UBS On-Air: Market Moves

This week has a lot of politics in it, and markets are rarely that good at pricing political risk. The US presidential debate may make investors pay attention to political risk earlier than is normal in the US political cycle. Because so much attention has focused on the suitability of the candidates for office (rather than their policy positions), this debate might actually matter.

This week we follow-up on rulings issued by the Supreme Court, including US tax on foreign business income. Shane also provides some takeaways from the recent G7 Summit, and touches on this year’s focuses and themes. Plus, some background on the Russia-North Korea military pact and the global implications. Featured is Shane Lieberman, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor, Governmental Affairs US. Host: Daniel Cassidy

Yesterday’s central bank decisions support the trend of following inflation lower. The Swiss rate cut reflected a desire to stabilize real rates, not stimulate the economy. Bank of England Governor Bailey linked future rate cuts to lower inflation; an August rate cut looks increasingly likely. Only the Federal Reserve seems to have forgotten that rising real rates are repressive.

With the halfway point of 2024 having arrived, we reflect on how market and macro conditions have evolved thus far, and share expectations for the balance of the year. Plus, we outline positioning recommendations across equities, fixed income, and alternatives. Featured are Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income Strategy Americas, and Nadia Lovell, Senior US Equity Strategist. Host: Daniel Cassidy

Hear from top portfolio managers and business heads from UBS Asset Management’s Muni, Taxable Fixed Income and Liquidity teams. Together, they provide views on markets and what they believe you should be focused on within the fixed income space.

The Bank of England offers some excitement as investors await the start of the UK interest rate easing cycle. That start is probably not today, but should be soon. The BoE relishes dissent and discussion to help form higher quality decisions (the Federal Reserve might like to take note), making policy outcomes less predictable. With consumer price inflation down nine percentage points from the recent highs, the case for lowering real interest rates is strong—but the BoE might want a couple more data points before acting.

May UK inflation data was as expected across the multiple measures released today. Headline consumer price inflation was 2%. The decline in inflation has almost nothing to do with government policy, and not that much to do with the Bank of England—a lot of this is the natural slowing of temporary inflation drivers. Durable goods prices sank further into deflation.

Eurozone final May consumer price inflation is very unlikely to change from the initial report. At 2.6% y/y, the rate is above the ECB’s target, but rate cuts are still justified. Inflation has fallen eight percentage points from its high. The impact of that on real interest rates is significant.

This week Jason ‘connects the dots’ to make sense of market performance, this in the wake of last week’s inflation data, along with the outcome of the June FOMC meeting. We also consider emerging geopolitical risks, and upcoming macro factors. Plus, share CIO’s current investment outlook and positioning recommendations. Featured is Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

China’s May data dump showed weaker-than-expected industrial production, despite earlier reports of stronger exports. Domestic retail sales were stronger, slightly distorted by the timing of holidays. Restaurant sales were stronger, as people seem inclined to spend on having fun.

Yesterday’s US producer price inflation numbers added to a general sense of disinflation. However, the lower inflation reported in consumer and producer prices will not be fully experienced by consumers. The slowing fantasy price of owners’ equivalent rent does not affect real world spending power. Seasonal adjustments deliberately distort reality, and so disinflation here does not change consumers’ inflation experiences.

This week Shane highlights a slate of rulings expected to be delivered in June by the Supreme Court, updates on the campaign trail (including recent and upcoming primaries), reflects on former President Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill - plus, recaps the annual Congressional baseball game! Featured is Shane Lieberman, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisors, Governmental Affairs US. Host: Daniel Cassidy

On this week’s episode of Viewpoints, Burkhard covers a range of topics, including a potential timeline for higher for longer rates in the US, the gathering of world leaders at the G7 Summit, how the law of acceleration will change the world and economies over the next decade, and more.

The Federal Reserve did nothing on rates. Investors have desperately sought additional guidance on policy, putting the fabled dot plots in focus. These black smudges on a piece of paper are really not that helpful. More Fed members think that there will be two cuts this year than anything else. Given the disinflation forces in the economy, several of those who suggested one cut likely give a high probability to two cuts.

