2017 will be a year of stronger global economic growth. The incoming US administration promises to stimulate an economy already enjoying considerable momentum, while the Chinese authorities are expanding fiscal policy. Meanwhile, global PMIs (purchasing managers’ indices) are once again rising in tandem. For shares, earnings momentum has already started to turn higher in each of the major global markets to help to support their valuations.
US
In January, the World Bank said that the U.S. economy is picking up steam and stabilizing commodity prices are helping major emerging-market economies rebound as well. The bank estimates that Donald Trump’s proposals to slash corporate and personal income taxes could add up to 0.3% to American growth this year and up to 0.8% next year.
However, he is forming an economic team with competing power centres and contrasting views that could lead the White House in unpredictable directions, as it tries to steer the U.S. toward even faster growth, and provide some market volatility. He has market-oriented advisers from the Washington and Wall Street establishment on one side and free-trade sceptics on the other.
China
The economics get-together of world leaders at Davos earlier this year will be remembered as delivering one of the strangest episodes in global economic history, as it marked a moment in time when a communist party leader lectured the US President about the benefits of free trade and economic openness.
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a full-throated defence of international trade and economic integration, as doubts about the merits of globalization mount in the U.S. and elsewhere in the West. “No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war,” Mr. Xi, the leader of the world’s second-biggest economy, said to members of the world elite gathered for the annual World Economic Forum. “Pursuing protectionism is just like locking one’s self in a dark room. Wind and rain may be kept outside, but so are light and air.”
In December, China’s PPI (producer price inflation) surged to a five-year high of 5.5% YoY (previously 3.3% YoY), way above market expectations. The increase was broad-based across subcomponents but most pronounced in the mining and raw materials sectors due to rising commodity prices as well as a weaker currency. Contrary to producer prices, consumer price inflation moderated in December to 2.1% YoY (from 2.3% YoY), as food price inflation normalized from elevated levels.
Japan
After a long year in 2016, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) now unexpectedly finds itself in a sweet spot. The yen has tumbled in recent months, thanks to surging global bond yields, while economic conditions at home and abroad are improving. Though less than bullish, the outlook for the world’s third-largest economy looks more promising than it has for some years. One risk now is that the yen falls too far, too fast, hurting consumers’ purchasing power just as they seemed to be finally shaking off the effects of a 2014 sales-tax increase.
Economists have speculated that the BOJ will need to lift its current rate target for the yield on the 10-year Japanese government bond from around zero percent to minimize the rate divergence that is helping to fuel yen weakness.
Europe
Mario Draghi, head of the European Central Bank (ECB), faces risks highly charged elections in the euro zone’s biggest economies this year. Barely a month after announcing a half-trillion-euro extension of the ECB’s quantitative-easing program and hinting the bank would do little for most of 2017, its president is back in the spotlight amid an anti-European Union backlash across the region. ECB officials extended their bond-purchase program by a longer-than-expected nine months in December 2015 to help counter potential volatility “relating in particular to shocks emanating from the political environment.”
Australia
In January, Australian CPI data saw inflation surprising to the downside. In the fourth quarter, CPI rose by only 0.4%, taking year-ended core inflation lower to 1.6% from 1.7%. Headline CPI was also subdued, rising by only 0.5% in this last quarter.
We now expect the RBA to downgrade its growth forecasts for the economy and a February official rate cut is a “close call”.
New Zealand
We expect GDP growth to moderate from 3.3% in 2016 to a still respectable 3.0% in 2017, albeit with some renewed inflation. The December 2016 quarter CPI outturn showed a quarterly increase of 0.4% and an annual rise of 1.3%.
Any potential official interest rate increase this year is complicated by RBNZ Governor Wheeler’s term expiry in September and the pending New Zealand election. Consensus is therefore for a late 2017, or early 2018, rise in rates.
The current supportive economic factors include high net immigration, the strong tourism and building sectors and the current low OCR setting of 1.75%, while negative factors are the high NZ dollar, excessive house inflation, slower domestic growth on a per capita basis and the rise in political uncertainty in the run-up to the general election this year.
