CoreMacro

Monetary policy divergences are re-emerging. We rely on BCA’s Central Bank Monitor to assess the current policy stance of major central banks, and highlight the tactical opportunities across bond markets and currencies.

One year in, the EU is progressing slowly in implementing Mario Draghi's recommendations to restore Europe’s competitiveness. The lack of progress is due more to the various pushbacks from European capitals and the lack of proper funding than a lack of ambition. Our overall assessment remains positive, given the EU is adopting many of the priorities from Draghi’s report.

Special Report

Structural tailwinds help explain tight credit spreads. In Europe, we see room for further tightening. Stay underweight US credit amid cyclical risks, but upgrade Euro Area IG to overweight and HY to neutral.

The ECB stood pat today, yet the policy path remains fraught with uncertainty as domestic resilience collides with global headwinds. This dichotomy continues to hold important implications for European assets over the coming months.

The European Central Bank has achieved a soft landing. Inflation is back to target, with well-anchored inflation expectations. The unemployment rate is historically low, and real economic growth is stable, albeit weak. Given that little to no additional easing will come from the ECB, investors should underweight government bonds relative to equities.

Political instability will persist in France as PM François Bayrou loses the confidence vote. The nomination of a new PM will not end the country’s political paralysis and will further fuel fiscal fears. Investors should remain underweight French OAT. French equities, especially French banks, should be bought on dips.

The Norges Bank will cut rates only once until year-end as the NOK weakens and inflation hovers around 3%. Expect aggressive easing next year as the economic recovery is delayed by weakness in the energy sector and the labor market deteriorates.

Special Report

The outlook for European equities is becoming more appealing relative to US equities. Many structural headwinds are fading in Europe, and valuations remain historically cheap. Investors should position accordingly to benefit from the region’s cyclical rerating.

US tariffs will not derail the low-inflation economic recovery underway in the Euro Area. Investors should overweight European equities, focusing on parts of the market more insulated from tariffs.

The BoE is easing, but risks falling behind. Labor and growth cracks are starting to emerge, and the Bank may soon be forced to move more decisively. This report outlines why gilts remain a buy and sterling’s path is diverging vs. USD and EUR.