ON DECK FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

 

KEY POINTS:

  • Curves steepen to start a shortened N.A. week
  • Early optimism in global COVID-19 case trends
  • Here come the pandemic levies; the UK announces higher taxes
  • RBA delivers on taper plans, but extends purchases
  • China’s exports accelerate in encouraging sign for supply chains
  • Germany’s readings are good for now, but more worried about the future
  • Former BoC Governor Poloz speaks in blackout

See the Global Week Ahead—Canada’s Not So Boring Now! (here). Key discussion topics include:

  • ECB: Time to walk the talk on purchases?
  • Why the BoC could still be interesting
  • The last pre-election Canadian jobs report
  • Canadian election: shifting scenarios and leaders’ debates
  • RBA: Sufficient reason not to taper?
  • Russia likely to hike again
  • Peru’s central bank expected to hike
  • Bank Negara to hold
  • CPI: China, Norway, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Russia, Philippines, Thailand
  • Other releases: China, Germany, UK

We’re coming back to steeper curves to kick off a shortened week this side of the pond. 10-year sovereign yields are up by 3–6bps across N.A. and Europe. Stocks are little changed on average with European exchanges flat to slightly lower, US futures flat and Toronto futures up a touch. The USD is very slightly softer with the stand-out mover being the A$ that initially gained post-RBA only to lead depreciating crosses once the full set of decisions had been considered.

Some of the optimism that may be behind steeper yield curves may be driven by nascent evidence of improving trends in new COVID-19 cases in several major markets. See the accompanying set of global charts for new cases per capita. They are tentatively pulling off the peak in the US and doing so across all Census regions. Canada’s cases are still rising, albeit at a per capita rate that is only about one-quarter of the US rate. Europe is mixed with the UK still trending back up and the rest of Europe either little changed or trending lower. Latin American cases are pushing sharply lower. Across Asia-Pacific, Japan is starting to see a decline in new cases. Finally, Israel’s soaring cases may also be starting to turn lower.


Here come the pandemic levies! A major debate has been whether governments would be tackling their pandemic bills by soaking folks with tax increases. Enter the UK where PM Johnson said this morning “It would be wrong for me to say we can pay for this recovery without taking the difficult and responsible decisions for how we finance it.” Johnson announced a 1.25% tax on incomes including dividends to cover health costs. Expect other jurisdictions to follow and I’m surprised this issue hasn’t received more play in the Canadian election campaign, though it should be near the top of the list of issues addressed in the televised leaders debates this week.

The RBA struck a balance that left the rates curve largely unchanged overnight. There had been uncertainty toward whether they would carry through on plans to implement tapered bond purchases from A$5B/week to $4b/week this month, but in the end they did so. Governor Lowe’s quote shortly after the last decision in August set a high bar for deviating from plans to taper but speculation had risen since along with COVID cases. At the same time, the RBA extended the length of time they will make these purchases from previously saying they would last until ‘at least mid November’ when a fuller review of the purchases was to have been undertaken, to now saying ‘at least mid February 2022.” The trade-off in terms of underlying rationale was that the Delta virus and its public health measures created more uncertainty but the RBA was inclined to look through this as a transitory hit to growth with positive momentum expected to be restored in Q4.

China’s trade figures accelerated by more than consensus anticipated last month. Exports were up 15.7% y/y in yuan terms (8.1% prior, 8.4% consensus) and 25.6% y/y in USD terms (19.3% prior, 17.3% consensus). Imports also accelerated by more than expected with local currency and USD rates of growth exceeding consensus expectations by 5–6 percentage points.

German industrial output accelerated with a gain of 1% m/m in July (0.8% consensus) and upward revisions to the prior month’s decline (now -1.0% instead of -1.3%).

German ZEW investor sentiment—one of the three main sentiment readings that informs growth tracking—increased a couple of points in terms of the present situation but expectations fell by about 14 points. Expectations have been declining since May and are at their lowest since March 2020, albeit much higher than back then when the pandemic burst open.

Former BoC Governor Poloz speaks on the post-pandemic policy challenges at 1pmET. It’s rather unusual for a former official to speak the day before a decision when the central bank is in blackout from last Wednesday until the end of tomorrow. Maybe the way to reconcile this lies in the likelihood he won’t say anything of material consequence to nearer term policy considerations. I would expect a spirited defence of the programs he put in place before Macklem took over and he has previously sounded optimistic on productivity growth.

There is nothing else out on the US or Canadian calendars today. 

DISCLAIMER

This report has been prepared by Scotiabank Economics as a resource for the clients of Scotiabank. Opinions, estimates and projections contained herein are our own as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. The information and opinions contained herein have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed reliable but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy or completeness. Neither Scotiabank nor any of its officers, directors, partners, employees or affiliates accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this report or its contents.

These reports are provided to you for informational purposes only. This report is not, and is not constructed as, an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any financial instrument, nor shall this report be construed as an opinion as to whether you should enter into any swap or trading strategy involving a swap or any other transaction. The information contained in this report is not intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation of a swap or trading strategy involving a swap within the meaning of U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regulation 23.434 and Appendix A thereto. This material is not intended to be individually tailored to your needs or characteristics and should not be viewed as a “call to action” or suggestion that you enter into a swap or trading strategy involving a swap or any other transaction. Scotiabank may engage in transactions in a manner inconsistent with the views discussed this report and may have positions, or be in the process of acquiring or disposing of positions, referred to in this report.

Scotiabank, its affiliates and any of their respective officers, directors and employees may from time to time take positions in currencies, act as managers, co-managers or underwriters of a public offering or act as principals or agents, deal in, own or act as market makers or advisors, brokers or commercial and/or investment bankers in relation to securities or related derivatives. As a result of these actions, Scotiabank may receive remuneration. All Scotiabank products and services are subject to the terms of applicable agreements and local regulations. Officers, directors and employees of Scotiabank and its affiliates may serve as directors of corporations.

Any securities discussed in this report may not be suitable for all investors. Scotiabank recommends that investors independently evaluate any issuer and security discussed in this report, and consult with any advisors they deem necessary prior to making any investment.

This report and all information, opinions and conclusions contained in it are protected by copyright. This information may not be reproduced without the prior express written consent of Scotiabank.

™ Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. Used under license, where applicable.

Scotiabank, together with “Global Banking and Markets”, is a marketing name for the global corporate and investment banking and capital markets businesses of The Bank of Nova Scotia and certain of its affiliates in the countries where they operate, including; Scotiabank Europe plc; Scotiabank (Ireland) Designated Activity Company; Scotiabank Inverlat S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Scotiabank Inverlat, Scotia Inverlat Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Scotiabank Inverlat, Scotia Inverlat Derivados S.A. de C.V. – all members of the Scotiabank group and authorized users of the Scotiabank mark. The Bank of Nova Scotia is incorporated in Canada with limited liability and is authorised and regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada. The Bank of Nova Scotia is authorized by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority and is subject to regulation by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of The Bank of Nova Scotia's regulation by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request. Scotiabank Europe plc is authorized by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the UK Prudential Regulation Authority.

Scotiabank Inverlat, S.A., Scotia Inverlat Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V, Grupo Financiero Scotiabank Inverlat, and Scotia Inverlat Derivados, S.A. de C.V., are each authorized and regulated by the Mexican financial authorities.

Not all products and services are offered in all jurisdictions. Services described are available in jurisdictions where permitted by law.