Franklin Templeton’s Notes from the Trading Desk offers a weekly overview of what their professional traders and analysts are watching in the markets. The European desk is manned by eight professionals based in Edinburgh, Scotland, with an average of 15 years of experience whose job it is to monitor the markets around the world. Their views are theirs alone and are not intended to be construed as investment advice.
The Digest
Global equities put in another resilient performance last week with the MSCI World Index closing up 2.4%. Markets reversed losses arising from the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announcements the prior week as volatility declined; the CBOE VIX was down 25% on the week, with the V2X in Europe down 20%. The reflation trade appeared to be re-emerging and the cyclicals did well, as commodity prices pushed higher, too. As a result, growth outperformed value, whilst cyclicals outperformed defensives. There was focus again on the central banks last week, with the Bank of England (BoE) keeping interest rates on hold and commenting that it sees inflation as transitory. We also had the European Central Bank (ECB) reiterating it is in no rush to adjust policy, either. Macro data was in focus with European Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) strong.
European PMIs gather pace: The European economy is recovering fast from the COVID-19 recession. The relaxation in COVID-related restrictions has resulted in sharp growth in both services and manufacturing. In the eurozone, the flash Composite PMI rose to a 180-month high of 59.2 in June and also above the reading of 57.1 in May. In the United Kingdom, the composite figure did edge down in June but still remains high at 61.7, indicating strong growth.
Looking at the specific sectors, manufacturing growth is exceptionally strong. The eurozone figure for June came in at a near-record of 63.1. This is despite supply constraints affecting many manufacturers as a result of shortages of critical inputs. Whilst this holds back production for now, when this bottleneck is eased it is likely that production will simply shift into the future as demand remains. The eurozone services index grew to a 41-month high of 58.0. Again, as restrictions ease, the services sector begins to benefit from that mobility. This will continue to grow as the vaccination programme progresses and restrictions ease further.
COVID-19 cases spike in the United Kingdom: The number of COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom has risen dramatically over the course of last week. We saw the travel and leisure space come under pressure last week, whilst a lot of uncertainty remains regarding international travel to and from the United Kingdom. With a high vaccination rate, the United Kingdom has become the test case for whether mass vaccination can bring an end to the cycle of surges in serious illness arising from the virus and subsequent economic shutdowns. The data so far look encouraging. The key driver behind the rising cases appears to be the highly contagious Delta variant first identified in India. The spread of the virus appears to be impacting a younger demographic than the previous two waves. As a result, and given the success of the vaccination programme thus far, new hospital admissions are increasing much less than recorded infections and by much less than during the winter wave.
Also, some seven weeks since recorded infections started to pick up pace and whilst hospital admissions rise gradually, there has been no significant increase in the number of deaths yet. During the wave from August last year, COVID-related deaths rose c.8 per day to 115 per day by the second week of October. In the three days to 23 June, the United Kingdom averaged 21 deaths. Whilst this represents a small increase to the previous week, we are far from the trajectory witnessed last year. Higher-risk groups within society appear to be benefitting greatly from the vaccination programme, which should also serve the economy well as the country proceeds through this latest wave.
Week in Review
Europe
European equities showed resilience again last week to trade higher overall. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index closed the week up 1.2%, paring most of the losses from the previous Friday when European stocks lost 1.6% post-FOMC meeting. Away from the Federal Reserve, focus in Europe is on the improving macro picture. As noted, spiking COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom offer some cause for concern. Elsewhere, the Bank of England kept interest rates and its asset purchasing programme unchanged. Despite stronger sterling and the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom, the UK FTSE Index outperformed last week, up 1.7%, whilst the Spanish IBEX lagged, up just 0.5%, not helped by its sector composition with the utilities struggling as the defensives were under pressure.
Cyclicals outperformed last week, helped by better PMIs out of Europe and as US President Joe Biden reached a tentative bipartisan deal with senators for a $US579 billion infrastructure plan. As a result, basic resources stocks led the way, also supported by a weaker US dollar. Oil and gas stocks and industrial goods and services were also better off. It was the defensives which lagged on the week with utilities the most obvious laggard. Meanwhile, telecommunications and health care finished roughly flat.
Thursday saw the BoE vote to keep interest rates (0.1%) and its asset purchasing programme unchanged. The 8-1 vote was in-line with expectations. The central bank stated that whilst inflation could surge to over 3% in the coming months, inflationary pressures would be “transitory” and would settle closer to its 2% target. (We would note that, the May consumer price index [CPI]) was 2.1%). The Monetary Policy Committee said inflation expectations were “well anchored” at 2%. On the recent delay to ending all lockdown measures the BoE noted that the direct economic implications of the delays in the final stages of COVID-19 restrictions are likely to be relatively small.
After a decent run of inflows into European equities, we did see a small pause for breath last week as the week’s inflow into Europe was the smallest in 10 weeks. However, given low initial allocations to European stocks, these flows may have room to continue over the coming months.
Looking at exchange traded fund (ETF) flows over the last month, there have been record inflows into US ETFs that track European markets. Within Europe, investors favoured EU value and EU banks ETFs, as well as the broader indices (Stoxx 50 & Stoxx 600 indices).
United States
The reflation trade was back on in the United States, with Treasury yields higher last week. The focus again was on Fedspeak with investors trying to get a grasp of what might be coming in terms of interest rate rises and when. President Biden’s announcement of a US$579 billion infrastructure package was supportive. It was a similar theme on sector moves in the United States, with the cyclicals outperforming. Energy stocks were strong, and also helped by rising West Texas Intermediate oil prices. Financials were also stronger amidst a steepening of the yield curve. Industrials were also up on the week. It was the defensives which lagged but still managed to finish higher.
