The legacy of the December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting promises to have lasting effects well into the new year. Once again, there were no surprises on the outcome for the US Federal Reserve (Fed) funds target following this convocation. As widely expected, the policymakers implemented their 4th rate hike of 2018, pushing the upper band of the fed funds range up a quarter-point to 2.50%. This part of the Fed outlook was the “easy” part of the equation, now comes the more challenging aspect; what will the FOMC do in 2019?
The financial markets’ initial response to the outcome of this Fed meeting was an interesting one. Commentary waffled back and forth between a “hawkish” and “dovish” take. However, more importantly, in the US the ‘risk’ markets take was decidedly a negative one, as both the equity and high yield arenas came under visible selling pressure. As a result, the US Treasury (UST) 10-year note yield fell, flattening the yield curve, accordingly.
Experience has taught me that the markets are much smarter than I am, but one has to wonder; did the Fed really do anything surprising to warrant such reactions? In my opinion, the US policymakers delivered ‘as advertised’. The problem seems to be that there was a school of thought whereby there was hope for ‘no rate cut’ combined with a dovish policy statement and scaled-back rate-hike projections for 2019. As a result, heading into the meeting, fed funds futures did still tilt towards a December rate increase, but the outlook for this year was essentially scaled back to virtually no moves and a rate cut for 2020.
So, what were the key aspects of this FOMC meeting, and attendant Chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference, that will live on? Obviously, the rate hike comes in as number 1 on the list. The accompanying policy statement was the Fed’s attempt at “threading the needle”, i.e. acknowledging both a “strong” economy and giving a nod to monitoring “global economic and financial developments” for their possible “implications for the economic outlook.” In addition, they added the word “some” before their “further gradual increases” language regarding the target range for fed funds. Powell did mention at the press conference that “for now, financial conditions have tightened a little bit.” The Fed also dialled down their growth projections a tad, but their real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecasts did not envision any meaningful slowdown in economic activity. Finally, their Fed funds projections for 2019 were reduced to two rate increases from three, but they still showed one hike for 2020.
Conclusion
For 2019 we can expect a data dependent Fed, back to how the Fed normally operates. Telegraphing each and every move that will occur every three months is not the norm. Add in a new wrinkle as well: there will be press briefings following each FOMC meeting beginning in January. In other words, the markets will have to get used to the notion that each Fed meeting will now be ‘live’, i.e. policy moves could potentially occur at any given convocation. The primary focus on future decision-making will be on both economic/inflation and financial conditions, but it appears as if the tug-of-war between the Fed and the money and bond markets has only just begun.
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Contributors to the text Gold’s Muted Response Speaks Volumes: Joe Foster, Portfolio Manager and Strategist, and Imaru Casanova, Deputy Portfolio Manager/Senior Analyst for the Gold Strategy
Gold Faced Selling Pressure Early in February Despite Normally Positive Conditions
In an environment that would typically be positive for gold, it appears gold faced selling pressure as investors searched for liquidity to cover margin calls and redemptions. Golddeclined in February as increased market volatility and a drop in equity and bond markets failed to support demand for gold as a safe haven1. On February 2, the labor market report in the U.S. showed a strong rebound in average hourly earnings that was well above expectations. The U.S. dollar rallied and gold declined. Equity markets dropped, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)2 down almost 9% by February 8 (ending February down 4%), U.S. Treasury yields rose, and the U.S. dollar, rather than gold, was the beneficiary.
Weaker U.S. Dollar, Heightened Inflation Expectations Helped Gold Reach Month High
On February 14, January’s inflation report beat consensus, with headline inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI)3 accelerating to 2.1% year-on-year. U.S. Treasury yields continued their rise and the U.S. dollar weakened. Meanwhile, the equity markets and gold bounced back. Gold reached its high for the month of $1,353.70 per ounce on February 15.
Gold Rally Loses Momentum as U.S. Dollar Strengthens on Fed comments
However, the gold rally was short lived, as the markets priced in hawkish expectations ahead of the release of Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes on February 21. The Fed minutes themselves did not contain much new information, but confirmed the market’s expectations for three rate hikes this year. In addition, the testimony by new Fed chairman Jerome Powell to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Services was viewed as optimistic, stating that he sees gradual rate hikes, and more importantly, an improved U.S. growth outlook. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY)4 was up 1.7% during the month. Commodities were lower during February, which is also negative for gold. Gold closed at $1,318.38 per ounce on February 28, down 2% or $26.78 per ounce for the month.
