With the second round of "Greek bail-outs" already passed the "feel good" kicking of the can down the road goes on. However, I return to history that has second anniversary today, when I singled out the report by Societe Generale and posted on this blog SocGen: Public Finances - The Impossible Equation two years ago. The first anniversary I remembered with Anniversary Of Impossible Equation. But how far have we got today?
As Keynes noted:
"In the long run we are all dead."
Anyway?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Liquidity Glut And Low Interest Rates
I have been writing about liquidity glut and low interest rates, and their impact on real economy some time ago. Gerard Minack, the strategist at Morgan Stanley, brings up this issue today and makes it very clear, again:
Exhibit 1 shows the contribution to the 12 month return on US equities from the change in the prospective PE ratio (the PE based on consensus earning forecasts). The amplitude is significant: the swing in the PE often contributed plus or minus 20-30 percentage points to the annual equity return. Importantly, the biggest influence on the PE ratio was interest rates. Falling rates led to a rising PE, and vice versa. (The line in the chart is the 12 month change in the 10 year Treasury yield – but it is inverted: so the line goes up as yields go down.)
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Morgan Stanley.
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Well, the times may be changing, as Gerard Minack continues:
This was the basis for the ‘don’t fight the Fed’ mantra. In a credit super cycle – when investors are willing to increase borrowing as rates fall – lower rates are good for risk assets.
A post-bubble environment is different. As I’ve discussed before, macro cycles tend to be weaker and more fragile. As importantly, investors do not respond to lower rates in the same way as they did through the credit super-cycle.
On a days like today it feels like bubble never ended? Some evidence of global stabilisation?
Exhibit 1 shows the contribution to the 12 month return on US equities from the change in the prospective PE ratio (the PE based on consensus earning forecasts). The amplitude is significant: the swing in the PE often contributed plus or minus 20-30 percentage points to the annual equity return. Importantly, the biggest influence on the PE ratio was interest rates. Falling rates led to a rising PE, and vice versa. (The line in the chart is the 12 month change in the 10 year Treasury yield – but it is inverted: so the line goes up as yields go down.)
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Morgan Stanley.
Well, the times may be changing, as Gerard Minack continues:
This was the basis for the ‘don’t fight the Fed’ mantra. In a credit super cycle – when investors are willing to increase borrowing as rates fall – lower rates are good for risk assets.
A post-bubble environment is different. As I’ve discussed before, macro cycles tend to be weaker and more fragile. As importantly, investors do not respond to lower rates in the same way as they did through the credit super-cycle.
On a days like today it feels like bubble never ended? Some evidence of global stabilisation?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
China's Local Government Financing
On a day when markets seek for a Greek relief rally, as the Greek default may appear like mission impossible and the real challenge for Greeks now to get into such mess, I am looking at "perceived hope" of growth in China, while the financing of that growth becomes more riskier. The economists at Societe Generale are offering their views on China's local government financing issues today. I skip here the consensus optimism, but look at potential problems, as per economists at Societe Generale:
...China’s local government debt problem is scary in different ways. A simple calculation based on the information available in the report suggests that the total debt load increased 36 times in nominal terms and fivefold relative to GDP between 1997 and 2010! More than 80% of the money has gone to finance hard infrastructure. Economically speaking, an increasingly bigger share of total capital has been allocated to the public sector, and the marginal return of each borrowed yuan has been on a steady decline. In the last three years, total liabilities of local governments nearly doubled in size and ballooned from 17% to 27% of GDP. The health of China’s public debt and investments is deteriorating at its fastest pace ever.
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Societe Generale.
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Now, if one assumes that investments are "hard infrastructure" and often (about one quarter) of "debt is promised with land sales revenues", the maturity profile may provide some challenges as loans are maturing.
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But then again, quoting the economists at Societe Generale:
... we can say China is different as there is no clear trigger of a sudden emergence of bad debt. Both debtors and creditors belong to the government, more or less.
...China’s local government debt problem is scary in different ways. A simple calculation based on the information available in the report suggests that the total debt load increased 36 times in nominal terms and fivefold relative to GDP between 1997 and 2010! More than 80% of the money has gone to finance hard infrastructure. Economically speaking, an increasingly bigger share of total capital has been allocated to the public sector, and the marginal return of each borrowed yuan has been on a steady decline. In the last three years, total liabilities of local governments nearly doubled in size and ballooned from 17% to 27% of GDP. The health of China’s public debt and investments is deteriorating at its fastest pace ever.
