Latest from BCA Research
Investors should expect high volatility and a selloff in US stocks over the short run due to the higher-than-usual risk of technical default. Investors should seek shelter in defensive sectors and large cap stocks. Long-dated Treasuries will see yields fall due to the overall macro and geopolitical context even though short-dated Treasuries will continue to suffer from policy uncertainty.
The Q1-2023 earnings season has surprised as companies’ results point to the end of the earnings recession. However, the good news is already priced in – the market has barely budged over the past six weeks. Earnings rebound may continue as long as the economy avoids a recession. However, inevitably, tighter monetary policy will weigh on demand, and recovery will come to a halt.
The consumption outlook remains solid thanks to households’ sizable excess savings, incomes that will be boosted by a tight labor market and ample capacity to add debt to augment their buying power.
Global growth will weaken in the coming months, yet monetary authorities worldwide will be reluctant to ease policy. This state of affairs foreshadows a clash between markets and policymakers in the months ahead. China’s recovery is losing steam. The latest divergence between Emerging Asian and LATAM currencies will not last.
EM oil demand remains resilient and will continue to be propelled by global growth this year. Supply management by OPEC 2.0 and production discipline outside the coalition will be maintained, forcing inventories lower. Recent price weakness – largely reflecting political uncertainty – has pulled our 2023 Brent forecast down to $90/bbl (from $95/bbl); our 2024 forecast remains at $115/bbl.