Equity markets struggled this week alongside the relentless selloff in Treasuries. The S&P 500 fell 2.4%, with weakness in consumer discretionary, banks and technology weighing heaviest.
The index is again flirting with the 200-day moving average as it drifts down from above.
Meantime, the TSX was down 1.8% on the week, with gains in materials and energy lending some support as WTI pushed back above $90 at one point.
Interest Rates
Just when the macroeconomic picture begins to show weakness, one or two positive data points pop up to challenge that story. Overall, the general trend is toward weakening, but it’s not definitive in the sense that it will necessarily lead to a recession. From the perspective of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), a slowing economy should ease inflation and, in turn, allow them to stop raising interest rates. Higher-than-expected inflation prints, Energy prices, and resilient employment numbers, however, make that decision more difficult. The question the Fed is asking itself is: if we stay at this level of interest rates, is it simply a matter of time for inflation to come down? Or will rates at this level be unable to tame the beast? If it’s the latter, then they will have no choice but to continue to push interest rates, while if it’s the former, they can safely pause. There are two options on the table for the Fed: raise rates one more time and monitor the effects, or continue pausing and see what happens. We continue to believe they likely have one more rate hike left in them. For the Bank of Canada (BoC), it’s a different story. They’ve seen bigger cracks in the economy, and they also know that the impacts of higher interest rates on the housing market and broadly on the consumer are likely to play out in the coming years. As a result, they’re likely closer to a terminal rate than their American counterparts.
Bottom Line: Both the Fed and BoC are still waiting for more economic data to guide them, but the possibility of another rate hike is higher in the U.S. than in Canada.
Bonds
How are investors responding to higher interest rates? They’re moving to the short end of the curve. Just for sitting on cash, investors are currently able to get a yield of over 5%. That’s extremely attractive in the short term, but it’s not a sustainable, long-term answer. There are risk factors in the market, but not necessarily enough of them to allow the Fed to stop raising rates. If and when the Fed signals a hard stop on rate hikes, that’s likely to cause the yield curve to uninvert. If equity returns improve, that could also cause bonds to normalize; as I’ve discussed in previous weeks, September and October are typically not great months for stock markets, which has allowed bonds yields to look good in comparison to equities. That said, we believe we’re getting close to a level where bonds will look very attractive. Once a rate-hiking pause and eventual rate cuts take effect, bonds could potentially have years of positive returns.
Bottom Line: As the interest rate outlook improves, investors are likely to jump back into bonds.
China
We’ve seen better growth data coming out of China of late, as well as several other potential tailwinds: the long-term Belt and Road initiative (a global infrastructure and development project), a savings rate in decline, reports from global companies that their China earnings are improving, and an increase in travel, which should help boost demand. On the other hand, however, is the ongoing crisis in the country’s most important sector: Real Estate. It’s a situation that cannot be resolved overnight, and it may not even be entirely fixable—but if they can at least get it under control, that should improve consumer confidence. For now, investor sentiment on China is negative and outflows have been high. But in our evaluation, that makes for a good opportunity for investors—as long as they’re in it for the long haul. That why we remain slightly overweight Emerging Markets (EM).
Bottom Line: For long-term investors, there are still significant opportunities in China
Positioning
For a detailed breakdown of our portfolio positioning, check out the latest BMO GAM House View Report, titled An Economy at a Crossroads.
Disclosures:
The viewpoints expressed by the Portfolio Manager represents their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time without any kind of notice. The information provided herein does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy, or an offer to sell securities nor should the information be relied upon as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This communication is intended for informational purposes only.
BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name under which BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. operate.
Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent simplified prospectus.
This article is for information purposes. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.
Commissions, management fees and expenses (if applicable) all may be associated with investments in mutual funds. Trailing commissions may be associated with investments in certain series of securities of mutual funds. Please read the fund facts, ETF facts or prospectus of the relevant mutual fund before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.
For a summary of the risks of an investment in the BMO Mutual Funds, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus. ETF Series of the BMO Mutual Funds trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.
BMO Mutual Funds are managed by BMO Investments Inc., which is an investment fund manager and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.
®/™Registered trademarks/trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.
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The bad news is that the economic environment is worse than it was one year ago. The good news is that it is still in a pretty strong position and we’re not seeing any signs in the marketplace worrisome enough to warrant taking significant risk off the table.