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Societe Generale.
Now, if one assumes that investments are "hard infrastructure" and often (about one quarter) of "debt is promised with land sales revenues", the maturity profile may provide some challenges as loans are maturing.
But then again, quoting the economists at Societe Generale:
... we can say China is different as there is no clear trigger of a sudden emergence of bad debt. Both debtors and creditors belong to the government, more or less.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Italian Job
Nothing really new here for Italian long-term story, but simply worth adding to my "Focus List" consisting of Spanish Government bonds and JPY so far. Just because we are testing key technical levels here, and the overall story gets more compelling with Italian banks running hot media headlines.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Reuters.
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Summer to be interesting with the peripheral yield games in spotlight?
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Reuters.
Summer to be interesting with the peripheral yield games in spotlight?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
80 JPY In Focus Too
Another "inflection point" on my screens is the mark of 80 Japanese yens (JPY) per 1 US dollar. This is rather important for Japan in watching the Chinese slowdown.
"... Preliminary China June PMI Falls to 11-Month Low", as per WSJ.com today:
The preliminary HSBC PMI declined from a final reading of 51.6 in May, while the manufacturing output sub-index fell to an 11-month low of 50 from the previous month's 50.9, HSBC Holdings PLC said Thursday.
Of course, the soft landing in China is consensus view, but the tight liquidity situation may bring some "fat tails". However, the 80 JPY mark will show where the market goes ...
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Reuters.
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"... Preliminary China June PMI Falls to 11-Month Low", as per WSJ.com today:
The preliminary HSBC PMI declined from a final reading of 51.6 in May, while the manufacturing output sub-index fell to an 11-month low of 50 from the previous month's 50.9, HSBC Holdings PLC said Thursday.
Of course, the soft landing in China is consensus view, but the tight liquidity situation may bring some "fat tails". However, the 80 JPY mark will show where the market goes ...
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Reuters.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Spanish Government Bonds In Focus
As the interest rate strategists at Commerzbank write today, despite hope for better sentiment in the weeks ahead:
At the same time, the risks of a re-widening in spreads from lower levels later this year have increased. Should politicians fail to come up with a coherent plan to ring-fence Greece in the case of default, highly adverse consequences like a bank run in Greece or Spanish yields moving to unsustainable levels cannot be ruled out.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Commerzbank.
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Interestingly, but 10-year Spanish government bonds appear to be testing unchartered waters with a potential upside breakout from technical perspective, while still below the point of no return at 6%, as per Commerzbank. At the same time 5-year Spanish bonds still appear somewhat friendly...
However, this is one area to keep an eye on.
At the same time, the risks of a re-widening in spreads from lower levels later this year have increased. Should politicians fail to come up with a coherent plan to ring-fence Greece in the case of default, highly adverse consequences like a bank run in Greece or Spanish yields moving to unsustainable levels cannot be ruled out.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Commerzbank.
However, this is one area to keep an eye on.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Nomura: How Much Of A US Slowdown Is In The Price?
Interesting observations by strategists at Nomura today:
While June ISM risks are skewed to the downside, growth-related assets seem to be underestimating the possibility of a disappointing outcome. Figure 1 compares the ISM index with the year-on-year changes in our common measure of US market-implied growth, which we define as the first component of a PCA on a group of US growth-related assets. It is apparent that after months of relative pessimism the market is now trying to look through the recent data and view it as a transitory slowdown. As such, growth assets appear vulnerable to further disappointing data in June. Currently, on this simplistic measure the market implies an ISM of roughly 57.0 vs our economists forecast of 51.8 and the Philly Fed's dismal ISM-equivalent reading of 45.5.
While buying Treasuries and selling stocks would be the natural trade to position for a deeper-than-expected ISM dip, optimising this trade could be key given current valuations. Figure 2 looks at the relative mispricing of each asset with respect to the common US growth component. Clearly, while Treasuries would benefit from a disappointing growth outcome, yields already appear too low compared with the rest of the assets in our universe and arguably offer only a limited reward. Conversely, S&P Consumer services, oil and copper still appear too optimistic with respect to growth, despite their recent retrenchment, and thus offer an interesting trade for investors positioning for a longer and deeper "soft patch" than currently expected.
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Nomura.
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Well, markets seem to be focused on "technically oversold" conditions and Greek "victory" today...
