Login Open account
International
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 65% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Show more
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 65% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs, FX or any of our other products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Show less
250319 3D print M -compressed 250319 3D print M -compressed 250319 3D print M -compressed

Stumbling into a storm?

Macro 5 minutes to read
Strats-Eleanor-88x88
Eleanor Creagh

Australian Market Strategist

Summary:  Asian markets began the week with substantial losses as the region followed Wall Street's Friday example where sentiment deteriorated after the inverted US yield curve stoked recession fears.

Globally, yields are collapsing. In Europe, the German 10-year bund yield has fallen below zero for the fist time since 2016, as Europe’s wilting growth was once again confirmed after PMI readings from Germany and France refuted a Q1 rebound. Germany’s manufacturing slump continued with the IHS Markit manufacturing PMI falling to 44.7, the lowest level since 2012 and considerably missing economists’ expectations of 48. Weakening global demand, the trade war, Brexit and a troubled auto industry are all contributing to the slowdown, stoking fears that Europe could be leading the global slowdown.
250319 Euro PMI
The picture got uglier as data confirmed US manufacturing also stumbled. The US manufacturing PMI hit a 21-month low and the manufacturing output sub-index dipped to 51.6, the lowest level in almost 3 years, plagued by softening global growth and weaker external demand. 

The slew of data confirming the global slowdown, coupled with the Fed downgrade to growth earlier in the week, reignited growth concerns causing a collapse in bond yields. Consequently, the gap between 3-month and 10-year rates is now negative, for the first time since 2007, which has previously been a reliable indicator of recession. The yield curve is the best forecasting tool for recessions, having inverted before each of the last seven recessions according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

This inversion means that the interest rate (or yield) on 3-month US Government treasury bills is higher than the interest rate on 10-year Government treasury bonds. This signals lower interest rates in the futures as demand for longer-term bonds has risen. Conversely, when investors expect the economy to be stronger in the future, the yield curve will slope upwards. Banks borrow short and lend long, thus when the yield curve is inverted the ability to lend profitability is less and hence incentive to lend can be reduced.

Whilst this inversion creates concern, a recession in the near term is not a foregone conclusion. Although if you still believe in a business cycle, a recession is eventually inevitable. Typically, the magnitude of inversion preceding a recession is deeper than current levels and more persistent. That is not to say we won’t see a continued and more pronounced inversion, but before sounding the alarm bells of recession, it is prudent to wait for an improved signal (a deeper inversion, and subsequent re-steepening).

So whilst an inverted yield may not mean a recession is looming right around the corner, it is undeniable that the outlook for the global economy is below par and growth will be subdued. 
250319 Yield curve
This weak data and subsequent inversion of the US yield curve has laid to rest the positivity we have seen in equity markets since December lows. Ahead of last week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the concern was whether the Fed would be able to live up to the market’s dovish expectations. But these concerns turned out to be misplaced as Fed chair Powell at every turn managed to outdove expectations, doing little to quell concerns that the Fed are no longer independent and capitulated to the demands of President Trump.

The Fed has given the punch bowl back to the market. They will “stop with the 50Bs” (the balance sheet unwind), tapering the unwind from May 2019 and ending in September 2019, and have priced out any further rate hikes until next year at the earliest.

But we already knew the Fed had shifted back in January and most of that accommodative bias is priced in, since that January dovish pivot there has been a lot of rhetoric that would suggest that Fed would tolerate running the US economy hot and inflation is nowhere to be seen. The latest dovish chant could just be squeezing the last bit of juice out of an already over extended rally.

Historically a “dovish” Fed is not necessarily a good sign as it announces that an economic downturn is on the way. And the bottom line is growth is slowing.

We are now reaching that point where the weakening fundamentals are catching up with the equity market, the equity market which has been buoyed by buybacks is waking up to the fact that the Fed is not raising rates because US economy needs support and is weak just as we approach the buyback blackout period.

After a quarter of optimism, the realities are setting in and Australia is no exception. The rally in global bond yields has not missed Australia, on Monday morning the 10-year bond opened below 1.8% for the first time on record, and hit a record low of 1.756% as global growth concerns gripped the markets. In the last 20 days, yields have collapsed 44bps, reflecting the deteriorating outlook for the global economy but also the Australian economy and inflation expectations collapsing, something we have discussed at length.
250319 AUS yields
250319 GACGB10 index

Quarterly Outlook 2024 Q2

2024: The wasted year

01 / 05

350x200 steen

Macro: It’s all about elections and keeping status quo

Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.

Read article
350x200 charu (1)

FX: The rate cut race shifts into high gear

As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.

Read article
350x200 peter

Equities: The AI and obesity rally is defying gravity

Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.

Read article
350x200 althea

Fixed income: Keep calm, seize the moment

With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.

Read article
350x200 ole

Commodities: Is the correction over?

Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.

Read article
  • 350x200 steen

    Macro: It’s all about elections and keeping status quo

    Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.

    Read article
  • 350x200 charu (1)

    FX: The rate cut race shifts into high gear

    As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.

    Read article
  • 350x200 peter

    Equities: The AI and obesity rally is defying gravity

    Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.

    Read article
  • 350x200 althea

    Fixed income: Keep calm, seize the moment

    With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.

    Read article
  • 350x200 ole

    Commodities: Is the correction over?

    Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.

    Read article

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)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/legal/saxoselect-disclaimer/disclaimer)

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

Contact Saxo

Select region

International
International
Products & pricing
Platforms
Accounts & service
General
Other
Legal

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.