1 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast. I'm Tom Keane. Along 2 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: with Jonathan Ferrell and Lisa A. Brownowitz. Daily we bring 3 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:17,159 Speaker 1: you insight from the best and economics, finance, investment, and 4 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:23,280 Speaker 1: international relations. Find Bloomberg Surveillance on Apple Podcast, Suncloud, Bloomberg 5 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: dot Com, and of course on the Bloomberg terminal. This 6 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,919 Speaker 1: is a joy with Amrie Harden in Rome. It is 7 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:38,000 Speaker 1: entirely appropriate that Maria Todeo is with us, and she's 8 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: from one of truly the most famous embassy buildings in 9 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 1: the world is the Palazzo Finacea, and it is the 10 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: jewel of the sixteenth century. And Maria I would suggest 11 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:53,599 Speaker 1: that Mr mccrown the people of France have to spend 12 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: zillions of francs every year keeping it in wonderful restoration. 13 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: They probably do, but you know, the French do have 14 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: a niver beauty. And on that note, we are going 15 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: straight with our guests. Unmail. Always nice to see you, 16 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,119 Speaker 1: French finance minister. You have an important meeting. But before 17 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:15,839 Speaker 1: we go into the economics, I want to talk about 18 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,119 Speaker 1: the politics your president. I mean, when mccron is meeting 19 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: with President Biden. The last time they met together was 20 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: a very different scenario than the submarine crisis happened. Are 21 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: you making peace this time or are you still angry? 22 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 1: I don't know. We are on the process to make peace. 23 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 1: Of course, we have been disappointed. Everybody is aware of that. 24 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: But now this is the first step in the way 25 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: of rebuilding trust and confidence between the United States and France. 26 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 1: And what's that going to entail? Is there anything specifically 27 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: that will come out of the meetings. I know you 28 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 1: don't speak on behavin, so I would attend the meeting 29 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: with President Biden and mccon. But let's wait some minutes 30 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:58,559 Speaker 1: before explaining anything about this meeting, okay. And you're also 31 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: very involved in the O City deal, thecent compermaniment tax. 32 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: We know that this is something you've worked on for years. 33 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: It finally does seem like it will be agreed in 34 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 1: Rome this weekend. How about the implementation? However, in real life, 35 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: how do you put it to work? It is a 36 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 1: key agreement and now the key question is implementation. So 37 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 1: we will do our best as the next EU presidency, 38 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 1: the fronts will have the EU presidency to implement the 39 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: tupidas of this international taxation, digital taxation and minimum taxation. 40 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: Our goal is to have this international taxation system being 41 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: fully implemented, no letters than twenty three. And what's your 42 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 1: message to Facebook, Google? Is it prepared to pay more? 43 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: They have to pay, so how much more and powerful 44 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 1: they're making profits, they have to pay. This is fairness 45 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 1: And you think they get that now, I think they 46 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 1: get that. But let's have a look at the consequences 47 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 1: of the COVID crisis and the econdemic crisis. Facebook, Google 48 00:02:57,639 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: and all the digital giants of the big winners of 49 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: this crisis. So it's fair that they have to pay 50 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: the due level of taxes. And you know you mentioned 51 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: the economic recovery. We are seeing in Europe that it 52 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: is speeding up, but we do have problems on the 53 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 1: supply chain. I know that's something that you say. You're 54 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 1: also concerned in terms of the big French names that 55 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: operate globally. How big an issue is the shortage economy? 56 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: Do you buy into this theory that we're heading into 57 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: a period of type types? Very good news on the 58 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: economic recovery. You know that the last figure for funds 59 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,639 Speaker 1: for the third quarter of the year is three percent 60 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 1: of growth, which means that we will reach our goal 61 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: of having six point twenty of growth, and we already have. 62 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: We covered the same level of growth and the one 63 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 1: we had before the crisis. So that's excellent news. The 64 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:51,800 Speaker 1: economic coqwy is quick, it is rapid, and it is solid. 