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 Farwell and Lisa Brownwitz Jay Lee. 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, SoundCloud, Bloomberg 5 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: dot Com, and of course, on the Bloomberg Terminal. Kathy 6 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: boss gen Stake joins us now head US financial market 7 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 1: economist at Oxford Economics. Kathy, You've had a few minutes 8 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: to go over this one. Your reaction place. Yeah, John, Well, 9 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: it did come in a touch higher than expect it 10 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: and does it change things materially? I think it just 11 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: keeps um pressure on the Federal Reserve UM. This is 12 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,840 Speaker 1: a very difficult spot for them where seeing if play 13 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: should run far above you know, what they expected in 14 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: the target UM. And yes, there's some signs that maybe 15 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: we'll get easy in the head line number right going 16 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: forward in energy prices, but still the core number, when 17 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: I'm looking at a half a percent almost five percent 18 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: year and year before that is is definitely gonna keep 19 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: the heat on the FED. How much can it rise 20 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: and how much do you need it to fall for 21 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:18,800 Speaker 1: the Fed to feel like things are under control. Well, 22 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 1: our view is that, um, it's going to continue to 23 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: stay hot and sticky through the first quarter. UM, and 24 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: you're not going to really get some reprieve until you 25 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: know the second quarter. But even then it's going to 26 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 1: remain elevated. UM. I think if you see moderation, if 27 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: you do see the year and year rate, let's say, 28 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 1: gap down a full percentage point or so, it looks 29 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,319 Speaker 1: that way into two, then the Fed can take a 30 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: little comfort there and maybe wait a bit. But it's 31 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: certainly gonna be difficult because we're seeing more and more 32 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 1: the FED members becoming a bit more worried right about 33 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: inflation and less so about the labor market. What do 34 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: you think is appropriate then? If it does remain hot 35 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 1: and sticky, as you've been saying through the first quarter, 36 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: what's appropriate in terms of Fed action, Well, we think 37 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: they should be patient. It's gonna be difficult, but we 38 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 1: do think they're gonna be need to be patient because 39 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 1: the mix of things you're seeing growth likely to decelerate 40 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: now fourth quarter nearly eight percent, so very hot economy 41 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: as well, but we think it's gonna slow in Q one, 42 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 1: and don't forget that we have this upsurge in COVID 43 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: which is going to hurt the economy. Um, and we 44 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 1: have to see how that affects inflation. But if we're 45 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: right and inflation comes down, should give the Fed a 46 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: little bit of patients. But we still see them you know, 47 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,359 Speaker 1: raising rates. You know, later than September this year, are 48 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:37,960 Speaker 1: we going to start seeing more material wage inflation to 49 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: keep up with the actual inflation that we're seeing. Well, 50 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:46,320 Speaker 1: that that is the critical point to focus on. Frankly, Um, 51 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:51,240 Speaker 1: if you start to see wages rise because workers say, 52 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: we're paying a lot more for items of goods and 53 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: services and we need higher wages. And if companies accommodate that, 54 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:00,920 Speaker 1: then we get into that par ice wage spiral that 55 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:04,800 Speaker 1: we've you know, watching and everyone's um concerned about. But 56 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 1: right now we're not quite at that point. Um. We 57 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 1: have to wait and see. Unfortunately, see the data, um 58 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: indications are right now for us is that the labor 59 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:17,839 Speaker 1: force participation rates rising. Right, people are being pulled back 60 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: into the labor force. If supply comes on, that helps 61 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: temper some of the wage games. Well, And a lot 62 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: of the reason when I've spoken to other economists that 63 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:28,919 Speaker 1: I say, how can consumption still be hanging in there 64 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 1: when consumers are being faced with this kind of inflation, 65 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 1: when you're not getting the commensurate wage increases. Is that 66 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: there is a ton of savings that have been built 67 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: up over the course of the pandemic. Those are starting 68 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 1: to be drawn down. Now. Is there a risk that 69 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 1: the inflation persists beyond where those savings are going to 70 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 1: last and we start to see a serious hit to consumption? 