To issue sovereign QE, it ‘tis the question.
We polled our customer base earlier today and the verdict is decidedly mixed -- in fact it's a dead heat. 50% say “YES” Draghi will announce a QE program when the ECB meets tomorrow. 50% said “NO” he won’t.
Unfortunately, our crystal ball is in the repair shop. But as we’ve noted in a previous note, recent language from Draghi, his VP Victor Constancio, and other policy heads (including those of the governing council) all seem to suggest that tomorrow’s meeting will disappoint the YES vote. The likeliest scenario? The ECB will remain in a “wait-and-watch” mode to assess its concurrent programs.
We do suspect a lack of action (hold on rates and a QE announcement) is due to the fact that the Bank only just started to purchase ABS (November 21), the 2nd tranche of the TLTROs will only be allocated a few days following the ECB meeting, and the covered bond purchasing program is in early innings. In addition, we also suspect that the ECB will have to contend with the Germans who oppose sovereign QE on legal grounds.
Tomorrow we’ll also get updated ECB staff GDP and Inflation estimates – you know our call is for the estimates to be revised DOWN #EuropeSlowing.
What’s our investment call?
As Keith noted this afternoon, European Stocks (EuroStoxx 600 Index) are signaling immediate-term TRADE overbought with a risk range of 337-351. The EUR/USD is signaling immediate-term TRADE oversold at $1.23. Broadly, with the “risk ranges” being at the top and/or bottom end of the range increases the probability of a short-term reversal – the probability is as high as it’s been of seeing a big macro reversal.
Matthew Hedrick
Associate