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"Central Bank Post-Crisis Quasi-Coordination Has Broken Down"
From Guy Haselmann of ScotiaBank
Out There Beyond the Wall
Germany, France, Japan and the Eurozone are expected to follow Italy with flat or negative Q2 GDP when the data is released this week. Italy’s economy grew at -0.2% in Q2 and has not grown in over 10 years. Japan’s Q2 number tonight is expected to show an annualized decline worse than 7% (maybe <10%). These four countries collectively account for 18% of global GDP.
In a globalized world with vast inter-connected supply chains, protectionism poses the most dangerous risk to economic growth. Sanctions against Russia combined with significant counter-measures have spanned and impacted international trade between dozens of countries. In India, newly-elected Modi’s government doubled the minimum price of exporting onions, and doubled tariffs on imported sugar to buoy the local industry. Sovereign actions to improve competitiveness are often taken to weaken a countries currency, but imposing tariffs and imposing protectionist laws have similar results but with far quicker and more targeted results.
China’s powerful National Development and Reform Commission has gone after many multi-national foreign firms, hiding behind allegations of anti-monopoly practices (for WTO reasons). There have been several heavily-publicized raids where Chinese officials have interrogated corporate executives and confiscated computers. Some believe the motivation behind the raids is to incite nationalism to give a boost to less-competitive domestic products. Some of the firms involved include: Apple, Google, Walmart, Starbucks, McDonalds, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Symantec, and Chrysler. Executives fear the next step is seizure of property.
The global monetary system is diverging and fraying. Central bank post-crisis quasi-coordination has broken down. Initially, foreign central banks unhappily followed the Fed in cutting rates toward zero; or else risked an appreciating currency affecting competitiveness. As domestic challenges developed and the Fed initiated ‘tapering’, many central banks pushed rates back up. Developing world economies have grown from around 30% of global GDP 20 years ago to 50% today. This improvement has helped motivate the unfolding of a new international economic order between developed and developing world economies.
Geo-political tensions seem to inch ever-higher with each passing day. Protectionist actions are on the rise. Relationships amongst global trading partners are being altered. Supply chains are being disrupted. Shifting Fed policies are unsettling current imbalances (Note: The Jackson Hole forum begins Aug 21). Too many investors remain exposed to too many financial securities where, simply put, they are not being adequately compensated for the risk.
- Portfolios need to adjust to the changing landscape. Cash is king. Holding outsized allocations of cash has high optionality and low opportunity costs. The most liquid securities should command a liquidity premium. On-the-run Treasuries and high-quality corporates are preferred to most securities down the capital structure. The curve will continue to flatten over time. A liquidity-compromised over-shoot in risk assets is highly probable in the next few months.
Investors should refrain, as much as possible, from being lulled into complacency by low market volatility or the Fed’s bold promises of providing a “highly accommodative stance” of monetary policy and a “gradual pace” of normalization. Markets are likely in for a wild ride for the balance of the year, due foremost by shifting central bank actions, rising geo-political tensions, and increasing protectionist actions.
For the most part, financial asset prices have performed well over the past 30 years. “Buy dip” typically worked. The main catalyst has been the Fed’s stair-stepping interest rates from the ‘high-teens’ to zero. However, since official rates have now (5 years ago) reached the end of the line (i.e. zero or ZIRP), and since the Fed balance sheet has reached its practical limit ($4.5 trillion or 40% of the market), shouldn’t risk assets have a negatively skewed risk/reward profile because the main upside catalyst has been exhausted?
- After all, prices can no longer be powered much further by interest rates. At some point equity valuations get ahead of themselves and can only be justified by above average economic growth (but the US is more likely to be trapped in the ‘new normal’).
Paying higher asset price levels today lowers expected and actual returns tomorrow (that’s the simple math). Earning ever-lower returns creates a feedback loop of ever-extending risk profiles in search of better expected returns. The lower yields fall and the higher prices rise, the greater the risk. Fed-created moral hazard has cause irrationally low “risk premiums” at the precise time that there is enormous political and economic uncertainties, and little visibility.
