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Central Banks Give Us Direction: Global Week Ahead
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In this Global Week Ahead, it’s all about the central bank meetings.
With the U.S. long-term interest rate rise seen of late, the Fed meeting on Wednesday will be the main event.
The Bank of England (BoE) tackles its monetary policy issues on Thursday.
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) closes it out with its monetary policy decisions due on Friday.
Next are Reuters’ five world market themes, reordered for equity traders.
(1) On Wednesday, We Have a Fed Meeting
After a stunning selloff in U.S. Treasuries took benchmark 10-year yields above 1.6%, the highest in a year, the March 16-17 Federal Reserve meeting will be watched closely for hints policymakers are concerned about yields, asset bubbles and inflation.
A repricing of market interest rate expectations to anticipate a Fed hike as early as late 2022 is at odds with the Fed’s aim of keeping rates unchanged until the end of 2023. The Fed has appeared unperturbed so far by higher bond yields, but may feel it’s time to push back against those rate-hike bets.
It is also expected to release fresh forecasts on economic growth as vaccines are distributed.
(2) On Thursday, We Have the Bank of England (BoE) Meeting
Thursday brings central bank meetings in Britain and Norway.
The Bank of England is not seen unveiling additional policy easing despite concerns over the recent spike in borrowing costs.
Instead, any action such as upping the BoE’s bond-buying firepower is likely to come later in the year — perhaps in May, when the next set of economic forecasts emerge.
With first-quarter GDP data expected to show a near 4% drop on the back of pandemic-linked lockdowns and Brexit disruptions, economic recovery is expected to be gradual. A majority of economists polled by Reuters expect GDP will take two years to return to pre-COVID-19 levels.
Norges Bank is also tipped to keep rates unchanged but it may adopt a much more hawkish tone given signs of economic recovery in Norway, especially in housing.
(3) On Friday, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) Will Close Out the Major Central Bank Meetings
This central bank, which pioneered yield curve control, faces one of its toughest policy reviews on March 18-19.
The Bank of Japan will likely insert clearer guidance in its statement on what it sees as an acceptable level of fluctuation in long-term interest rates, according to sources — a sign it won’t tolerate rises that hurt the economy.
Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and his deputy Masayoshi Amamiya have sent mixed messages on loosening the 10-year yield target band. Higher yields would acknowledge a global move higher but might spur unintended worries about policy tightening.
Given a nascent economic recovery, the BOJ may even suggest scope for more negative short-term rates. In the midst of this, financial year-end flows back into yen are accelerating. A currency rally will add to the BOJ’s headaches.
(4) Central Banks in Emerging Markets Meet This Week, Too — Namely Brazil and Turkey
In emerging markets, meanwhile, the only way for interest rates to go may be up. That’s the message we might hear from several central banks over coming days.
Most have faced rising inflation pressures for some time, but now they are also confronted by higher U.S. Treasury yields, which raise borrowing costs for everyone. For oil importers, Brent crude prices above $70 is an added problem — all this while economies are still reeling from the coronavirus impact.
Central banks in Brazil and Turkey — meeting on Wednesday and Thursday respectively — are most likely to raise rates. Markets will also find out on Thursday if Indonesia’s rate-cutting cycle has come to an end.
Egypt, meanwhile, is seen standing pat on Thursday, even in the face of rising commodity prices and inflation nudging higher.
(5) In Europe, Focus Will Be on Elections, With the ECB Out of the Way
In the euro area, investors’ focus turns to politics.
The German states of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate hold elections on Sunday that are seen as a key test of voter sentiment ahead of national polls in September, which will determine who succeeds Angela Merkel as Chancellor.
The Baden-Wuerttemberg vote is one to watch, since a face mask procurement scandal has muddied the waters for Merkel’s Christian Democrats, whose leader Armin Laschet hopes to become the next Chancellor.
Then there are Dutch national elections on March 15-17, for which authorities are relaxing evening curfew rules introduced to combat the spread of COVID-19. Polls suggest Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s conservative VVD will remain the largest party, although public support has declined recently over his coronavirus policies.
Top Zacks #1 Rank (STRONG BUY) Stocks
With the Nasdaq showing weakness, let’s look into top tech stocks this week.
(1) Ubiquiti Networks (UI - Free Report) : This is a $336 stock and the market cap is $21.1B. I see a Zacks Value score of F, a Zacks Growth score of A and a Zacks Momentum score of D.
