UBS On-Air: Market Moves

Michael Adelman and Matt Iannuci, along with Eileen Liu, Head of US Client Portfolio Management, join to discuss recent market developments within high yield bonds and broader credit markets.

As global equity markets set new all-time-highs and show signs of recovery from July indigestion, Burkhard outlines the factors that are driving current investor sentiment. We also cover the currency intervention by the US Fed and Bank of Japan. Plus, a market tie-in to Sysiphus, the hero of the ancient Greek-saga “A happy man”.

Oil prices are down and the optimism bias is up. There are hopes for an Iran-Oman settlement on post-war control of the Strait of Hormuz. This would probably mean tolls eventually (probably branded a “tariff” or an “environmental charge” according to political bias). A toll would be economically negligible. Iran cementing control of the Strait has implications for insurance, supply chain security, and Gulf infrastructure investment.

Doug Baker is a Portfolio Manager for Nuveen’s global fixed income team. Doug joins Frank Sileo, Senior Fixed Income Strategist Americas from the UBS Chief Investment Office, for a comprehensive discussion on the preferred securities market. They cover a performance update and outlook, risk considerations, positioning views, and more.

US Michigan consumer sentiment data is a weak economic signal. It does have political punch, via the inflation expectations measure. Consumers focus on the price of frequent purchases (food and fuel), and tend to fixate on the price level. Most consumers will have a “fair” price in mind as a reference, and for gasoline prices that is probably around USD 2.50 per US gallon. Gasoline remains well above that level—off its highs, but having risen recently.