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No new highs today?
When Cramer tells me to buy their banks... I know the end is near.
Next?
Developed world economies have grown from around 30% of global GDP 20 years ago to 50% today.
He must mean "developing" or the rest of the piece makes no sense. Does anyone proof read anymore?
Sloppy, shallow, same old same old.
"Does anyone proof read anymore?"
No. It's all about just in time publishing. And speel chck.
When Central Bank coordination is break down (what is difference, break up, break down...?), is good time for geo political conflict. Remember, all war is bankster war!
Re: what is difference
You "break up" with your girl-friend/boy-friend/multi-gendered-friend.
MC Hammer "breaks it down".
MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This - YouTubeSorry. Can't comment! Not gute Englisch.
Next?
No, I think he meant developed.
Past tense. As in "we're done developing them now. If you don't like the result, please drop a comment in the suggestion box and somebody will get back to you. Maybe."
Wow, that was englightening! Where would you like your 'batwing tuna wraps' sent?
You don't judge central bank coordination by GDP you judge it by bond yields.
Yes, either he has a bot cranking this crap out for him, or he needs to check his meds.
Only paper cash is king.
Electronic cash is screwed, if in large amounts.
Listen to me:
Either Financial Wipeout or World gives up on USD. You'll see dead executives lying on streets.
TRIPLE LEHMAN
ekm here is some actionable advice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKWmFWRVLlU
LOLOLOLOLOL
Financial Wipeout is here and the World already gave up on USD for all intents and purposes. Just the mere move away from USD signals
an ever increasing trend out of USD. BRICS is emblematic of the fall of the USA and the USD collectively. America is set for Chapter 11 and
Hegelian spirals of death across the board IMHO. Executives lying dead in the streets is exagerated too. They will assimilate into the crowd when shtf. The 1%ers will board planes out to vacation on an island
in the tropics while the Zombies duke it out for the last can of dog food
and a tin of stewed tomatoes.
we'll know this is over when 4 things happen:
banks are subjected to their old glass-steagall rules
banks must mark to market
interest rates are above 6 percent
CAPE is below 18
Or the sun burns out, which-ever happens first.
You will see dead executives assassinated on streets if wipeout not allowed
hmmm,, how do you assassinate a "dead executive"?
wouldn't it be more fun to assassinate a live executive?
Naah, live ones can only be assassinated once. Dead ones can be assassinated in purpetuity.
Actually the earth will burn up before the sun burns out. Read up on the sun's fate! But I doubt this will ever be a problem of H. sapiens.
All the petrodollar has going for it is military threats, and they can only be so many places at once and after a while the fear of threats fade anyway.
Diminishing returns...such a drag.
Central Banks are kind of like Quasimodo, his evil doppelganger that is.
When are we going to fight? I wanna fight.
Buy silver.
Has broken down? How on Gods great green Earth is there only a 4+ basis point (risk premium/spread) between the US T-10 and Spanish debt?
US 10Y Yield 2.449 2.420 2.451 2.415 +0.029 +1.20% 22:01:00
Spain 10Y 2.491 2.472 2.559 2.463 +0.018 +0.77% 18:40:50
Italy 10Y 2.738 2.733 2.807 2.720 +0.005 +0.18% 18:40:52Even Italy back in a full blown recession, is only 29 basis points off the T-10?
yes exactly contradicts the whole article.
Thanks Fonz. +1
sovereign yields and not edible, neither can they be used to fuel a car
ekm, how about this oversupply in brent crude happening in the U.S lately driving prices down?
http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/01/news/economy/gas-price/
king dollah rises again
have not seen crashisoptomistic around lately....
Inflation is properly measures in 10+ year spans.
Check gas price in 2003.
Some relief now is equal to a knife driving slower through the heart, but still drivingg through
Brent oil prices are going down as part of economic warfare against Russia. When have we ever seen conflict on oil producing nations lead to a drop in prices outside of this instance. Use your brain people.
