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Investment Perspective · 06.27.24

Rate Cuts Begin

Initial rate cuts by the European Central Bank and Bank of Canada may signal a transformative trend toward monetary easing.

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Rate Cuts Begin

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Key Points

What it is

The European Central Bank and Bank of Canada have initiated rate cuts, setting the stage for broader monetary easing.

Why it matters

The importance of rate cuts lies in their potential role as a proactive measure to stabilize the economy, possibly heading off a downturn and enhancing financial resilience.

Where it's going

As inflation stabilizes, more central banks will likely follow suit with rate cuts, potentially leading to a more favorable environment for equities and credit markets.

The European Central Bank and Bank of Canada cut rates this month, signaling that the cycle is likely underway as long as inflation comes down. The two central banks have diverged from the Fed, but we believe the Fed is also likely to cut rates later this year. is likely behind us, with the exception of Japan.

In the U.S., we remain focused on inflation and the labor market. There are some soft spots in the labor market with the unemployment rate rising by 0.4 percentage points on a three-month average basis. But, as seen in the most recent May payroll report, job gains are still running well above the for the U.S. economy (estimated to be ~100-125k), which was helped by immigration flows on the margin. Economic growth is normalizing from the red hot pace of the past two quarters. Progress on inflation has been spotty, but it has resumed in the most recent readings. We expect inflation to continue to get closer to the Fed target by the end of the year. With this backdrop, our fixed income team expects about two cuts this year.

In the U.S., we remain focused on inflation and the labor market. There are some soft spots in the labor market with the unemployment rate rising by 0.4 percentage points on a three-month average basis. But, as seen in the most recent May payroll report, job gains are still running well above the breakeven rate for the U.S. economy (estimated to be ~100-125k), which was helped by immigration flows on the margin. Economic growth is normalizing from the red hot pace of the past two quarters. Progress on inflation has been spotty, but it has resumed in the most recent readings. We expect inflation to continue to get closer to the Fed target by the end of the year. With this backdrop, our fixed income team expects about two cuts this year.

Global (PMI) readings are in expansion after being below 50 for two consecutive years. Europe is out of recessionary territory and expected to show positive growth this year. Euro Area inflation ticked up in May and puts into question the pace of easing, but the bias is still to cut rates further for the remainder of the year. Japan is an outlier where we are encouraged to see inflation pick up. This allows for the Bank of Japan to consider tightening policy after decades of deflationary fears. Inflation is stickier in the U.K. and rate cuts expectations have been pushed back but not abandoned. China’s economy is showing reliance on exports but not showing much improvement in the property segment which is keeping consumer activity subdued. We expect the ongoing housing downturn to remain a multi-year drag on growth, and continue to think that more policy easing will be necessary to stabilize China’s property sector.

There were some election surprises this month, but we did not think there was enough information from these events in terms of changes to fiscal policy to warrant a portfolio adjustment. Earnings revisions are positive and revision breadth is increasing. Looking ahead we see about 12% earnings growth in the U.S. and 11.7% globally. This bodes well for improvement across sectors and globally, potentially broadening the rally. We made no changes to our asset allocation positions this month — we prefer equities over bonds, high yield bonds over investment grade, and we are underweight natural resources.

— Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D. – Chief Investment Officer, Global Asset Allocation

Breakeven rate

The breakeven rate in job gains refers to the number of new jobs that must be added to the economy each month to keep the unemployment rate stable without causing inflation to rise. This rate accounts for factors such as population growth and labor force participation.

Monetary tightening

Monetary tightening reduces the money supply in the economy, which may slow down the economy and reduce inflation.

Monetary easing

Monetary easing is a policy tool used by central banks to encourage economic growth and increase money supply. The goal of most monetary easing is to encourage borrowing and spending by businesses and consumers, which can boost economic activity and counteract deflationary pressures.

Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)

The PMI provides insights into the current trends and future direction of economic activity in the manufacturing and service sectors. It sets the federal funds rate target, which is achieved through open market purchases by the Federal Reserve and has a broad impact on interest rates in the financial system and the economy. The committee consists of 12 members from regional reserve banks

Exhibit 1: THE WORST OF TIGHTENING HAS PASSED?

Policy rates are expected to ease moving forward, representing a very different policy environment than the past two years.