While June ISM risks are skewed to the downside, growth-related assets seem to be underestimating the possibility of a disappointing outcome. Figure 1 compares the ISM index with the year-on-year changes in our common measure of US market-implied growth, which we define as the first component of a PCA on a group of US growth-related assets. It is apparent that after months of relative pessimism the market is now trying to look through the recent data and view it as a transitory slowdown. As such, growth assets appear vulnerable to further disappointing data in June. Currently, on this simplistic measure the market implies an ISM of roughly 57.0 vs our economists forecast of 51.8 and the Philly Fed's dismal ISM-equivalent reading of 45.5.
While buying Treasuries and selling stocks would be the natural trade to position for a deeper-than-expected ISM dip, optimising this trade could be key given current valuations. Figure 2 looks at the relative mispricing of each asset with respect to the common US growth component. Clearly, while Treasuries would benefit from a disappointing growth outcome, yields already appear too low compared with the rest of the assets in our universe and arguably offer only a limited reward. Conversely, S&P Consumer services, oil and copper still appear too optimistic with respect to growth, despite their recent retrenchment, and thus offer an interesting trade for investors positioning for a longer and deeper "soft patch" than currently expected.
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Nomura.
Well, markets seem to be focused on "technically oversold" conditions and Greek "victory" today...
Monday, June 20, 2011
Bonds Outperforming Equities
Well, this was initiated couple of months ago. Mary Ann Bartels et al. at BofA Merrill Lynch paints the bigger picture of equities versus bonds, and note today:
From a mid February high, the stocks vs. bonds ratio has corrected and is testing the rising 200-day moving average.
There are not yet any firm bottoming signs for stocks relative to bonds. This suggests that stocks should continue to underperform bonds in coming days/weeks.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BofA Merrill Lynch.
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Should we assume we move towards the bottom of the channel?
From a mid February high, the stocks vs. bonds ratio has corrected and is testing the rising 200-day moving average.
There are not yet any firm bottoming signs for stocks relative to bonds. This suggests that stocks should continue to underperform bonds in coming days/weeks.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BofA Merrill Lynch.
Should we assume we move towards the bottom of the channel?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Chinese "Quantitative Easing" In One Chart
From the economists at Morgan Stanley, the Chinese growth miracle explained in one chart. Though, not the full story.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Morgan Stanley.
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Add the fiscal "orgy" to this...
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Morgan Stanley.
Add the fiscal "orgy" to this...
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Jump In Correlations In European Credit Markets
The message from credit strategists at BNP Paribas today:
A confluence of events has increased volatility which could turn systemic in nature. With correlations bunching up once again and trending towards 1.0, the message from the markets is loud and clear that systemic risk is rising and liquidity is poor, which is being reflected in higher volatility and risk premia.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BNP Paribas.
If this is not enough, one should consider - what has made US markets "so weak" recently?
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BNP Paribas.
Well, ECRI tells us not to blame Japan for slowdown ...
A confluence of events has increased volatility which could turn systemic in nature. With correlations bunching up once again and trending towards 1.0, the message from the markets is loud and clear that systemic risk is rising and liquidity is poor, which is being reflected in higher volatility and risk premia.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BNP Paribas.
If this is not enough, one should consider - what has made US markets "so weak" recently?
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BNP Paribas.
Well, ECRI tells us not to blame Japan for slowdown ...
DBS Sees "Summer Lull A Window Of Opportunities" For Asia Equities
DBS came out with latest Asset Allocation report today, as for Asian equities the view is more than clear:
• The short-term ebbs and flows we are currently experiencing are nothing but a proverbial 'tempest in a tea cup'. Financial instability in Europe and an economic soft patch in the US heighten risks, but not enough to derail the ongoing global recovery
• Volatility and mixed data signals are the norm at this stage of the cycle. We find comfort in attractive valuations, supported by realistic earnings growth expectations. Asian equities as an asset class are cheap relative to cash and inflation
• Asian markets probably bottomed at the end of March and should end the year comfortably higher than current levels. The passing of QE2 is unlikely to be a big event. The associated risks are rising bond yields and capital outflow in the early part of 3Q. We believe the stage is set for a 2H rally after the removal of this overhang.
• We are maintaining our Overweight recommendation in Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia whilst Thailand is downgraded to Underweight. China, Hong Kong and India are still Underweight. Korea is upgraded to Neutral.
So, the window of opportunity may close soon, or be the wall to hit soon in full speed.
Stunning difference, that is very obvious in the picture below, creates views like this:
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of DBS.
