Brexit, which was supposed to cause turmoil in the UK economy, has surprising led to the FTSE 100 UK equity index reaching record highs. The British Pound has been the biggest loser while the UK gilt yield spread with German bunds has risen, and this leads to the question whether a falling currency and leaving the EU on the back of popular demand is actually positive for the UK economy. UK 10 years gilt yield has risen largely on the back of a sharp rise in US 10 years treasury yield that rose 60bps post-Trump victory.
Brexit is still a couple of years away as implementation takes time and it will take a while to understand the economic implications of leaving the EU but until then positive market movements suggest economic gains rather than economic losses.
Netherlands and France are going in for general elections this year and there are murmurs of the referendum if right wing candidates win. At this point of time, markets seem pretty unperturbed as Euro is trading at close to record lows against the USD even as European equities and bonds have rallied. Markets could turn volatile prior to elections but will then regain poise as the Eurozone economy is showing good signs of improvement. Read our analysis – The Tide is Turning for the Eurozone Economy.
Brexit – Hard Landing
After 23rd June referendum where Britain chose to be no longer part of EU, the focus has now shifted to when Britain will complete all the necessary formalities and legalities when will it be able to move out of the European Union and will it be Hard Brexit or Soft Brexit.
Hard Brexit means Britain will give up its EU Membership and in return will gain full control over its budget, law making and most importantly Immigration. Soft Brexit means Britain will be no longer be a member of EU and it would not have a seat in EU but it will have access to the EU single market, Goods and services would be traded with the remaining EU states on a tariff-free basis. In return, Britain will have to make payments to the EU budget. Norway and Iceland are not the members of EU but have access to EU single market through the European Economic Area.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May in her speech on 17th Jan 2017 confirmed UK will leave European single market, which means UK is heading for Hard Brexit.
UK 10 year Gilt, FTSE and GBP Movements Pre & Post Brexit
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What next Post Brexit – Nexit, Frexit?
Nexit– Netherland Exit. After Brexit, Netherland Geert Wilders, leader of anti-Europe party, had said Netherland should hold a referendum on EU membership.
On 15th March 2017, Netherland is going for general election, recent survey point to strong gains for Geert Wilders, However, there is mixed sentiment among Dutch voters with just 52% in favour of holding a referendum
Netherlands bond yields have largely maintained the spread with German bund yields suggesting that markets are not perturbed by Nexit.
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The reason why Netherlands bond market is not panicking about Nexit is due to fact that Netherland is Triple A Rated, same as Germany, which will allow Netherland to borrow cheaply. Any worries about a Nexit that could raise Eurozone break-up risks may be more obvious in the selling off weaker countries bonds such as Italy and Portugal.
Frexit– Post financial crisis in 2008, France has been facing sluggish economic growth. France GDP growth has remained in a range of 0% to 0.5% since 2009. High level of unemployment at around 10% and continuous threats from terrorism is causing anxiety among the French. Brexit has pushed uncertainty in the minds of the French and almost 61% of French population do not want to be the part of EU.
France is going in for general elections in April 2017 and Le Pen (French presidential candidate) has said if she wins the election she will hold a referendum to decide the country’s membership of the grouping within six months. However, latest polls suggest Mr Fillion will win the first round of voting with 32% against 22% for Ms Le Pen. But polls can’t be trusted because polls were not expecting Brexit and Trump win.
What France 10 year Bond Yields suggest?
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The spread between German and French 10 year bond yields have risen, albeit marginally, suggesting a mild uncertainity on the outcome of the French elections.