Summary
Even after the strong rise in share values over the last 8 years, we are cautious but not bearish on shares as there is no sign of recession for 2017 and financial authorities appear prepared to do whatever is required to ensure that the financial markets are well supported. Moreover, projected company earnings growth should support current share market valuations.
However, we also note that inflation and longer term interest rates are starting to rise, signalling the probable end of the 35-year bull market in bonds. This may well prove a headwind for equity markets later this year.
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Information and Disclaimer:
Source: JMIS Limited, the investment consultant to the Select Wealth Management service.
This report is for information purposes only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances and so is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should contact Miles Flower on 021 645 000.
After a two-year slowdown, the global economy’s growth rate is starting to lift again. Commentators expect global GDP to rise to 2.8% in 2017, after 2.4% growth this year.
Global growth has fluctuated in a narrow range for the past five years and this recent acceleration marks a shift from the bottom to the top of that range. This movement should be relatively supportive for risk assets. The strengthening is largely due to the terms of trade shock from the strong US dollar and the fall in commodity prices on several economies and sectors starting to abate in the latest numbers.
US
The September decision of the US Federal Reserve Committee to hold interest rates unchanged was a “close call”: some policymakers thought a move could be merited relatively soon. On the other hand, others preferred to wait for more convincing evidence that inflation was moving toward the Committee’s 2% objective.
After the decision, Janet Yellen, the Fed chair, stressed that there was scope for further improvement in the labour market before the central bank needed to lift rates since its December 2015 increase. Jobs numbers released after that meeting have supported that argument, as the unemployment rate inched up amid signs Americans are being drawn off the side lines and into the labour force.
Non-farm payrolls for September rose by 156,000 new jobs, which was slightly below market expectations, while the unemployment rate lifted from 4.9% to 5%. September retail sales were slightly soft at only +0.6% too.
Japan
The Japanese parliament passed an extra spending package in mid-October to help to get Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic-revival plan back on track, but the Japanese leader is already facing calls to do even more than this, as he is fully committed to a reflationary strategy for the country. Some economists say the Bank of Japan is essentially offering unlimited funds to the government interest-free and he should not let this opportunity pass.
China
Mining shares have risen in recent weeks as Chinese factory data adds to signs of an improving economy for the largest consumer of raw materials. Reports from China show a gauge of manufacturing held near a two-year high for a second month in September, and services increased too.
However, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has sounded a warning about the outlook for China’s property market, saying it sees growing risks across the industry and that any downturn will pose a challenge for metals, especially iron ore and steel. They cited factors such as possible overbuilding, concern some people now cannot afford homes and rising speculation to support their view.
September CPI inflation in China was above expectations at +1.9% pa.
Europe
In recent months, the European Central Bank has been caught on the horns of a dilemma — between a lacklustre economic recovery it fears cannot stand on its own two feet and German hostility to any attempt to extend the ECB’s ultra-loose monetary policy. Up to now, the ECB has been able to sidestep the controversy. Britain’s decision to leave the EU has caused less fallout in the Eurozone economy than some had feared, relieving the central bank of the need to carry out any emergency measures.
The call for governments to increase spending in support of monetary policy is growing louder in Europe as well as Japan. Increased fiscal spending would stimulate these economies and bond yields would likely move higher in anticipation of higher inflation.
Australia
The economy grew by 0.5% in the third quarter with year-on-year growth picking up to a respectable 3.3% from 3.0%. However, without a strong contribution from government spending growth, GDP would have been negative in the quarter. Domestic demand remains quite sluggish.
Housing remains the key for the interest rate outlook. For now, the RBA seems happy with the apparent stability in the housing market: auction clearance rates remain around the 80% mark.
New Zealand
GDP data released for the June quarter showed growth momentum continuing to build further above its long-run trend. In particular, the pace of activity increased to a robust 3.6% year-on-year in June, strengthening from the 3.0% year-on-year growth rate recorded in the March quarter. Relative to most other developed market economies, the NZ growth rate continues to remain favourable. Moreover, recently released leading activity indicators suggest that the annual rate of GDP growth is likely to continue to remain in a 3.0-3.5% range over the second half of 2016.
