Archive - Mar 25, 2013 - Story

As the financial media breathes a sigh of relief and asset-gatherers can go back to their business of commission-taking, proven right once again that at first blush (because US equities are higher) Cyprus has been saved and the world is safe once again to extend risk wherever you wish; it appears something less than exuberance is occurring elsewhere. Spanish stocks (and Italian and Spanish bonds) are losing ground fast this morning; the USD is notably bid with EURUSD now below Friday's close; Gold and Silver are tumbling; Swiss 2Y rates remain at zero; and S&P 500 futures are at exactly the same place they were when the 'deal' was announced last night.

Depression for Cyprus: Our Cypriot GDP forecast entails a drop of just over 20% in real GDP by 2017. This forecast had already factored in much what was agreed, but did not account for the additional uncertainty shock generated by the past week’s appalling political mess. Risks are clearly on the downside and Cyprus will in all likelihood require additional financial assistance further down the road. Accounting for less than 0.3% of euro area GDP, any downward revision to Cyprus will be barely visible on the euro area aggregate.

While the news flow is dominated by Cyprus, it will be important to not lose sight of the developments in Italy, where we will watch the steps taken towards forming a government.  The key release this week is likely to be US consumer confidence. Keep a watchful eye on the health of the consumer in the US after the tax rises in January. So far, household optimism and demand has held up better than expected. The IP data from Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Japan will provide a useful gauge on activity in the region and what it reflects about global activity, however Chinese New Year effects will need to be accounted for in the process.

First, it is Merkel's turn, which last week was furious at Cyprus for daring to reject the first flawed Eurogroup plan impairing insured depositors, only to praise it for now... rejecting said plan. To wit: Chancellor Angela Merkel, "as well as the government, is very happy that the troika, the euro group and Cyprus were able to reach an agreement," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert says in Berlin. He added that difficulties will arise in the short term because of measures aimed to scale back Cyprus’s banking sector, "but in the long run it will lead to a healthier” industry. That remains to be seen, especially when factoring in the Russian response. Which wont be pleasant.

• Cyprus Salvaged After EU Deal Shuts Bank to Get $13B (BBG)
• Last-minute Cyprus deal to close bank, force losses (Reuters)
• Anxious, angry Cypriots face uncertain future (Reuters)
• Spain Brings the Pain to Bank Investors (WSJ)
• First Switzerland now... U.S. Seeks Answers in Liechtenstein on Tax Cheats (BBG)
• Rebel Free Syrian Army founder loses leg in Syria blast (Reuters)
• European Stocks Rise on Cyprus Deal as Italian Bonds, Crude Gain (BBG)
• Michael Dell Likely to Sweeten Buyout Bid to Save Legacy (BBG)
• Bankers’ pay premium is narrowing (FT)
• Surgery Restoring Penis After Prostate Cancer Increasing (BBG)
• Silent or supportive, conservatives give gay marriage momentum (Reuters)

As before, the Eurogroup will contribute, via the ESM, up to EUR 10bn (roughly 60% of Cyprus’ GDP), the bulk of which is to be used to cover debt roll-overs and the primary deficit now that the country has all but lost market access. The restructuring of the two banks will be conducted under the new and extensive bank resolution authority conferred to the Central Bank of Cyprus last week, and will not require parliamentary approval. The operation will involve losses being inflicted on the (few) junior and senior bank bondholders of the two institutions and, more crucially, on deposits above the EUR 100K threshold (a communiqué by the Eurogroup talks about a deposit-to-equity conversion, but no details are provided)....  Reaching a deal has raised awareness that inter-country fiscal transfers in the Euro area remain a messy business, leaving public opinion damaged. Until more clarity emerges on how Cyprus will settle after the banks re-open, however, and with an attempt under way to form a new government and find a new President, we prefer to stay on the sidelines until the dust settles.

All eyes should remain focused on Cyprus today, especially since there is no data being reported elsewhere. Financial markets closed Friday on a positive note, as an agreement on Cyprus appeared to be taking shape and a minor relief rally across most asset classes overnight vindicated hopes of a positive outcome as details of the detail were announced overnight. More clarity is still required on some aspects of the agreement (deposit and bondholders) but the fact that the national parliament does not need to vote again should stop the deal from unravelling as it did last week. Whether this is enough to restore confidence and prevent a possible cautionary deposit flight from Cyprus remains to be seen.