### Summary
The global economy is showing signs of decoupling, with the US economy remaining strong and China's economy disappointing at the margin. The recent data suggests that the US economy is resilient, with consumption and other indicators pointing in a positive direction. However, there are concerns about the bear steepening of the US curve and the repricing of the long end of the curve. In contrast, China's economy continues to struggle, with weak data and monetary policy easing. Japan has surprised with positive data, but there are questions about whether the current inflation shift will lead to tighter monetary policy. Overall, there are concerns about a potential global economic recession and its impact on various economies.
### Facts
- 💰 Despite the decoupling of the US and China economies, concerns remain about the negative impact of a China slowdown on global growth.
- 💹 Recent data show that the US economy, particularly consumption, remains resilient.
- 🔒 The bear steepening of the US curve and the repricing of the long end of the curve are causing concerns.
- 🇨🇳 In China, weak data on consumption and investment and declining house prices continue to affect the economy. The PBoC has eased monetary policy.
- 🇯🇵 Japan's 2Q data surprised with strong export growth, but there are concerns about the impact of a potential inflation shift on global yields.
- 🌍 The global economy is at risk of recession, with concerns about the impact on emerging market economies and the US economy.
Consumer inflation in Tokyo grew at a slower pace than expected in August, but the core figure, which excludes fresh food and energy costs, remained at its highest level in over 40 years, indicating that inflationary conditions in Japan remain high and putting pressure on the Bank of Japan to eventually tighten policy.
Financial expert Izuru Kato warns that a delay in the Bank of Japan's monetary policy normalization could result in steep interest rate increases and highlights the bank's concerns over inflation stabilization, government debts, and housing loans.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda explains that price growth is slower than the target of 2%, leading officials to continue their current monetary-policy strategy of easing.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda stated that underlying inflation in Japan remains below the bank's 2% target, leading to the decision to maintain the current approach to monetary policy, despite core consumer inflation staying above the target for the 16th consecutive month.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda expressed concern over China's weak economic activity, particularly in the property sector, which could impact Japan's economic outlook, while also highlighting the potential risks of geopolitical tensions and trade wars.
The Bank of Japan surprised financial markets by announcing "greater flexibility" in its monetary policy, specifically loosening its yield curve control, which has led to speculation about a potential tightening of monetary policy and the end of the policy measure.
Japan's inflation is "clearly in sight" of the central bank's target, according to board member Naoki Tamura, suggesting the possibility of ending negative interest rates early next year.
Former Bank of Japan board member Goushi Kataoka believes that the central bank can only shift away from its easy monetary policy once it has achieved its 2% inflation target sustainably, with wage negotiations in 2024 playing a key role in this process. Kataoka expects the Bank of Japan to gradually remove its yield curve control and negative interest rate policies before exiting its easy policy. He also emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the Japanese government and central bank in achieving the inflation target.
The Bank of Israel has maintained its benchmark interest rate but warned of potential rate hikes if inflation does not continue to moderate and the shekel weakens further. Despite signs of easing inflation, the central bank highlighted the possibility of higher borrowing costs in the future. The shekel has depreciated by over 8% against the US dollar this year, contributing to higher inflation. The bank sees the economy growing at a rate of 3% in 2023 and 2024 but warns of risks if the proposed judicial overhaul leads to increased risk premium and further devaluation of the shekel.
Investors are concerned about the possibility of intervention in Tokyo after the yen reached its weakest level against the dollar in 10 months, while Asian markets fell due to worries of another US Federal Reserve interest rate hike and a jump in oil prices.
The yen strengthened and government bonds slumped as traders reacted to potentially hawkish comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda on the negative interest rate policy, causing Japanese bank shares to jump and the benchmark bond yield to rise.
The Bank of Japan has signaled a possible early end to its easy money stance, with the central bank considering interest rate hikes and an early end to its bond-buying policy, which caught markets off guard and caused the yen to surge and Japanese government bond yields to reach a 9-year high.
The Japanese yen strengthens against the US dollar as Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda hints at a potential shift away from negative interest rates.
Japanese long-term interest rates and the yen rose after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda hinted at the possibility of ending the bank's negative interest rate policy.
Uncertainty in various sectors, including potential strikes, government shutdowns, geopolitical tensions, and the question of future Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, is causing markets to lack conviction, but this week's inflation readings could provide direction for the markets. If inflation comes in below expectations, it may signal that the Fed will not hike rates further, while stronger-than-expected inflation could lead to more rate hikes and market volatility. Additionally, increasing energy prices and the potential strike by the United Auto Workers union add to the uncertainty.
Big Japanese manufacturers and the services sector in Japan are experiencing a decline in confidence, with concerns of a slowdown in China's economy affecting global and domestic growth, according to a Reuters poll. The weak sentiment in the business sector raises doubts about the ability of exports to drive economic recovery amid weak domestic demand. Many companies cited high input costs and weak demand as contributing factors, along with geopolitical risks and tensions between the US and China.