Demand for Gold ETPs up YTD Helping Bullion Outperform Gold Stocks
Demand for gold bullion-backed exchange traded products (ETPs) declined in February, with holdings down about 0.3% for the month. This followed a 1.3% increase in holdings in January, resulting in a net 1.1% increase year to date as of February 28. We track the flows into the gold bullion ETPs as we believe investments in those products typically represent longer-term, strategic investment demand for gold and, as such, provide an excellent proxy for the direction of the gold market.
Gold stocks underperformed gold, with the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR)5 falling 9.91%, and the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR)6 dropping 6.7% during the month. The junior companies caught up with their larger peers after underperforming in January.
Gold Stocks Impacted by Reaction to Mixed Q4 Reporting, Not Fundamentals
While many gold companies reported positive fourth quarter 2017 operating results, earnings/financial results were mixed and guidance for 2018, in some cases, seems to have surprised the markets. The negative sector headlines put significant selling pressure on the stocks. In many cases, these negative surprises have shorter-term effects, and do not change the companies’ fundamental valuations. However, more recently, it appears that selling pressure might be intensified by headline-driven, algorithm-based trading where the longer-term fundamentals are ignored.
The End of the Low Interest Rates Era and the Multi-Decade Bond Bull Market?
It looks like the post-crisis era of ultra-low, below-market interest rates and the multi-decade bond bull market both came to an end in February. In early February the simultaneous fall in both stocks and bonds caught the markets very off guard. Five- and 10-year U.S. Treasury rates jumped up and out of a downtrend that goes back to 1985. The stock market sell-off was a taste of the unintended consequences of Fed policies that encourage investors to take on more risk, driving markets in one relentless direction for nine years. Funds designed to thrive in a low volatility environment were forced to sell in a reinforcing feedback loop, exposing new systemic risks.
Bitcoin Crash Another Sign that Easy Money May Be Over
Another sign of the end of an era of easy money was the bitcoincrash. From its high of $19,511 in December, bitcoin declined 70% to its $5,922 low on February 5. It has since recovered to around $10,000. Bitcoin has already gone through one crash this year and the value of the emerging technology, while potentially disruptive, is still unproven.
Safe haven investments showed little reaction to the stock market selloff. Gold and the dollar essentially trended sideways, while U.S. Treasuries headed lower. So far investors are treating the stock market volatility as an overdue correction, however we see it as the beginning of a secular shift in markets and investor psychology that brings more volatility and risk going forward. Perhaps the prelude to a bear market and economic downturn.
It looks like a higher interest rate regime is taking hold. It is not yet clear whether it is being driven by inflationary expectations, Fed rate increases, increasing fiscal deficits, or a combination of all three. Protectionist trade policies, wage pressures, and a weak dollar may cause core inflation to trend through the Fed’s 2% target, which may bring more aggressive rate policies. Fiscal deficits projected to rise above $1,000,000,000,000 in a couple of years will cause the Treasury to issue huge quantities of debt at the same time the Fed is reducing its $4,000,000,000,000 hoard of U.S. Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and agency debt. (FYI…12 zeroes equals a trillion).
A new era of higher interest rates brings added uncertainty. As these rates rise, equity risk premiums get squeezed, making stocks less desirable. According to Gluskin Sheff7, a 50 basis point rise in rates costs the economy $250 billion in debt service annually. We do not know how the new Fed management will respond to volatile markets and potentially weaker economic growth. Unwinding the Fed balance sheet (quantitative tightening) is an unprecedented financial experiment. Is the February volatility an indication of how a system dominated by passively managed funds, algorithms, and automation will behave?
We believe the muted response from gold and other safe haven investments suggests complacency continues to dominate the markets. In fact, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index’s mid-month reading for February rose unexpectedly to nearly a 13-year high. As the year unfolds, we expect an erosion of complacency and confidence that benefits gold.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE
1Safe haven is an investment that is expected to retain its value or even increase its value in times of market turbulence.
2The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted average of 30 significant stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ.
3The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the predetermined basket of goods and averaging them.