71 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: That's right, um, you know, and and most of the 72 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 1: the you know, over two trillion of savings is really 73 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 1: excused Tom, high income household. So, um, we're gonna wear 74 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 1: down the bill, the propensity for consumers to suspend, and 75 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: that should be you know, helped put the brakes on inflation, absolutely, Kathy, 76 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: just quickly, then let's round this one out. Are you 77 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: confident this morning, confident enough to say that this is 78 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: as high as it gets, This is as bad as 79 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 1: it gets. We think it gets a little worse. Unfortunately, 80 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: the year and year rate, we don't really see that peaking, 81 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:22,840 Speaker 1: especially the core until maybe February, so we've had a 82 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 1: little bit more upward thrust there and especially on the 83 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 1: service side. Right, and again I look at the numbers 84 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:31,840 Speaker 1: core commodities, core goods nine point four percent year and 85 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: year Core services though, are three point four that's also 86 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 1: putting up with pressure. Kathy, just wonderful, Kathy Bostick that 87 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: of Oxford Economics, after getting the fastest reading the CPI print. 88 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:51,480 Speaker 1: Going back to two and we've been talking all morning 89 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: with people who are saying inflation is a scary thing. 90 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: It is a scary thing for asset valuations. It is 91 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:59,159 Speaker 1: a scary thing for the Federal Reserve, it is a 92 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: scary thing for politicians hoping to get reelected. And Stephen 93 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 1: Dover has a message for that, maybe it's a good thing. 94 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 1: He is Franklin Templeton Chief market strategist and head of 95 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: Franklin Templeton Investment Institute. Please explain, Steven, how we can 96 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: take a look at this consumer consumer price increase and 97 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: really see what equities are seeing, which is brighter skies. Well, 98 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: when we look at it, I'm not really arguing that 99 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 1: inflation is a good thing. I'm arguing that inflation is 100 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: a signal um and that inflation is a plural, and 101 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:32,160 Speaker 1: that there's a lot of different ways we can look 102 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:35,720 Speaker 1: at inflation. So what can we learn from these inflation numbers, 103 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 1: and how does that help us when we're making our 104 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 1: investment decisions, And this inflation is very is going We 105 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: are in an economy right now that is being reshaped, 106 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: and we're not going to go back to where we 107 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 1: were in two thousand and nineteen. It's going to look 108 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: different as we go forward. And part of the signaling 109 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:57,839 Speaker 1: that's going to change our economy and help us reconfigure 110 00:05:57,839 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 1: it going forward are these inflation numbers. So what's coming 111 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: out of these inflation numbers is that we clearly need 112 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 1: more workers, we need to increase our productivity, that we're 113 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 1: having a shift in where our economy is hot or not. 114 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: If we look under the hood on these numbers, we'll 115 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,599 Speaker 1: see that inflation is much higher, for example, in the 116 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 1: Midwest in places where people are moving um as they 117 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:24,360 Speaker 1: work from home. As as our economy changes, um that 118 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 1: we're going to need more capex, which looks like it's 119 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: going to happen to increase productivity, companies are going to 120 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,239 Speaker 1: have to look If we're looking at increases in labor 121 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,279 Speaker 1: costs going forward, which we almost certainly are, companies are 122 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: going to have to look at ways to increase productivity. 123 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 1: Cap X is likely to increase. So all that thaying 124 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 1: that UM, yes, UM, we've had a miss in terms 125 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: of inflation has been higher than it is. But let's 126 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: look at it from what it signals a perspective and 127 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: where we have opportunities. And so, like you said, if 128 00:06:55,960 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: you know companies are going to face labor cost rushers, 129 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: they certainly already have. You know, if they're going to 130 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: need to increase cap X, how do you translate that 131 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 1: into a portfolio? I mean, does that lend itself to 132 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: large caps or how do you view that? You have 133 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: to look at companies that are able to transition their 134 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: pricing through UM ultimately to the customer and so keep 135 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: their profit margins up. I think that we're in a 136 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 1: very interesting place for the equities market right now in 137 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 1: that UM companies seem to be able to pass through 138 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: their prices because interest rates, despite this inflation number, haven't risen. 