Brent oil prices are going down as part of economic warfare against Russia. When have we ever seen conflict on oil producing nations lead to a drop in prices outside of this instance. Use your brain people.
Brent oil prices are going down as part of economic warfare against Russia. When have we ever seen conflict on oil producing nations lead to a drop in prices outside of this instance. Use your brain people.
Sovereign yields most certainly reflect collusion between central banking policy.
Just as in credit markets and FX markets there's flow. Who decides the flow is open for debate, but non-the-less flow is what keeps these rates close. There's collusion between central banks PERIOD!
What ever your "conspiracy theory" is ekm, one fact reamains constant. For public investment, also dark pool investment, "Central Banks" are recognised collateral management systems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLT2erau3zo
Investing in real output is not possible if the suppliers use less or outright reject of your money
which is not happening
Huh?
How about currency swaps and China settling 20% of its trade in yuan?
how about crude dropping in usd. like Y/C is saying. Soveriegn yields are dropping. If the world was ditching the dollar yields would be rising and crude prices would be rising.
A lot of Crude oil is being stores as collateral for derivatives, not available for consumption, hence crude oil price is 100% overpriced
overpriced unless you have a dying currency right? In which case the price would keep rising.
Correct.
Higher price means less energy available.
For the economy to rebound oil has to be at max $50 for at least 6 months
I mean this with all the respect in the world....Once you give up on this pipe dream that anyone anywhere of any consequence gives a shit about a recovery in anything, you will start to get back on track.
I remember before you bounced last time that you had a hard time, because of your roots, in believeing that the communist hell that you escaped from was nipping at your heels. Well, it is, and there will be no recovery. Not in the way you are envisioning it. So grab a beer and enjoy the ride.
True observation.
Watch for guns and snipers shooting at executives while enjoying beer
you ever notice no one else jumps in here? we gotta stop with this....
Why? This place could use more honest debate and less coddling of pet theories/cheerleading.
In the short term, prices can be bullied for policy objectives. Longer term, supply will come offline. The USD is hosed and few see it because most are assuming western central banks are in control. They are not. China and others have USD FX reserves. UST and physical gold. They can play the long game and use or market manipulation against us. Have been for 2 years in gold....
It's called "currency settlements" EKM. Currency swaps are when (2) parties agree to exchange a pre-determined amount of currency plus or minus a premium(interest rate=borrowing cost) for a set duration, and cover the transaction at the preset exchange rate, (minus or plus fees).
No. It is barter of goods.nothing to do with fx
it has everything to do with fx. The U.S barters with dollars in exchange for goods.
Hence China doing barter with the world bypassing USD
yep...enjoy world...
http://news.msn.com/rumors/rumor-imported-chinese-tilapia-are-often-rais...
Yeah, that's what the 17:59 article was about:
How To "Value" Sovereign Bonds In 2 Words: US 'Friend' Or 'Foe'
The answer is simple, they are both equally fucking useless ponzi scraps of paper that no one except retards, sycophantic fuck wits who lick druggy draggys arse all day and the the great american morons doing the same thing to the fat steatopygic asshole of yellen
Therefore knowing that only fuckwits retards and the criminally corrupt hold this toxic filth, should give you a good idea what to do, being smarter than said retards.
Clue,, buy the stuff they tell you not to buy.
"Whatever it takes"
When one's population bulge is retiring, growth as before will not occur. Retirees saved - but Central Banks can't allow access to the savings. China, Japan and many Euro countries are demographically older and trending more solidly to retirement than the US.
This should not be a surprise.
Why has Japan been able to maintain a massive 220+% debt/gdp load with JGB's just over .5%. The Postal System-KAMPO has been able to suck some yield out of other sovereign bond markets.
Who do you think is buying all that Southern European trash? If you guys want to keep a closer pulse on liquidity movements, I'd suggest you track the German, Swiss, NOK,SEK (2) year bond rates.
China is no princess. The PBoC still fixes the Yuan, and it's expansion is causing more problems with the USD during the Asian price fixing/Tokyo fixing.
End of rant/
... either you are with us or against us.