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With the end of the month, quarter and first half of 2024 in the books, markets seem to be taking a collective deep breath in anticipation of what the remainder of the year will bring.
What did we learn from the Fed’s reaction to the latest inflation data? How will election-related volatility manifest, and how big of an impact could it have on markets?
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A Bond Market in Limbo
October 23 to 27, 2023
A Bond Market in Limbo
October 23 to 27, 2023
Sadiq S. Adatia, CFA, FSA, FCIA
Market Recap
Interest Rates
Just when the macroeconomic picture begins to show weakness, one or two positive data points pop up to challenge that story. Overall, the general trend is toward weakening, but it’s not definitive in the sense that it will necessarily lead to a recession. From the perspective of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), a slowing economy should ease inflation and, in turn, allow them to stop raising interest rates. Higher-than-expected inflation prints, Energy prices, and resilient employment numbers, however, make that decision more difficult. The question the Fed is asking itself is: if we stay at this level of interest rates, is it simply a matter of time for inflation to come down? Or will rates at this level be unable to tame the beast? If it’s the latter, then they will have no choice but to continue to push interest rates, while if it’s the former, they can safely pause. There are two options on the table for the Fed: raise rates one more time and monitor the effects, or continue pausing and see what happens. We continue to believe they likely have one more rate hike left in them. For the Bank of Canada (BoC), it’s a different story. They’ve seen bigger cracks in the economy, and they also know that the impacts of higher interest rates on the housing market and broadly on the consumer are likely to play out in the coming years. As a result, they’re likely closer to a terminal rate than their American counterparts.
Bottom Line: Both the Fed and BoC are still waiting for more economic data to guide them, but the possibility of another rate hike is higher in the U.S. than in Canada.
Bonds
How are investors responding to higher interest rates? They’re moving to the short end of the curve. Just for sitting on cash, investors are currently able to get a yield of over 5%. That’s extremely attractive in the short term, but it’s not a sustainable, long-term answer. There are risk factors in the market, but not necessarily enough of them to allow the Fed to stop raising rates. If and when the Fed signals a hard stop on rate hikes, that’s likely to cause the yield curve to uninvert. If equity returns improve, that could also cause bonds to normalize; as I’ve discussed in previous weeks, September and October are typically not great months for stock markets, which has allowed bonds yields to look good in comparison to equities. That said, we believe we’re getting close to a level where bonds will look very attractive. Once a rate-hiking pause and eventual rate cuts take effect, bonds could potentially have years of positive returns.
Bottom Line: As the interest rate outlook improves, investors are likely to jump back into bonds.
China
We’ve seen better growth data coming out of China of late, as well as several other potential tailwinds: the long-term Belt and Road initiative (a global infrastructure and development project), a savings rate in decline, reports from global companies that their China earnings are improving, and an increase in travel, which should help boost demand. On the other hand, however, is the ongoing crisis in the country’s most important sector: Real Estate. It’s a situation that cannot be resolved overnight, and it may not even be entirely fixable—but if they can at least get it under control, that should improve consumer confidence. For now, investor sentiment on China is negative and outflows have been high. But in our evaluation, that makes for a good opportunity for investors—as long as they’re in it for the long haul. That why we remain slightly overweight Emerging Markets (EM).
Bottom Line: For long-term investors, there are still significant opportunities in China
Positioning
For a detailed breakdown of our portfolio positioning, check out the latest BMO GAM House View Report, titled An Economy at a Crossroads.
Disclosures:
The viewpoints expressed by the Portfolio Manager represents their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time without any kind of notice. The information provided herein does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy, or an offer to sell securities nor should the information be relied upon as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This communication is intended for informational purposes only.
BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name under which BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. operate.
Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent simplified prospectus.
This article is for information purposes. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.
Commissions, management fees and expenses (if applicable) all may be associated with investments in mutual funds. Trailing commissions may be associated with investments in certain series of securities of mutual funds. Please read the fund facts, ETF facts or prospectus of the relevant mutual fund before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.
For a summary of the risks of an investment in the BMO Mutual Funds, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus. ETF Series of the BMO Mutual Funds trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.
BMO Mutual Funds are managed by BMO Investments Inc., which is an investment fund manager and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.
®/™Registered trademarks/trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.
Insights
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Is it time to swap Big Tech for Small Caps?
BMO ETF Portfolios’ July commentary: “Take the Money and Run, or Take it Easy?”
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Why American consumers are holding on—and Canadians aren’t