4U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) indicates the general international value of the U.S. dollar. The DXY does this by averaging the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and six major world currencies: Euro, Japanese yen, Pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish kroner, and Swiss franc.
5NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold.
6MVIS® Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR) is a rules-based, modified market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index comprised of a global universe of publicly traded small- and medium-capitalization companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from gold and/or silver mining, hold real property that has the potential to produce at least 50% of the company’s revenue from gold or silver mining when developed, or primarily invest in gold or silver.
7Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc., a Canadian independent wealth management firm, manages investment portfolios for high net worth investors, including entrepreneurs, professionals, family trusts, private charitable foundations, and estates.
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This commentary originates from VanEck Investments Limited (“VanEck”) and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to buy any security.
VanEck’s opinions stated in this commentary may deviate from opinions presented by other VanEck departments or companies. Information and opinions in this commentary are based on VanEck’s analysis. Any forecasts and projections contained in the commentary appear from the named sources. All opinions in this commentary are, regardless of source, given in good faith, and may only be valid as of the stated date of this commentary and are subject to change without notice in subsequent versions of the commentary. Any projections, market outlooks or estimates in this material are forward-looking statements and are based upon certain assumptions that are solely the opinion of VanEck. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur.
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The commentary is intended only to provide general and preliminary information to investors and shall not be construed as the basis for any investment decision. This commentary has been prepared by VanEck as general information for private use of investors to whom the commentary has been distributed, but it is not intended as a personal recommendation of particular financial instruments or strategies and thus it does not provide individually tailored investment advice, and does not take into account the individual investor’s financial situation, existing holdings or liabilities, investment knowledge and experience, investment objective and horizon or risk profile and preferences. The investor must particularly ensure the suitability of an investment as regards his/her financial and fiscal situation and investment objectives. The investor bears the risk of losses in connection with an investment.
Before acting on any information in this publication or report, it is recommendable to consult one’s financial advisor.
Forecasts, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary research and the information contained in this material is not intended to be, nor should it be construed or used as investment, tax or legal advice, any recommendation, or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy, an interest in any security. References to specific securities and their issuers or sectors are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended and should not be interpreted as recommendations to purchase or sell such securities or gain exposure to such sectors.
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Tax Reform Adds Fuel to Gold’s Engine a Gold Commentary July by Joe Foster, Portfolio Manager/Strategist
Gold’s Yearend Pattern Repeated: Oversold Ahead of Rate Increase Then Rebound
The Federal Reserve (the ”Fed”) raised rates for the third time in 2017 following the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on December 12. Since 2015, gold has established a yearend pattern where it becomes oversold ahead of the December Fed rate decision. This pattern repeated again this year as the gold price trended to a five-month low of $1,236 per ounce on the day of the Fed meeting and then promptly rebounded from the Fed-induced low to end December with a $28.11 gain (2.2%) at $1,303.05 per ounce. Commodity price strength also aided gold as copper and crude oil both made multi-year highs in the last week of the year.
Gold stocks also tested their second half lows on December 12 and, like gold bullion, staged a comeback to end December with the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index 1 (GDMNTR) rising 4.6% and the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index2 (MVGDXJTR) gaining 8.1% for the month.
Strong 2017 Performance on Geopolitical Risk, U.S. Dollar Weakness, and Commodities Strength
Gold and gold stocks performed well in 2017. The gold price advanced $150.78 per ounce (13.1%), the GDMNTR was up 12.2%, and the MVGDXJTR gained 6.2%. These gains were impressive for a market in which investors generally showed little interest in gold while being preoccupied with new records in the stock market, bitcoin, and ancient art. Gold also did not receive much help from the physical markets, as Indian demand remained near the lows of 2016 and China’s central bank refrained from purchasing gold. The resilience in the price of gold came from a global sense of geopolitical risk and uncertainty, overall strength in commodities, and unexpected weakness in the U.S. dollar. Gold stocks typically outperform gold bullion in a positive gold market. However, this year was one of mean reversion after a strong 2016 (GDMNTR up 55%), along with a lack of sizzle that investors are seeing elsewhere. Healthy earnings and increased guidance among gold companies were not enough to capture much investor interest in 2017.