Underpinning this positive growth performance has been activity concentrated in the construction and services sectors, which have also benefited from strong tourism growth. In addition, net immigration which posted a historic high over August has also been an important contributor to the strengthening in domestic demand. House price inflation continues to remain robust, although there are initial signs that the RBNZ’s recently introduced macro-prudential measures and some tightening in credit conditions may be having a dampening effect.
September CPI inflation was in line with expectations at 0.2% for the quarter and the year. These figures take the economy dangerously close to deflation, a phenomenon where falling price expectations start to suppress economic growth.
Summary
Overall, we find that markets are still pricing in a world of low growth, low interest rates and low inflation without any visible road blocks to “more of the same” in markets. Even after the strong rise in equity values over the last 7 years and a correction in October, we are cautious but not bearish on equities as there is no sign of recession and financial authorities appear prepared to do whatever is required to ensure that the financial markets are well supported.
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Information and Disclaimer:
Source: JMIS Limited, the investment consultant to the Select Wealth Management service.
This report is for information purposes only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances and so is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should contact Miles Flower on 021 645 000.
After several benign months, some volatility returned to investment markets in September to coincide with renewed talk of a pending Fed rate rise in the US, a lack of any new quantitative easing in Europe and fluctuating long bond rates.
US
In late September, the US left its official interest rates unchanged. Janet Yellen said the case for an increase in short-term interest rates had strengthened recently amid firm jobs growth, signalling a move is becoming more likely in the coming months and, potentially, soon after the US election. The Federal Reserve chair highlighted solid consumer spending and a string of payroll gains as she predicted moderate growth in the US economy as well as a return of inflation in the next few years.
US consumer spending, contributing about two-thirds of the US economy, rose +0.3% for a fourth straight month in July, bolstered by stronger income gains (+0.4%) and with strong demand for autos and raising the possibility of a Fed rate rise in 2016. However, the August US employment report was softer than expected, with a 151,000 gain in non-farm payrolls falling short of the 180,000 median consensus forecast. The jobless rate was unchanged at 4.9%.
Japan
In late September, the BOJ held official interest rates steady but said that it would expand its monetary base further by keeping 10-year bond yields around zero. It has vowed to keep easing monetary policy until inflation reaches 2%. Mr Kuroda, governor of the Bank of Japan since 2013, claimed the central bank’s policies “have contributed significantly to the positive turn-round in Japan’s economy” and said there was no chance of reducing the level of monetary accommodation.
His remarks pave the way for further easing even including the possibility of cutting interest rates from the current minus 0.1%. However, both growth and inflation still remain elusive.
China
The recent G-20 summit of major economies meant to be a moment of glory for China coincided with a world-wide backlash against globalization—and much of it is blamed on China. As China’s growth slows and economies in the U.S. and Europe remain in the doldrums, complaints have gathered pace in recent months as China’s industrial overcapacity has dampened prices abroad. The problem is that access for foreign investors has not matched the terms Chinese encounter overseas, while Western officials and businesses see the bidders in ever-larger Chinese acquisitions of major global brands as state-controlled beneficiaries of protected markets.
China’s official NBS manufacturing PMI improved to 50.4 from 49.9. This was above the market consensus of 49.8 and is the highest reading since November 2014. As such, it is probably an upside surprise for policy makers as well.
Europe
In early September, after official figures showed an easing in underlying inflation figures, the European Central Bank disappointed markets and left interest rates in the Eurozone unchanged, but kept the door open for more cuts in the months ahead. Meanwhile, it renewed calls to politicians to do more to support the bloc’s languid economic recovery
Australia
In Australia, second quarter GDP growth rose +0.5%, and therefore +3.3% on an annualised basis: the latter represents the fastest growth rate in 4 years. Growth is being driven by strong domestic demand and increased government spending. This also represents the 100th consecutive quarter without a recession for the country.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, second quarter GDP growth rose +0.9%, and therefore +3.6% on an annualised basis, to out-perform Australia.