139 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 1: So it's a little bit of a goldilocks UM place 140 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,560 Speaker 1: for stocks right now. We have earnings growth that earnings 141 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 1: growth in other inflationary periods, and we look back, you 142 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: know where inflation was this high before forty years ago, 143 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: rates were also very high, and that offset UM that 144 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 1: offset the earnings because companies had to pay higher rates, 145 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: but that's not happening right now. Have low rates, they're 146 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 1: not they're not hurt even by a modestly rising bond market. 147 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: So that's generally positive for equities, particularly those equities that 148 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 1: are going to the opening train, the stocks that are 149 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:20,800 Speaker 1: going to do better as the economy starts to open up. So, Stephen, 150 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 1: we've talked a lot about equities and how they probably 151 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: are going to continue to perform. Well, what does this 152 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 1: mean for the sixty forty shift, given that we do 153 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:34,359 Speaker 1: expect growth to lead to a hiking FED and possibly 154 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: a longer term positive look, Well, I think we have 155 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: to really look at that sixty split. So right now 156 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: our view would be probably to be overweight equities, which 157 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 1: we've been for for a period of time now UM 158 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 1: and underweight fixed income, but not moving away from fixed income. 159 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 1: I think on that of fixed income, you want to 160 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: probably focus on yield or the yield advantage spread products 161 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 1: if you will. Within that area, you might want to 162 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 1: look at corporate debt, particularly focusing on sectors that could 163 00:09:07,640 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 1: be upgraded or arguing that there is going to continue 164 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: to be growth and so UM, you can get fairly 165 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: significant growth with upgrades. To look at bank loans, emerging 166 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: markets look um, look like there's some good opportunities there, 167 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: and we're also positive on some municipal again looking for upgrades. 168 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 1: My point being, you can invest in fixed income that 169 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: isn't quite so dependent on changes within interest rates, don't 170 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 1: just focus on duration. And then also we're more positive 171 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 1: on alternative investments, particularly private credit, which has had amazing growth, 172 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 1: has a good yield advantage, and real estate, particularly private 173 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 1: real estate. A lot of opportunities right now in the 174 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 1: industrial space, as as we have to have warehouses and 175 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:59,360 Speaker 1: that type of thing for electronic or online shopping um, 176 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: and we have a gargantuan underweight or or we have 177 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: organs to in shortage in housing right now, we need 178 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 1: in the United States about one million units a year 179 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: and it's going to take a while to catch up 180 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:16,079 Speaker 1: with that. Not only that, there's a terrible dislocation as 181 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: people move away from the big urban centers and to 182 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: other places as they work from home. So a lot 183 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: of opportunities there as well. Stephen, does dees crypto count 184 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 1: as an alternative asset or not yet? I think that 185 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 1: it's it's very interesting that I think the mainline UM 186 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: investment managers investment allocators haven't got to the point where 187 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 1: they put that in as a crypto asset. But clearly 188 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 1: it doesn't have UM the same correlation to other assets, 189 00:10:48,679 --> 00:10:52,280 Speaker 1: and that by definition does yes make it an alternative asset. 190 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: How far do you have to stretch how much out 191 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 1: of your comfort zone in order to get returns that 192 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:03,439 Speaker 1: people are looking for to survive after they retire, Well, 193 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: we want to be careful with that. UM. We want 194 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 1: to be careful to not be in a crowded trade, 195 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: meaning when everybody starts to go in a direction, even 196 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: if they're right, it gets overpriced. And that's where I 197 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 1: would be cautious about the rush to to investor protect 198 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:27,960 Speaker 1: for inflation. UM. The University of Michigan outlook for inflation 199 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:30,959 Speaker 1: still is over the next twelve months about five In 200 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 1: the next five to ten years, three percent. That seems reasonable. 