NAB Morning Call

Monday 21st October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABChina’s CSI300 rose sharply on Friday. There was some positive data released, although in general the picture shows an economy that is slowing, held back by falling house prices. NAB’s Rodrigo Catril says the interest in shares on Friday was driven by policies aimed at share buybacks. Japan’s inflation provided more ammunition for hikes, eventually, whilst UK retail sales provided another reason for the Bank of England to avoid rushing into cuts. This week the Bank of Canada will announce its next rate cut, and the RBA’s Andrew Hauser gives a fireside chat where he will no doubt reiterate that they too see no need to rush into cuts.

Friday 18th October 2024Please note this communication is not a research report and has not been prepared by NAB Research analysts. Read the full disclaimer here.NAB is in the thick of it, along with the rest of corporate Australia, and the government, fighting cyber-crime. This month is cyber-crime month and the message for consumers is clear - keep devices and software up to date, use strong and unique passwords and recognise and report phishing. Meanwhile, what’s being done behind the scenes to beat the criminals? Chris Sheehan, General Manager for NAB group investigations, says it’s an asymmetrical battle. That doesn’t mean NAB is losing, just that there must be constant awareness of what’s coming next. Does that mean teams of NAB people are lurking in the dark web, posing as wrongdoers? And what’s the risk that, despite all best efforts, the cyber criminals win and the whole system comes crashing down?

Friday18th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABThe ECB has cut rates with Christine Lagarde saying the disinflationary process is on track. NAB’s Gavin Friend says since the last meeting inflation has come down, and lower growth will be giving the bank confidence that it will continue in that direction. Nonetheless, base effects might see a temporary rise in core and headline rates that make it difficult to signal back-to-back cuts, even though the weakness in the economy could well demand it. Meanwhile strong jobs data In Australia should be the final nail for those looking for another RBA cut this year. Similarly, strong retail sales growth in the USA demonstrates a resilient economy that can survive without rapid rate cuts. On that basis could we see the Fed move just once before Christmas?

Thursday 17th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABInflation is slowing faster than expected in the UK. Phil asks NAB’s Ken Crompton whether this means the Bank of England could cut twice before Christmas? Markets have fully priced a cut from the ECB later today, the question is, what next and when? Australian employment numbers and US retail sales are out today, along with a further announcement on housing and debt from the China. Ken says it’s another “drip feed in the ocean of fiscal stimulus” – are markets prepared to be disappointed this time?

Wednesday 16th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABThere were sizeable moves in various asset classes over the last 24 hours, and that was before a revealing Trump interview with Bloomberg’s Editor in Chief. Phil talks to NAB’s Rodrigo Catril about a day that has seen oil lower on expectations that Israel won’t strike Iranian oil installations, shares fall as a report suggests they are overweight and concerns about AI chip demand and possible restrictions on exports from the US. Plus, another shift in sentiment around China’s support plans. NZ and UK CPI are out today. In New Zealand it is expected to support the case for faster cuts, whereas the UK number is likely to give the Bank of England a bit more time to move.

Tuesday 15th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABNew Zealand’s Performance of Services Index stuck yesterday at 45.7 for September, marking the seventh month in contraction. NAB’s Rodrigo Catril says the only good news you can take for that is that it the downturn isn’t speeding up. In China the latest trade numbers were also a disappointment, highlighting the need for a stimulus from the government. In the US equities pushed higher. Phil asks, it can’t all be earnings season, can it? The question is, are some shares buoyed by the return of the Trump Trade, as the former President is experiencing a resurgence with the bookies. Today bank lending for Europe and employment and wages for the UK are the two key bits of data, along with Canadian inflation.

Monday 14th October 2024NAB Markets Research Disclaimer Financial Services Guide | Information on our services - NABAs predicted by Tapas on The Morning Call last week there was no definitive plan fiscal plan presented by China’s Ministry of Finance on Saturday. As suggested, it will need to be ratified by the standing committee of the National People’s Congress, which is likely to happen before the end of the month. But NAB’s Ray Attrill explains some of the plans that were outlined, including giving local authorities access to earmarked cash that could help stimulate the economy almost immediately. There’s also a look at last week’s US PPI number and what that, in conjunction with the hotter than anticipated CPI number, could mean for the path of rate cuts by the Fed before Christmas. Might there just be one cut to come? 

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.