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The US economy is on target to suffer its worst recession since the Great Depression. |
United States enters a recessionThere is little doubt the United States has entered a recession. But, this is not the typical recession we have seen in modern history. It was not caused by surging oil prices or an overheating economy or -- the cause of the last three recessions -- dislocations in asset prices. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the first since the Spanish flu of 1918-19, triggered this recession. The social distancing and quarantining measures to tackle the pandemic spread are effectively shutting down the economy. According to the Bloomberg weighted consensus, the US economy is forecast to contract by an annualised -4.4% in Q1, then plunge -20.4% in Q2, before bouncing back in the second half of the year. Suffice it to say, the economy is on target to suffer its worst recession since the Great Depression. In order to determine the breadth and severity of this recession, we look at traditional macroeconomic variables and non-traditional ‘big data’ -- that is, a large set of data-sets that can be analysed to reveal patterns and trends. Traditional measures confirm deep recessionBased on the traditional macroeconomic factors, we are monitoring data as per our recession dashboard: |
The surge in jobless claims over the last two weeks tentatively suggests the United States already has an unemployment rate of 10.4%. |
In detail:
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Monitoring high-frequency and big data may be helpful in identifying early inflection points, but for now most indicators are pointing south. |
Big data indicate severe contractionWe add big data or alternative data to our dashboard:
There remains much debate on the type of recovery we might see once the pandemic crisis is under control. There are three possible scenarios: V-shaped, hockey stick- or U-shaped. Our base case scenario is a long U-shaped recovery. Given the total collapse in demand, it will take time for the economy to recover from this dramatic shock. Scientific advancement in the form of antiviral treatments and a vaccine will be essential to an ultimate recovery of global economic activity and consumption patterns. The dynamics of this recession point to more of a demand shock than a supply one, which does not favour a V-shaped recovery. Supply-chain disruptions can cause a short-term hit to output, but once the disruption is reversed, pent-up demand will lead to a quick bounce back in activity. However, demand destruction in the dining, accommodation and travel sectors will not lead to a bounce back, as that lost demand cannot be made up. Our assessment of our dashboard of economic variables indicates a U-shaped recovery with no signs of a recovery yet. However, these are still early days in the pandemic crisis. In the service sector, both the traditional and big data variables suggest unprecedented collapse in domestic demand, with restaurant and movie sales at zero. Travel is virtually shut down. While the manufacturing sector has slowed sharply, the size of the current hit does not appear unprecedented. |
As the Fed buys shorter-term investment IG bonds, it will help underpin stability in the breadth of the market and better reflect fundamentals. |
US fixed income outlookTreasury marketAs long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues on the current trajectory, with signs that the curve is flattening in Europe and getting closer in the United States, US Treasury yields may have bottomed. In any case, the US Treasury market will see safe haven flows during heightened periods of uncertainty over the pandemic from time to time, but then will see yields rise as this uncertainty wanes. In the long term, the fundamentals for Treasuries look challenged given rising budget deficits in excess of 10% of GDP and surging Treasury issuance for the foreseeable future. A wildcard is the slope and breadth of the recovery: a sluggish one will support Treasuries while a more robust one will help send yields higher. Credit marketsCredit markets have been hit very hard by the perspective of a deep recession and an increase of default risk. Following the sharp March sell-off, we are looking for market stabilisation. Regarding this, we focus on five points after the unprecedented policy intervention: a flattening in the number of new cases; central bank support; fiscal support; narrowing of economic outcomes; and better clarity on the availability of a vaccine and therapeutics. Credit curves are normalising and quality differentials are being reflected in market pricing. Such discernment is evidence of liquidity returning to US fixed income markets. The liquidity premium is being wrung out of the market and the credit premium is resuming its prominence in valuation. Especially in energy, there are significant risks of permanent impairment. In all US credit, there is evidence of opportunistic buying in the United States and on an overnight basis from Asia. We believe that the new Fed facility to buy corporate bonds, called the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility (SMCCF), is one of several significant developments, as it will support stability and liquidity in the credit markets. However, we believe that this has not been fully discounted along the term structure by the market. As the Fed begins to buy shorter-term investment grade (IG) corporate bonds on a sustained basis, it will help underpin stability in the breadth of the market and better reflect fundamentals. Fed action has helped foster risk appetite among investors from a place where cash seemed to be the only option. Driven by the Fed’s corporate buying programme, there is very low offer of short maturity corporate bonds which are in high demand. A record level of new issuance has concentrated at the long end of the curve, though there is evidence of nascent interest in intermediate-maturity IG corporate bonds in both the new issue and secondary markets. IG corporate spreads have contracted by about 100bps since the heights of the liquidity crisis. That said, credit differentiation is critical and rating downgrades are expected for certain corporate bond issuers. The amount of fallen angels is likely to exceed that of the 2008-09 financial crisis. |
