Our title is the most-often asked question of recent weeks, with equity markets making new all-time highs and inflows continuing, despite an overwhelmingly consensus belief that they are also overvalued. However, this seeming paradox can persist, as Dan Gerard, senior multi-asset strategist for State Street Markets, highlights. We delve into the earnings power of the companies driving equity market returns, whether this will ever be a stockpickers market and what role the Federal Reserve is poised to play in the investing decisions driving headlines as Q3 draws to a close.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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31:40
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31:40
Gilt Trip: Budgets, UK Politics and the Path of Populism
The British pound and gilts already face heavy scrutiny from markets, ahead of what could be a politically defining budget process for the UK Labour Party later this Autumn. As our guest this week details, a politically possible outcome that also keeps bond markets happy looks very difficult to achieve, potentially setting up for a period of volatility for UK assets and sterling. Helen Thomas, CEO of BlondeMoney, is back on the podcast to walk through the constraints on the government imposed both by markets and internal party politics, and where she sees points of vulnerability in each.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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46:32
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46:32
No More Fear Left for Fall?
Summer is giving way to autumn and risk markets see few signs of a fall. Its not for lack of potential threats. Questions of Fed independence swirl and the US economy offers in equal parts the potential to either slow sharply or re-accelerate and threaten hopes for easier policy. The path of inflation is still an open question. Emerging threats to fiscal and political stability in Europe and the UK are once again on the markets mind. But none of these risks seem to demand higher risk premia, at least not yet. This week, Dan Mazza, State Street Markets head of FX forwards trading in the US, rejoins the podcast to discuss how and whether the calm can continue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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25:35
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25:35
Jackson Hole and Beyond: Labor Pains for the Fed
The investing world awaits the message from the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole Symposium this weekend. As an event, historically it can often disappoint those looking for answers. Expectations for clear guidance on near-term Fed policy seem low this year. Chairman Jay Powell regularly reminds markets (and politicians) that the two elements of the central banks mandate are now in conflict. Trade tariffs are likely to boost inflation for a while longer and have delayed a more aggressive easing cycle. Yet the US labor market looks more vulnerable than at any time since the pandemic. So a thoughtful idea of what to expect is in demand and our guiding voice on the Fed, Marvin Loh, a senior macro strategist on our US team, rejoins the podcast with what to expect from policymakers this week, and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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28:09
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28:09
The Buck Stops Where? FX Risk-Proofing for the Long Term
Currency markets can be a lot like equity markets in that over or under-valuations can stay stretched for longer than one might think possible, before mean reversion inevitably kicks in. Maintaining an effective FX process for the long-term requires special attention to these questions of fair value, while also keeping an eye on the day-to-day headlines and short-term price dislocations that offer opportunities for alpha. Aaron Hurd, a senior portfolio manager at State Street Investment Management, joins the podcast this week for a wide-ranging discussion on FX, from how to think around these long-term drivers of portfolio construction, to current views on the major currencies, particularly where the US Dollar goes next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Street Signals is a weekly podcast packed with insights about the latest developments in financial markets from State Street Markets. Leveraging new tools, proprietary data and deep expertise, the Markets research team delivers highly valued market analysis on a daily basis to the world’s leading institutional investors. Join Street Signals' host, Tim Graf, State Street’s Head of Macro Strategy for EMEA, as he discusses the most important matters moving markets with guests from State Street and industrywide.