201 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 1: That seems like what UM what the reserve banks have 202 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 1: been trying to do for a very long period of time. 203 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 1: So I don't I think that, especially those who are 204 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 1: towards a retirement age, need to be quite careful about 205 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 1: going out too far with risk. I think they need 206 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: to look at their portfolios and really balance at risk. 207 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 1: That's why um and not not go too far into 208 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: the inflation camp or not go too far away from 209 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:05,359 Speaker 1: the inflation tent um. So kind of a modest portfolio 210 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:08,199 Speaker 1: rather than stretching too much. And Steven, I'd love to 211 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:10,839 Speaker 1: get your thoughts on junk bonds because the Bloomberg Terminal 212 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: had a great story out this week exciting data from 213 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:18,679 Speaker 1: Fitch Ratings. Just ten US high yield issuers have defaulted 214 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 1: this year on a total of about six point nine 215 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: billion dollars worth of debt, and there was also a 216 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 1: one hundred and three day stretch with zero defaults, which 217 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 1: is an all time long stretch, which is pretty amazing curious. 218 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 1: You know, when you're examining the fixed income landscape and 219 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: thinking about risk, where do high yield US bonds fall? 220 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: So we definitely look at high yield, but also bonds 221 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: and aren't high yield you are? That was a great 222 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: article and yes, default rates are way down. What a 223 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:54,079 Speaker 1: little bit more focused on where there might be upgrades 224 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 1: because if you see an upgrade, you can have a 225 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: significant increase in valuation. The other point I would just 226 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 1: make about high yield is that you need to look 227 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 1: at your entire portfolio because high yield is much more 228 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 1: correlated with the equity markets, certainly than sovereign debt or treasuries, 229 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 1: and so you want to make sure that you're aware 230 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: of what risks you have in your portfolio. So if 231 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: your overweight equity and overweight high yield, you know you 232 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,320 Speaker 1: have a lot of equity risk in your portfolio, which 233 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 1: if that's what you want, fine, but you need to 234 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: be aware of it. Stephen Dover, thank you so much 235 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 1: for being with us. I really appreciate your insights. Stephen Dover, 236 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 1: Franklin Templeton, Chief market strategist and head of the Franklin 237 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:39,160 Speaker 1: Templetood Investment Institute. We have been looking at a market 238 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: that very much has priced in six point eight percent 239 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:49,959 Speaker 1: consumer inflation. Annie Pecos, professor and virologist at the Johns 240 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:52,679 Speaker 1: Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and he don't worry. 241 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 1: I'm not going to ask you a question on this 242 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 1: this pandemic. I want to talk about this a macron variant, 243 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,079 Speaker 1: and I think this is a really important conversation in 244 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 1: if it turns out to be much much Milda, but 245 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: far more contagious how do we treat that from a 246 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,319 Speaker 1: policy perspective, from your standpoints set, how do we make 247 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 1: that change? It all comes down to hospitalization rates and 248 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: severease disease rates. UM. There's preliminary data now suggesting that 249 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: a boost will probably give you a really good immune 250 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: response that protects against a macron. And therefore, if that 251 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 1: holds true, then the current strategy of getting people boosted 252 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 1: UH should be able to limit our severe disease cases 253 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 1: and allow us to keep going without any major changes 254 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: in what's go in our public health intervention policies. But 255 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: you know, we're far away from that because we're certainly 256 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 1: dealing right now with a delta surge that's really approaching 257 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 1: UH peak levels that we've ever seen here in the US, 258 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: and so we're