Emerging Markets

Many commentators have attributed the latest increase in Chinese interest rates to an improving economy, the large issuance of government bonds, the tax payments season, and other technical factors. Yet, these explanations are missing the key point: the PBoC has steered interbank rates higher to defend the currency. Higher borrowing costs are the last thing the mainland economy now needs.

Amid a range of geopolitical narratives, what matters is that the US strategy of economic engagement with its rivals is failing, giving rise to a new strategy of containment that will reinforce the secular rise in geopolitical risk. Our market-based quantitative indicators of geopolitical risk are set to rise in the coming year.

Increasing iron ore prices coupled with declining steel prices represent an unsustainable disparity. Iron ore prices will pivot downward in the next six months. A sizeable reduction in China’s steel production will likely occur, reducing global iron ore demand. Meanwhile, global iron ore supply will increase moderately.