Headquartered in New York, Ubiquiti Inc., along with its subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of networking products and solutions for service providers and enterprises.
Its service-provider product platforms offer carrier-class network infrastructure for fixed wireless broadband, wireless backhaul systems and routing; enterprise product platforms provide wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructure, video surveillance products and machine-to-machine communication components.
(2) Amkor Technology (AMKR - Free Report) : This is a $22 stock and the market cap is $5.4B. I see a Zacks Value score of A, a Zacks Growth score of A and a Zacks Momentum score of F.
Amkor Technology, Inc. is headquartered in Tempe, AZ. The company is one of the largest providers of semiconductor packaging and test services.
It packages and tests integrated circuits (ICs) for chip manufacturers, fabless semiconductor companies and contract foundries. The company’s product portfolio is composed of Advanced Products and Mainstream Products.
(3) Liberty Media (LSXMK - Free Report) : This is a $45 stock and the market cap is $10.4B. I see a Zacks Value score of C, a Zacks Growth score of D and a Zacks Momentum score of B.
The Liberty SiriusXM Group provides satellite radio services consists of commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather. The Liberty SiriusXM Group is based in United States.
Clearly, given the top Zacks Ranks, these three are still worth keeping on your radar screens.
Key Global Macro
It is all about the central bank meetings this week. The Fed kicks it off on Wednesday.
On Monday, there is a Eurogroup meeting.
On Tuesday, U.S. retail sales for FEB should be -0.5% m/m.
The U.S. NAHB housing index should be 83 this time, similar to the 84 seen last time. Still strong here.
On Wednesday, we get both the latest FOMC Economic Projections and the Fed’s Monetary Policy Statement. The Powell presser happens too.
On Thursday, the Bank of England (BoE) will provide its Monetary Policy Summary.
On Friday, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) provides its interest rate decision and there is a press conference.
Conclusion
I will be surprised if Powell and Co. address the long-term U.S. Treasury rate move substantively with new actions. It is too early in the game for them.
Economic Projections out at mid-week from the various FOMC members are likely much more crucial -- to the long-term rate markets.
Happy trading and investing to all.
Regards,
John Blank
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Central Banks Give Us Direction: Global Week Ahead
In this Global Week Ahead, it’s all about the central bank meetings.
With the U.S. long-term interest rate rise seen of late, the Fed meeting on Wednesday will be the main event.
The Bank of England (BoE) tackles its monetary policy issues on Thursday.
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) closes it out with its monetary policy decisions due on Friday.
Next are Reuters’ five world market themes, reordered for equity traders.
(1) On Wednesday, We Have a Fed Meeting
After a stunning selloff in U.S. Treasuries took benchmark 10-year yields above 1.6%, the highest in a year, the March 16-17 Federal Reserve meeting will be watched closely for hints policymakers are concerned about yields, asset bubbles and inflation.
A repricing of market interest rate expectations to anticipate a Fed hike as early as late 2022 is at odds with the Fed’s aim of keeping rates unchanged until the end of 2023. The Fed has appeared unperturbed so far by higher bond yields, but may feel it’s time to push back against those rate-hike bets.
It is also expected to release fresh forecasts on economic growth as vaccines are distributed.
(2) On Thursday, We Have the Bank of England (BoE) Meeting
Thursday brings central bank meetings in Britain and Norway.
The Bank of England is not seen unveiling additional policy easing despite concerns over the recent spike in borrowing costs.
Instead, any action such as upping the BoE’s bond-buying firepower is likely to come later in the year — perhaps in May, when the next set of economic forecasts emerge.
With first-quarter GDP data expected to show a near 4% drop on the back of pandemic-linked lockdowns and Brexit disruptions, economic recovery is expected to be gradual. A majority of economists polled by Reuters expect GDP will take two years to return to pre-COVID-19 levels.
Norges Bank is also tipped to keep rates unchanged but it may adopt a much more hawkish tone given signs of economic recovery in Norway, especially in housing.
(3) On Friday, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) Will Close Out the Major Central Bank Meetings
This central bank, which pioneered yield curve control, faces one of its toughest policy reviews on March 18-19.
The Bank of Japan will likely insert clearer guidance in its statement on what it sees as an acceptable level of fluctuation in long-term interest rates, according to sources — a sign it won’t tolerate rises that hurt the economy.
Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and his deputy Masayoshi Amamiya have sent mixed messages on loosening the 10-year yield target band. Higher yields would acknowledge a global move higher but might spur unintended worries about policy tightening.
Given a nascent economic recovery, the BOJ may even suggest scope for more negative short-term rates. In the midst of this, financial year-end flows back into yen are accelerating. A currency rally will add to the BOJ’s headaches.
(4) Central Banks in Emerging Markets Meet This Week, Too — Namely Brazil and Turkey
In emerging markets, meanwhile, the only way for interest rates to go may be up. That’s the message we might hear from several central banks over coming days.
Most have faced rising inflation pressures for some time, but now they are also confronted by higher U.S. Treasury yields, which raise borrowing costs for everyone. For oil importers, Brent crude prices above $70 is an added problem — all this while economies are still reeling from the coronavirus impact.
Central banks in Brazil and Turkey — meeting on Wednesday and Thursday respectively — are most likely to raise rates. Markets will also find out on Thursday if Indonesia’s rate-cutting cycle has come to an end.
Egypt, meanwhile, is seen standing pat on Thursday, even in the face of rising commodity prices and inflation nudging higher.
(5) In Europe, Focus Will Be on Elections, With the ECB Out of the Way
In the euro area, investors’ focus turns to politics.
The German states of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate hold elections on Sunday that are seen as a key test of voter sentiment ahead of national polls in September, which will determine who succeeds Angela Merkel as Chancellor.
The Baden-Wuerttemberg vote is one to watch, since a face mask procurement scandal has muddied the waters for Merkel’s Christian Democrats, whose leader Armin Laschet hopes to become the next Chancellor.
Then there are Dutch national elections on March 15-17, for which authorities are relaxing evening curfew rules introduced to combat the spread of COVID-19. Polls suggest Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s conservative VVD will remain the largest party, although public support has declined recently over his coronavirus policies.
Top Zacks #1 Rank (STRONG BUY) Stocks
With the Nasdaq showing weakness, let’s look into top tech stocks this week.
(1) Ubiquiti Networks (UI - Free Report) : This is a $336 stock and the market cap is $21.1B. I see a Zacks Value score of F, a Zacks Growth score of A and a Zacks Momentum score of D.
Headquartered in New York, Ubiquiti Inc., along with its subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of networking products and solutions for service providers and enterprises.
Its service-provider product platforms offer carrier-class network infrastructure for fixed wireless broadband, wireless backhaul systems and routing; enterprise product platforms provide wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructure, video surveillance products and machine-to-machine communication components.
(2) Amkor Technology (AMKR - Free Report) : This is a $22 stock and the market cap is $5.4B. I see a Zacks Value score of A, a Zacks Growth score of A and a Zacks Momentum score of F.
Amkor Technology, Inc. is headquartered in Tempe, AZ. The company is one of the largest providers of semiconductor packaging and test services.
It packages and tests integrated circuits (ICs) for chip manufacturers, fabless semiconductor companies and contract foundries. The company’s product portfolio is composed of Advanced Products and Mainstream Products.
(3) Liberty Media (LSXMK - Free Report) : This is a $45 stock and the market cap is $10.4B. I see a Zacks Value score of C, a Zacks Growth score of D and a Zacks Momentum score of B.
The Liberty SiriusXM Group provides satellite radio services consists of commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather. The Liberty SiriusXM Group is based in United States.
Clearly, given the top Zacks Ranks, these three are still worth keeping on your radar screens.
Key Global Macro
It is all about the central bank meetings this week. The Fed kicks it off on Wednesday.
On Monday, there is a Eurogroup meeting.
On Tuesday, U.S. retail sales for FEB should be -0.5% m/m.
The U.S. NAHB housing index should be 83 this time, similar to the 84 seen last time. Still strong here.
On Wednesday, we get both the latest FOMC Economic Projections and the Fed’s Monetary Policy Statement. The Powell presser happens too.
On Thursday, the Bank of England (BoE) will provide its Monetary Policy Summary.
On Friday, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) provides its interest rate decision and there is a press conference.
Conclusion
I will be surprised if Powell and Co. address the long-term U.S. Treasury rate move substantively with new actions. It is too early in the game for them.
Economic Projections out at mid-week from the various FOMC members are likely much more crucial -- to the long-term rate markets.
Happy trading and investing to all.
Regards,
John Blank