65 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: Then we are facing the negative consequences of this economic recovery. Bottlenecks, 66 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: shortages on the labor market, on the semi conductors, on 67 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 1: the whole materials. It might affect the level of gowth 68 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 1: over the next month and over the next years. It 69 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: means that we clearly need all the twenty countries to 70 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: address the issue and to find very concrete solutions to 71 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: these bottlenecks. And of course, feeding into this as a 72 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 1: debata around inflation yesterdays, who used to do your job 73 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: in the past. She said, it's it's heating up, but 74 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: it's temporary. The factors are pushing up inflation will fade away. 75 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: To buy her theory, yes, I fully share her point 76 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:36,160 Speaker 1: of view. I think it is temporary inflation. Nevertheless, once 77 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 1: again we should be very careful about this question of bottlenecks. 78 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,720 Speaker 1: Let's just have a look at the question of semi conductors. 79 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: Now you have the automotive industry being directly hit by 80 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: the lack of semi conductors, which means that the right solution, 81 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,600 Speaker 1: and we share the same point of view as the 82 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 1: one expressed by Proson Biden, is to be more independent. 83 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:01,159 Speaker 1: Mccommed it very clear. We won't Europe to be more independent, 84 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,360 Speaker 1: to invest in new factories so that we can have 85 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: our own semiconductors, not being too much dependent on Asia, 86 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 1: on South Korea or other nations. And Europe has made 87 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: that very clear too. I want to also follow up 88 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 1: on the e c B question. I know you don't 89 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: want to talk about the central bank, but yesterday we 90 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 1: did see markets pricing that there will be an entrance 91 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 1: rate hike by the end of next year in Europe. 92 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,039 Speaker 1: Is that premature? Does this economy still need more stimulus? 93 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: As a market reading it wrong? I think that we 94 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: have to go step by step. The first step was 95 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 1: to protect our salaries and our companies against the most 96 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: important crisis since nineteen nine. Second step the economic recovery. 97 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: We are successful on the economic recovery. That's very good 98 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 1: news for all of us, to the United States and Europe. 99 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: The third step will be to come back to some 100 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,279 Speaker 1: public finances, but we should not hurry up in coming 101 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: back to some public finances or otherwise you run the 102 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,600 Speaker 1: risk of killing growth. And the best response to the 103 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 1: economic crisis is more gross sustainable growth for all the people. 104 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 1: Just a very final question energy. This is a big 105 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:14,840 Speaker 1: conversation in Europe. We're seeing the bills are going through 106 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,280 Speaker 1: the roof. Your government has announced measures to help. Is 107 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 1: that on households? Are you willing to work more with 108 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 1: Russia perhaps on that front or does it prove the 109 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:26,359 Speaker 1: case the nuclear energy is the French way is actually valid. 110 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 1: She proves the case that nuclear energy is one of 111 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:33,480 Speaker 1: the best solutions. If you want to be dependent on 112 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: Russia and on vere putting, that's your choice, that's not 113 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 1: my choice. My choice is to have fronts on the 114 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: open countries, being totally independent, which means investing more in 115 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:48,280 Speaker 1: nuclear energies, investing more in renewable energies, so that we 116 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: can have a mix which makes Europe fully independence from 117 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 1: the other countries, perhaps more more French, less German, at 118 00:06:55,880 --> 00:07:00,919 Speaker 1: least on the energy energy, more French rather than German. Yes, okay, 119 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: well one of them. Oil. Thank you so much for 120 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: your time. Always like seeing you, and I hope of 121 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:08,480 Speaker 1: the meeting with the Treasure Secretary goes well, thanks so much, 122 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: Thank you. Tom all right today, oh thank you so much. 123 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: On radio and television worldwide Maria today O from the 124 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: Embassy of the Republic of France in Rome. Were the 125 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: reset view on the American economy with Bank of America. 