Tax Reform Adds to Deficit, Increases Systemic Risk
Anyone hoping that Washington D.C. would become fiscally responsible under Republican Party rule has seen their hopes go up in flames, as new tax rules appear likely to drive the U.S. deeper into debt. Some say economic growth created by tax cuts will likely generate more government revenue. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, ex-Congressional Budget Office (CBO) director Douglas Holtz-Eakin stated that he believes tax policy can partially offset costs if it is well designed. We believe the new tax code is not well designed, as it is nearly as complicated as the old one, widely unpopular, and contains many provisions set to expire in 2025. The tax windfall corporations will receive comes at a time when profits are high and cheap credit is plentiful. If companies were inclined to spend more on capital expansions, they would have done so already, but instead many companies have used cash to buy back stock and pay dividends. We believe it is too late in the cycle for tax stimulus to have a lasting effect. In addition, fiscal stimulus has limited effects when debt levels are high, as they are today. None of the federal income tax cuts since 1980 have succeeded in shrinking the deficit through growth. The Reagan tax cuts of 1981 could not forestall a recession that started in July of that year, caused by tighter Fed policy. Similarly, any growth resulting from Trump’s tax cuts could give the Fed more latitude to raise rates.
Tax reform will add an estimated $1.5 trillion to the deficit over ten years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). In October, the U.S. Treasury Department reported the budget shortfall increased 14% in 2017 to $666 billion, which is equal to 3.3% of GDP. At $16 trillion, public federal debt is 85% of GDP and Harvard University economist Jason Furman estimates debt escalating to 98% of GDP by 2028. The CBO figures interest charges will consume 15% of federal revenues in 2027, up from 8% currently. The annual report from the trustees of the nation’s largest entitlement programs show the trust funds running out for Medicare in 2029 and for Social Security in 2034. The new tax law only piles more onto this growing mountain of debt.
Total non-financial debt in the U.S. stands at $47 trillion, equal to 250% of GDP and $14 trillion more than at the peak of the last credit bubble when debt/GDP stood at 225%. Thanks to below market rates engineered by central banks, debt service has not yet become a problem. Low rates have forced investors to take on more risk in order to generate acceptable returns. Another side effect is the proliferation of European ”zombie companies”, meaning their interest cost exceeds earnings and kept on life support by banks fearful of losses if the companies declare bankruptcy. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) estimates that 10% of publicly traded companies in six major European countries are zombies. As central banks embark on tighter policies, at some point higher rates could create debt service problems. Gluskin Sheff3 reckons every percentage point rise in the level of rates will ultimately drain 2.5% out of nominal GDP growth.
Looming Economic Downturn, Decline in Markets Supports Gold Allocation
It appears the only way to stop sovereign debt from growing is through tax increases or spending cuts. By now it should be clear that these options are politically impossible, which suggests that deficits will continue to grow until they cause a crisis severe enough to motivate change. ”Crypto-mania” and a stock market that goes nowhere but up indicates that a crisis is the last thing on investors’ minds. However, in our opinion, we are at a stage in the cycle when concerns should be high. The expansion is heading into its ninth year. The economy is at full employment and the personal savings rate has declined from 6% in 2015 to 2.9% in November. By now many have bought their first home, a new car, remodeled the kitchen, taken that overseas vacation, or bought a second home. Some are in a position to speculate on their favorite ETF, cryptocurrency, or FAANG stock (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google). There comes a point when investors are all-in and something happens that triggers a selloff – a geopolitical event, an economic downturn, or a black swan 4 emerges. Markets decline, but there are few investors with the capacity or desire to buy more, so markets decline more. Momentum kicks in and there’s more selling until sentiment turns for the worse. The selloff becomes a contagion that spreads uncontrollably. It has happened to tech stocks and it’s happened to instruments linked to mortgage securities. It is likely to happen again.
Based on the gold price strength following December rate increases in 2015 and 2016, we expect to see firmness in the gold price in the first quarter. However, headwinds may come for gold if economic growth enables the Fed to tighten more than expected. Also, the U.S. dollar might strengthen if the new tax code causes corporations to repatriate profits stockpiled overseas. We believe any weakness in gold during the first half of 2018 could be transitory. Moving through 2018 and into 2019, we believe the chance of an economic downturn increases, along with the probability of a significant decline in the markets. High levels of debt could cause a downturn to turn into a financial crisis. We now know that quantitative easing5 and below-market rates have failed to generate needed growth or inflation. In the next crisis, look for central banks to resort to even more radical policies, such as directly funding treasuries. It is conceivable that there could be global currency debasement on a scale never seen before. In such a scenario, hard assets, especially gold and gold stocks, could significantly outperform most, if not all, other asset classes in our opinion. There comes a time in every economic cycle when investors should seek portfolio insurance. We believe the time is now.
