2017 has enjoyed the best global economic growth since 2011. It also saw strong performance among risky assets, despite the rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and North Korea, as well as the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

Will 2018 bring more market stabilities under strong economic growth? Or will it add on to the uncertainties that result in further surprises in financial markets? In this article, we summarize the market views on the “known unknowns” – the so-called “grey swan” scenarios – and focus on analyzing the impact of these scenarios on five financial products, including equities and corporate bonds, EURUSD exchange rate, gold price, crude oil, and Bitcoin.

Equities market has once again proven its resilience to geopolitical shocks in 2017. Therefore, economic growth and government policies may have greater impacts on markets. After spending almost a decade buying financial assets, both the US and China economy are gradually withdrawing monetary stimulus, followed by the possible termination of the ECB asset purchasing program and monetary tightening in emerging markets.

Credit Suisse
  • Anticipate 3.8% global growth, 2.5% growth in the US economy, 6.5% growth in China economy;
  • Foresee US bond yield plateau with 10-year treasury yield up to 2.70%;
  • Foresee US equity return about 7.1%;
  • Anticipate buy-ins in more equities and BBB-rated corporate bonds.
Deutsche
  • Anticipate 3.8% global growth and 2.6% growth in the US economy;
  • Higher yields in Eurozone and emerging markets;
  • Predict raise of S&P 500 to 2,850 points by the end of 2018 (forecasted when S&P 500 was at 2,590 points).
Goldman Sachs
  • Anticipate continually strong growth, including 4% global growth, 2.5% in the US economy and 6.5% in China economy;
  • Expect modest monetary tightening with moderate spillovers;
  • Emerging markets may raise rates to stabilize exchange rates.
Citibank
  • Anticipate 2.7% growth in the US and 10-year treasury yield up to 2.7%;
  • Forecast EPS growth over 10% in the US and 12%-15% in emerging markets;
  • Increasing investment in equities and predictable raise of S&P 500 to 2,800 points (forecasted when S&P was at 2,675 points).

Summary of the views

In 2018, we expect synchronized growth globally as well as an optimistic market outlook. The consensus GDP forecast is 3.8% for global growth, 2.5% in the US economy and 6.5% in China economy. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve rate hikes will drive up bond yields in the EU and emerging markets. The forecast of strong growth and higher yields suggest investment in global equities.

Our thoughts

Strong economic growth will lead to strong equities markets. Corporates are expected to generate more revenues and therefore both their EPS and stock prices will benefit. Meanwhile, policy-driven yield increase in both the US and China will also drive up bond yields in EU and emerging markets. We agree with these views and suggest global equities and bonds with good credit and higher yields, such as US BBB-rated corporate bonds. As for S&P, the spot is around 2,840 on 25 January 2018, while UBS raises their target to 3,150. We expect a surge to over 3,000 given the 11% rise in 2016 and 18% surge in 2017.

Solid Eurozone growth and easing political tensions underpinned EURUSD in 2017. Looking into 2018, ECB has announced its shrink on the asset purchase program. With the Fed hikes and monetary tightening, concerns regarding ECB further policy shifts are growing. Thus, we consider growth and policy as main factors affecting EUR.

Deutsche
  • Foresee ECB’s termination in asset purchase in 2H18, leading to higher yields and pressure on USD;
  • Expect EURUSD exchange rate to be 1.20 by the end of 2018 (forecasted when EURUSD was 1.17).
Credit Suisse
  • No political crisis and ECB terminates asset purchase in late 2018;
  • Anticipate 2% GDP growth;
  • Expect EURUSD exchange rate to be 1.22 (forecasted when EURUSD was 1.17).
Citibank
  • Anticipate 2.4% GDP growth;
  • Foresee less accommodative ECB stance;
  • Predict raise in EURUSD (to 1.24 in 6-12 months, forecasted when EURUSD was 1.18).
UBS 
  • Foresee no severe political risk, and 1.9% growth in Eurozone;
  • Foresee strong growth in underpinning Eurozone, resulting in EURUSD exchange rate at 1.25 (forecasted when EURUSD was 1.18).

Summary of the views

We expect around 2% strong growth and low possibility of a political crisis in continent Europe, despite uncertainties of elections in German and Italy. Termination of asset purchasing by ECB and strong growth would raise EU yields and EURUSD exchange rate.

Our thoughts

A more stable and collaborative Eurozone will benefit its growth and EURUSD. On 25 January 2018, the EURUSD reached over 1.24 and came back to the same level as in November 2014. In recent 5 years, EURUSD reached its peak above 1.38 from January 2014 to April 2014. Thus, despite less accommodative ECB stance, we don’t expect policy shifts in 2018. Moreover, strong growth is expected in the US as Trump recently stated in public that the US would continue its strong dollar policy.

We think the current EURUSD has reflected appreciated expectations and a further rise is limited. EURUSD may reach a plateau around 1.25 and then go into stagnation with range-bounded trading between 1.23 and 1.25.

Although Fed hikes put pressure on the rise of gold price, geopolitical factors should also be considered. Due to North Korean nuclear stance and missile launches, the tension between North Korea and the US would escalate and shock gold prices eventually.