126 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:30,960 Speaker 1: Michelle Meyer joins us. Right now, Michelle, what have you 127 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 1: done to reset off of two percent yesterday? UM, So 128 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 1: we were tracking right around two percent, so it came 129 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: in pretty close expectations given all the high frequency data 130 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: we were looking at UM and we are holding to 131 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:47,320 Speaker 1: review that the fourth quarter should show a rebound. We're 132 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: seeing stronger signs of consumer spending. When we look at 133 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 1: our aggregated UM card data, we're seeing a really healthy 134 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: UM move higher in spending with UM the services economy 135 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 1: red gauging UM with potentially an early start to the 136 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 1: holiday shopping season. So we think we're going to see 137 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 1: stronger consumer spending into the fourth quarter, business investment continuing, 138 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: and some further contribution from inventories. There's a while to 139 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: go in terms of inventory cycles. So our foecast is 140 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 1: six percent real GDP growth. Thank you four which is 141 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 1: again and I pick up from the third quarter. Major 142 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: Inside Baseball, Michelle Meyer, how can you count inventories were 143 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: the upset of supply shock? Okay, so this gets wonky, 144 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:36,079 Speaker 1: as you can expect, but for gen let's just do it. 145 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: For GDP calculations, it's the change in the change in inventories. 146 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:44,959 Speaker 1: So if you're simply contracting by less, it's actually a 147 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 1: positive contribution for GDP growth. And that's what we saw 148 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 1: in the third quarter. Inventories were still down, but not 149 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:53,559 Speaker 1: as down as they were in a second quarter, so 150 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: that added two percentage points to GDP growth. So we 151 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 1: were so far away from a point where we're actually 152 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: adding to inventory levels, but simply subtracting less will support 153 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: the GDP adding up process going forward, Spending will be 154 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: a key issue, Wages a key issue. We just got 155 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 1: some spending data. How much does that enlighten us about 156 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,319 Speaker 1: what happened with a third quarter GDP reading and what 157 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:20,439 Speaker 1: we can expect going forward. Absolutely, I think the consumer 158 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,959 Speaker 1: is very much what we should be paying attention to. 159 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:26,559 Speaker 1: And Lisa, as you noted, it's important to understand the 160 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:28,839 Speaker 1: money in and the money out right, So I a 161 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:31,319 Speaker 1: hundred percent agree with you that the wage data this 162 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,679 Speaker 1: morning was by far the most important statistic. That was 163 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:37,719 Speaker 1: a big increase in the employment costs Index UM, and 164 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:40,559 Speaker 1: that shows that there's more purchasing power for the consumer, 165 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: but it also tells us that there's more inflationary pressure 166 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:47,439 Speaker 1: building in the broader economy. Businesses will be able to 167 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: pass more of those costs on they're doing it. We're 168 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: seeing in terms of these price pressures UM. But I 169 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 1: think the big picture for the consumer is that there's 170 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: still a lot of cash out there. There's a lot 171 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: of availability to borrow to the extent that that's necessary. 172 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 1: We are seeing some pick up in UM spending on 173 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,960 Speaker 1: credit cards amongst lower income consumers UM, and the savings rate, 174 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 1: although coming down in today's report, is still pretty elevated. 175 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 1: So I think the extent that consumers have items to buy, 176 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:18,439 Speaker 1: are feeling comfortable re engaging in the services economy, we 177 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: will see that play out in the data, even if 178 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 1: it means coming with more price pressure. Michelle, let's just 179 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: sit on that employment cost index for a minute, because 180 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:28,559 Speaker 1: I just did the data and this is actually the 181 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:32,080 Speaker 1: highest read ever in data going back to the I mean, 182 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:35,559 Speaker 1: this is a shocking increase in wages in how much 183 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:38,599 Speaker 1: is that labor is demanding. What does this mean in 184 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 1: terms of the stickiness of inflation and frankly, the response 185 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:45,960 Speaker 1: from central bankers as the FED meets next week. Yeah, 186 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,319 Speaker 1: So the employment cross the next is the Fed's preferred 187 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:50,959 Speaker 1: measure of wages. So they can look past some of 188 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 1: the noise and the average early ernies numbers because of 189 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: composition issues, et cetera. But employment costs Index they pay 190 00:10:57,559 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: a lot of attention to. And this is a big 191 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 1: burt and it's very much consistent with what we're staying 192 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 1: in terms of the high quit rate, the high amount 193 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 1: of job openings, the fact that purchasing power has shifted 194 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 1: to the employee UM and we're seeing that in terms 195 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: of these labor costs. So when you have wage growth 196 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:18,680 Speaker 1: of this magnitude, especially if it proves to be persistent 197 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: the keyword um, it pushes, you know, you get this 198 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 1: wage price push into broader prices and that sets up 199 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 1: for a much more of a sticky path higher of inflation. 