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  1. Market volatility – energy prices, inflation and growth
  2. Not much room left for long term interest rates to rise
  3. 10-year to 2-year US Treasury spreads are signaling global weakness
  4. Nicole Lim, Equity Specialist shares her latest market views
 

Market volatility – energy prices, inflation and growth

  • The Russia-Ukraine conflict resulted in a large spike in oil prices due to supply crunch fears
  • As a result, we think that the fall in inflation will happen later than initially expected
  • These will likely negatively impact economic growth and result in reduced activity in the medium term

    Historically, economic shocks have been preceded by sharp rises in energy prices

    Bernstein Research, as at 8 March 2022.
    Source: Bernstein Research, as at 8 March 2022
     

    Not much room left for long term interest rates to rise

    • Markets are pricing in more interest rate hikes by the Fed in 2022
    • This will likely cause long term bond yields to rise and, in turn, the financing costs to increase
    • The long-term fixed mortgage rate has already exceeded the new mortgage rate, indicating a potential slowdown in US housing market and economic activity

    Limited room for interest rates to rise

    Empirical Research Partners Analysis, as at 28 March 2022
    Source: Empirical Research Partners Analysis, as at 28 March 2022
     

    10-year to 2-year US Treasury spreads are signaling global weakness

    • Historically, a close to zero 10Y-2Y Treasury yield spread has been followed by economic slowdowns
    • Therefore, the recent sharp fall in bond yield spreads would suggest a slowdown
    • One of the biggest risks we face is too much liquidity tightening and interest rate increases at the same time

    10-Year Treasury constant maturity minus 2-Year Treasury constant maturity

    Thomson Reuters Datastream, as of 31 March 2022.
    Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream, as of 31 March 2022
     

    Nicole Lim, Concentrated Alpha Equity Specialist

    Q1 2022 Global Market Review

    The Concentrated Alpha equity team looks at the impact of high oil prices on economic activity.

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