Activity data released over August has continued to suggest that momentum in the NZ economy remains robust, supported by strong inward migration, construction and tourism activity, together with accommodative monetary policy settings. In particular, retail sales growth over the June quarter showed a robust increase of 2.3% quarter-on-quarter.
Nevertheless, despite this backdrop of above trend growth, inflation pressures continue to remain muted, with inflation expectations data continuing to track around historic lows.
Such an outturn will likely further compound the difficulties the RBNZ currently faces in setting appropriate monetary policy conditions.
In particular, the RBNZ needs to balance the risks of further exacerbating imbalances in the economy – such as excessive house price inflation – through a more aggressive easing profile, against the risk of not easing policy sufficiently and prompting a further and more enduring undershoot of their mandated 2% inflation target. A high exchange rate continues to be a problem.
The RBNZ has said that “further policy easing will be required to ensure that future inflation settles near the middle of the target range”. However, in late September the RBNZ left the rate unchanged at 2%.
Summary
Overall, we find that markets are still pricing in a world of low growth, low interest rates and low inflation without any visible road blocks to “more of the same” in markets. The end of quantitative easing is not apparent yet.
Even after the strong rise in equity values over the last 8 years, we are cautious but not bearish on equities as there is no sign of recession and financial authorities appear prepared to do whatever is required to ensure that the financial markets are well supported.
Politics are becoming increasingly important to investment outlook. Sentiment seems to be moving away from policies that assist assets owned by the wealthy – real estate and shares – towards a greater focus on support for the average person in the electorate. Fiscal stimulus may be coming.
A diversified and balanced approach to investment remains appropriate.
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Information and Disclaimer:
Source: JMIS Limited, the investment consultant to the Select Wealth Management service.
This report is for information purposes only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances and so is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should contact Miles Flower on 021 645 000.
After a weak first half of 2016, global GDP growth should recover modestly in the second half as the large drag from inventories abates. However, the world continues to face substantial headwinds, including the impact of Brexit, continued weakness in US investment ahead of their election, a moderation in Chinese growth and the impact of the stronger yen on Japan.
US
In August, the Fed left interest rates unchanged as good news about the economy, such as the better employment data, was offset by subdued inflation and global worries. However, the Fed kept open the possibility of a rate rise later this year, saying the near term risks had now diminished. Another positive was that unemployment in July was unchanged at 4.9%.
In July, the CPI was slightly weaker than expected with a core rate of 0.1% versus 0.2% expected, new home sales rose more than expected to the highest level in 9 years and the manufacturing PMI slipped from 52.9 to 52.1 but remained in expansion mode, as it has been since 2009.
Japan
In early August, Japan’s cabinet approved a government stimulus package that includes ¥7.5 trillion (US$73 billion) in new spending, in the latest effort by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to jump-start the nation’s sluggish economy. The spending program, which has a total value of ¥28 trillion over several years, represents not just an attempt to breathe new life into the Japanese economy but a political test for Mr. Abe, who has struggled to deliver sustained growth.
Japan’s August preliminary Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.6 from 49.3, but stayed in contraction mode for the 6th straight month.
China
In July, China’s macro statistics for industrial production, fixed asset investment and retail sales growth as well as new credit data all weakened.
This data seemed to suggest that the overall growth momentum of the first half of the year is wobbling a little lower in China. The yuan has continued to weaken slowly, as capital outflows persist.
Europe
The Eurozone’s slow economic recovery appears to have weathered the initial shock of Britain’s vote to leave the EU with the July PMI surveys of business activity reaching their highest level in seven months.
The European Central Bank has hinted at taking further action next month should economic conditions in the eurozone fail to improve, with its top policymakers saying the impact of the latest wave of uncertainty to hit the global economy needed “very close monitoring”. The latest edition of the central bank’s monetary policy deliberations — for the meeting on July 21 when it decided to keep rates on hold — indicated the governing council may well act to keep its ultra-loose monetary policy in place for longer when it next meets on September 8. Europe’s recovery has remained on track, but aftershocks from the UK vote to leave the EU and the poor health of the region’s banks risked its derailment.
The Bank of England cut its benchmark interest rate to 0.25% in July, the lowest level in the Bank’s 322 years, and introduced a series of bond-buying measures to support the economy after Brexit. The rate had been at 0.5% since March 2009.
