Chief Investment Officer
Summary: Asia equities are broadly higher and sweeping aside the mounting tensions between the US and China, instead focusing on the perceived positives which have driven risk assets in recent weeks. Namely reopening economies, slowing COVID-19 case growth and expanding central bank balance sheets. Trading may be light this Monday with holidays in U.S., U.K. and Singapore.
What is our trading focus?
What is going on?
US-China relationship continues to worsen over the weekend. Markets have typically traded on the hope that the rhetoric is worse than reality when it comes to the US/China disentanglement. Now it seems that each day brings fresh evidence that the relationship has permanently changed and the global geopolitical architectures, which have long been fraying, are moving closer to breaking point. The ideological differences and political fragmentations that drove the original US/SINO confrontations are on full display and the tectonic shifts like, the East/West divide, Splinternet, and supply chain relocations we talked about when trade tensions first emerged are now coming to fruition. Beijing revealed plans on Friday to impose laws on Hong Kong that would ban subversion, secession, foreign interference and any acts that threaten national security. With China’s strike on Hong Kong comes the ultimate test of whether this US administration’s hawkish position on China “bark” is worse than the “bite”. Particularly as the tough stance on China plays into the election strategy and diverts attention from the handling of the health crisis, whilst shifting blame to China.
What we are watching next?
As the world slowly emerges from coronavirus lockdowns the energy markets will be watching annual meetings from big oil companies. Total SA, BP Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp are among those holding meetings and the market will be looking for their views on how the lockdowns have impacted their current and future plans.
Economic Calendar Highlights (times GMT)
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Bond. Long Bond(s)
With real rates being too positive, we see three scenarios: Opportunity to lock in rates at cycle high, government overreach to keep the economy afloat or a complete reset of the economy.
Steen Jakobsen,
Chief Investment Officer
Is a bond bull market ahead? Inflation still poses a risk for investors, but the moment for increasing duration to your portfolio may be approaching towards the end of the year, when central banks might be forced to cut interest rates.
Althea Spinozzi,
Senior Fixed Income Strategist
The furious rate hike cycle has brought gains in the US dollar, but with stagflation risks in Europe and the UK and weakness in the Chinese economy, USD may have more room to run. But a strong dollar could also have repercussions for US growth, emerging markets and commodity prices.
Charu Chanana,
Market Strategist
With the cost of capital rising painfully, stagflation fears are back, illuminating the fragile state of the green transformation, while giving a tailwind to nuclear power, and threatening the growth of AI-related stocks.
Peter Garnry,
Head of Equity Strategy
With supply tightness not only in energy but all commodities, the momentum in commodity prices may continue, pressuring central banks to lower real rates. That could be a good setup for precious metals, including gold, silver and potentially platinum as well.
Ole S. Hansen,
Head of Commodity Strategy
As the pandemic showed, even the US Treasury can experience seismic shifts. With the government increasing the pace of issuing bonds to support fiscal spending, the complex Treasury market and regulatory constraints could spark a liquidity event.
Redmond Wong,
Market Strategist
The tide has turned for bonds. Given the current yields, bonds have become an attractive investment, with added benefits including lower risk than stocks, increased diversification and a steady stream of income unaffected by economic changes.
Peter Siks,
Investment Coach
