Helpless Central Banks
From being the masters of markets in recent year, central banks are increasingly looking like the backroom boy; helpless against the uncertainties of the world. Once again, the world of BoJ Governor Kuroda involves him doing nothing and the yen rallying more than 2%. It also involves him doing something (as was the case end January) and the yen rallying. But the BoJ’s hands were largely tied, given that a fair degree of the latest strength has come from the risk aversion spreading through markets ahead of next week’s EU referendum vote. This could mean a chunk of yen strength either ends up being transitory, or being further enhanced. Only time will tell on that one. Of course, the story was slightly different for Yellen, with the recent indicators on the economy backing no change in rates. We also saw Governor George removing her previous vote for a hike, the anticipated hikes for this year reduced to two with the projections for 2017 also revised lower. This continues a familiar pattern of the Fed removing anticipated future tightening. Bond yields were lower as a result, the dollar softened and equities were weaker into the close.
The central bank theme continues with the meeting of the Bank of England at 11:00 GMT today. This will be a difficult one, because the EU Referendum will be the elephant sat squarely in the middle of the room. Can’t be ignored, but to acknowledge it will inevitably lead to being drawn into the debate itself. So there will be a very considered statement and some carefully worded minutes. Gold has pushed through the 1300 level overnight, into its seventh consecutive positive session, oil in its sixth day of straight declines. We’ve got another week to go of such risk aversion in markets. It’s going to be a long week…
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