Well, there are views that the "main determinant of its own fate" may face serious problems of rebalancing ...
• The short-term ebbs and flows we are currently experiencing are nothing but a proverbial 'tempest in a tea cup'. Financial instability in Europe and an economic soft patch in the US heighten risks, but not enough to derail the ongoing global recovery
• Volatility and mixed data signals are the norm at this stage of the cycle. We find comfort in attractive valuations, supported by realistic earnings growth expectations. Asian equities as an asset class are cheap relative to cash and inflation
• Asian markets probably bottomed at the end of March and should end the year comfortably higher than current levels. The passing of QE2 is unlikely to be a big event. The associated risks are rising bond yields and capital outflow in the early part of 3Q. We believe the stage is set for a 2H rally after the removal of this overhang.
• We are maintaining our Overweight recommendation in Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia whilst Thailand is downgraded to Underweight. China, Hong Kong and India are still Underweight. Korea is upgraded to Neutral.
So, the window of opportunity may close soon, or be the wall to hit soon in full speed.
Stunning difference, that is very obvious in the picture below, creates views like this:
Asian demand is the main determinant of its own fate
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of DBS.
Well, there are views that the "main determinant of its own fate" may face serious problems of rebalancing ...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Just In Case You Thought QE2 Is Already Priced In
The strategists at Societe Generale think that QE2 is NOT priced in yet, and paint a picture of what lies ahead.
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Societe Generale.
Indeed, it may be far from "worst is over" until capitulation sets in ...
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Societe Generale.
Indeed, it may be far from "worst is over" until capitulation sets in ...
No Capitulation For Merrill's Fund Managers
They were about Fading Or Risking last month, this month key messages from BofA Merrill Lynch Global Fund Manager Survey are as follows:
No capitulation... no QE3
In the June FMS investors raised cash, reduced risk asset exposure and rotated to defensive sectors. But investor panic is not yet visible. The recent drop in global growth expectations stabilized and despite sharply lower inflation readings, two-thirds of investors predict no QE3.
Growth expectation stabilise
Growth and profit expectations stabilised after recent sharp falls. Inflation expectations fell to 38% from 69% two months ago. But the macro backdrop is not seen as weak enough to warrant more stimulus: three out of four panellists think a recession unlikely and only 13% expect a new round of QE in H2.
Risk is off
The percentage of investors OW cash rose to 21%, the highest since July-09. Actual cash balances rose from 3.9% to 4.2% but this did not trigger a buy signal from our trading rule. Hedge funds cut gearing levels sharply to 1.27x from 1.53x while 43% of investors believe EU sovereign debt funding is the biggest "tail risk". Overall our risk & liquidity index fell to 38, below its long term average of 40.
Gold overvaluation highest since 2009
Equity allocations fell, benefiting bonds and cash, but positioning overall stands in the middle of historic ranges. Note that the gold price is seen as more overvalued than at anytime since Dec-09 while commodity allocations again fell.
Japan remains most unloved market
Despite China growth expectations dropping to the lowest reading since Jan-09, EM remains the most preferred region for equities, pipping the US. Regional allocations show a big drop in exposure to Eurozone and UK equities but Japan remains the most unloved equity region.
Bank underweight most negative since March 2009
Contrarians note that the weighting in global banks fell to its lowest since March 2009. Consumer discretionary saw the largest monthly drop in exposure with the only positive sector moves coming from defensives. Tech remains the most popular sector followed by pharma and energy.
Contrarian trades...
Despite no contrarian "buy" signal for risk being triggered, the contrarian trades within the June FMS are: long banks, short gold; long Japanese banks, short US tech; long Eurozone, short EM; long US dollar, short Japanese yen.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BofA Merrill Lynch.
I have no intention to be contrarian this month ...
No capitulation... no QE3
In the June FMS investors raised cash, reduced risk asset exposure and rotated to defensive sectors. But investor panic is not yet visible. The recent drop in global growth expectations stabilized and despite sharply lower inflation readings, two-thirds of investors predict no QE3.
Growth expectation stabilise
Growth and profit expectations stabilised after recent sharp falls. Inflation expectations fell to 38% from 69% two months ago. But the macro backdrop is not seen as weak enough to warrant more stimulus: three out of four panellists think a recession unlikely and only 13% expect a new round of QE in H2.
