As we wind down into year-end and assess the thesis for 2021, we see financial conditions as easy as we’ve ever seen, market internals in equity land flashing red hot, the IPO scene is on fire and US high yield credit spreads trading a mere 384bp above USTs.
Commodities have been screaming reflation for some time, with USDCNH central to this bull trend – how much good news is in the price? A lot and the risk of a correction of sorts in risk is clearly very high, but whether that plays out before 2021 is yet to be seen.
The macro framework
Arguably when thinking about the year ahead we must consider the risks, the catalysts and trends taking place and the key debates that forge a macro framework – for me there is nothing even remotely close to the most pertinent question in macro than the inflation vs deflation debate. If you run a macro framework and trade in and out of this framework, then this is the overriding question at hand.
(Market-based US inflation expectations)
(Source: Bloomberg)
When it comes to macro, we must have an open mind, and while we have a core view, we also need to be mindful of alternative scenarios and recognize when they increase in probability and be ready and able to change one’s mind.
Inflation vs deflation
My own view, for what it’s worth, is that inflation is likely to push higher in 2021 and nominal GDP in developed countries will push strongly higher too, with the output gap closing and productivity showing clear signs of improvement.
The USD is core here, and while it is a clear consensus trade and that worries, I do sit in the camp that the downside risks are greater than upside, with EURUSD pushing to the high side of strategists Q4 high-low forecast of 1.28 to 1.15. Outperformance from the AUD is also a core consensus view, with the street calling for 78c by Q4 (range of 81c to 68c), although, a lot will be determined by USDCNH and whether there is still further downside – if there is then the AUD will work well in 2021.
The consensus is we see US 10-yr Treasuries yield 1.23% by Q4, although it’s hard to recall the last time the consensus was anywhere close on its median forecast for USTs. US 10s are central to this puzzle as the cost of credit is priced off this benchmark and government deficit spending relies on yields staying contained relative to nominal GDP.
I guess if financial conditions don’t change too greatly then the Fed will be fine with higher yields, and it’s the rate or velocity of change that typically matters. Inflation expectations hold the answer and provided we see ‘breakeven’ inflation marching higher then real yields will stay deeply negative and equities will work well again, with cyclical and value the areas of the equity market that investors will want to be exposed too.
Banks are key
Banks are key, as they are central to the inflation argument – as many have alluded to, we can get a generational spike higher in M2 money supply, but it’s the velocity of money that creates inflation and right now that is broken – a steeper yield curve and pent-up demand released into the underlying economy could turn velocity around and that’s a big ‘if’, but it’s key.
I look for relative value plays 2021, and the use of CFDs offer the ability to go long and short of an instrument, giving the flexibility to play long/short strategies within the framework. Long XLF/short SPY ETF is one way to play this, although there is a funding consideration from the swap charge. China is flavour du jour too, and again this is a big consensus trade, and so much of China is driven by the internet stocks but if EM is going to find solace in a weaker USD then EEM ETF v SPY may work.
A steeper yield curve and higher nominal rates will galvanize the view that equities are going higher, and investors want a slice of that corporate cash flow. Unless we see real yields moving materially higher and a stronger USD, I see gold moving north of $2000 (strategists forecasts for Q4 21 is 2300 to 1600). That’s why owning gold equity over the underlying commodity makes sense to me – get leverage to the gold price, but also access the dividend income that comes with the equity.
Crypto will not replace gold anytime soon but I am a convert to the scene and think digital assets and the blockchain will play an increasingly greater involvement in our daily lives – Within our regulatory backdrop, Pepperstone are to introduce weekend trading in select popular cryptocurrencies shortly which will give greater control on trading. We all watch the evolution of central bank digital assets, but a crypto ETF, should it come in 2021 would be a game-changer.
The future of QE?
One of the key talking points, which will naturally flow if we get higher inflation expectations and lower real yields is the future of monetary policy. While monetary policy is almost there to complement fiscal, the big debate is when will the Fed taper its QE program. It certainly doesn’t feel like it will be until late 2021 at the earliest, and most probably 2022 but as long as the recovery continues then this will be one of the big questions in 2021, and the Fed will need to get this correct if they are to avoid an ugly tightening of financial conditions.
The RBA are up first though and will need to make a call on extended its QE program which is due to finish mid-2021.
As we move into the new year, I will explore some charts that offer clarity on this view, but in a world where volatility (vol) is central to trading, perhaps if this thesis does play out it will be the rates market that will give the clearest insight. I would expect implied volatility in rates to lead bond vol, and if we see a climb in either of these volatility metrics then FX and equity vol will come along with it. That would have huge implications for trading.
I will update periodically on measures of interest rate volatility, because if traders do see a better world with higher nominal GDP (not just stagflation) and a better labour market, then towards the latter stages of 2021, we may start to see interest rate expectations change and implied vol in rates lift – this may be a must-watch in 2021.
I am sure many will disagree with this view, but that’s fine, an open mind is essential but if this is indeed remotely correct 2021 will be a fascinating and perhaps very bullish year for risk.
This article is brought to you in association with Pepperstone. All opinions expressed in this article are from the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Armchair Trader.
