But,
as Shahin Shojai points out in his article (See: What
should we deduce from the sudden, dramatic cut in US interest rates?),
doesn''t a sharp cut in interest rates signal deeper worries of the central bank
on the economic front? Essentially the US Fed is saying, the housing mess is much
worse than we thought earlier and the recent belt-tightening in credit markets
have made it an even bigger problem.
No
more talk of US sub-prime woes being ''contained'' with ''little threat to the broader
economy''. Obviously, Bernanke would loose credibility if he continues to say so
when banks in far away Europe and China are providing billions of dollars to absorb
their US mortgage-related losses.
Global
economic outlook is now at probably its worst in the last three years. Until recently,
it was hoped that the possible slowdown in US would be offset by sustained growth
in the Euro area and Japan. And of course, China and India would continue to expand
at a furious pace. But, of late, Japan and major economies in the Euro zone are
showing signs of slipping. Though China continues to grow in double digits, higher
inflation has already forced interest rate hikes that may cool growth. And growth
in India is not expected to match last year''s high either.
If
the US economic outlook - which in turn drives the global outlook - is so cloudy,
why are equity markets rejoicing? Because that is exactly what investors want
at this point! If US economic growth remains anaemic, the Fed will be forced to
bring down rates even further. Declining rates will keep hopes of an economic
recovery alive and markets always ride on dreams and fears of the future. It is
now popular theory that the US housing slump can worsen and the Fed will be forced
to drive rates lower to stabilise the housing market. Besides, lower interest
rates will keep equities relatively more attractive than other asset classes.
So, where will
this ''Bernanke Put'' or bailout take us? Most commentators who are critical of
the steep rate cut argue that it will encourage credit market players to return
to their bad ways and precipitate even bigger crises. They contend that, with
the rate cut the Fed is conveying the message that ''if you mess up, make sure
you mess up big time and we will come and rescue you with rate cuts''. But, even
if this is the message, market players know that the rescue will not happen before
some of them go through extreme pain. This week''s rate cut will help stabilise
the debt markets, but it will take another wave of optimism for another round
of excesses to happen.
Bernanke:
''Wizard Version 2''?
Two outcomes are possible. The more optimistic one
is that cheaper credit will help sustain US consumer spending, even on the face
of rising fuel costs, which will help mitigate the ill effects of housing weakness.
But this will take some more rate cuts from the Fed. Then, slowly, housing will
regain its legs and stabilise. Equity markets will realise that the music will
play on for some more time and they don''t have to stop dancing. And we can all
praise Ben Bernanke as ''Wizard Version 2''.
The
pessimistic view is that this week''s bailout attempt is too late to ward- off
a further slowdown in the US economy. Going by the established theory that all
asset prices always retract to their long-term trend, US home prices have to decline
more.
Greenspan,
who is now being widely blamed for causing the housing bubble and the resultant
sub-prime meltdown by keeping interest rates too low for too long earlier this
decade, said last week that average home prices in the US could probably fall
further by more than 10 per cent. If 10 per cent sounds small, consider this.
All this housing mess in recent months has led to an average price decline of
less than 2 per cent. Imagine what a further 10 per cent drop can do!
Will
further rate cuts, which are now widely expected, trigger a recovery in the US
housing market? Possible, but it will take some time. Buyers will not jump in
fast as the recent pain is too fresh in their memory.
As
Greenspan said in a TV interview this week, ''the one thing all human beings do
when they are confronted with uncertainty is pull back, withdraw and disengage''.
As long as the price outlook remains uncertain, buyers will hesitate. Those at
the bottom of the pyramid, the much-maligned sub-prime borrowers, are anyway shut
out from the market as lenders are not going to ease credit standards anytime
soon.
Persistent
inflation can make this scenario even worse. The Fed was wary of rising inflationary
pressures until last month, before the market sneeze forced a re-focusing of short-term
priorities. Even then, the Fed has not completely dropped rising prices from its
radar. Obviously, it cannot do so when prices of crude oil and other commodities
like wheat are scaling record highs.
What
does it portend for India
It is possible that while the US economy remains
subdued on continued housing market weakness, higher energy prices can stoke inflation.
The cheaper dollar will add to inflationary pressures through costlier imports.
If this scenario plays out, the Fed cannot maintain its easing bias and will be
forced to hold rates steady, if not reverse direction and start hiking rates.
Equity markets have not so far factored in this possibility, but bond markets
have. Long-term US bond yields have moved up after the Fed rate cut on Tuesday,
indicating heightened inflation fears.
What
do these scenarios mean for Indian equity markets? Assuming that there are no
more crises brewing, which will trigger another round of ''flight to safety'', Indian
stocks may actually get a boost. While the US economic outlook remains cloudy,
incremental investment flows into US equities could be limited even if the large
companies see higher earnings from their overseas businesses - helped by the weak
dollar. Then, where will the money go? Emerging market equities could be a major
destination.
Among
large emerging markets, China is red hot. If the mainland markets do not correct,
some money could flow into Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong, as there is a huge
gap in valuation between these markets. Russia and Brazil will also continue to
receive attention while oil and other commodity prices remain high.
India
may be the most expensive among large emerging markets, but at the same time earnings
visibility is also the highest here. As elections are due, nobody expects any
major policy measures. But, political expediency may encourage the government
to keep retail fuel prices unchanged. This will give the false impression that
inflation is under control and may allow the RBI to lower interest rates modestly.
Low inflation and moderate interest rates will be the dream of any incumbent government,
ahead of elections.
Indian
equity indices are now riding on three legs - oil and gas, banking and telecom.
As long as oil prices remain firm, the oil biggies Reliance Industries and ONGC
will do well. Markets can safely ignore the PSU oil marketing stocks, which will
obviously bleed, as they do not pull much weight.
Banking
stocks will do well on hopes of renewed credit growth if interest rates moderate.
Telecom will continue to see incredible growth in the short to medium term, even
if margins come under pressure. So, all the three leading sectors will continue
to do well in the above scenario. Among the laggards, technology is likely to
remain subdued as the rupee may retain its strength on continued inflows.
But,
further gains will take Indian markets to bubble territory. There, stocks will
be more prone to even more violent and painful swings triggered by shocks and
surprises, which will not be in short supply as the country head into elections.
This will be true for other emerging markets as well, especially China, which
appears increasingly like a gambling den.
Alan
Greenspan was accused of replacing the ''internet bubble'' with the ''housing bubble'',
by taking interest rates to very low levels. Are we now witnessing the early stages
of an ''emerging market bubble'' replacing the US housing bubble? Is that were you
are leading us, Ben?
also see : General
reports on Economy