NAB Morning Call

Friday 25th August 2023

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Australia’s falling productivity is in focus as we emerge from the pandemic. The Productivity Commission has provided recommendations for helping resolve the issue, and earlier in the week the Business Council released its ‘Seize the Moment’ report about how the government and private sector can grow the economy. But how much of the fall in productivity is simply the transitional impact from a rise in the services sector. It’s a question Phil Dobbie puts to Melissa Wilson, Senior Economist (NSW) at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). They discuss how productivity gains can come from businesses across all sectors, and a part of it comes from a more adaptable approach, highlighted in CEDA’s recent Dynamic Capabilities report. So, whilst an industrial strategy for Australia would be useful, a lot of work can come from businesses taking a look at the way they operate. On that point, Melissa provides some useful insights on ‘The Weekend Edition’. 

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Friday 25th August 2023

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Markets lost confidence all of a sudden despite the standout earnings result and forecast from NVIDIA after the close yesterday. It did seem strange that there was such a focus on AI. Today shares are well down and NVIDIA has wiped out all of its gains. NAB’s David de Garis says there’s concerns that Jerome Powell will pull another rabbit out of his hat at Jackson Hole. There is a track record for markets being driven by central-bank speak at the Wyoming get together. Otherwise, there’s no clear reason for such an about turn. Jobs data held up in the US, durable goods orders were down, but largely accounted for by aircraft orders, and the Chicago Fed activity index was up. None can account for such an about turn.

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Thursday 24th August 2023

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Bond yields pushed lower on the back of weaker than expected PMI umbers, particularly in the UK and Europe. The drop was less pronounced in the US but yields still pushed lower on the back of the European slowdown. Equities rose sharply, presumably on the prospect of less in the way of hikes from central banks. But JBWere’s Sally Auld says that’s unlikely in the case of the Bank of England, given inflation and wage pressures are still strong. Does this mean they will have to force the country into recession? The Aussie dollar has benefited from the yield and currency moves today, but it doesn’t change the outlook. And shares will be buoyed further by a stronger than expected result from NVIDIA, beating analysts’ forecasts for Q3. 

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Wednesday 23rd August 2023

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The Fed’s Thomas Barkin has warned that strong consumer data from the US lately could mean a reacceleration in inflation is possible although, as NAB’s Rodrigo Catril points out, he also suggested that if inflation does come down then America is likely to see a soft landing. Inflation could rise in Europe for a different reason, if we see a reemergence in rising gas prices. If the temporary peak we are seeing now becomes sustained. A rapid recovery in China looks less likely by the day, but they at least have a plan, for a tech driven future where, supposedly, most of the existing growth is coming from. Still, that’ll take time – part of the reason NAB has revised it’s forecasts for the Aussie dollar. We talk through the revisions on today’s podcast. 

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Tuesday 22nd August 2023

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US Treasury Yields have hit new post GFC highs, but NAB’s Skye Masters says its hardly a surprise given where Fed funds rates currently are. She reminds us how last year 10-year Treasuries were trying to break 3%, hitting equity markets. Now yields are breaking above 4% and equities are rising. Does that support the soft-landing narrative, which is the expected outcome now by most US economists. Meanwhile, it seems we have to reassess expectations for the level of fiscal and monetary support for China. The PBoC eased the one year prime loan rate, but only by 10 basis points. That’s not going to move mountains, but it also didn’t have a profound impact on the broader market either.

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Monday 21st August 2023

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Central bankers descend on Jackson Hole at the end of the week for their annual symposium. Phil asks NAB’s Tapas Strickland whether we actually have a clear idea of the tack Jerome Powell will take when he talks on Friday. In the past Fed governors have been a little less guarded at this event and there are mixed signals about how much further rates need to rise, if it all, and how long before they start to come down. Meanwhile, the week kicks off with question marks over how China addresses struggling debt and a slowing economy, whilst Japan was confronted with higher-than-expected inflation numbers at the end of last week. How will the Aussie dollar cope with this sea of uncertainty? And, by the way, The Morning Call is seven years old today.

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Please note this communication is not a research report and has not been prepared by NAB Research analysts. Read the full disclaimer here.

Bond markets have been on a tumultuous rollercoaster ride. We saw a heavy sell off of last year as inflation picked up alongside rising interest rates. Now, they’re back, as a buying opportunity. So, are fund managers can seeing them as a growth asset rather than the customary defensive play? Phil puts that question to Katie Dean, head of FICC at Australian Super, Australia’s largest super fund. Katie also gives her views on how the macro picture is influencing purchase decisions. For example, she’s not a big advocate of the US soft landing scenario. Listen in for some useful insights and discussion points. Bonds are not boring, and neither is Katie!

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Friday 18th August 2023

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It's becoming a familiar pattern lately, with bond yields pushing higher and equities taking a clobbering. The Aussie also continues to suffer as noises come from China about tackling their economic slowdown, but very little still in the way of sold action. Australia’s rise in unemployment yesterday might ease the pressure on the RBA to lift rates, but NAB’s David de Garis says, only for a month. It seems no country can now assume they have finished their tightening cycle. 

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Thursday 17th August 2023

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The tide seems to be turning as investors and policy makes toy up the risk of inflation starting to climb again. NAB’s Gavin Friend says there was a strong suggestion of it in the FOMC minutes, released this morning, although that wascounteracted by two Fed members calling for rates to be held steady. There was clear evidence of the need for more tightening in the UK, where the headline CPI level fell, but core inflation remained resilient, and services inflation ticked higher. So, what’s the risk on the home front? Today’s Australian employment numbers will be a crucial element of the RBA decision making.

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Wednesday 16th August 2023

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It’s been a busy day for data releases, having a profound impact on markets. NAB’s Ray Attrill talks through what’s happened, not least of which is the continued signs of slowdowns in the Chinese economy. Japan too has shown a fall in consumption, even though GDP rose (it was all through exports). The Bank of Canada might not be done with rate hikes with a CPI surprise, and the Bank of England has to contend with higher-than-expected wages growth. Even the US is starting to question hopes of a soft landing. It’s been a session rich in data that’s raised more questions than its answered. It was a day light on good news. Maybe the Matildas can put that right.

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