Fedspeak last week was a little mixed; however, the focus for markets was on comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. He said that whilst a debate on tapering may be on the cards, the Fed was nowhere near raising interest rates. Powell also said that he still viewed inflationary pressures as “transitory,” and he has “a level of confidence” that prices will eventually come down. Meanwhile, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said he was predicting a rate hike by the end of 2022 and reiterated his concerns that inflation “may surprise further to the upside”. Also, Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan warned that the US economy may meet the Fed’s targets for tapering its asset purchases sooner that people think.
Asia and Pacific
Asian stocks rebounded well through last week after a sluggish start as the cyclical-heavy markets like Japan and Australia struggled as the prospect of less accommodative US monetary policy hit the global reflation trade. Asian stocks rose on Wednesday as Fed officials moved to clarify their stance, with Powell on Tuesday saying authorities would be patient in waiting to lift borrowing costs. Commodity stocks were among the top gainers in the MSCI Asia Pacific Index on Tuesday after Brent oil rose to US$75 a barrel for the first time in more than two years, adding to the ongoing rebound in raw materials prices.
Equity markets in China and Hong Kong outperformed last week, up 2.3% and 1.7% respectively. Crypto-related stocks tanked after the Peoples Bank of China told lenders and Alipay to avoid crypto transactions as the crackdown on miners continues. Shares of Chinese companies related to infant care rose on Monday after Dow Jones reported on Friday that officials are making plans to further loosen birth restrictions and transition towards policies that explicitly encourage childbirth. Chinese solar stocks were mixed on US plan to ban Xinjiang products—the United States will bar some solar products made in China’s Xinjiang region, people familiar said, in response to alleged human rights abuses. Factories in the area produce roughly half of the global supply of polysilicon.
Week ahead
Monday 28 June
- US Dallas Manufacturing Activity
- BoE’s Haldane speaks; ECB’s Weidmann and Guindos speak; Fed’s Williams speaks
Tuesday 29 June
- French Consumer Confidence; UK House Price Index, M4 Money Supply, Mortgage Applications; Germany CPI; Eurozone Economic Survey; US Consumer Confidence, House Price Index; Japan Jobless Rate, Retail Sales
- ECB’s Villeroy speaks, BoE’s Hauser speaks
Wednesday 30 June
- China NBS Manufacturing and non-Manufacturing PMI; French CPI; German Unemployment; Eurozone CPI; US Employment, Pending Home Sales, Japan Industrial Production, Vehicle Production, Housing Starts, Consumer Confidence; South Korea Industrial Production
Thursday 1 July
- Global Final Manufacturing PMI; China Caixin Manufacturing PMI; Italy Unemployment Rate; Eurozone Unemployment Rate; US Initial Jobless Claims, ISM Manufacturing Survey; Australian Trade Balance; South Korean Trade Balance
Friday 2 July
- US June Employment Report (Change in nonfarm payrolls and unemployment rate), Trade Balance, Factory Orders; German Retail Sales
Franklin Templeton Key risks & Disclaimers:
What Are the Risks?
All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds in an investment portfolio adjust to a rise in interest rates, the value of the portfolio may decline. Investments in foreign securities involve special risks including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments. Investments in developing markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with their relatively small size and lesser liquidity. Past performance is not an indicator or guarantee of future performance.
This article reflects the analysis and opinions of Franklin Templeton’s European Trading Desk as of 27th June 2021, and may vary from the analysis and opinions of other investment teams, platforms, portfolio managers or strategies at Franklin Templeton. Because market and economic conditions are often subject to rapid change, the analysis and opinions provided may change without notice. An assessment of a particular country, market, region, security, investment or strategy is not intended as an investment recommendation, nor does it constitute investment advice. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but no representation or warranty is made as to their completeness or accuracy. This article does not provide a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region, market, industry or security. Nothing in this document may be relied upon as investment advice or an investment recommendation. The companies named herein are used solely for illustrative purposes; any investment may or may not be currently held by any portfolio advised by Franklin Templeton. Data from third-party sources may have been used in the preparation of this material and Franklin Templeton (“FT”) has not independently verified, validated or audited such data. FT accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from use of this information and reliance upon the comments, opinions and analyses in the material is at the sole discretion of the user. Products, services and information may not be available in all jurisdictions and are offered by FT affiliates and/or their distributors as local laws and regulations permit. Please consult your own professional adviser for further information on availability of products and services in your jurisdiction.
Issued by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited (FTIML) Registered office: Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6HL. FTIML is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
MeDirect Disclaimers:
This information has been accurately reproduced, as received from Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited (FTIML). No information has been omitted which would render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading. This information is being distributed by MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc to its customers. The information contained in this document is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or other professional advice nor does it commit MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc to any obligation whatsoever. The information available in this document is not intended to be a suggestion, recommendation or solicitation to buy, hold or sell, any securities and is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness.
The financial instruments discussed in the document may not be suitable for all investors and investors must make their own informed decisions and seek their own advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments or implementing strategies discussed herein.
If you invest in this product you may lose some or all of the money you invest. The value of your investment may go down as well as up. A commission or sales fee may be charged at the time of the initial purchase for an investment. Any income you get from this investment may go down as well as up. This product may be affected by changes in currency exchange rate movements thereby affecting your investment return therefrom. The performance figures quoted refer to the past and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance or a reliable guide to future performance. Any decision to invest in a mutual fund should always be based upon the details contained in the Prospectus and Key Investor Information Document (KIID), which may be obtained from MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc.
