In this discussion, Blake Gwinn, Head of US Rates Strategy at RBC Capital Markets, and Peter Schaffrik, Head of UK/European Rates & Economics at RBC Capital Markets, dive into pressing economic shifts. They tackle the lingering uncertainties of tariffs and their influence on markets in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The duo also examines the implications of the recent German elections on fiscal policy and coalition dynamics. With bond market weakness under scrutiny, they ponder the future of asset swaps and the regulatory landscape.
Lingering tariff uncertainty is significantly dampening market confidence and growth prospects across various economies, particularly the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Recent shifts in swap spreads due to treasury supply and regulatory changes reflect a recalibration of market expectations influencing bond performance.
Deep dives
Impact of Tariff Uncertainty on Economic Confidence
Uncertainty surrounding tariffs has significantly affected business and market confidence, creating a freeze in economic activity. Investors and businesses are becoming increasingly cautious, prompted by frequent headlines regarding potential tariff implementations. Sentiment surveys indicate a decline in optimism, contrasting the positive economic outlook that emerged post-election. As a result, even without actual tariffs being enforced, the climate of uncertainty is enough to dampen growth prospects and business investment plans.
Variations in Economic Performance: U.S., Canada, and Europe
The economic landscape shows contrasting trends between the U.S., Canada, and Europe, with the U.S. exceptionalism narrative beginning to falter. While Canada faces potential growth setbacks due to tariff threats, it experiences an encouraging macro backdrop with positive labor market reports and anticipated GDP growth. In Europe, initial low expectations have led to surprisingly better-than-expected economic indicators, although challenges remain. The differing performances of these economies illustrate the complexity of current global economic dynamics driven by political and regulatory developments.
Shifts in Swap Spreads and Regulatory Developments
Recent shifts in swap spreads highlight the influence of treasury supply and regulatory developments across North America. Following comments from the new U.S. Treasury Secretary indicating no extensions in maturity for treasury debt, market positioning has swiftly adjusted, impacting swap spreads. In Canada, similar trends have been observed, as bond supply continues to rise amid looming tariff risks and regulatory changes. Overall, these movements signal a recalibration in market expectations that could influence bond performance moving forward.
The degree to which lingering tariff uncertainty impacts both market and general economic outcomes remains unclear. Economies are evolving regardless, with Europe and Canada seeing some improvement, while US exceptionalism is perhaps fading. Issuance and regulatory developments have brought swap spreads - the difference between swap rates and bond yields of the same term - back into focus. Persistent bond weakening in North America is now in question.
Participants:
Simon Deeley (Desk Strategy), Canada Rates Strategist
Peter Schaffrik (Desk Strategy), Head of UK/European Rates & Economics
Blake Gwinn (Desk Strategy), Head of US Rates Strategy
* Research Analyst opinions are their published views, independent of those expressed by Desk Analysts
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode