equity rally seems to have stopped as equities did not extend gains in Asia session. It seems investors are waiting for the important ECB meeting on Thursday before adding more risk. Recent macro developments do not warrant risk-off here, so our short-term view remains that equities are bid, but longer term our forecast is that the global economy is likely to slip into a recession unless we massive stimulus from both monetary and fiscal policies on top of some US-China trade deal.

Economic surprise index is likely turning positive

The entire year has been a one-way street on bad macro numbers against expectations but luckily for investors that has not spilled into bad returns. Centrals banks made a historic U-turn back in January and February which has elevated risky assets and now macro numbers are no longer disappointing against expectations as measured by the Citi Economic Surprise Index on the G10 countries. The index is likely to push into positive territory very soon and the macro momentum is strong relative to expectations. This could extend the rally in equities.

Source: Bloomberg

Nikkei futures still look the strongest on JPY flow

As we have been highlighting the since late last week the DAX and Nikkei futures look the strongest on price momentum. Both equity markets are high beta plays on the macro economy so if risk-on continues these two markets would likely see further momentum. In today’s session Nikkei futures looked relatively strong against a backdrop of more mixed equity markets in Asia. The move is partly currency flows weakening the JPY but also rising sentiment on the macro economy. 

Source: Saxo Bank
Source: Saxo Bank

Is India a train wreck about to happen?

For years investors have been in love with India. The world’s largest democracy had positive demographics and a low urbanization rate setting the country up for decades of super growth. Everyone piled into the country’s equities getting good returns in both local and foreign currency. But recently the growth engine as been sputtering with news yesterday that car sales in India had it worst ever fall in August down 24%.

On top of that, India’s banking sector has eclipsed Italy as the world’s worst bad-debt pile. We are potentially watching a credit crunch in the making. More strangely is it to see equity valuations in India with MSCI India Index valued at 1.5% dividend yield which makes Indian equities much more expensive than US equities which are already expensive in a developed market context.

Stocks to watch

Ford Motor is in focus as Moody’s downgraded the carmaker’s credit rating to junk status as cash flows and operating margins are expected to remain weak the next two years. It obviously bad for Ford Motor which has been struggling with a weak share price the past five years. The downgrade means higher financing costs which come at a bad time as the economy may slip into a recession within the next 12 months and the car industry is seeing increasing capital expenditures to fund the transition to electric vehicle technology. The company’s debt has a current credit default swap price of 183 basis points which is in line with Bloomberg’s default model. The 1-year default probability is 0.29% which at levels not seen since 2012.

Source: Saxo Bank

Apple will announce at 17:00 GMT its 13th iteration of the iPhone which is seeing slowing demand. The company is getting around 50% of its revenue from the iPhone so it’s an important event for Apple investors to watch. But Apple understands future growth is not coming from the iPhone but its Services segment (essentially digital sales) and its streaming business in TV and music.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

Saxo Bank A/S (Headquarters)
Philip Heymans Alle 15
2900
Hellerup
Denmark

Contact Saxo

Select region

International
International

Trade responsibly
All trading carries risk. Read more. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more

This website can be accessed worldwide however the information on the website is related to Saxo Bank A/S and is not specific to any entity of Saxo Bank Group. All clients will directly engage with Saxo Bank A/S and all client agreements will be entered into with Saxo Bank A/S and thus governed by Danish Law.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.