\n\tBy Greg Peel<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Dow closed down 106 points, or 0.7%, while the S&P lost 0.7% to 1648 and the Nasdaq<\/span> fell 0.6%.<\/p>\n \n\tOn Tuesday night the Dow rose around 200 points before falling to close up around 100 points. Last night the Dow fell around 200 points before rising to close down around 100 points. The broad market S&P has followed a similar, mirror pattern.<\/p>\n \n\tWhat we are seeing in such a pattern is not the volatility of uncertainty, but rather the beginnings of an adjustment to the inevitable. On Tuesday night initial strength was provided by a strong US consumer confidence number and solid house price data, both suggesting the US economy is on the mend. Last night the initial fall was sparked by some global forecast adjustments from both the OECD and IMF.<\/p>\n \n\tThe OECD has downgraded its forecasts for global GDP growth to 3.1% and 4.0% in 2013-14 from 3.4% and 4.2%. The US forecast is downgraded to 1.9% in 2013 from 2.0% and the eurozone<\/span> forecast is downgraded to 0.6% contraction in 2013 from 0.1% contraction. The IMF has downgraded its Chinese growth forecasts to 7.75% for both 2013 and 2014 from 8.0% and 8.2%.<\/p>\n \n\tThe OECD further warned that “Exit from unconventional monetary policy [QE], when needed, may be difficult to manage and less smooth than desirable, possibly leading to sharp rises in bond yields and serious negative consequences for growth in a number of advanced and emerging economies”.<\/p>\n \n\tSpeaking at a function last night, former Fed chairman Paul Volcker<\/span> – the man who introduced central bank inflation control in the wake of runaway inflation in the 1970s<\/span> – warned that the Fed was being asked to do too much with monetary policy to overcome the problems of misguided fiscal policy and structural imbalance, and would not fully succeed. Global central banks are being too aggressive, Volcker<\/span> suggested, and inflation is thus a risk. In other words, Volcker<\/span> was advocating a QE wind-back.<\/p>\n \n\tIn a separate speech, current Boston Fed president and FOMC<\/span> member Eric Rosengren<\/span> suggested last night that “significant accommodation remains appropriate at this time,” but that a reduction in the pace of QE would “make sense” after a few more months of economic improvement.<\/p>\n \n\tOn the subject of fiscal policy, the European Commission has finally decided to bow to pressure and shift towards a slightly more growth-focused policy than a pure austerity policy. Strict austerity has crimped the ability of EU members to grow out of debt and is causing dire levels of unemployment across Europe. The EC has now extended the time granted for the likes of France, Spain and other members to reduce their budget deficits.<\/p>\n \n\tIf we add up all of the above we are looking at expectations of a slower global recovery, but a global recovery nevertheless. And if the economy is recovering, the need for ongoing “emergency” levels of monetary stimulus diminishes. If QE is not controlled, inflation spikes become a threat. Investors are thus beginning to reach the conclusion across the globe that there’s no point in arguing about QE exits as they are going to happen one way or the other. Rather than debate the timing, it’s best to set for their inevitability.<\/p>\n \n\tFor Wall Street this means selling high yield defensive sectors and switching into cyclicals<\/span> that will benefit from growth. This switch has already been evident over the past couple of weeks, but the last two sessions have emphasised<\/span> the moves. Tuesday night saw positive movements for cyclicals<\/span> based on consumer confidence. Last night was more of a “sell defensives” session, as high-yield sectors such as utilities, telcos<\/span> and healthcare were hammered. QE tapering means higher government bond yields, and higher bond yields make the yields on stocks that carry risk premiums less attractive. Home builders were also hit last night, given US mortgage rates are now back on the rise.<\/p>\n \n\tOn the other side of the coin, US banks were stronger last night. The move up follows on from Tuesday night’s upgrade of US banks to stable from negative by Moody’s for the first time since the GFC<\/span>. If the economy is growing, banks are growing.<\/p>\n \n\tThe mirror trade continued into other markets, with the US dollar index falling 0.7% to 83.61 having risen by the same amount on Tuesday. Gold thus rebounded US$12.20 to US$1393.50\/oz. The Aussie fell slightly on Tuesday and has recovered equally to US$0.9639.<\/p>\n \n\tBase metals were again mixed on smallish moves, torn between lower global growth forecasts and a weaker greenback, while the oils reversed Tuesday’s gains. Brent fell US$1.80 to US$102.24 and West Texas was down US$2.14 to US$92.87\/bbl<\/span>.<\/p>\n \n\tThe only market that didn’t post a mirror image reversal was the US bond market. The ten-year yield jumped 12bps<\/span> to 2.13% on Tuesday, but fell only one bip<\/span> last night to 2.12%. It’s all about bonds.<\/p>\n \n\tOh, and there was one other market that did not play to script. The Chinese iron price is a world unto itself and the slide accelerated last night, with the spot price falling US$4.90 to an eight month low of US$112.90\/t.<\/p>\n \n\tThe SPI<\/span> Overnight fell 22 points, or 0.4%.<\/p>\n \n\tToday in Australia sees the release of the much awaited March quarter capex<\/span> and capex<\/span> intentions report. It is this result that may confirm in the minds of economists and the RBA<\/span> that the mining boom has peaked. Yesterday’s March quarter construction report, which is closely tied to the resource sector given stagnant housing growth, surprised to the downside.<\/p>\n \n\tNational Bank ((NAB)) goes ex-div today, so be wary of the 93c<\/span> adjustment there. Sims Metal Management ((SGM<\/span>)) will hold an investor day.<\/p>\n \n\tTonight will see the first revision of the US March quarter GDP.<\/p>\n \n\tRudi will appear on Sky Business today at noon. \n\tAll overnight and intraday prices, average prices, currency conversions and charts for stock indices, currencies, commodities, bonds, VIX<\/span> and more available in the FNArena Cockpit. Click here<\/a>. (Subscribers can access prices in the Cockpit.)<\/em><\/p>\n \n\tAll paying members at FNArena are being reminded they can set an email alert specifically for The Overnight Report. Go to Portfolio and Alerts in the Cockpit and tick the box in front of The Overnight Report. You will receive an email alert every time a new Overnight Report has been published on the website.<\/em><\/p>\n
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