Markets Update: Equities higher, but caution remains as growth slows

Stock markets finish the week broadly higher as investor sentiment struck an extremely bearish note in Tuesday’s BofAML monthly fund manager survey, writes Ian Slattery.

Pictured: Ian Slattery, Zurich Investments

Cash levels were the highest since September 2001 (9/11), and forecasts for lower corporate profits were at their highest since September 2008 (Lehman crash).

Earnings overall last week were positively received, with Netflix one of the most prominent beneficiaries. The week did finish on a negative note, as July’s flash PMI reading indicated that economic activity has moved below the key 50-point level and into contraction territory.

Manufacturing fell from 52.1 to 49.6 in June, whilst the services sector slipped from 53.0 to 50.6. Within the eurozone, the ECB raised interest rates with a move of 0.50% to bring the headline rate back to 0.0% and out of the negative territory for the first time in a decade.

The ECB also approved a new mechanism called the ‘Transmission Protection Instrument,’ which is designed to keep core vs periphery bond spreads under control. The timing of this announcement was appropriate given that Mario Draghi, former president of the ECB, resigned as the Italian Prime Minister on Thursday, sparking a return to political uncertainty in Italy.

Economic data from the US was broadly negative, with the housing market index experiencing its second largest drop ever. The 12-point drop to 55 was only surpassed by the pandemic-induced decline observed in April 2020. The effects of higher borrowing costs, combined with higher production costs, are clear in the market.

In the UK, retail sales held up better than expected in June, with commentators pointing towards the Jubilee celebrations. UK inflation also moved higher once more, reaching a new 40-year high as the annualised figure hit 9.04% in June from 9.1% in May.

In Japan, the BoJ further committed to its ultra-loose monetary policy path. The widely expected stance confirmed further divergence from the policies of other global central banks.

Equities

Global stocks were up last week by 2.9% in euro terms and 3.2% in local terms. Year-to-date global markets are down -8.0% in euro terms and -17.2% in local terms. The US market, the largest in the world, was up 3.1% in euro terms and 3.5% in local terms.

Fixed Income & FX

The US 10-year yield finished at 2.79% last week. The German equivalent finished at 1.05%. The Irish 10-year bond yield finished at 1.68%. The Euro/US Dollar exchange rate finished at 1.02, whilst Euro/GBP finished at 0.85.

Commodities

Oil finished the week at $93 per barrel and is up 38.1% year-to-date in euro terms. Gold finished the week at $1,726 per troy ounce and is up 5.1% year-to-date in euro terms. Copper finished the week at $7,433 per tonne.

The week ahead

Wednesday 27^th July

The Federal Reserve meets for its latest interest rate decision.

Thursday 28^th July

US GDP for Q2 and German CPI go to print.

Friday 29^th July

Flash eurozone GDP and CPI figures for July are released.