The data from China conveyed
A story that can be portrayed
As Q1 was weak
But policy tweaks
Imply there’s a future upgrade

In a relatively dull session for news events, Chinese data was the biggest story. The trade surplus there expanded dramatically, rising to $32.6B, much larger than any expectations, as not only did exports grow more robustly (+14.2%) but imports fell sharply (-7.6%). On the surface this suggests that the global situation may have seen its worst days, as demand for Chinese goods was strong, but the domestic economy there continues to be plagued by weakness. However, a few hours later, Chinese money supply and loan data was released with a slightly different message. Here, M2 grew more than expected at an 8.6% rate, while new loans also expanded sharply (+13.7%) implying that the PBOC’s efforts at stimulating the economy are starting to bear fruit. The loan data also implies that growth going forward, in Q2 and beyond, is likely to rebound further. In fact, the only negative piece of news was that auto sales continue to decline in China, falling 5.2% in March, the ninth consecutive year/year decline in the series. The market response to this was muted in the equity space, with Shanghai virtually unchanged, but the renminbi did benefit, rising 0.2% in the wake of the release.

Away from those data points, the news has been sparse. Interestingly, the dollar has been under pressure across the board since yesterday’s close with the euro now higher by 0.6%, both the pound and yen by 0.3% and Aussie leading the way amid firmer commodity prices, by 0.7%. In fact, despite the Shanghai equity performance, today has all the other earmarks of a risk-on session. Equity markets elsewhere in Asia were firm (Nikkei +0.75%, Hang Seng +0.25%), they are higher in Europe (FTSE and CAC +0.4%, DAX +0.6%) and US futures are pointing higher as well (DJIA +0.7%, S&P +0.5%). At the same time government bond yields are rising with 10-year Treasury yields now higher by 5bps. Much of this movement has occurred early this morning after JP Morgan released better than expected results. So, for today, all seems right with the world!

Away from those data releases, there has been far less of interest. Yesterday we heard from NY Fed President Williams who explained that the rate situation was appropriate for now and that there was no reason for the Fed to act in the near future. While growth seems solid, the continuing lack of measured inflation shows no signs of changing and so rates are likely to remain on hold for an extended period. In a related story, a WSJ survey of economists described this morning shows expectations for the next Fed move to have been pushed back to Q4 2020, with a growing likelihood that it will be a rate cut. In other words, expectations are for an extended period of time with no monetary policy changes. If that is the case, then markets will need to find other catalysts to drive prices. Who knows, maybe equity prices will start to reflect company fundamentals again! Just kidding!

Actually, this situation will drive the market to be even more focused on the economic data as essentially every central bank around the world has indicated the current policy pause is designed to observe the data and then respond accordingly. So, if weakness becomes evident in a country or region, look for the relevant central bank(s) to ease policy quickly. At the same time, if inflation does start to pick up someplace, policy tightening will be discussed, if not implemented right away. And markets will respond to these discussions given the lack of other catalysts.

For now however, Goldilocks has been revived. Rates have almost certainly peaked for this cycle, and policy stability may well lead us to yet further new highs in the equity space. Perhaps the central banks have well and truly killed the business cycle and replaced it with a permanent modest growth trajectory. Personally, I don’t believe that is the case, as evidenced by the diminishing impact of each of their policies, but the evidence over the past several years is working in their favor, I have to admit.

This morning’s only data point is Michigan Consumer Sentiment, which is expected to decline slightly from last month’s 98.4 to 98.0 today. We also hear from Chair Powell again, but that story is old news. With risk being acquired, look for the dollar to continue to falter for the rest of the session, albeit probably not by much more. Things haven’t changed that much!

Good luck and good weekend
Adf