200 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 1: And the Feed is going to pay very close attention 201 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:34,079 Speaker 1: to that well. And obviously we'll be watching the Fed 202 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: decision on Wednesday next week, But then on Friday, we 203 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: have a job's report and given some of those labor 204 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: market dynamics that Lisa was referring to, what are you 205 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 1: expecting to see from the month of October given September 206 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 1: took us all by surprise in many ways, so we 207 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 1: think we will see an acceleration. We're looking for four 208 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 1: hundred and fifty thousand non farm puerial growth um in 209 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,079 Speaker 1: the next report, which is a nice pick up from 210 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,080 Speaker 1: the last two months, but not quite to the levels 211 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:01,559 Speaker 1: that we were prior to the pandemic. And I think 212 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 1: one of the key components within the report will be 213 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:08,199 Speaker 1: the labor force participation rate, whether or not we're seeing 214 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 1: move back up supply into labor market, because that's absolutely 215 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: critical in order to step some of the inflationary pressure 216 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:18,440 Speaker 1: and also keep this business cycle going. You know, we're 217 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: dealing with very large supply side constraints in any sign 218 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 1: that that's opening up or creating some relief is going 219 00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 1: to be critical. Michelle, Thank you so much, Michelle Meyer, 220 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: Bank of America with us for briefing everyone. Really changing 221 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: and adjusting your folks. I really can't say enough about 222 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: house to house right now. We monitor your problems in 223 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: the fixed income market, and there's no one better to 224 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 1: do that with George Boy who writes brilliantly clear research notes. George, 225 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,439 Speaker 1: you go all calculus on us and say, get over it. 226 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:58,439 Speaker 1: We're seeing a deceleration in the fixed income market. Explain that. Yeah, sure, thanks, 227 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:01,720 Speaker 1: thanks Tom, good morning. Um. You know what we're seeing 228 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,559 Speaker 1: is it is a deceleration in the bond market. You know, 229 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: we've seen a pretty big move over the last week 230 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:09,720 Speaker 1: or so at the long end of the curve as 231 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: bond yields have dropped UM and the curve is flattened. 232 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:16,760 Speaker 1: The curve is flattened pretty meaningfully, and very very importantly, 233 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 1: we've seen a mild inversion out at the very long 234 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 1: end between the twenty year and the ten year UH 235 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 1: tenure point on the curves. And and people have rushed 236 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:26,839 Speaker 1: to assume that this is now a sort of a 237 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:31,080 Speaker 1: meaningful indicator that we're headed for a hard landing. UM 238 00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 1: And I think that's that's kind of getting a little 239 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: bit ahead of the curve, as they say, um And 240 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: And the reality is is that there there are tremendous 241 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:44,079 Speaker 1: technicals that that drive fixed income markets. It's it's the 242 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 1: shape of the curve. One of the best indicators you 243 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: can look at for sort of the direction of the economy, 244 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: the direction of growth and and ultimately markets, and a 245 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: flattening curve usually kind of raises some alarm bells. But 246 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: but when we look at the curve, what we see 247 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:01,640 Speaker 1: is a curve that's actually is actually what's called, you know, 248 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:03,719 Speaker 1: what we would call, you know, a bare flatten er. 249 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 1: Yields are moving incrementally higher. It's not one direction and 250 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 1: it's not universal, but they are moving higher. And so 251 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:14,199 Speaker 1: the fact that yields overall are moving higher while the 252 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: curve flattens, that underscores to us a message that the 253 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: economy is decelerating, it's not headed for a hard landing, 254 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 1: that the economy is still doing well. We saw kind 255 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: of a soft patch in the in the in the 256 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:32,400 Speaker 1: third quarter, as we saw yesterday, but the the underpinnings 257 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: of demand are very robust. Yes, supply constraints are impacting growth, 258 