Australia
In early August, the Reserve Bank of Australia cut its official cash rate by 25 basis points to 1.5% citing low inflation. Given very subdued growth in labour costs and very low cost pressures elsewhere in the world, low interest rates will likely remain for some time.
New Zealand
As expected, in mid-August, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 2%. This was the 6th cut in the last 14 months. At the time, the RBNZ said:
“Global growth is below trend despite being supported by unprecedented levels of monetary stimulus. Significant surplus capacity remains across many economies and, along with low commodity prices, is suppressing global inflation. Some central banks have eased policy further since the June Monetary Policy Statement and long-term interest rates are at record lows. The prospects for global growth and commodity prices remain uncertain. Political risks are also heightened.
Weak global conditions and low interest rates relative to New Zealand are placing upward pressure on the New Zealand dollar exchange rate. The trade-weighted exchange rate is significantly higher than assumed in the June Statement. The high exchange rate is adding further pressure to the export and import-competing sectors and, together with low global inflation, is causing negative inflation in the tradables sector. This makes it difficult for the Bank to meet its inflation objective. A decline in the exchange rate is needed.
Domestic growth is expected to remain supported by strong inward migration, construction activity, tourism, and accommodative monetary policy. However, low dairy prices are depressing incomes in the dairy sector and reducing farm spending and investment. High net immigration is supporting strong growth in labour supply and limiting wage pressure.
House price inflation remains excessive and has become more broad-based across the regions, adding to concerns about financial stability. The Bank is consulting on stronger macro-prudential measures that should help to mitigate financial system risks arising from the rapid escalation in house prices.
Headline inflation is being held below the target band by continuing negative tradables inflation. Annual CPI inflation is expected to weaken in the September quarter, reflecting lower fuel prices and cuts in ACC levies. Annual inflation is expected to rise from the December quarter, reflecting the policy stimulus to date, the strength of the domestic economy, reduced drag from tradables inflation, and rising non-tradables inflation. Although long-term inflation expectations are well-anchored at 2 percent, the sustained weakness in headline inflation risks further declines in inflation expectations.
Monetary policy will continue to be accommodative. Our current projections and assumptions indicate that further policy easing will be required to ensure that future inflation settles near the middle of the target range.”
Summary
We continue to expect a capital markets back-drop of low economic growth, low inflation and very low interest rates. We also expect the “high-yield “bond and share markets like New Zealand and Australia to be well supported by capital flows from the ultra-loose monetary policy countries.
In New Zealand, this buying has the tendency to inflate the value of a handful of higher capitalisation stocks whereas, below these, there are numerous shares trading on more realistic PE multiples.
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Information and Disclaimer:
Source: JMIS Limited, the investment consultant to the Select Wealth Management service.
This report is for information purposes only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances and so is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should contact Miles Flower on 021 645 000.
The Brexit vote has long term implications beyond the UK and Europe. The vote in the UK is probably part of a wider, more global backlash against the establishment, rising inequality and globalisation. The Brexit shock may well intensify the pressure on all governments to better address inequality, become more protectionist and limit migration.
More particularly, investors may now have to factor in a higher chance of low interest rates for longer and even lower global economic growth, the latter possibly arising from the increasing ineffectiveness of monetary policies, trade barriers or a move (through taxation and regulation) to redistribute income from capital to labour. The Brexit vote has heightened expectations that central banks will now cut interest rates in England, Japan, Australia and the euro area.
US
The economy grew by an annualised 1.1% in the first quarter, according to a revised estimate. This was better than the initial 0.8% recorded in the first estimate, but still the slowest pace for a year.
Non-farm employment rose very strongly in June to 287,000, well above the downwardly-revised 11,000 in May. This was the strongest month of hiring since October 2015. Unemployment now stands at 4.9%.
With a falling euro and UK pound after Brexit, a significant strengthening of the US dollar would be not only a problem for US growth prospects but also for the dollar debtors in emerging markets. It could also push commodity prices lower.
