Morning Commentary: The World is Joining Japan

A daily summary and commentary of events and factors that affect the global markets, with a particular emphasis on the foreign exchange markets.

The World is Joining Japan Share this story: Andrew Kositkun Foreign Exchange Head Trader

Over the past two decades, sustained super-low bond yields have spread around the world. Japanese yields broke lower after two recessions and the onset of deflation in the 1990s. The Euro area was left vulnerable after the Great Recession and was dealt a heavy blow by the 2012 Euro Area crisis. Now COVID-19 has solidified low interest rates in Japan and Europe and pulled the U.S. down to join the super-low bond group. While we have focused on Japan, Europe and the U.S., it should be noted that developed market yields in general have bond yields in the same range. Looking forward, normal inflation and normal real and nominal rates are not in the foreseeable future. Further, almost all central banks are failing on both inflation and employment objectives. This seemingly structural change has both good and bad implications. On the positive side, low interest rates help with debt service and raise the level of sustainable debt for individuals, corporations and governments. This takes on additional importance given the explosion in public debt with further borrowing expected. Low rates also support a re-rating of risk assets, including stocks and home prices. But that doesn’t mean asset prices can rise indefinitely. Instead, it is more likely a one-time shift to allow for a higher ratio of equity prices to earnings or home prices to rent. Once this adjustment is complete, the normal rules should apply. On the negative side, ultra-low rates leave central banks without many policy options. It also makes it difficult for investors to find safety. In essence, investors are left to choose between accepting negative real returns on safe assets or holding risky ones. While the Fed has been criticized for hurting people on a fixed income, there isn’t much the Fed can do about this new abnormal of lower rates. Should the Fed, or any other central bank, try to raise rates prematurely, it would lead to lower inflation and even lower rates later on. HERE ARE THE KEY NEWS STORIES FROM OVERNIGHT: The U.S. dollar finds itself back under pressure. It is notable that despite all the uncertainty in the markets, last week lacked a significant safe-haven bid. This is likely due to markets placing a greater probability on a Democratic sweep and Congress’ inability to reach a compromise on further fiscal stimulus in an increasingly partisan environment. Trump’s positive COVID-19 test grabbed most of the headlines last week, but the reality of Trump trailing in the polls and running out of time is the firmer driver. Polls after Trump’s illness have started to come out, and the initial results are not good for the president. A Reuters/Ipsos poll taken Oct. 2–3 showed that 65% of respondents agreed that “if President Trump had taken [the] coronavirus more seriously, he probably would not have been infected.” This same poll showed Biden with a 10-point lead. European currencies are leading gains in the G10 on the back of strong economic data. Eurozone retail sales jumped 4.4% in August against expectations for a 2.5% increase. This pushed the year-over-year increase up to 3.7%, marking the strongest reading since November 2017. The British pound has been volatile in overnight trading as Brexit talks continue. This time it was France’s turn to take a hardened stance, with the long-standing fishing issue the main source of disagreement. Further, state aid and the UK’s Internal Market Bill remain unresolved and are likely to be two of the more difficult issues to overcome. On the positive front, the UK’s PMI numbers were revised higher. Governments around the world are taking increased steps to combat rising COVID-19 numbers. New York City has shut schools and nonessential businesses in nine areas where infections have spiked. In Europe, France has declared a maximum alert zone, with bars, dance halls and sports halls closing. Italy and the UK have both warned of new restrictive measures. According to the Saudi Arabia’s fiscal plans, the country is not bullish on crude prices, as it is budgeting for oil prices around $50 for at least the next three years

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