Risk is off
The percentage of investors OW cash rose to 21%, the highest since July-09. Actual cash balances rose from 3.9% to 4.2% but this did not trigger a buy signal from our trading rule. Hedge funds cut gearing levels sharply to 1.27x from 1.53x while 43% of investors believe EU sovereign debt funding is the biggest "tail risk". Overall our risk & liquidity index fell to 38, below its long term average of 40.
Gold overvaluation highest since 2009
Equity allocations fell, benefiting bonds and cash, but positioning overall stands in the middle of historic ranges. Note that the gold price is seen as more overvalued than at anytime since Dec-09 while commodity allocations again fell.
Japan remains most unloved market
Despite China growth expectations dropping to the lowest reading since Jan-09, EM remains the most preferred region for equities, pipping the US. Regional allocations show a big drop in exposure to Eurozone and UK equities but Japan remains the most unloved equity region.
Bank underweight most negative since March 2009
Contrarians note that the weighting in global banks fell to its lowest since March 2009. Consumer discretionary saw the largest monthly drop in exposure with the only positive sector moves coming from defensives. Tech remains the most popular sector followed by pharma and energy.
Contrarian trades...
Despite no contrarian "buy" signal for risk being triggered, the contrarian trades within the June FMS are: long banks, short gold; long Japanese banks, short US tech; long Eurozone, short EM; long US dollar, short Japanese yen.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BofA Merrill Lynch.
I have no intention to be contrarian this month ...
Monday, June 13, 2011
Barclays On US Deflation Risks
While the equity investors like the industrialists of Weimar Republic are awaiting for the first hints of QE3 by Fed, I was a bit surprised that the risk of deflation appears like a distant probability. Here the latest take by economists at Barclays Capital:
The increase in inflation and inflation expectations has also coincided with a reduction in deflation risk. Figure 3 shows the probability of cumulative inflation over a one-year horizon using information from both TIPS and CPI options data. The figure shows that the probability of deflation over the one-year ahead horizon in August of last year was 36%. When 5y5y breakeven inflation reached its recent high in April of this year, the probability had fallen to about 3%. Currently, it stands at about 7%. In addition, Figure 4 shows that the market remains more willing to pay for protection against upside inflation risks than protection against excessive deflation risk. The figure plots the difference in premiums paid on +200bp out-of-the-money inflation caps and -200bp out-of-the-money inflation floors for different horizons. Because an inflation cap pays off when cumulative inflation exceeds the threshold specified in the contract, a positive reading is an indication that the caps are more expensive than the floors; in other words, the market sees the distribution of expected inflation as skewed in the direction of upside inflation risk. The trends from CPI options markets suggest that skew has been moving in the direction of willingness to pay for protection against upside inflation risk, whereas for much of last year, participants were willing to pay more for protection against deflation.
Altogether, we see the trends in inflation markets as consistent with Chairman Bernanke’s comments in his April press conference that the balance of risks between seeking additional progress on its dual mandate relative to further balance sheet expansion was “less attractive” than it was a year earlier. We therefore see the Fed as inclined to remain patient. If incoming data confirm the Fed’s view that the economy is turning up in the second half of the year, the FOMC will likely continue on its path towards normalizing the policy stance. However, if the recovery fails to regain momentum, the balance of risks may shift back in favor of further Fed action.
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Barclays Capital.
Well, just in case ... "if the recovery fails to regain momentum". Why it should?
The increase in inflation and inflation expectations has also coincided with a reduction in deflation risk. Figure 3 shows the probability of cumulative inflation over a one-year horizon using information from both TIPS and CPI options data. The figure shows that the probability of deflation over the one-year ahead horizon in August of last year was 36%. When 5y5y breakeven inflation reached its recent high in April of this year, the probability had fallen to about 3%. Currently, it stands at about 7%. In addition, Figure 4 shows that the market remains more willing to pay for protection against upside inflation risks than protection against excessive deflation risk. The figure plots the difference in premiums paid on +200bp out-of-the-money inflation caps and -200bp out-of-the-money inflation floors for different horizons. Because an inflation cap pays off when cumulative inflation exceeds the threshold specified in the contract, a positive reading is an indication that the caps are more expensive than the floors; in other words, the market sees the distribution of expected inflation as skewed in the direction of upside inflation risk. The trends from CPI options markets suggest that skew has been moving in the direction of willingness to pay for protection against upside inflation risk, whereas for much of last year, participants were willing to pay more for protection against deflation.
