Key takeaways The energy sector has been hit harder by the COVID-19 outbreak than most areas, as a combination of supply and demand challenges has weighed on crude oil prices. US shale exploration and production (E&P) companies are more vulnerable
The gold price has been falling but a supportive rates environment and safe-haven demand brighten our outlook. The Saudi-Russian oil-price war broke out at the worst possible time. Any further negotiations are likely to involve a new kid on the
Our chief economist Steven Bell assesses the prospects for economies and markets in 2020 After such fantastic returns from equities and bonds in 2019 and a 10-year bull market, it makes sense to ask: should we take those chips off
Key messages At the time we are writing, major losses are occurring in risk assets, with equity indexes in Europe opening down today by around -6% to -8% and volatility spiking (VIX index above 58, a level not touched since
OPEC and partners failed to reach a new production cut agreement Russia refused to join the OPEC meeting on reaching an agreement for a bigger production cut. As a result, the current production cut agreement (officially -1.7 mb/d + 0.4
The fourth quarter ended on a high note with US equities marching to new record highs. It closed a year where the narrative mostly had been pessimistic. Uncertainties around trade tensions, Brexit, political drama and recession fears have dominated. The
In Credit – 24 FEBRUARY 2020 Macro / government bonds Core bond yields continue to drift lower in a ‘bull flattening’ amid fears about the spread of the COVIC-19 coronavirus outside of China and most recently in Italy and Korea.
Market commentary As the year began, so it ended, with yet another strong month for risk assets in December, capping one of the best years for markets since the financial crisis. Equities again led the charge, but leadership for once
Commodities and the energy space in particular have been challenged by the coronavirus outbreak. How the infection rate evolves over the upcoming days and weeks will be critical, especially to the oil-price outlook. Chinese copper importers have declared force majeure.
Multi Asset Monthly Economic Outlook The trade truce and the stabilization in manufacturing data have reduced recession risks, but it is still too early to give an all-clear signal. How much damage business confidence has already suffered remains a question,
IN SHORT Questions surround the coronavirus outbreak, with an impact expected on Q1 data, especially in China. Markets have proven mostly resilient so far, but short-term volatility is likely to remain elevated. We maintain a more constructive view for the
The impact for CEE economies stemming from China and World GDP slowdown (if any) should remain limited if the virus is contained within a short period of time. CEE, as a net commodity importer, could benefit from lower commodity prices.
In Credit
Allocation views – Perspective from Franklin Templeton Multi Asset Solutions The new year started with a bout of volatility, driven by tensions in the Middle East. US forces assassinated General Qassem Soleimani, leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which grabbed headlines and
In Credit 13 JANUARY 2020 Macro / government bonds The rise (and subsequent fall) in tensions and combative rhetoric in the Middle East has been the key driver for ‘risk ‘free’ assets such as core government bonds. All in all, bonds
Last week, the OPEC has decided, together with her partners (combined OPEC+), to increase its production cut agreement. The existing agreement to lower crude production by 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) was raised with another 503 kb/d to a
In Credit 2 DECEMBER 2019 The Thanksgiving holiday meant it was a shorter and quieter week in core bond markets with little discernible direction. It was also a light week for data releases or political developments. In the US, the Chicago
Commodity Monthly Monitor We are still waiting for a confirmation of a “phase one” deal between US and China, with the term only really being used by the US. In the absence of a deal, we could see US tariffs
Key points Latin America’s struggling. Since the end of the commodity-fuelled economic boom six years ago, economic stagnation has set in across the region. Subdued growth and generally high levels of inequality have translated into increased political volatility. These events
Asia remains an important growth market for cocoa, sugar and coffee and demand on this continent will grow the most in the coming years. China and India account for a particularly large share of the demand. Although demand is increasing
An Emerging Commodity Coalition Why this report? Regardless of size in global GDP, the BRICS are responsible for almost half of consumption and production of commodities. This makes BRICS an interesting topic to address. But the BRICS will face some
Over the past month, the CRB index rose by almost 2%, which was mainly due to the price gains in oil and gas. Going forward, higher geopolitical tensions could push prices higher. Industrial metal prices remained soft, while precious metal
On the Markets As we head toward the end of the third quarter, I can’t help but think it feels very similar to last year in many ways. The S&P 500 is trading right where it was a year ago, near its all-time
Quarterly Investment Strategy Fourth Quarter 2019 We continue to recommend being cautious though not necessarily bearish. The global expansion is very mature and at the same time, global growth has slowed significantly compared to last year. Additionally, an elevated number
In Short While some data misses continue, especially in manufacturing and in Europe, we believe that economic releases are pointing towards a stabilization in growth. Optimism is spreading that the worst may be behind us, thanks to improvements in the
USD: No sustained trend visible -> https://www.opiniopro.com/2020/04/erste-group/usd-no-sustained-trend-visible/ #currency #fx #interestrates via @ErsteGroup
Tackling The ‘Unknown Unknowns’: How Active Managers Manage Unforeseen Risks -> https://www.opiniopro.com/2020/04/columbia-threadneedle/tackling-the-unknown-unknowns-how-active-managers-manage-unforeseen-risks/ #active #passive #COVID19 #fundmanager #ETFs #behavioural via @CTinvest_EMEA @CTInvest_US
Policy Tries To Keep Pace With The Pandemic -> https://www.opiniopro.com/2020/04/northern-trust/policy-tries-to-keep-pace-with-the-pandemic/ #CoronaCrisis #COVID19 #EmergingMarkets #debt via @NorthernTrust @NTInvest
Which financial assets are well positioned and which ones are at risk as policy-makers brace for major COVID-19-induced demand shocks? Find out more in this piece.
‘Whatever it takes’: Fiscal Edition -> https://opiniopro.com/2020/03/ubp/whatever-it-takes-fiscal-edition/ #CentralBanks #china #coronavirus #credit #crisis #ECB #fiscalpolicy #fomc #COVID19 via
@UBP_Group