really in a bit of a pickle 259 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: here in terms of trying to figure out how to 260 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 1: deal with the current delta as well as prepare for 261 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:01,240 Speaker 1: a potential OH macron. There are a lot of issues 262 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 1: embedded in there. I want to tease out one idea 263 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 1: of quarantining if you're exposed, because that's been highly disruptive, 264 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: especially for kids who've gone back to school or people 265 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 1: going to the workplace. And this is one big, a 266 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: big reason why people are worried about bringing people back 267 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 1: to the offices. How transmissible is somebody who has been 268 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: inoculated three times, who let's say gets a breakthrough infection 269 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: or even twice, Are they as infectious as an unvaccinated individual. 270 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: Data suggests that you still will be more likely to 271 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:34,520 Speaker 1: not transmit the virus. There are certainly some cases out 272 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: in the literature right now where if someone who's been 273 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: vaccinated gets a strong infection and has a lot of virus, 274 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: they can transmit. But in the for the for most people, 275 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 1: vaccination will reduce the transmission of the of both delta 276 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 1: and we assume now for O. Macron um um to 277 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 1: other individuals. So vaccination still is the route to sort 278 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: of turn the curve here. I think the thing we 279 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 1: really have to think about right now, particul when it 280 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 1: comes to a macron is we've seen data that's mostly 281 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 1: focused on vaccinated people and individuals who are relatively healthy. 282 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: We haven't seen cases of all macron in vulnerable populations, 283 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: the elderly, IMMUNO compromise, people on on cancer therapies. It's 284 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 1: what O macron does in those populations that don't have 285 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: the protection induced by the vaccine, that it's going to 286 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: be really important to to judge because if those vulnerable 287 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: parts of the population are even more sensitive to severe 288 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 1: disease with a macron, then we really have to rethink 289 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: some of our public health approaches. But Andy from a 290 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: public health perspective, just going back to vaccinated individuals, if 291 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 1: they are not that contagious, they don't spread the virus, 292 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 1: why are they being tested five, six, seven times to 293 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,600 Speaker 1: travel in any way, shape or form. Why is there 294 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 1: still the surveillance and possible quarantining of them if they 295 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 1: get exposed and if they get a breakthrough infection. It 296 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: goes down to the layered approach to limit transmission and 297 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 1: limits spread of the virus. So we never want to 298 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 1: rely on one thing, and oftentimes the testing combined with 299 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:10,159 Speaker 1: vaccination status is used as at least two ways to 300 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:13,399 Speaker 1: make sure that we're catching nine plus percent of people 301 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 1: who are potentially infectious. And so that's really the point 302 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:19,400 Speaker 1: here when it comes to that strategy. I will say though, 303 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: that there are better strategies to do the testing rather 304 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: than our our nasal swab PCRs um an EAGINE testing 305 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:30,760 Speaker 1: at home testing. These are things that we in the 306 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 1: US in particular haven't taken advantage of that could make 307 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 1: this whole process of testing and being certain that you 308 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: can go back to work, back to traveling much more easier. Well. Obviously, 309 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 1: in the US we do have the advantage that we 310 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: can get access to that testing if we if we 311 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 1: try hard enough. We also have ample access to vaccinations 312 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: and booster shots, whereas a lot of the world doesn't 313 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 1: even have a large portion of their population given their 314 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: initial doses yet and the who is saying, hold the 315 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:01,640 Speaker 1: conversation on boosters, we need to focus on getting more 316 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:05,199 Speaker 1: of the world vaccinated before we have that conversation. Do 317 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:10,960 Speaker 1: you think we're misaligning our priorities. It's important to note 318 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: that a global pandemic requires a global response, and certainly 319 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 1: getting more vaccine to other countries has to be a 320 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 1: high priority. I realized that there are always interests in 321 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: terms of