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Interest Rates

Markets have spent the weeks between the May and June FOMC1 meetings anticipating one or two quarter-point rate cuts by the end of 2024. During this time, money markets have been very sensitive to incoming economic data, adjusting expectations for cuts when data releases surprised in either direction. We think this sensitivity is warranted as we expect the Fed to proceed carefully with rate cuts, predicated on the incoming data giving them the required confidence that inflation is on a sustainable path to their target in order to deliver policy normalization.

Heading into the May FOMC meeting, disappointing progress on inflation in the first quarter prompted Fed funds futures markets to price in only one quarter point cut this year. Since then, different inflation prints have been understandably influential on market pricing. Data related to the labor market has also moved markets during this period, as Fed Chair Powell noted during a recent press conference that unexpected weakness in the labor market could prompt an adjustment to monetary policy. We view markets pricing between one and two quarter-point rate cuts this year as reasonable, and consistent with our own modal expectation for two cuts.

— Dan LaRocco, Head of U.S. Liquidity, Global Fixed Income

EXHIBIT 2:bouncing around

Market pricing for rate cuts this year has been volatile.

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  • Policy rate expectations have been very sensitive to incoming economic data.
  • Progress on inflation will be key to the Fed lowering its policy rate.
  • Our base case is that the Fed will deliver two rate cuts this year starting in September.

Credit Markets

The economic backdrop continues to be supportive of risk broadly, as High Yield (HY) posted positive returns in May. The strength of the primary market continues to be topical, with HY bonds in May registering their largest gross supply in nearly three years. The vast majority of this issuance continues to be refinancing related, with net issuance year-to-date of $27 billion in bonds. Accommodative capital markets have enabled companies to address near-term refinancing needs, helping to extend the maturity wall. With the amount of issuance and where yields are currently, the average coupon has risen (see Exhibit 3).

Outside periods of shocks, the majority of HY returns have come from income generation since 2000. Excess returns beyond coupon for HY are positive roughly 50% of the time, highlighting the importance coupons have in cushioning the total return profile. Balance sheets for U.S. HY issuers are also in a strong state, heading into what could be a more challenging environment given refinancing at higher rates. Leverage remains comfortably below the long-term average despite a slight uptick and interest coverage metrics remain well above the historical average, which should be supportive of high yield valuations.

— Eric Williams, Head of Capital Structure, Global Fixed Income

EXHIBIT 3:COUPON CUSHION

The average high yield coupon has risen.

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  • High yield gross issuance continued to be robust in May.
  • With the amount of gross issuance and where yields are currently, the average coupon has risen.
  • We continue to like high yield for its income, and we believe that valuations are supported by fundamentals.

Equities

Global equities gained 3.0% over the trailing one-month period through June 12th. U.S. equities were up 3.8% and continued to lead at the regional level. Europe and Japan were up a little over 1.5%, while emerging markets were basically flat (+0.1%). Global risk sentiment was generally positive over the one-month period. After hotter than expected price data in the first quarter of the year, inflation resumed its downward trend in the U.S. Global economic activity held up reasonably well, including a strong U.S. employment report and supportive global Purchasing Managers’ Indexes and trade data. Equity markets coalesced around the growth without inflation narrative.

The European Central Bank and Bank of Canada recently became the first major central banks to cut their policy rates this cycle. We remain of the view that the (ex-Japan) will follow suit as inflation eases. Per the chart, U.S. stocks have gained 12% in the 180 days following the first Fed rate cut when a recession is avoided, versus a 7% drawdown when it is not. We maintain our soft landing view in which growth stays positive and the Fed maintains an easing bias, and we continue to prefer stocks over bonds.

— Colin Cheesman, Investment Strategist, Asset Allocation

EXHIBIT 4: THE GROWTH VARIABLE

If growth holds up, stocks can do well when the Fed cuts.

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  • On average, stocks have outperformed bonds during Fed rate cuts when a recession is avoided.
  • We retain our soft landing base case and think that non-recessionary rate cuts are the most likely outcome.
  • After adding 5% to global equities last month, we made no changes. We continue to prefer stocks over bonds.

Real Assets

Outside of the office sector, real estate (RE) fundamentals have been resilient with the other major sectors delivering net operating income growth on a year-over-year basis coming out of the pandemic. Multifamily owners have been citing the relative cost of ownership as a driver of continued demand. With higher mortgage rates and property pricing, renters moving out to purchase a home remain well below historical averages. The industrial sector has been especially strong over the last few years with e-commerce and “last mile” demand drivers firmly in place.

