Here's my summary of the key events over the weekend that affect New Zealand, with news of swirling turbulence and uncertainties (and opportunities) on a global scale.
On Saturday (Friday in the US and Europe), we have had a whole day of market reaction to the British vote, so we start Monday with a basic, crude indication of where markets see the implications to Brexit.
The consequences for the UK are not that good following the vote. But despite this, the implications for New Zealand are likely to be quite limited. I think you need to see this latest change as part of a long term historical decline of the British. We are lucky to be almost completely separated economically from them. Britain will no longer be our channel to the EU, so they will become politically less important for us. In fact, the NZ government reached out to the EU directly over the weekend.
The financial world is also wondering how the new status will change London's place. By being part of the EU, banks registered there had automatic access to Europe. But that will end. UK registration for global banks will no longer give that benefit. A full decamp to Frankfurt is entirely possible. Paris is already making its pitch as an alternative. Another possibility is Edinburgh. If the Scots hold a second referendum and choose to stay in the EU - something the Scottish Government has publicly aired - some banks may decamp to Edinburgh.
In the wider commercial world, the Brexit vote surprised most managers and they are now playing catchup to the new reality. Similar registration realities face them; being in Britain will no longer give access to Europe. Ireland may be an early beneficiary, and more decamping is on the cards. For industrial companies, moves to Germany are more likely.
It seems clear that for New Zealand, the EU will get a shot in the arm over the next few years, all at the expense of Britain. And that is where our pivot in that region will follow.
But none of this really changes our focus on opportunities in the Pacific. Many managers may see the destabilisation as 'too hard' and too uncertain and lessen their interest in a UK or EU focus.
New Zealand and Australia may even get a 'safe haven' bonus from Brexit. There will be talk of rate cuts in both countries, but it is hard to see the point. Little we do will counteract the swirling uncertainties on a global level, and rate cuts will just exacerbate our asset price bubbles.
In New York, the benchmark UST 10yr yield climbed to 1.73% on Thursday but sunk to just 1.59% on Friday in a major Brexit reaction. We also saw similar wholesale swap rate falls in New Zealand and you can see where we start today in our swap rate chart page. Rates are at record lows for terms 4 to ten years, but still above those levels for term 1 to 3 years.
The US benchmark oil price is a little lower, down US$2 and now just under US$48/barrel and the Brent benchmark is just over US$48/barrel.
The gold price jumped sharply over the weekend. It starts today up +US$55 at US$1,315/oz US$1,215/oz, but actually it is not much above its range since February. In New Zealand dollars, it is actually still lower than just two weeks ago.
The price of iron ore and other base metals edged lower over the weekend. All markets will be on tenterhooks until US markets open tomorrow.
And finally, the NZ dollar starts the week very little different from this time on Friday, now at 71.3 US¢ which is bit lower, at 95.3 AU¢, and at 64.2 euro cents which is a bit higher. The TWI-5 index is at 74.7. It is only against the British pound where we gained a lot, but that is now a very small part of the TWI.
If you want to catch up with all the local changes on Friday, we have an update here. And for the changes on Saturday, we have an update here.
The easiest place to stay up with event risk today is by following our Economic Calendar here ».
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