Join Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, and Brian Rose, Senior Economist Americas, for thoughts and reflections on May inflation data, along with the outcome of the FOMC meeting. Jason also speaks to the market response, and shares CIO’s positioning recommendations. Host: Daniel Cassidy

Economists are overstimulated by the US today. We have the excitement of US consumer price inflation. We have the excitement of a Federal Reserve policy decision. Fed Chair Powell’s press conference can be relied upon to dampen economists’ passions. The Fed is unlikely to change policy. The fabled dot plots of policy projections will add confusion (a black mark on a chart gives no sense of confidence or risk).

As mid-year approaches, we take time to reflect on fixed income performance drivers over 1H24, along with preview performance expectations for the balance of the year. We also outline expectations for monetary policy and rates, along with review positioning recommendations across fixed income. Featured are Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income Strategy Americas, and John Murtagh, Fixed Income Analyst Americas. Host: Daniel Cassidy

Financial markets dislike any increase in uncertainty. Politics in Europe was judged to have increased uncertainty, and markets responded accordingly. It is the change in uncertainty that matters. The outcomes of the thousands of US elections held this November are also a source of considerable uncertainty, but, perceptions of that level of uncertainty are not changing very much.

With growth fears last week having eased, investor confidence in a soft-landing having been reinforced, and the S&P 500 having hit an all-time-high, Jason explains why the story is likely to continue this week with the May inflation data and the FOMC meeting. Featured is Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

In any society experiencing a period of economic upheaval, some people do better while others do worse. The causes are complex, but those suffering want a simple explanation. This encourages scapegoat economics—blaming economic problems on a minority group. Scapegoat economics encourages prejudice politics, where politicians promise everything will be OK if that group can only be excluded. This helps explain the extremists’ success in the European elections.

Hear the latest thinking and investment recommendations from the UBS Chief Investment Office with Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income Strategy Americas, and David Lefkowitz, Head of Equities Americas.

As we close out another trading week, Brian Rose recaps the May employment data and provides a health check on the US labor market. We also preview next week’s FOMC meeting, along with some other points of interest on the US data calendar. Featured is Brian Rose, Senior Economist Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Shiavon Chatman

As expected, the ECB offered a 0.25-percentage-point rate cut, with general vagueness about the future. The rationale was also as expected—interest rates are following inflation lower. Applying the ECB’s logic to the likely path of the economy, another couple of rate cuts seem likely this year, but Lagarde was not prepared to signal that strongly at yesterday’s press conference.

This week Shane reflects on the 80th anniversary of D-day, recap’s Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Congressional testimony, updates on the latest executive action directed at the US Southern border, along with developments surrounding the Israel-Hamas War. Featured is Shane Lieberman, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor, Governmental Affairs US. Host: Daniel Cassidy

In the wake of Mexico’s election outcome earlier this week, Gaby outlines the results, weighs in on the market response, and shares the investment implications to be mindful of. Featured is Gaby Soni, Head of Investment Strategy Mexico, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

There is a strong consensus about today’s ECB policy rate decision. A total of 53 out of 55 surveyed economists expect a 0.25% rate cut, and ECB Chief Economist Lane has practically promised an easing (chief economists are, of course, never wrong). The idea this year has been that most major central banks would follow inflation lower. Eurozone inflation is lower. Rate cuts are not stimulatory, but stabilizing (keeping the real interest rate steady).

On this week’s episode of Viewpoints, Burkhard explains the underestimated importance of the upcoming European elections, football championships, and the Olympics, along with what investors can learn from professional athletes, coaches, and teams.

Japan published some labor market data, with April cash earnings. On a like-for-like comparison, these were somewhat weaker than expected (and they remain negative in real terms). There are two points worth bearing in mind. An increasing share of Japanese consumers do not depend on earnings to finance consumption, because of population aging. And more of the Japanese economy has been supported by foreign consumers as tourists.