The dispersion in rental growth among the various property types is often driven by supply-demand imbalances. One of the most pressing issues in the first half of 2024 is how the multifamily and industrial sectors can weather the supply overhang in the near term, with substantial pockets of supply, especially in the Southeast and Sunbelt markets. Record real estate supply could restrict growth throughout 2024 and perhaps well into 2025. However, owners should see significant relief in 2026/2027 as higher cost and less liquid capital markets have driven declines in permitting.

— Jim Hardman, Head of Real Assets, Multi-Manager Solutions

EXHIBIT 5: POST-PANDEMIC REAL ESTATE SUPPLY EXCESS

Short-term supply is restraining RE fundamentals.

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  • RE fundamentals have been healthy and landlords have been able to grow net operating income.
  • Some property types are experiencing a short-term supply overhang that is limiting rental growth.
  • Current supply pipelines and permitting have substantially slowed — this should provide a healthier market in the years to come. Tactically, we remain equal-weight global real estate.
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Main Point

Rate Cuts by Key Central Banks May Mark Start of Monetary Easing

Explore how the European Central Bank and Bank of Canada lead the way with initial rate cuts, setting the stage for a broader monetary easing trend. Learn more about the implications for inflation, economic growth and market dynamics.

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Indexes used and definitions:

Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index: Measures the performance of high yield corporate bonds, with a maximum allocation of 2% to any one issuer.

Bloomberg U.S. Credit Index: Measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate, taxable corporate and government-related bond markets. It is composed of the U.S. Corporate Index and a non-corporate component that includes non-U.S. agencies, sovereigns, supranationals and local authorities.

Bloomberg Global Aggregate (Agg) Index: Flagship measure of global investment grade debt from a multitude of local currency markets. This multi-currency benchmark includes treasury, government-related corporate and securitized fixed-rate bonds from both developed and emerging markets issuers.

MSCI ACWI: A free-float weighted equity index that includes both emerging and developed world markets.

S&P 500 Index: Widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. The index includes 500 leading companies and covers approximately 80% of available market capitalization.

Unless noted otherwise, data in this piece is Sourced from Bloomberg as of May 2024.

The information contained herein is intended for use with current or prospective clients of Northern Trust Investments, Inc (NTI) or its affiliates. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution would be contrary to local law or regulation. NTI or its affiliates may have positions in and may effect transactions in the markets, contracts and related investments different than described in this information. This information is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed, and is subject to change. Information does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy, is not intended as investment advice and does not take into account all the circumstances of each investor.

This report is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to any transaction and should not be treated as legal advice, investment advice or tax advice. Recipients should not rely upon this information as a substitute for obtaining specific legal or tax advice from their own professional legal or tax advisors. References to specific securities and their issuers are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended and should not be interpreted as recommendations to purchase or sell such securities. Indices and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Information is subject to change based on market or other conditions.

All securities investing and trading activities risk the loss of capital. Each portfolio is subject to substantial risks including market risks, strategy risks, advisor risk, and risks with respect to its investment in other structures. There can be no assurance that any portfolio investment objectives will be achieved, or that any investment will achieve profits or avoid incurring substantial losses. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee returns or eliminate risk in any market environment. Risk controls and models do not promise any level of performance or guarantee against loss of principal. Any discussion of risk management is intended to describe NTI or its affiliates’ efforts to monitor and manage risk but does not imply low risk.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.Performance returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Performance returns contained herein are subject to revision by NTI or its affiliates. Comparative indices shown are provided as an indication of the performance of a particular segment of the capital markets and/or alternative strategies in general. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in any index. Net performance returns are reduced by investment management fees and other expenses relating to the management of the account. Gross performance returns contained herein include reinvestment of dividends and other earnings, transaction costs, and all fees and expenses other than investment management fees, unless indicated otherwise. For additional information on fees, please refer to Part 2a of the Form ADV or consult an NTI representative.

Forward-looking statements and assumptions are NTI or its affiliates’ current estimates or expectations of future events or future results based upon proprietary research and should not be construed as an estimate or promise of results that a portfolio may achieve. Actual results could differ materially from the results indicated by this information.

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Northern Trust Asset Management is composed of Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, Northern Trust Fund Managers (Ireland) Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., NT Global Advisors, Inc., 50 South Capital Advisors, LLC, Northern Trust Asset Management Australia Pty Ltd, and investment personnel of The Northern Trust Company of Hong Kong Limited and The Northern Trust Company.

Rate reset in motion? | Northern Trust Asset Management (2024)

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