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 1: end user is still pretty healthy. I like the discrepancy 259 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 1: that you make, or there's sort of the distinction that 260 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 1: you make between heading toward recession, creating off a cliff, 261 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: and just slowing down, which is what pretty much everyone 262 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: expects to see. But a lot of this is predicated 263 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: on central banks raising rates sooner than they say they will. 264 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 1: Do you buy that story that the market is telling 265 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 1: or do you buy what central bankers are trying to us? Well, 266 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 1: I I think that the market is certainly testing the 267 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 1: limits of the central banks, and I think what the 268 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: central banks have told us is they are again using 269 00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 1: the yield curve as as an example. They definitively want 270 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 1: to be behind the curve. They're gonna let the market 271 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: move ahead and ultimately sort of guide where they need 272 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: to be. Now you can you can debate whether or 273 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: not the markets getting ahead of itself. You know, current 274 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: levels of inflation are quite high by historical standards and 275 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 1: are remaining higher than than people would have expected. But 276 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: there is a good chance that they do start to 277 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: decelerate as well as we get into next year. Supply 278 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 1: supply side constraints don't last forever. They do start to 279 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 1: get some level of relief, and so, you know, I 280 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 1: think the market is sort of pressure pro pressuring the 281 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:48,840 Speaker 1: sort of the limits of the Fed. FED has been 282 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 1: very clear they're going to you know, they plan to 283 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 1: start to taper. We're going to hear from them next 284 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: week and then you know that will sort of set 285 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: the stage for other central banks around the world are 286 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 1: already in ocean. And so the reality is, is that 287 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: sort of the extreme liquidity that's been in the market 288 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: now for you know, eighteen months or so, you know, 289 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 1: is starting to come out and is starting to decelerate. 290 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: But we're going from extreme extreme liquidity to less liquidity. 291 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 1: So it's not negative, it's not tightening, it's just less. 292 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 1: But is there a tipping point? And I think this 293 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 1: is what people are looking at when they say things 294 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: like a hawkish dot, the idea that there's a similar 295 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 1: kind of sentiment in central banks around the world where 296 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:29,520 Speaker 1: you saw all yields go down for years together globally 297 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: in tandem, and now we're starting to see it move 298 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: in the opposite direction in tandem. Could we reach a 299 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 1: tipping point where it starts to accelerate on itself and 300 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: people start to try to normalize rates with something more 301 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 1: akin to inflation and growth. We could reach a tipping point. 302 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: I think that's a fair point. It's and I think 303 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 1: this is sort of the game of cat and mouse 304 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 1: between markets and between central bankers. You know, I think 305 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: our our our view is that that that the FED 306 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: is trying to recalibrate fixed income markets. I mean they 307 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: see the same data we do, and so, you know, 308 00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 1: sort of moving yields higher, allowing yields to move higher 309 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 1: to be more in sync with both inflation and growth 310 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,000 Speaker 1: is effectively one of their objectives when they can't let 311 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 1: it move too far, too fast. Your point about a 312 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 1: tipping point is that do central bankers lose control of 313 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,159 Speaker 1: the plot, do they allow or do they are they 314 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 1: unable to sort of control the pace of the move. 315 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 1: So far that has not been the case, and so 316 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: and and that's sort of exactly what we're seeing right now, 317 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:32,920 Speaker 1: is that you know, there is still very very strong technicals, goods, 318 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:36,240 Speaker 1: technical support within the fixed income market. There's a chronic 319 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:40,360 Speaker 1: shortage of duration globally, and and sort of liability managers, 320 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:43,880 Speaker 1: pension funds, insurance companies and others still move to sort 321 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: of try and immunize their liabilities. It's not a value trade, 322 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,480 Speaker 1: it's it's a it's a requirement they need to buy duration. 