Geopolitics
Given that the seemingly unthinkable can actually happen, we reassess how financial markets price uncertainty, and whether the current pricing is correct.
Signs that the median voter is moving to the left are everywhere. Markets will cheer the move as it means more government spending. In the long term, it depends if policymakers stop at fiscal stimulus. In this <i>Monthly Report</i>, BCA's <i>Geopolitical Strategy</i> reviews prospects for "Bremorse," latest in the U.S. election, Italian political crisis, tensions in South China Sea, and the long-term future of Europe.
A spike in economic uncertainty explains the recent move lower in Treasury yields. Given the resilience of global growth, we expect yields to rise as uncertainty ebbs in the coming months.
Please see attached our <i>Third Quarter Strategy Outlook<i/> which discusses the major investment themes and views we see playing out for the rest of the year.
We test three channels of contagion from the Brexit shock: political, banking system, and economic.
Yield and Protector Portfolios should continue to benefit in current environment. Equities face seasonal headwinds.
A benchmark overall duration stance is still warranted, as central banks will maintain exceptionally accommodative monetary policies to offset potential Brexit-related shocks to confidence.
The Brexit vote will either usher in the complete dissolution of the euro area, or it will prove to be a blessing in disguise. Our bet is the latter, but the next few months are still likely to see heightened political uncertainty and elevated financial volatility, warranting a cautious stance towards risk assets. Investors have become too complacent about the prospect of Fed hikes over the coming years. Even a slight upward move in rate expectations could cause the dollar to surge. Underweight U.S. stocks in currency-hedged terms.
The only certainty regarding the next steps in the Brexit Saga is uncertainty. In the attached report, BCA's Geopolitical Strategy presents the BREXIT Decision Tree and reviews the possible next steps. We also collate all of the BCA investment views and strategies - tactical and strategic - that relate to the ongoing saga.
Global uncertainty is elevated, but markets know this. Brexit could prove extremely negative for the global economy if it prompts a questioning of the EU's integrity. The cyclical outlook for the pound remains poor, but a short-term opportunity to buy GBP/JPY has emerged. We still like the SEK and commodity currencies. The SNB will continue to intervene, but the peg is increasingly dangerous.