protecting our own population to the to the 322 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,639 Speaker 1: greatest degree possible. But at the end of the day, 323 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: O Macron is showing us yet again what we can 324 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:37,720 Speaker 1: expect from stars Covie too. If we don't get even 325 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 1: better at vaccinating the world, the doses that have been 326 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:44,400 Speaker 1: given so far to Africa are a great first step, 327 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: but if you think about the population of Africa and 328 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 1: the doses that have been promised, we're still nowhere close 329 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: to being able to move on that one continent to 330 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 1: a level of protection in the population that would help 331 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:57,440 Speaker 1: us really reduce the amount of variants that are emerging. 332 00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 1: And the thank you sir as always into other weekend 333 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:08,680 Speaker 1: re pecost of Jones, Helpkins jointing us on d c 334 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 1: andy block ahead of US government offense at Investko. And 335 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 1: you said it would be the nightmare before Christmas. We 336 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:17,399 Speaker 1: all want to avoid that. Are we avoiding that? And 337 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,959 Speaker 1: date John, I think we're under the path to do 338 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 1: that a month ago. If you talk to me, I 339 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:24,680 Speaker 1: would just say it wasn't gonna be the nightmareber for Christmas. 340 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,199 Speaker 1: You had to get government funding done, you had to 341 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: increase the debt limit, you had to get the bipartisan 342 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:32,120 Speaker 1: infrastructure bill, and then still at the same time trying 343 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:34,400 Speaker 1: to get the Build Back Better bill. Well, we've gotten 344 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:37,800 Speaker 1: by partisan infrastructure bill that's in place. We've agreed to 345 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 1: fund the government at least till next February, and now 346 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 1: we've got a deal on the debt limit, which is 347 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:46,400 Speaker 1: probably the most important things with respect to the markets. So, um, 348 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:48,160 Speaker 1: we're in a good path and now we're gonna see 349 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: when and how we're gonna get build back better done. 350 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 1: If we don't get built back better by the end 351 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:56,439 Speaker 1: of the year, will we ever get it done? Absolutely, 352 00:19:56,480 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 1: I think there's a big chance. I mean right now 353 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:01,680 Speaker 1: we're like a chance we it had done this year. Um, 354 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: but we're probably seventy chance it gets done. I think 355 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:09,200 Speaker 1: there's a there's a good sense that Democrats want to 356 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 1: come together and get that done. It's just no matter 357 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:13,199 Speaker 1: what it looks like right now. And the question is 358 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:17,119 Speaker 1: when will progressives understand that Center Mansion is only going 359 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:19,439 Speaker 1: to go so far and cut the deal. That's what 360 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 1: this is about at this time. Right now, we're going 361 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 1: through the bird bath this week on the technical things 362 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 1: to see which of these provisions can survive that, whether 363 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 1: it's immigration, per crictive prescription drug pricing, or the ev 364 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: tax credit. And then from there we have to go 365 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 1: into the substance of things that Center Mansion has an 366 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:37,159 Speaker 1: issue with, including pay family leave, some of the climate 367 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 1: related issues, and also the extension of the Enhanced Child 368 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:42,560 Speaker 1: Tax Credit. The reason why I ask Andy is because 369 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:44,440 Speaker 1: it seems like the more we talk about inflation and 370 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,360 Speaker 1: where we get pushed back to further stimulus as being 371 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: an inflationary at a time and we don't need that. 372 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:51,480 Speaker 1: In fact, we need some curbs to what we're seeing 373 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 1: in terms of how much prices are rising. How does 374 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,760 Speaker 1: that color the conversation in terms of policy going forward 375 00:20:56,800 --> 00:21:00,040 Speaker 1: at a time when we hear increasingly protectionist rhetorics the 376 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 1: likes of Janet Yellen and Gena Raimundo. No, I look, 377 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 1: I think you're onto something right there. So first, with 378 00:21:07,359 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 1: respect to inflation, you can expect Center Mansion to um 379 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:15,440 Speaker 1: capitalize on the announcement today which we expect the high 380 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:17,800 Speaker 1: inflation number to say, hey, let's slow down. He's been 381 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,200 Speaker 1: saying that for some time, so that's gonna interject itself 382 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 1: into the build back better debate. But also with respect 383 