With more than 30 years of gold industry experience, Foster began his gold career as a boots on the ground geologist, evaluating mining exploration and development projects. Foster is Portfolio Manager and Strategist for the Gold and Precious Metals strategy.
Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the author and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE
1 NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold.
2 MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR) is a rules-based, modified market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index comprised of a global universe of publicly traded small- and medium-capitalization companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from gold and/or silver mining, hold real property that has the potential to produce at least 50% of the company’s revenue from gold or silver mining when developed, or primarily invest in gold or silver.
3 Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc., a Canadian independent wealth management firm, manages investment portfolios for high net worth investors, including entrepreneurs, professionals, family trusts, private charitable foundations, and estates.
4 A black swan is an event or occurrence that deviates beyond what is normally expected of a situation and is extremely difficult to predict; these events are typically random and are unexpected.
5 Quantitative Easing by a central bank increases the money supply engaging in open market operations in an effort to promote increased lending and liquidity.
Important Disclosures
This commentary originates from VanEck Investments Limited (“VanEck”) and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to buy any security.
VanEck’s opinions stated in this commentary may deviate from opinions presented by other VanEck departments or companies. Information and opinions in this commentary are based on VanEck’s analysis. Any forecasts and projections contained in the commentary appear from the named sources. All opinions in this commentary are, regardless of source, given in good faith, and may only be valid as of the stated date of this commentary and are subject to change without notice in subsequent versions of the commentary. Any projections, market outlooks or estimates in this material are forward-looking statements and are based upon certain assumptions that are solely the opinion of VanEck. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur.
No investment advice
The commentary is intended only to provide general and preliminary information to investors and shall not be construed as the basis for any investment decision. This commentary has been prepared by VanEck as general information for private use of investors to whom the commentary has been distributed, but it is not intended as a personal recommendation of particular financial instruments or strategies and thus it does not provide individually tailored investment advice, and does not take into account the individual investor’s financial situation, existing holdings or liabilities, investment knowledge and experience, investment objective and horizon or risk profile and preferences. The investor must particularly ensure the suitability of an investment as regards his/her financial and fiscal situation and investment objectives. The investor bears the risk of losses in connection with an investment.
Before acting on any information in this publication or report, it is recommendable to consult one’s financial advisor.
Forecasts, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary research and the information contained in this material is not intended to be, nor should it be construed or used as investment, tax or legal advice, any recommendation, or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy, an interest in any security. References to specific securities and their issuers or sectors are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended and should not be interpreted as recommendations to purchase or sell such securities or gain exposure to such sectors.
Each investor shall make his/her own appraisal of the tax and other financial merits of his/her investment.
Sources
This commentary may be based on or contain information, such as opinions, recommendations, estimates, price targets and valuations which emanate from: VanEck portfolio managers, analysts or representatives, publicly available information, information from other units or Companies of VanEck, or other named sources.
To the extent this commentary is based on or contain information emerging from other sources (“Other Sources”) than VanEck (“External Information”), VanEck has deemed the Other Sources to be reliable but neither the VanEck companies, others associated or affiliated with said companies nor any other person, do guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the External Information.
Limitation of liability
VanEck and its associated and affiliated companies assume no liability as regards to any investment, divestment or retention decision taken by the investor on the basis of this commentary. In no event will VanEck or other associated and affiliated companies be liable for direct, indirect or incidental, special or consequential damages resulting from the information in this publication or report.
Risk information
The risk of investing in certain financial instruments, is generally high, as their market value is exposed to a lot of different factors such as the operational and financial conditions of the relevant company, growth prospects, change in interest rates, the economic and political environment, foreign exchange rates, shifts in market sentiments etc. Where an investment or security is denominated in a different currency to the investor’s currency of reference, changes in rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of or from that investment to the investor. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Estimates of future performance are based on assumptions that may not be realized. When investing in individual shares, the investor may lose all or part of the investments.
