Monetary Policy
The normalization of oil storage markets in the Northern Hemisphere; strong demand, aided by China stimulus this year; and continued production discipline supports our view Brent prices likely have bottomed, and will move higher from here. We raised our 2023 Brent forecast $2/bbl to $92/bbl. Our forecast for next year is revised upward by $5/bbl to $120/bbl. Price risk remains to the upside, particularly if KSA exercises its option to extend production cuts of 1mm b/d.
This Strategy Insight discusses the bond market and currency implications of the Fed’s “hawkish pause”.
As the major central banks once again mull their policy options, they face a daunting task. They must phase-transition inflation back to imperceptible, without phase-transitioning unemployment to perceptible. This report explains why this will prove impossible, and what central banks will likely prioritise. Plus: the collapsed complexity of the recent stock market rally signals excessive trend-following. Until the complexity normalises, we are reluctant to chase the rally.
This Strategy Insight discusses the bond market and currency implications of the Fed’s “hawkish pause”.