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 1: to what you're talking about about the protectionist angle with trade, 384 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: I think, yes, this is this is an issue that's 385 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 1: out there. Well, let's talk more about inflation, because we've 386 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 1: seen the President at least try to be seen attempting 387 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 1: to do something about it, tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, 388 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:41,640 Speaker 1: trying to do something about supply chains and and fixing 389 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,280 Speaker 1: ship ship shortage issues. None of that has really helped 390 00:21:45,320 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 1: to this point, at least American. The American populace doesn't 391 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 1: feel that yet. Is Biden's approval reading going to continue 392 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:56,399 Speaker 1: to be tied to price pressures? So, Kelly, I think 393 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:59,600 Speaker 1: you're on something really important here. Um. When we look 394 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:02,399 Speaker 1: at lation, we think from a political standpoint, and we 395 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 1: look at it from a market standford. From a market standpoint, 396 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,119 Speaker 1: we're looking at the fundamentals. We're looking at housing crisis, wages, 397 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:09,879 Speaker 1: those things that are sticky going for long term. But 398 00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:12,399 Speaker 1: politically it's really and you've talked about this on the program. 399 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 1: Already gets gas and groceries, that's what people feel UM 400 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 1: in their pocketbooks. Now. The good thing for Biden is 401 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 1: that recently, UM, some of the gas prices have started 402 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 1: to tip down. He's going to try to take credit 403 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: for it with the Strategic Control Reserve. That's gonna be 404 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:27,359 Speaker 1: a temporary hit if if anything. But really about the 405 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:30,560 Speaker 1: new UM, it's about omicron and fears on that and 406 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,800 Speaker 1: also some of the productions increased. So it's a lot 407 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 1: of these things when we're talking about inflation. Unfortunately, out 408 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: of the presence control, but he has to make it 409 00:22:38,800 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 1: look like he's working on and he's doing and he's 410 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: doing everything he can and um, but ultimately we understand 411 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:46,440 Speaker 1: that the economy is so large and and the macro 412 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 1: moves are so big that the federal government really can't 413 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 1: drive that. And what you might get the current strategy 414 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,439 Speaker 1: this people saying you know what we feel this, it 415 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: doesn't feel good to me. And then you've got the 416 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: administration saying, but it is good. Not tell you what 417 00:22:57,160 --> 00:22:59,439 Speaker 1: it's good, A base, A d A and people what 418 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 1: you might give. Just that tension between how people feel 419 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:04,199 Speaker 1: and how the administration is turning around and saying, now, 420 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:06,280 Speaker 1: this is how you should feel because actually it's really good. 421 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 1: And it's the media who's not covering the data properly. 422 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:13,280 Speaker 1: So that's the that's the we ultimate disconnect that we 423 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:15,639 Speaker 1: found in politics is that you you have the numbers, 424 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:17,720 Speaker 1: you have the economists saying hey, on a macro level, 425 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:19,800 Speaker 1: GDPs up this or that, but really it's about what 426 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 1: people feel every day and so um as there's an 427 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:26,639 Speaker 1: old saying, UM, I think my angels said. People don't. Um, 428 00:23:26,760 --> 00:23:28,600 Speaker 1: they don't. They won't remember what you said. They won't't 429 00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 1: even remember what you did, but they remember how you 430 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 1: made them feel. And so whether that's and how you 431 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,720 Speaker 1: speak to people or what's actually people are feeling each day, 432 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:38,680 Speaker 1: that's what's gonna drive the decision making, that's gonna drive 433 00:23:38,720 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: their mood, and it's gonna drive the calls. The biggest 434 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:43,040 Speaker 1: challenge at the moment for this administration, without a doubt. Andy, 435 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:47,199 Speaker 1: Thank you, sir, at least domestically, Andy Blocker Investco. This 436 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: is the Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast. Thanks for listening. Join us 437 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:54,880 Speaker 1: live weekdays from seven to ten AMI Eastern. I'm Bloomberg 438 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 1: Radio and I'm Bloomberg Television each day from six to 439 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 1: nine AM for insight from the best in economics, finance, investment, 440 00:24:03,720 --> 00:24:10,440 Speaker 1: and international relations. And subscribe to the Surveillance podcast on Apple, podcast, SoundCloud, 441 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:14,200 Speaker 1: Bloomberg dot com, and of course, on the terminal. I'm 442 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:16,960 Speaker 1: Tom keene In. This is Bloomberg