NAB Morning Call

Friday 11th October 2024Please note this communication is not a research report and has not been prepared by NAB Research analysts. Read the full disclaimer here.Phil Suttle is an economist who has worked at JP Morgan, the Bank of England, the Fed, the World Bank, the IIF, Barclays Capital and Tudor Investments. These days he provides his own observations and analysis to paying subscribers, saying he enjoys the independence that provides. He really can say what he thinks. So, what does he think about the world right now? With the US less than a month away from a Presidential election, how will the US economy respond to the two distinctive approaches of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris?He also talks to Phil about the differences in approaches that have been taken by central banks, including the RBNZ and RBA, the chance of a China recovery and what that means for the west, and the dire state of the German economy.It’s a whirl wind tour with Phil (and Phil), with so much more to see that we’ll have to do it again sometime soon.

Friday 11th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABAfter stronger than expected jobs numbers last week, the CPI data overnight shows inflation isn’t coming down quite as quickly as expected. The combination might suggest there’s less of a rush for the Fed to cut rates but NAB’s Tapas Strickland says there hasn’t been significant moves on the pricing of Fed cuts since the inflation numbers. It will make the words from the upcoming “bevvy” of Fed speakers perhaps more interesting than usual. The other significant event to look out for is the announcement from China’s Finance Minister at the weekend. Tapas believes there’s reason to suggest it will be another disappointment. And with the Israeli security cabinet meeting just as we record today’s episode, could they be ready to retaliate? No doubt part fo the reason for the rise in oil and gold prices this morning.

Thursday 10th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABStorm Milton hit the Florida coast at 1am ET. Despite that, and the continued risk of an Israeli attack on Iranian oil facilities, oil prices fell overnight. Obviously China demand is part of the picture here, but another ‘announcement’ is expected from Beijing this weekend. In the latest FOMC minutes it is clear there was agreement that the risk of inflation had diminished, whilst the downside risk to employment had increased. The latest payrolls data suggest that downside risk is less clear and JBWere’s Sally Auld wonders whether all those voting for a large cut were entirely convinced of it. Maybe some were cajoled by Jerome Powell. It was a clearer picture for the RBNZ yesterday and Sally wonders whether the next cut will be even bigger. 

Wednesday 9th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABMarkets with any China connection have responded negatively to news from the National Development Reform Commission. An announcement was expected, and most will have assumed it would include a large swag of spending from the three trillion Yuan that was believed to have been earmarked for fiscal stimulus. But, as NAB’s Ken Crompton discusses with Phil, all they did was brought forward 200 billion Yuan from next year’s budget. They also discuss yesterday’s NAB business survey and look ahead to the RBNZ today. A big cut is expected, but will there be another one next time round?

Tuesday 8th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABToday markets are responding to a mix of adjustments to expectations for Fred rate cuts, alongside continued uncertainty about developments in the Middle East. Late in the day in the US a judge has added to downward moves in equities by ruling that Alphabet cannot block other marketplace providers from competing with the Play Store. NAB’s Rodrigo Catril takes Phil through the moves overnight and looks ahead to a Quadrifactor (yes that’s right) of local news. Plus, possibly news of government support from China today.

Monday 7th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABThe non-farm payrolls data on Friday in the US was a big upside surprise. It means there’s less need for any large cuts by the Fed who will be hoping they will have controlled inflation whilst steering the economy into a soft landing. That’s assuming the rise in jobs doesn’t mean a rise in salary expectations. NAB’s Taylor Nugent talks Phil through what it means and why such a strong market response on Friday. Does it have implications for other central banks? Whilst the data might have reduced expectations for faster cuts by the Fed, the BoE’s Huw Pill talked down the market response to Andrew Bailey’s comments in the Guardian. They are in no rush. Unlike the RBNZ, who is widely expected to go for a large cut this week.

Friday 4th October 2024Please note this communication is not a research report and has not been prepared by NAB Research analysts. Read the full disclaimer here.Gold has traditionally been seen as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. Yet, in the last few weeks we’ve seen gold repeatedly hitting new highs, even as inflation recedes. The response to the unrest in the Middle East this week hasn’t had the marked impact you might have expected. Gold has been higher at times when the situation has been more contained. So, what is the driving force behind rising Gold prices? John Reade, senior market strategist at the World Gold Council, says the price has been driven by purchases from emerging markets, many of whom want to rely less on the US dollar. Phil asks if he’s talking about the BRICs nations, who reportedly want to develop their own gold-backed currency. It’s a fascinating discussion about where gold price growth is coming from and how long it will remain elevated.

Friday 4th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABOil has risen sharply this morning after Joe Biden was asked about is support for an Israeli attack, if it was to target Iran’s oil facilities. NAB’s Taylor Nugent says the US President didn’t really answer the question, but it was enough for investors to fear that this was a scenario that could play out. Elsewhere, markets responded to an unexpected jump in the US services ISM, and surprisingly dovish remarks from the BoE governor that’s heightened expectations for more immediate cuts from the Bank of England Without doubt, though, the most significant news is yet to come - the latest US payrolls data, which could reinforce or deflect market expectations for another 50bp cut at an FOMC meeting before Christmas.

Thursday 3rd October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABToday, Phil talks to NAB’s Ray Attrill about two hawks who seem to have metamorphosed into something a bit more dove-like. First, the ECB’s Isabel Schnabel, who has just about confirmed a rate cut for this month. Secondly, the BoJ’s Governor Ueda who seems to be happy to toe the line of the new Prime Minister. The prospect of no rate hike any time soon, and the questions it raises about the independence of the central bank, has seen the Yen taking a big hit. Looking ahead, the US Services ISM will be the key data piece, whilst we keep a watching brief on developments in the Middle East.