323 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:52,399 Speaker 1: And so when you get to a point like we 324 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: are now, stock markets at all time highs, we're heading 325 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,080 Speaker 1: into your end. You sell some stocks, you buy some bonds, 326 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: You immunize your liability. Those those are very strong technicals 327 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:05,399 Speaker 1: that we think keep this market in check. The big picture, 328 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:07,879 Speaker 1: Fine yields are moving higher. I mean, that's that's our 329 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: central case. It's a matter of pace. So then George, 330 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 1: what's the read through to credit. Have we seen the tights? Yeah, 331 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: we do think we've seen the tights actually, um, you know, 332 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:21,159 Speaker 1: and what we've seen in historical uh you know periods, 333 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: is that one central bank policy does start to change, 334 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,680 Speaker 1: you know, sort of it becomes more of a carry 335 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 1: trade than a compression trade. And that's very consistent with 336 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,919 Speaker 1: what we've seen over the last couple of months. Now 337 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 1: that carry trade can last years, many years in some instances, 338 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,440 Speaker 1: So it is a little bit dangerous to get too 339 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 1: far ahead of the curve, again using the curve as 340 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,920 Speaker 1: the analogy. But but importantly, you do start to move 341 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 1: your portfolio around, You start to move up in quality, 342 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,440 Speaker 1: you start to move sort of down in sort of 343 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 1: what we call spread duration, so slightly shorter maturities. You 344 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:57,159 Speaker 1: try to sort of buffer yourself against those potential spikes 345 00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: and volatility. But it is still much too early to 346 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 1: just simply cut and run, you know. We can find 347 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: good value in places like structured credit. We want predictable 348 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:09,639 Speaker 1: cash flows and we want to try and minimize that 349 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: that volatile How of you on the Boy continuum. I'm 350 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 1: in the triple leverage all cash fund, so I bring 351 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:19,479 Speaker 1: bring in the duration and George Boy, thank you so much. 352 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:30,199 Speaker 1: Not enough. Scott Clemens, partner in chief investment strategist at 353 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:32,639 Speaker 1: Brown Brothers Harriman, joining us right now. I would love 354 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: to get your sense, Scott, what you make of the 355 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 1: volatility on the front end of the yield curve across 356 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 1: the world bleeding into longer end over the past few days, 357 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 1: when there really hasn't been a major identifiable catalyst. And 358 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 1: I think you're right, what we're seeing is just a 359 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: reflection of continued uncertainty in the economy. The big sort 360 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 1: of hundred thousand foot lesson of the last eighteen months 361 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:00,479 Speaker 1: is that for all of its volatility, the economy financial 362 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 1: markets are pretty finely tuned, and when you dislocate them, 363 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: as COVID did for the past eighteen months, complex systems 364 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:11,720 Speaker 1: do not heal quickly. And in almost any data series 365 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 1: you look at, be at the bond market, being inflation GDP, 366 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 1: the labor market, anything is still showing these signs of fibrillation, 367 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,640 Speaker 1: and that's going to take some time to sort out. 368 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:25,240 Speaker 1: So right now the bond market is being pushed and 369 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 1: pulled between what do I believe a two percent GDP 370 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:30,640 Speaker 1: growth figure for the third core that we got yesterday, 371 00:20:31,119 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 1: or do I believe that inflation is the new normal? 372 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:35,119 Speaker 1: And I think we're going to see more of this 373 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: volatility on a daily basis as bond market participants sort 374 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: those issues out. Scott Clemens, Brown Brothers Hareman goes back 375 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 1: almost as far as the setting of the obelisk in St. 376 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:48,880 Speaker 1: Peter's square. It's a venerable and ancient firm. Your guys 377 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: idea of short term is three years. I'm going to 378 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 1: even say the BBH rule is short term is five 379 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: or ten years. How do our listeners and viewers in 380 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: that For a true BBH long term um, you focus 381 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: on the fundamentals and you accept the notion that price 382 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,920 Speaker 1: volatility is a feature of financial markets. It is not 383 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:16,359 Speaker 1: a bug. If anything, I have been surprised that we 384 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:20,000 Speaker 1: haven't had more volatility in financial markets over the past 385 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:21,960 Speaker 1: eighteen months. We're getting a little bit now on the 386 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 1: bond market. We had a little bit in the UH 387 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: the equity markets in September to me the incoming tide. 388 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: The real driver of the equity market in particular is 389 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 1: the growth we're seeing in corporate earnings and and furthermore, 390 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:38,440 Speaker 1: the growth and profitability of corporate earnings. That's fundamental. That's 391 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:41,480 Speaker 1: not day to day price volatility. That's the fuel that 392 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: drives markets forward. And I think that's sort of an 393 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: undertold story driving markets forward on a secular basis. Not 394 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:53,679 Speaker 1: to deny the likelihood even of short term volatility and prices. Well, 395 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:56,880 Speaker 1: let's talk about those earnings. Because things were going well 396 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: and then two of the biggest companies out there, Apple 397 00:21:59,359 --> 00:22:03,200 Speaker 1: and Amazon had big disappointments after the bell. If tech 398 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: isn't leading the way, what does that mean for the 399 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:10,439 Speaker 1: broader equity market. Well, Kayley, it's certainly something that worries 400 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:14,119 Speaker 1: me because the markets have become so top heavy in 401 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,920 Speaker 1: a handful of very familiar names that that that we 402 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:19,680 Speaker 1: all and all your viewers know about that a stumble 403 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: in some of those very large names like Apple, like Amazon, 404 00:22:22,800 --> 00:22:25,840 Speaker 1: for example, could dent the markets just by virtue of 405 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:29,360 Speaker 1: them being such a large representation in the markets. Here 406 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: here too, we're cautioning our investors to look through that 407 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:37,160 Speaker 1: headline volatility. And we're active investors, so we can choose 408 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:41,240 Speaker 1: to avoid some of those large names in technology and 409 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:44,360 Speaker 1: find those companies that have been left behind and those 410 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 1: companies that have certain characteristics that we think we'll see 411 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:49,760 Speaker 1: them through thick and thin, almost no matter where we 412 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 1: are in the economic cycle or where we are in 413 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: the market cycle. But as a potential source of near 414 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:59,919 Speaker 1: term price volatility, absolutely, some of these large technology stocks 415 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:03,200 Speaker 1: stumbling for one reason or another is a potential source 416 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:06,639 Speaker 1: of price volatility at the index level. Scott Clemens a 417 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,040 Speaker 1: personal note, and I really would love you to speak 418 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:12,520 Speaker 1: to this. Ground zero of all that we invented here 419 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 1: with Bloomberg on the economy and Bloomberg Surveillance is nineteen 420 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 1: o seven in the structure of American finance. You are 421 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:23,920 Speaker 1: on the board of the Morgan Library, and there is 422 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,920 Speaker 1: that study of JP Morgan's from nineteen o seven when 423 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 1: he saved this nation by simply writing a check. What 424 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 1: is it like for you, so active with the Morgan Library, 425 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 1: to be in that room where we began our modern finance. Well, Tom, you, 426 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 1: you and your producers have done their homework, and thank 427 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 1: you for noting that it is remarkable. And the advice 428 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,880 Speaker 1: that I give to young investors, professional or amateur everywhere 429 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:55,639 Speaker 1: is to study history. Because although regulations change, markets change 430 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 1: in interest rates change, the fed changes, human nature is 431 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:02,920 Speaker 1: the mutable, and the human nature that drove the panics 432 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 1: of the nineteen hundred nineteenth century in the early twentieth 433 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:10,680 Speaker 1: century still happened today. It's greed, it's lust, it's fear, 434 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:14,560 Speaker 1: its anxiety, it's desire. In rereading that history in nineteen 435 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 1: oh seven, in particular, in the actions that Mr Morgan 436 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 1: took in that library, which looks just as it did 437 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:23,399 Speaker 1: in nineteen seven, is a wonderful testimony to how fragile 438 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 1: this economy is, but in the long run, how durable 439 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 1: it is as well, because here we still are. Scott Clemence, 440 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 1: thank you so much. With Brown Brothers Harriman. This is 441 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:36,080 Speaker 1: the Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast. Thanks for listening. Join us live 442 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 1: weekdays from seven to ten am Eastern on Bloomberg Radio 443 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:43,840 Speaker 1: and on Bloomberg Television each day from six to nine 444 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 1: am for insight from the best in economics, finance, investment, 445 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:53,440 Speaker 1: and international relations. And subscribe to the Surveillance Podcast on 446 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:57,399 Speaker 1: Apple podcast, SoundCloud, Bloomberg dot com, and of course, on 447 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:01,520 Speaker 1: the terminal. I'm Tom Keene, and this is Bloomer