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Summing Up 5 Key Predictions For Global Markets in 2018

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Despite being roughly nine years into the second-longest bull market in history, recent headwinds have cropped up to make the start of 2018 an interesting one for markets.

As investors re-evaluate their portfolios and exposure, it’s worth exploring some of the major themes and trends that are expected to drive markets in 2018.

Predictions for 2018

Today’s infographic was done in collaboration with Swissquote, a Swiss banking group, and it highlights their five most important predictions for the rest of the year ahead.

Taken from their 2018 Market Outlook Report, which can be downloaded for free, the following graphic discusses key themes of the year such as central bank policy, European unity, China, cryptocurrencies, and emerging markets.

Summing Up 5 Key Predictions For Global Markets in 2018

Enjoy the infographic? Get the full report for free from the Swissquote 2018 Market Outlook page.

Swissquote’s Predictions

Here are the high level points of Swissquote’s predictions:

1. Fed in Inflation Fighting Stance

Despite a strong economy, specifically tight labor markets, inflation has perplexingly not appeared. In Swissquote’s view, expansionary monetary policy by central banks is the primary reason for the current stretched valuations.

And of the central banks, the Fed is not only the most important – but also the most active. Expecting a sudden kick from ultra-tight labor markets to boost wage growth and consumer inflation, the Fed is again ready to act in 2018.

As a result, Swissquote sees U.S. GDP growing 2.2%, the labor market tightening, and annual core PCE inflation hitting 1.8%.

Prediction: The Fed will hike three times.

2. Unified Europe Will Emerge from Spain

The start of 2017 brought fears of the EU’s demise, as rising political populism suggested an end to EU federalism. However, despite recent events in Catalonia, Swissquote sees Europe actually emerging from 2018 more united.

Heading into 2018, economic sentiment in Europe is at 10-year highs. Further, the election of Macron in France – and the re-election of Merkel in Germany – will mean a continued push for deeper EU integration.

In 2018, Swissquote sees the following headwinds in Europe: uncertainty around independence in Catalonia, the Italian elections, and austerity in Greece.

Prediction: The powerful trio of Macron, Merkel, and Draghi will weather the storm – and their unity will have a profound effect on pricing in events such as Brexit and the Italian elections.

3. China Grabs the Political Void

China’s economy will slow in growth slightly in 2018, but the country’s regional economic dominance is undisputed. With a GDP (PPP) of $21.5 trillion, it even dwarfs India ($8.7 trillion), Japan ($5.3 trillion) and Russia ($3.4 trillion) combined.

And empowered by the volatile behavior of President Trump, China has embraced its new role as regional and global leader. Judging from the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos and the Chinese Communist party congress, Xi Jinping and China are ready to step into the light.

Prediction: China will step up efforts to further entrench its hybrid model, which includes politics and economics.

4. Cryptocurrencies are the Real “Populist” Vote

While the Brexit and Trump votes represent the protest of existing systems – there’s also a monetary component to that populism that is hiding in plain sight.

Central banks have created trillions of dollars out of thin air since the 2008 crisis, and people no longer trust the government to protect their money and wealth. As a result? People have been pouring money into bitcoins and altcoins instead.

Prediction: This “populist” vote against the monetary policy of global central banks will continue in full form.

5. Emerging Markets Lead the Growth Charge

GDP growth in emerging markets for 2017 is expected to be 4.5% – its highest point since 2015 – versus 2.1% for developed markets.

Although protectionism will continue to make the headlines, any real action will be limited, even by the Trump administration.

Prediction: The story for EM in 2018 will be a further increase in international trading. Following a trend, China has reached 15 free-trade agreements with 23 countries and regions. And like in 2017, emerging markets will continue to have more growth and higher returns as a result.

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Markets

How Disinflation Could Affect Company Financing

History signals that after a period of slowing inflation—also known as disinflation—debt and equity issuance expands.

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Chart showing U.S. Equity Issuance Deal Value from 1980-2000. Equity Issuance goes up over time, with the 300% increase in 1983 highlighted at the end of the disinflation period.
The following content is sponsored by Citizens Commercial Banking

How Disinflation Could Affect Company Financing

The macroeconomic environment is shifting. Since the second half of 2022, the pace of U.S. inflation has been dropping.

We explore how this disinflation may affect company financing in Part 2 of our Understanding Market Trends series from Citizens.

Disinflation vs. Deflation

The last time inflation climbed above 9% and then dropped was in the early 1980’s.