Conflicts of interest
VanEck, its affiliates or staff of VanEck companies, may perform services for, solicit business from, hold long or short positions in, or otherwise be interested in the investments (including derivatives) of any company mentioned in this commentary.
To limit possible conflicts of interest and counter the abuse of inside knowledge, the representatives, portfolio managers and analysts of VanEck are subject to internal rules on sound ethical conduct, the management of inside information, handling of unpublished research material, contact with other units of VanEck and personal account dealing. The internal rules have been prepared in accordance with applicable legislation and relevant industry standards. The object of the internal rules is for example to ensure that no analyst will abuse or cause others to abuse confidential information. This commentary has been prepared following the VanEck Conflict of Interest Policy.
Distribution restriction
This commentary is not intended for, and must not be distributed to private customers.
All indices named in the commentary are unmanaged indices and include the reinvestment of all dividends, but do not reflect the payment of transaction costs, advisory fees or expenses that are associated with an investment in the Fund. An index’s performance is not illustrative of the Fund’s performance. Indices are not securities in which investments can be made.
The wording changes in the Chinese National People’s Congress annual keynote speech suggest more currency liberalisation, thus increasing currency volatility. We expect more risk aversion towards Chinese assets in the short run. What the Chinese authorities can do next?
The Chinese National People’s Congress dropped the pledge to ensure that the Renminbi “remains generally stable at an appropriate and balanced level”. Chinese officials also said “the Renminbi exchange rate will be further liberalised, and the currency’s stable position in the global monetary system will be maintained”. In our opinion, these changes in the statement increase the risk of higher currency volatility while a one-off devaluation seems less likely at this stage. We also believe the currency liberalisation is more likely than another devaluation of the Yuan as the latter would complicate further the Chinese relationship with the US who relentlessly accused China of currency manipulation.
The Yuan fell 7% against the US dollar last year as the Chinese economic growth slowed and capital outflows rose. In an attempt to slow down the drop of the yuan, the PBOC sold its FX reserves (almost US$3bn in 2016) and implemented stricter capital controls (capital account fell to -US$200mn at the end of last year).
(Click to enlarge)
The latest hawkish comments from FOMC’s member suggest higher US rates sooner rather than later. These comments might have had an impact on Premier Lu Keqiang’s decision to change the statement, giving more flexibility to the Chinese authorities in conducting economic policy. The latest keynote speech also signals that Chinese authorities would be unlikely to divest their FX reserves at the current pace for long if the dollar appreciates further.
Overall, we believe the Chinese authorities could move toward more currency liberalisation, meaning more currency risk for investors. They could also implement stricter capital controls to reduce capital outflows, which would likely increase risk aversion from foreign investors. Finally, the PBOC could decide to tighten its monetary policy, which is potentially too accommodative now taking into account the explosive trend on the Chinese credit market (China’s total debt reached 250% of GDP in late 2016 from 160% before the financial crisis). However, the PBOC would face a great challenge in tightening monetary policy to reduce capital outflows, slow down credit growth and limit the depreciation of the Yuan without triggering a credit and banking crisis and ultimately a recession.
We expect more risk aversion towards Chinese assets in the short run alongside increased currency volatility and bond risk contingent on the next PBOC’s policy move. Over the longer term, China’s economic growth will slow down gradually as the country continues its convergence toward more developed economies, which favours Chinese bonds over equities.
Morgane Delledonne, Fixed Income Strategist at ETF Securities
Morgane Delledonne joined ETF Securities as Fixed Income Strategist in 2016. Morgane has an extensive experience in Monetary policy, Fixed Income Markets and Macroeconomics gained at the French Treasury’s Office in Washington DC and most recently in her role as Macroeconomist and Strategist at Pictet&Cie in Geneva. Morgane holds a Bachelor of Applied Mathematics from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (France), a Master of Economics and Finance Engineering and a Master of Economic Diagnosis from the University of Paris Dauphine (France).
Fixed Income Research – What is behind the rise of global bond yields?
Highlights
The rise of US yields is driving up yields around the world.
We expect higher volatility in global rates, amplified by geopolitical risks and commodity price movements.
Structural headwinds and accommodative foreign monetary policies will likely limit the rise US yields over the medium term.
