by Haith Nori
June saw global markets deliver mixed performances, albeit generally reacting positively to the US Debt ceiling issue being resolved at the end of May. A key aspect during this month has been central banks taking their next steps to control inflation. Japanese equities have reached their highest point since August 1990, up c.29% since the start of 2023 with Warren Buffet spotting value in the country and increasing the size of his existing positions in several of Japan’s largest firms. Back in the US, Apple has now reached a market capitalisation of over $3 trillion for the first time ever, assisting with the continued technology rally since the beginning of the year.
On 13th June US CPI data was released for the 12 months ending in May of 4%, 0.9% lower than that of April, still on the downward trend since June 2022 (9.1%). US. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is still fixated on achieving a 2% inflation target. On 16th June Eurozone CPI data was released for the 12 months ending in May of 6.1%, a reduction from April’s 7.0%. On 21st June UK CPI data was released for the 12 months ending in May remained at 8.7%, unchanged from April, missing expectations of 8.4%.
On 14th June the US Federal Reserve made the decision to keep interest rates unchanged at 5.00%-5.25% following ten consecutive meeting hikes. Global markets reacted positively to the news with many participants believing a pause was a sensible idea given the huge increase in base rates over the past year. On 15th June the European Central Bank also continued on its path, increasing interest rates by 0.25% to 3.5% (this being their eighth straight hike in a row). ECB president Christine Lagarde suggests further hikes are likely in July’s meeting. This is the highest level of interest rates in 22 years for the European Central Bank. Following suit, on 22nd June the Bank of England also made the decision to increase interest rates by 0.5% to 5% from 4.5% being the 13th time in a row that the Bank of England has increased interest rates. This was higher than the expected rise of 0.25% and is the largest rate increase since February. The Bank of Japan kept their ultra-low interest rates unchanged. At the European Central Bank Forum on Central Banking in Sintra, Portugal (26th-28th June), policy makers were keen to stress that market participants should not anticipate any interest rate cuts for at least a period of one to two years.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the long-awaited trip to China on 19th June to meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing’s Great Hall of People (which is usually reserved for meetings with heads of state). The purpose of the trip was to attempt to ease tensions between the two countries. The initial meeting was planned for February but delayed after the US shooting of the suspected Chinese spy drone. During the meeting ‘China and the United States agreed on Monday to stabilize their intense rivalry so it does not veer into conflict, but failed to produce any major breakthrough’[i]. Both leaders of the two countries, US President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping cited the meeting as progress as concerns were able to be raised and channels of dialogue were opened. Whilst at this time, no firm plans have been put into action, the face-to-face meeting with US Secretary of State has begun a journey for the two countries to communicate further.
On 21st June, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified before the House of Financial Services Committee to deliver his semi-annual report to both Chambers of Congress. The next day he appeared in front of the Senate Banking Committee. After US markets had benefited from the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates unchanged, Powell ‘hinted at the likelihood of further interest rate hikes’[ii] leading to further sell offs in US equity markets.
On 22nd June, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, made his first official state visit to Washington D.C. to meet with President Joe Biden. The purpose of the meeting for Modi was to raise the status of India and strengthen ties with the US and ‘the two countries announced agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space cooperation and defence cooperation and sales’[iii]. One deal that has already been signed off is with General Electric to produce jet engines in India for their military aircrafts with an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics. Further deals are being planned between the two nations and no doubt will be a boost for the economy in India.
On the weekend of 24th June, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of private mercenary army Wagner, led an ultimately brief rebellion starting in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, moving north towards Voronezh following the path towards Moscow. ‘Wagner fighters have taken control of all military facilities in the city of Veronezh, about 500km (300 miles) south of Moscow’[iv] with which Putin made an announcement accusing Wagner fighters of “treason”. After the initial ambush Prigozhin ordered his army that was advancing on Moscow to stand down to avoid any further casualties. Whilst this has been short lived the act made a large impact calling for countries to prepare a quick response if the situation was to escalate further and ending with a tougher response from Russia on its attack on Ukraine. Mr. Prigozhin was exiled to Belarus in exchange for the criminal case being dropped against the Wagner Group.
Overall, June saw mixed performance across asset classes. Brent Crude, after starting the month at levels of c.$74 per barrel, remained at a similar level throughout the month. Japanese equities have reached a 33-year high and UK 2 year Gilt yields reaching a level of over 5%.UK 10 year Gilt yields reached highs of 4.49% and US 10 year Treasury yields 3.839%. During June Sterling also hit its highest level at c.1.28 against the US Dollar over the past year and gold slightly fell in value.
[i] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/blinken-wrap-up-rare-visit-china-may-meet-xi-jinping-2023-06-18/
[ii] https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/futures-muted-ahead-powells-congressional-testimony-2023-06-21/
[iii] https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-modi-strengthen-ties-with-defense-trade-agreements-2023-06-22/
[iv] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/how-mercenary-revolt-has-gathered-pace-russia-2023-06-24/
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