Japan
In late July, the Bank of Japan announced additional measures to stimulate growth but it refrained from taking its negative interest rates deeper nor expanding its government stock purchasing programme.
China
China’s economy grew 6.7% in the second quarter from a year earlier, slightly better than expected. While fears of a hard landing have eased, investors fear a further slowdown would leave the world even more vulnerable to the risk of a global recession.
Brexit may bring policymakers in China further challenges in managing their slowing economy, i.e. how to manage the yuan with all the major currencies, except the US dollar and the Japanese yen, now falling in value. China stands to lose one of its strongest allies in the EU trade bloc and, with falling exports, it can ill afford any significant slowdown in European demand or global investor sentiment. It will renew its vigilance for any hot money flows out of China. Any large devaluation of the yuan would intensify global growth and deflation concerns.
Europe
After Brexit, there is likely to be considerably lower growth in the UK and continental Europe. Central banks are set to ease policy in both economies.
Australia
In July, the RBA left the official cash rate unchanged at 1.75%, but a combination of a strong Australian dollar and low inflation may well prompt a cut in official rates in August. Weak wage growth, global disinflation and evidence of retail discounting are all contributing to the low inflation.
In the recent general election, the Liberal party gained power with only a very small majority in the lower house but were left with an even more disparate and fractious Senate than before the election.
New Zealand
In late July, the Reserve Bank advised that:
Prospects for growth in the global economy have diminished despite very stimulatory monetary policy and low oil prices. Significant downside risks remain. Financial market volatility increased following the UK referendum and long-term interest rates have fallen.
Domestic growth is expected to remain supported by strong inward migration, construction activity, tourism, and accommodative monetary policy. However, low dairy prices are depressing incomes in the dairy sector and weighing on farm spending and investment.
There continue to be many uncertainties around the outlook. Internationally, these relate to the prospects for global growth and commodity prices, the fragility of global financial markets, and political risks. Domestic uncertainties relate to inflation expectations and the potential for continued high net immigration, ongoing pressures in the housing market, and the high New Zealand dollar exchange rate.
The trade-weighted exchange rate is 6% higher than assumed in the June Statement, and is notably higher than in the alternative scenario presented in that Statement. The high exchange rate is adding further pressure to the dairy and manufacturing sectors and, together with weak global inflation, is holding down tradable goods inflation. This makes it difficult for the Bank to meet its inflation objective. A decline in the exchange rate is needed.
House price inflation remains excessive and has become more broad-based across the regions, adding to concerns about financial stability. The Bank is currently consulting on stronger macro-prudential measures aimed at mitigating risks to financial stability from the current boom in house prices.
Annual CPI inflation was 0.4% in the year to June 2016. Headline inflation is being held below the target band by continuing negative tradables inflation. Long-term inflation expectations are well-anchored at 2%, but short-term inflation expectations remain low.
Despite rising capacity pressures and some recent increase in fuel prices, the stronger exchange rate implies that the outlook for inflation has weakened since the June Statement.
Monetary policy will continue to be accommodative. At this stage, it seems likely that further policy easing will be required to ensure that future average inflation settles near the middle of the target range. We will continue to watch closely the emerging economic data.
Summary
We continue to expect a capital markets back-drop of low economic growth, low inflation and very low interest rates. We also expect the “high-yield” markets like New Zealand and Australia to be well supported by capital flows from the ultra-low monetary policy countries.
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Information and Disclaimer:
Source: JMIS Limited, the investment consultant to the Select Wealth Management service.
This report is for information purposes only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances and so is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should contact Miles Flower on 021 645 000.
Unexpectedly, in late June, the British voted to leave the European Union (EU), a decision which now leaves the world’s fifth largest economy facing deep uncertainty about its future growth prospects. This decision in the UK will also hurt the economies and markets of the EU and beyond.
The Brexit vote initially triggered a sharp downturn in share values, particularly in Europe, and a strong rally in safe haven assets like bonds and gold. The pound also suffered a swift devaluation.
This is an unexpected political crisis rather than an economic or banking crisis like the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. In economic terms, it is likely to lead to a modest UK recession as well as an ensuing slowdown in the EU, along with a period of considerable political turbulence in the UK and Europe.