Since last November, investors’ sentiment has turned into ‘risk-on’ mode, favouring risky assets and equities relative to bonds. The rise in global yields and the steepening of yield curves has fuelled fears about the end of the 35-year bond bull market.
US yields drive up global yields
Since the early 2000s, the rise of global financial integration (i.e. the increase movements of capital between economies) has been reflected in higher co-movement in global yields. The chart below shows that almost 60% of the changes in bond yields of advanced economies (US, UK, Germany, and Japan) may be explained by a common factor. ´
The recent rise of global yields was predominantly driven by the rise of US yields along with cyclical factors (such as inflation, geopolitical risk and market volatility). However, we believe the ongoing accommodative monetary policies in Europe and Japan are likely to keep bond yields low in these regions, limiting the rise of US yields over the medium term.
What is driving US yields higher?
Long-term bonds yields are a function of the expected future short-term interest rates and the bond term premium that investors require to buy long-term bonds rather than roll over a series of shorter maturity bonds (i.e. inflation risk premium). The trend decline in global yields in the past 35 years mostly reflects the trend decline in bond term premium, while expected short-term interest rates fluctuate along with the changes in monetary policies.
Expected short-term rates started to increase in December 2013 when the Fed announced the tapering of its monthly bond purchases. However, US bond term premiums continued to decline and then slipped into negative territory in the first half of 2016 – for the first time in history. Deflation fears fuelled by the 70% drop of energy prices between 2014 and 2015 negatively affected inflation risk premiums, which declined from 0.5% to -0.5%. The sustained rebound in energy prices since February 2016 enabled inflation premiums to bounce back in Q4 2016, leaving both forces – bond term premium and expected short-term rates – trending upward. As a result, US long-term yields started to rise.
We evaluate the current mispricing of the 10yr treasury yield at 10bps tighter than its estimated value, based on the gap between the current 10yr yields and the sum of its two components. Thus, we believe most of the expected three rate hikes from the Fed this year have already been priced into 10yr yields. However, we expect higher rates volatility amplified by elevated volatility in energy prices and geopolitical risks. The MOVE index (an indicator of bond markets volatility) has increased 20% since Q4 2016.
Structural headwinds push yields down
The recent tightening in US financial conditions has been driven by the prospect of a better economic outlook in the US, reflecting current expectations of larger fiscal policy stimulus. In our opinion, the efficiency of the fiscal stimulus and its effects on bond markets will crucially depend on its fiscal neutrality and on its capacity to boost productivity and labour force growth. While the labour force growth has rebounded since 2012 under the accommodative monetary policy of the Fed, US productivity growth remain low from an historical perspective and continue to weigh on the economy.
Historical data reveals a strong positive relationship between investment and labour productivity.
The decline trend of investment in advanced economies can be partly explained by high credit constraints. The Debt Service Ratio (DSR) or the share of income used to service debt has not yet return to the pre-crisis levels, weighing on consumption and investment.
The gradual decline in the US GDP growth trend has led to gradual similar decline in the neutral real interest rate (i.e. the federal funds rate that neither stimulates nor restrains economic growth), which, in turn, has caused the decline in long-term interest rates. The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasts a stable 2% potential real GDP growth – the highest level of real GDP that can be sustained over the long term – for the US economy over the next 10 years. Accordingly, the neutral real interest rate for the US is expected to pick up and move in tandem with the potential real GDP. Although, both remain lower from a historical perspective.
This analysis is consistent with the gradual downward revision of long-run projections from the FOMC. From 2012 to today, the FOMC gradually revised downward its estimates for the long-run potential GDP growth rate and the terminal fed funds rate (or neutral interest rate) from 2.4% to 1.8% and from 4.25% to 3.00% respectively. Fed Chair Yellen reiterated in January1 that the Fed expects to increase Federal Funds rate target a few times a year until, by end of 2019, it is close to its longer-run neutral rate of 3%. Accordingly, we expect the Fed to hike rates three times this year.
We expect the trend rise of the US yields to be gradual over the medium term toward 2019 amid higher volatility. The upside risks to this view would come from a significant and quicker-than-expected rebound in productivity growth and inflation.
For more information contact:
ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0) 207 448 4336
E info@etfsecurities.com
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The analyses in the above tables are purely for information purposes. They do not reflect the performance of any ETF Securities’ products . The futures and roll returns are not necessarily investable.
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