Paula joins Jason in-studio for a discussion around the US macroeconomic environment, including an outlook for growth, inflation and Fed rate cuts. We also spend time outlining portfolio positioning preferences. Featured is Paula Campbell Roberts, Chief Investment Strategist for Global Wealth, KKR, and Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

The US provides the main data releases. JOLTS data on job vacancies is expected to continue to decline. The initial surge in vacancies in 2021 was strongly influenced by labor market churn. As that subsided, vacancy rates fell. Nominal wage growth continues to slow, which argues against a tight labor market.

To begin the week (and a new month), Jason reflects on May market performance drivers, and outlines what investors should be mindful of throughout the month of June, and into the summer season. We also take a pulse on current investor sentiment, and review the current allocation recommendations per the June UBS House View. Featured is Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

Federal Reserve President Kashkari has advocated a significant tightening of central bank policy, by raising real interest rates (keeping nominal rates stable as inflation slows). The pain of this would likely hit lower income groups disproportionately. Kashkari’s wants to keep inflation expectations anchored—yet inflation expectations are properly observed through consumers’ actions (certainly not through surveys). Moderating wage growth suggests well-anchored expectations.

Markets and life are full of conundrums. This week, our Viewpoints podcast addresses at least three current ones. Some of them have unexpected resolutions, related to the surprising roles and impact of cheating, free-riding, bond-yields, the sometimes-infectious nature of mood-swings and time’s canny ability to heal many wounds.

We get fresh evidence on the hedonism of the US consumer, with personal income and spending numbers. The personal consumer expenditure deflator will be the markets’ focus. This is less influenced by the nonsense of owners’ equivalent rent than is consumer price data. There are other notable differences (like motor insurance). Overall, the inflation data is expected to stay steady.

Hear from top portfolio managers and business heads from UBS Asset Management’s Muni, Taxable Fixed Income and Liquidity teams. Together, they provide views on markets and what they believe you should be focused on within the fixed income space.

A monthly check on US equity market performance and positioning considerations with Jeremy Zirin, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Head of the Private Client US Equity Team, and Dominic Schagar, Senior Equity Investment Specialist with UBS Asset Management.

Yesterday equities were a little upset because bonds were a little upset because of weaker demand at a US bond auction. Should investors be upset? This is not a US version of the UK’s Truss debacle. Markets are not disorderly and government policies are not destabilizing. The absolute level of debt is not a concern—many countries (including the US) have had and do have higher debt ratios. The political polarization that prevents a policy for a sustainable deficit is a concern, but is probably more a background worry for now.

We explore the behavior of action bias, including a look at when it might and might not makes sense for one to adjust their investment approach, along with strategies to consider that can protect against the behavior of action bias. Featured are Justin Waring, Senior Total Wealth Strategist, and Katie Williams, Discovery Strategist, from the UBS Chief Investment Office, along with Mark Halloran, Head of Business Development for Individual Markets with Transamerica. Host: Daniel Cassidy

The entertainment from the US Dallas Fed manufacturing survey comments did not disappoint. Several would be met with a disparaging “OK, boomer” if only the TikTok generation read the Dallas Fed manufacturing survey. Today’s anecdotes come in the form of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book. These comments are indirect quotes, and sanitization reduces entertainment value. Remarks on prices and pricing power are still likely to be investors’ focus.

Chief Investment Officer Mark Haefele and colleagues from around the world discuss the state of play in global markets and recommendations for investors.

Today we spotlight the May edition of the monthly Sustainable Investing Perspectives publication. Among the topics featured within, Amantia highlights global plastic reduction efforts, including the role companies are playing, along with the potential investment considerations from these efforts that investors should be mindful of. Featured is Amantia Muhedini, Sustainable & Impact Investing Strategist Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

The UK’s May shop price index showed ongoing non-food deflation, and a slower pace of food price increases as the profit-led inflation episode wanes. Supermarkets’ dual pricing structure (offering preferential discounts to loyalty card holders) seems to be ending. Shop price data includes the discounts, consumer price data does not—and the gap between the two has disappeared.