Even aside from Brexit, global economic conditions are still far from robust. The existence of near zero or negative interest rates in many countries indicates something very unusual is happening. In early June, the World Bank has recently slashed its global growth forecast for 2016 to an “insipid” 2.4% amid what it calls stubbornly low commodity prices, faltering growth in advanced economies, weak global trade and shrinking capital flows. In January, the Bank had forecast global growth of 2.9% for 2016. The latest downgrade to 2.4% reflects slides in the prices of commodities, including oil and iron ore, and an inability of countries that benefit from the lower prices to use them to bolster growth. After Brexit, a further down grade now looks likely.
US
The World Bank cut its forecast for the United States growth from 2.4% to 1.9% in 2016.
In mid- June, the Federal Reserve pushed back its plans to raise its benchmark short-term interest rates, a widely-expected move following a series of mixed US economic reports, particularly in employment data. Although the unemployment rate has declined to 4.7% now, job gains have diminished.
The cautious stance comes after an unexpectedly weak payrolls report in which the US economy added only 38,000 jobs in May, the lowest level in six years. Brexit is likely to delay interest rate rises in the US even further.
Meanwhile, on the plus side, inflation, which has run below the Fed’s 2% target for four years, has shown signs of strength in recent months, as oil prices and the US dollar stabilised.
Japan
The World Bank cut its forecast for growth in Japan from 1.3% to 0.5% in 2016.
In June, the Prime Minister changed his mind and kept the consumption tax unchanged to assist internal demand and growth prospects.
China
The World Bank held its forecast for China’s growth rate at 6.7%.
Soaring corporate debt is a serious and worsening problem in China that needs to be tackled quickly if Beijing wants to avoid potential systemic risk to itself and the global economy. While China’s total debt of around 225% of gross domestic product is not particularly high by global standards, its corporate debt at approximately 145% of GDP is high by any measure.
Europe
The World Bank held its forecast for the Euro area at 1.9% in 2016.
With policy interest rates approaching their lower bounds and the Euro yield curve already very low and flat, the focus on macro-economic policy discussion has now switched towards possible fiscal policy in Europe.
The UK’s decision to leave the EU now puts further pressure on EU growth, and asks the question: what are the likely responses now from the European central bank?
Australia
In early June, the Australian Reserve Bank kept interest rates on hold at 1.75% and delivered a statement that gave no indication that it is inclined to ease monetary policy any time soon.
The general election result in early July is looking to be a close contest with polls suggesting a narrow Liberal victory.
New Zealand
In early June, the Reserve Bank left the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%. At this time, it said:
“Global financial market volatility has abated and the outlook for global growth appears to have stabilised after being revised down successively over recent quarters. There has been a modest recovery in commodity prices in recent months. However, the global economy remains weak, despite very stimulatory monetary policy and significant downside risks remain.
Domestic activity continues to be supported by strong net immigration, construction, tourism and accommodative monetary policy. The dairy sector remains a moderating influence with export prices below break-even levels for most farmers.
There continue to be many uncertainties around the outlook. Internationally, these relate to the prospects for global growth and commodity prices, the outlook for global financial markets, and political risks. Domestically, the main uncertainties relate to inflation expectations, the possibility of continued high net immigration, and pressures in the housing market.
Monetary policy will continue to be accommodative. Further policy easing may be required to ensure that future average inflation settles near the middle of the target range”.
Summary
Brexit brings with it heightened uncertainty and financial markets certainly do not like the unknown. We therefore expect a period of weaker and more volatile share markets. We also expect a low interest rate environment for even longer now. We expect investors to be more cautious, maybe to adopt a “wait and see” strategy.
We feel that accommodative monetary policy settings in most jurisdictions around the world will probably continue to be broadly supportive of markets, however we have now had over 7 years of rising share prices and corrections in some markets are more likely to occur as investors adjust their risk positions and “take some profits”.
For some months, to control portfolio risk, we have recommended to clients that their investment portfolios should be well aligned to their long term strategic asset allocation positions and well diversified.
Source: JMIS, investment consultant to Select Wealth Management