Altogether, we see the trends in inflation markets as consistent with Chairman Bernanke’s comments in his April press conference that the balance of risks between seeking additional progress on its dual mandate relative to further balance sheet expansion was “less attractive” than it was a year earlier. We therefore see the Fed as inclined to remain patient. If incoming data confirm the Fed’s view that the economy is turning up in the second half of the year, the FOMC will likely continue on its path towards normalizing the policy stance. However, if the recovery fails to regain momentum, the balance of risks may shift back in favor of further Fed action.
Click on charts to enlarge, courtesy of Barclays Capital.
Well, just in case ... "if the recovery fails to regain momentum". Why it should?
Monday, June 06, 2011
On Hiatus This Week
The bulls(hitters) have it difficult to defend the technical support levels around 1295 for S&P500 today.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of StockCharts.com (click on link for up-to-date version).
Sometimes bulls like cheaper prices, like March lows, for example ...
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of StockCharts.com (click on link for up-to-date version).
Sometimes bulls like cheaper prices, like March lows, for example ...
Friday, June 03, 2011
Corporate Profits & Margins At Record High Vs Real Wages
Well, let's put them both in confrontation - record high corporate profits and margins versus real wages. Then, this is the part of Keynes I believe in, while otherwise the problems have been created because we have departed from, sort of, "Austrian" school:
Business doesn’t invest and hire because they feel good, they invest and hire because they think someone will buy what they are making and selling.
There is a substantial downside for riches, as Keynes speak "Austrian". Debt destruction will lead to savings destruction, that will in turn require more savings and less consumption.
Business doesn’t invest and hire because they feel good, they invest and hire because they think someone will buy what they are making and selling.
There is a substantial downside for riches, as Keynes speak "Austrian". Debt destruction will lead to savings destruction, that will in turn require more savings and less consumption.
More Than 1000 Words Can Tell
The Blogosphere went on to look at US real wage growth today, e.g., comparing it to Great Depression, but has been my focus for a while already. Well, a nice picture from the team of Chris Wood at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets yesterday.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets.
We need more stimulus, to drive trend consumption that was driven by debt bubble ...
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets.
We need more stimulus, to drive trend consumption that was driven by debt bubble ...
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Chart Of The Day
While media still wonders around economic surprises, and I did it very clear a month ago, we move on to chart of the day, this time from credit strategists at BNP Paribas. No comment, brrrrr.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BNP Paribas.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of BNP Paribas.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Chinese Holes
While the markets digest the bearish PMIs/ISM reports, with the weakness attributed to Japanese earthquake, I am looking elsewhere today. Actually, my mind is in China, again.
Today I list some of the "Holes in the bull argument" written by property analysts at Credit Suisse on Monday:
■ Credit Suisse proprietary surveys on banks, construction companies and unlisted developers showed no light at the end of the tunnel. Banks’ lending has become much more pragmatic, and the well-accepted perception of favouritism on SOEs may not be correct; many developers are delaying payments to construction companies, and taking private loans with interests beyond 20%—sector cash flow may get much worse soon.
■ ‘Rising salary’ may not solve China's housing affordability issue. Income growth targets and the proposed new income tax reform focus on low income class—the target customers for private housing may actually be worse off as a result.
■ The industry consolidation argument has neglected the impact to book value. Major listed developers only represent a fraction of China’s property market. The potential exodus of small developers could be overwhelming, and lowered land prices may force listed developers to adjust book value.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Credit Suisse.
By the way, China takes on its massive muni mess with a $463bn bailout, to start with ...
Today I list some of the "Holes in the bull argument" written by property analysts at Credit Suisse on Monday:
■ Credit Suisse proprietary surveys on banks, construction companies and unlisted developers showed no light at the end of the tunnel. Banks’ lending has become much more pragmatic, and the well-accepted perception of favouritism on SOEs may not be correct; many developers are delaying payments to construction companies, and taking private loans with interests beyond 20%—sector cash flow may get much worse soon.
■ ‘Rising salary’ may not solve China's housing affordability issue. Income growth targets and the proposed new income tax reform focus on low income class—the target customers for private housing may actually be worse off as a result.
■ The industry consolidation argument has neglected the impact to book value. Major listed developers only represent a fraction of China’s property market. The potential exodus of small developers could be overwhelming, and lowered land prices may force listed developers to adjust book value.
Click on chart to enlarge, courtesy of Credit Suisse.
By the way, China takes on its massive muni mess with a $463bn bailout, to start with ...
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