Time PeriodMarch 1980-July 1983June 2022-April 2023*
Inflation at Start of Cycle14.8%9.1%
Inflation at End of Cycle2.5%4.9%

* The June 2022-April 2023 cycle is ongoing. Source: Federal Reserve. Inflation is based on the Consumer Price Index.

A decrease in the rate of inflation is known as disinflation. It differs from deflation, which is a negative inflation rate like the U.S. experienced at the end of the Global Financial Crisis in 2009.

How might slowing inflation affect the amount of debt and equity available to companies?

Looking to History

There are many factors that influence capital markets, such as technological advances, monetary policy, and regulatory changes.

With this caveat in mind, history signals that both debt and equity issuance expand after a period of disinflation.

Equity Issuance

Companies issued low levels of stock during the ‘80s disinflation period, but issuance later rose nearly 300% in 1983.

YearDeal Value
1980$2.6B
1981$5.0B
1982$3.6B
1983$13.5B
1984$2.5B
1985$12.0B
1986$24.2B
1987$24.9B
1988$16.9B
1989$12.9B
1990$13.4B
1991$45.2B
1992$50.3B
1993$95.3B
1994$63.7B
1995$79.7B
1996$108.7B
1997$106.5B
1998$97.0B
1999$142.8B
2000$156.5B

Source: Bloomberg. U.S. public equity issuance dollar volume that includes both initial and follow-on offerings and excludes convertibles.

Issuance grew quickly in the years that followed. Other factors also influenced issuance, such as the macroeconomic expansion, productivity growth, and the dotcom boom of the ‘90s.

Debt Issuance

Similarly, companies issued low debt during the ‘80s disinflation, but levels began to increase substantially in later years.

YearDeal Value Interest Rate
1980$4.5B11.4%
1981$6.7B13.9%
1982$14.5B13.0%
1983$8.1B11.1%
1984$25.7B12.5%
1985$46.4B10.6%
1986$47.1B7.7%
1987$26.4B8.4%
1988$24.7B8.9%
1989$29.9B8.5%
1990$40.2B8.6%
1991$41.6B7.9%
1992$50.0B7.0%
1993$487.8B5.9%
1994$526.4B7.1%
1995$632.7B6.6%
1996$906.0B6.4%
1997$1.3T6.4%
1998$1.8T5.3%
1999$1.8T5.7%
2000$2.8T6.0%

Source: Dealogic, Federal Reserve. Data reflects U.S. debt issuance dollar volume across several deal types including: Asset Backed Securities, U.S. Agency, Non-U.S. Agency, High Yield, Investment Grade, Government Backed, Mortgage Backed, Medium Term Notes, Covered Bonds, Preferreds, and Supranational. Interest Rate is the 10 Year Treasury Yield.

As interest rates dropped and debt capital markets matured, issuing debt became cheaper and corporations seized this opportunity.

It’s worth noting that debt issuance was also impacted by other factors, like the maturity of the high-yield debt market and growth in non-bank lenders such as hedge funds and pension funds.

Then vs. Now

Could the U.S. see levels of capital financing similar to what happened during the ‘80s disinflation? There are many economic differences between then and now.

Consider how various indicators differed 10 months into each disinflationary period.

January 1981April 2023*
Inflation Rate
Annual
11.8%4.9%
Inflation Expectations
Next 12 Months
9.5%4.5%
Interest Rate
10-Yr Treasury Yield
12.6%3.7%
Unemployment Rate
Seasonally Adjusted
7.5%3.4%
Nominal Wage Growth
Annual, Seasonally Adjusted
9.3%5.0%
After-Tax Corporate Profits
As Share of Gross Value Added
9.1%13.8%

* Data for inflation expectations and interest rate is as of May 2023, data for corporate profits is as of Q4 1980 and Q1 2023. Inflation is a year-over-year inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index. Source: Federal Reserve.

The U.S. economy is in a better position when it comes to factors like inflation, unemployment, and corporate profits. On the other hand, fears of an upcoming recession and turmoil in the banking sector have led to volatility.

What to Consider During Disinflation

Amid uncertainty in financial markets, lenders and investors may be more cautious. Companies will need to be strategic about how they approach capital financing.

  • High-quality, profitable companies could be well positioned for IPOs as investors are placing more focus on cash flow.
  • High-growth companies could face fewer options as lenders become more selective and could consider alternative forms of equity and private debt.
  • Companies with lower credit ratings could find debt more expensive as lenders charge higher rates to account for market volatility.

In uncertain times, it’s critical for businesses to work with the right advisor to find—and take advantage of—financing opportunities.

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