China is unlikely to devalue its currency, the yuan, despite concerns that it could do so to boost exports, as such a move would risk intensifying capital flight and tightening financial conditions, according to the Institute of International Finance. Instead, the focus will be on domestic easing measures to maintain steady growth, although there is the challenge of balancing the yuan's stability against the strengthening US dollar and other major currencies.
The Bank for International Settlements warns investors to prepare for uncertainty in global interest rates and rising pressures in the financial system, emphasizing the possibility of persistently high inflation and the need for major central banks to maintain elevated borrowing costs.
The Bank of Japan is expected to maintain ultra-low interest rates and reassure markets that monetary stimulus will continue amidst China's economic struggles and the global impact of US interest rates.
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) may become the most significant uncertainty factor in global markets as it potentially unwinds its negative interest rate policy and yield curve control, which could have knock-on effects on risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
If the Japanese yen weakens beyond 150 to the dollar, the Bank of Japan could be forced to hike rates sooner than expected, which may lead to the unwinding of the yen carry trade and a return of Japanese capital to domestic bond markets, potentially triggering market volatility.
Japanese consumer inflation grew above expectations in August, potentially signaling a move away from negative interest rates as the Bank of Japan meets to discuss its monetary policy.
The U.S. economy is facing uncertainty and conflicting estimates, with regional Fed estimates showing significant divergence and risks of economic contraction or slow growth, while factors such as health insurance costs, wage growth, home prices, and rising gas and commodity prices could potentially cause inflation to rebound. Moreover, there are still risks and challenges ahead, making declarations of victory premature, according to Larry Summers.
Marko Kolanovic, chief markets strategist at JPMorgan Chase, warns that a potential decline in inflation in late 2023 could challenge the stock market and weaken the pricing power of businesses, particularly in industries such as retail, automotive, and airlines. He also expresses concerns about the delayed effects of interest rate hikes on the economy, although he upgrades JPMorgan's position on global energy stocks due to expected increases in oil prices. Kolanovic foresees Japanese stocks performing well and suggests that China is entering a "buying zone" with potential trading opportunities in Chinese equities.
Minneapolis Federal Reserve President, Neel Kashkari, is uncertain if the current interest rate is sufficient to control inflation, as sectors of the economy that normally react to rate hikes continue to perform well.
Investors are concerned about possible intervention as the yen approaches 150 per dollar, but the Bank of Japan may find it difficult to justify and achieve currency support due to the hesitation in exiting an ultra-easy monetary policy and the commitment to market-determined exchange rates.
The Bank of Japan is considering the eventual end of its ultra-loose monetary policy, with some policymakers discussing the conditions and timing of a future exit, according to a summary of opinions from their September meeting, leading to a rise in government bond yields.
Overall inflation has moderated recently in the United States and euro area, but core inflation remains sticky, creating a challenge for central banks trying to meet their inflation targets. Financial conditions have eased, complicating the fight against inflation by preventing a slowdown in aggregate demand. The combination of loose financial conditions and a monetary policy tightening cycle may have dulled the effectiveness of monetary policy. There are risks of a repricing of risk assets and potential vulnerabilities in the financial sector, emphasizing the need for central banks to remain determined in their fight against inflation.
Concerns surround the upcoming release of U.S. payrolls data and how hawkish the Federal Reserve needs to be, as global markets experience a period of calm following a tumultuous week that saw Treasury yields rise to 16-year highs, crude oil prices drop, equities decline, and the yen strengthen. Japanese government bond yields are also causing concern, as investor sentiment towards the Bank of Japan's stimulus remains low.
Bank of Japan board member Asahi Noguchi emphasized the need to improve wage growth in order to achieve sustainable inflation, suggesting that the central bank should maintain its monetary easing policy for now.
Investors in Asian markets are expected to be cautious as they focus on Chinese producer and consumer price inflation, which will indicate if wider deflationary pressures are cooling in the country's struggling economy.
China's weak economic recovery and the risks associated with its property crisis are likely to impact Asia's economic prospects, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), leading to a cloudier outlook for the region and potential spillover effects on commodity-exporting countries with close trade links to China. The IMF revised its growth estimate for Asia down to 4.2% for 2024, and emphasized the need for central banks in the region to exercise caution in cutting interest rates due to sticky core inflation and other global factors such as the Middle East conflict. Additionally, the IMF warned that Japan's normalization of monetary policy could have significant global implications.
China's real estate crisis and deepening economic woes are raising concerns of a "Japanization" scenario, similar to Japan's period of deflation and low growth, with potential global spillovers, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The U.S. economy is surpassing China's growth as U.S. retail and industrial data continue to exceed expectations, leading to concerns about inflation and potential interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, while energy prices soar and tensions rise in the Gaza-Israel conflict.
