Weekly Market Recap
It’s the least I could do
02/11/2020
Week in review
- Australia CPI inflation 1.6% q/q
- U.S. real GDP 33.1% q/q saar in 3Q
- Australia private sector credit 0.1% m/m for September
Week ahead
- RBA official cash rate
- U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections
- Australia retail sales
Thought of the week
The RBA will cut the cash rate to 0.10% this week. The associated rates on the yield curve control (YCC) policy target, the Term Funding Facility and interest paid on excess reserves will also come down. The rate cut is nearly fully priced by markets, but an extension to bond purchases and full QE is only partially accounted for. The market loves a big number and should the RBA announce a large package of bond purchases in the coming months the reaction is likely to be positive. However, if the RBA instead commits to a minimum monthly purchase level (e.g. $5bn per month) there may be some disappointment, even if the aggregate level of bonds purchases would be just as high. The RBA likes to maintain as much flexibility in its policies as possible. The chart below shows the pattern of purchases to implement YCC which were tapered rapidly. The RBA will do what it takes to achieve its objectives, but only the minimum. As soon as the balance sheet starts to expand, focus shifts to how big it will get and what happens when it stops.
It’s the least I could do
RBA bond purchases in 2020, AUD billions