We believe that corporate credit offers attractive investment opportunities, but a focus on credit selection is needed as conditions are challenging. |
High yield (HY) markets are beginning to show signs of recovery, though the depth and breadth of trading remain spotty. Limited but newly re-energised new issuance ‘rescue’ has resumed successfully. Following the sharp widening in HY spreads to over 1,000bps in March, there appear to be signs of normalisation, as new issuance has resumed on higher-quality HY corporate bonds and been well received. Liquidity was challenging in March, especially in the bank loan market compared to the HY bond market. The bid-ask spread narrowed but remains large. We might be at attractive entry points, as, on average, there is a history of attractive positive HY returns vs government bonds two years after spreads ascend through 800bps. Long-duration high-quality US corporate bonds look cheap, but credit discernment is critical. To sum up, we believe that corporate credit offers attractive investment opportunities. At the margin, there may be opportunities in long-duration higher-quality corporates, primarily in issues regarding which we hold high conviction, and using non-agency RMBS as a funding source. Securitised creditGiven the post-GFC reforms, underlying collateral and credit enhancement is strong in this market. Especially in the higher levels of securitisation, the bids are strong and liquidity is available. Subordinated securities are receiving some attention, but they remain thinly bid. The collateralised loan obligation (CLO) new issue market has recently opened with two deals placed successfully. We remain constructive on the residential housing market and maintain a high-quality bias in CMBS, where there is risk of modifications and forbearance. Lessons from the past and investment opportunitiesThe unintended consequences of the GFC reforms that solidified the banking system also limited its capacity to absorb liquidity demands of the magnitude and at the velocity we saw in mid-March. With this pandemic crisis, we are in unchartered territory, and there are no precedents to follow that perfectly match the current situation. We believe the Fed facilities represent a major backstop that will help restore liquidity in markets in due course. Despite the increase in credit risk, the sharp repricing in spreads has created notable investment opportunities. For most non-government sectors of the US bond market, yield premiums over Treasuries net of expected losses are at very attractive levels. This is the case across all rating categories. Given continued economic uncertainty and the market focus of recently enacted policy measures, we have a high-quality bias within each fixed income asset class. In contrast to the 2008 financial crisis, the financial system is on stronger footing and credit availability should not be materially impaired once economic activity resumes. |
Market trends remain clouded by high uncertainty over the extent of the economic fallout of the virus.
When an external shock hits, those companies that exit the crisis in better shape are the ones that can seize the opportunities offered by the next phase. |
US equity outlookAfter having peaked at an all-time high on 19 February, US equities had plunged by more than 33% by 23 March. Since then, they have recovered somewhat. In our view, a rebound was warranted after such a quick sell-off and some entry opportunities may have opened. Going forward, market trends remain clouded by high uncertainty over the extent of the virus’ economic fallout: this will reflect in corporate earnings. Some clarification may come with the upcoming Q1 reporting season (late April to mid-May). Until then, markets are likely to stay volatile. Given the extent of the rebound already recorded from 23 March though and the uncertainty surrounding current forecasts, we believe that much in the way of additional rebound is unlikely in the short term. So, we keep a cautious stance and wait for evidence regarding US earnings, together with corporate guidance for the quarters ahead. In our view, if US earnings drop by at least 20% in 2020, the S&P500 index may fall again rather than rebound further. On a long-term perspective, US stocks have outperformed most markets for structural reasons (e.g., stronger economy, high share of growth stocks). When an external shock hits, those that exit the crisis in better shape are the ones that can seize the opportunities offered by the next phase. We believe that US stocks may continue to be global leaders following this crisis, thanks to high innovation and a robust corporate sector. At the sector level, investors should avoid the most hit sectors, as segments that fall hard during a bear market never end up driving the following bull market. This time, the most affected sectors could be airlines, cruise lines, brick-and-mortar retailers, commercial real estate and shale oil. On the other hand, healthcare, technology, communication and financials should weather the crisis better. Given current circumstances, it is very difficult to call a market bottom. However, huge market dislocations may offer opportunities to long-term investors to enter the market gradually. |
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