Dear all,
I am Rachel Chen, the CEO and founder of MacroMicro. Starting from this month, the MacroMicro research team will begin sharing regular insights into the economy and financial markets. Below is a brief overview of the major topics that caught my attention in the market for August. We'll be unveiling a detailed report next week, which will encompass an in-depth analysis of major economies, including the United States and China. Join MM Prime now to gain immediate access to this information.
August witnessed corrections in both the equity and bond markets. Major indices such as the S&P 500, MSCI Europe, Nikkei 225 , and Shanghai Composite all experienced pullbacks. Concurrently, bond yields rose sharply, while the U.S. dollar index surged by 1.3%. With both equities and bonds facing headwinds and the dollar strengthening, questions arise: Are there fundamental or liquidity concerns? This article aims to address the three primary market concerns: the significant U.S. debt increase, the Chinese real estate crisis, and the surge in the U.S. dollar.
Key Issues of the Month: Bonds, the Dollar, and China
In March, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank had caused market anxiety. As we highlighted in our recent reports, every market pullback serves as a valuable learning opportunity. It prompts us to question whether these issues will impact the long-term market trends or are merely short-term reactions.
1. Bond Yields on the Rise:
Market fluctuations often occur with bond issuances. The recent spike in bond yields can be attributed to two main factors. Firstly, following the debt ceiling suspension, the Treasury Department significantly increased its borrowing, adjusting the Q3 and Q4 borrowing amounts to 1.007 trillion (originally 733 billion) and 852 billion, respectively, majorly focusing on long-term bonds. Secondly, the U.S. economy has continuously revised its expectations upwards, with robust retail sales and employment data. However, this bond yield increase should not be over-interpreted. Typically, after every debt ceiling breach or substantial government bond issuance, debt supply surges temporarily. Furthermore, despite the Federal Reserve's slight tilt towards rate hikes in the next two meetings, the overarching trend suggests we're nearing the end of this hike cycle. The Fed's future decisions will have decreasing impact on the market.