SSGA
  • Nuclear stance heightens tensions but low probability of wars;
  • Low VIX around 11.58 indicates that markets may shrug off negative effects without clear signs of wars.
BlackRock
  • Nuclear program and missile launches elevate tensions to a peak;
  • Foresee purchases in safe haven assets ahead of armed conflicts.
Citibank
  • Foresee High tensions and uncertainties;
  • Anticipate gold trade at around USD1,270/oz with a high at USD 1,300/oz in 3 months (forecasted when price was USD1,266/oz);
UBS
  • Unlikely “first strike”;
  • Expect gold price to be USD 1,250/oz in 6 months and USD 1,325/oz in 12 months (forecasted when the price was USD1,288/oz).

Summary of the views

The tension around North Korea elevates but the likelihood of an actual military conflict remains low. Anxiety about North Korea increases gold prices and offsets Fed negative impacts on gold.

Our thoughts

CBOE VIX is now trading at around 12, almost at its historic lows – at a level only seen previously in 2006. The VIX reached its historical values during the financial crises at over 40 in 2011 and at 59 in 2008. During the North Korea escalation in Aug 2017, gold prices started to rise from July 2017 and peaked at around USD1,340/oz in September 2017.

As of 25 January 2018, the gold spot price has risen to USD1,355/oz, above the forecasts published above. With a low probability of conflicts, we expect a gradual rise due to anxious investors hedging in advance. Meanwhile, signals of a stronger USD may depress gold prices. Our forecast is that gold will reach USD1,400/oz on the upside and USD1,300/oz on the downside.

Oil price may be heavily impacted by an escalation in the Middle East. There may be further flashpoints between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in addition to conflicts in Yemen and tensions in Iraq. On the one hand, oil price is mainly affected by OPEC’s commitment to extend supply cuts, on the other hand affected by, shale production increase in the US. However, if tensions keep elevating and war breaks out, disruptions of oil production will push up oil prices further.

Credit Suisse
  • Foresee further escalation involving Kurds, Iraq, Turkey, and/or Iran;
  • Foresee Brent spot to be USD60/bbl without wars (forecasted when Brent Crude First Nearby Futures was USD60/bbl).
Morgan Stanley
  • Anticipate increasingly vulnerable oil markets to political unrest, with dwindling supply and increasing demand;
  • Target USD62/bbl (forecasted when Brent Crude First Nearby Futures was around USD60/bbl on ICE).
UBS
  • Foresee extreme case in proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran and sanctions on Iranian energy exports;
  • Expect raise in oil prices to reach USD 80/bbl in 3-6 months (forecasted when Brent Crude First Nearby Futures was 63.5/bbl on ICE).

Summary of the views

Tensions will elevate and armed conflicts will happen. Destabilizing in the Middle East will cause disruptions in oil production. Under global economic recovery, increasing demands, and OPEC’s supply cuts extension, oil price has room for further upside and becomes vulnerable to any Middle Eastern crisis scenarios.

Our thoughts

As of 25 January 2018, Brent Crude First Nearby Futures reached USD70/bbl and WTI Crude First Nearby Futures traded above USD65/bbl. We expect spot oil price to stay above USD62/bbl. Moreover, the number of working US drilling rigs dropped in early January and that led to further oil price pressure. However, increasing production in the US could offset geopolitical risks in the Middle East. As of 25 January 2018, the market is unsure of what oil production capacity is available in the US in 2018. With supply shortage, Middle East turmoil would have greater impacts on prices and create negative market sentiments. Moreover, it is possible that oil price may rocket past USD80/bbl just as UBS suggested.

Cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, as well as its background technology Blockchain, are currently enjoying a lot of media attention. However, large financial institutions have shown its share of concerns regarding Bitcoin.

Livemint
  • South Korean cryptocurrency regulations will kick off on 30 January and ban the use of anonymous bank accounts to make crypto transactions;
  • Expect regulations from more central banks and hits on Bitcoin bulls.
J.P.Morgan
  • Remain skeptical;
  • Concern about government’s view on Bitcoin;
  • Still, show no support for Bitcoin investment.
Deutsche
  • No intention to invest in cryptocurrencies;
  • Suggest waiting and keeping a watch amidst strong fluctuations and unregulated market.
Credit Suisse
  • Worry about Bitcoin bubble and illicit activities such as money laundering associated with it;
  • In the current state of inadequate regulations, suggest no investment.

Summary of the views

Financial institutions are skeptical of Bitcoin as an investment, amidst concerns about its strong fluctuations and lack of the most basic government regulations. Most of them recommend against any investment in Bitcoin until the market is more adequately regulated.

Our thoughts

Under significant volatility and lack of regulations, it is hard to predict future Bitcoin prices. One critical issue is the lack of intrinsic values in Bitcoin. The other issue is the uncertainty of the timing and potential impact of government regulations. The good news here is that, despite the media hype, Bitcoin’s impact on the real economy and global financial markets may still be quite limited.

These (user customizable) views are already available on the HedgeSPA Platform. Please contact salesnsupport@hedgespa.com for further information.