Changing four key elements of global markets – Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley released its latest report on the equity markets, highlighting changing four key elements that have had an impact on the global markets.

Key Quotes:

“Global markets have withstood all manner of challenges without cracking ...

All of these have changed

Growth and inflation

• For the last eight years, markets have been supported by the idea that good data would support market normalization and bad data could bring further policy easing. 
• Good and bad were both good.
• That's changed. US headline and core inflation have risen sharply since the start of the year
• Unemployment is back down near historical lows
• two things have stood out … Investors are now more sanguine … We're 8 ½ years into an expansion, and many investors finally are finally confident that there is plenty of time left on the clock.
• China is rarely mentioned as a growth concern (after causing angst for much of this period).
• Both … suggest a vulnerability to weaker data

Second, the change in policy

• Last year, there was clear policy catalyst (tax) that the market was far from fully pricing. This year, that seems to have been replaced by a clear policy risk (trade) that the market is far from fully pricing. Our economists and US public policy team remain cautious on the current state of trade negotiations.

Third, credit markets

•  Last year, nearly every pocket of global credit was strong and stable. This year is very different

Finally, market volatility itself

• Last year ... volatility at historically low levels
• That's changed … realized volatility is often closer to the middle of the 10-year range.”