🔔 Almost Time For Gold To Shine

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Usually, gold is way down the Macrodesiac priority list. But we're starting to wonder if it could make sense in the coming months...

First up, let's explain why we usually ignore it 👇

That was written back when negative-yielding bonds were surprisingly popular.

The principle remains the same even when bonds are yielding significantly less than inflation. In other words 👇

Which is why, a lot of the time, gold just hasn't been that attractive.

Why hold a zero-yielding shiny metal with limited economic utility instead of (for example) the S&P500 with it's pretty consistent strong returns 👇

Especially in a low interest rate world where companies are (were?) able to buy back stock and increase shareholder returns that way too. Low rates are a pretty reliable tailwind for the stock market.

What if there's no road back to that low rate world?

If you look at the global economy now, a rapid return to a world of ultra low interest rates seems unlikely.

With inflation running hot and energy prices stabilising at high levels (for now), central bankers have nowhere to go but up, at least until there's some serious pain in labour markets.

That's not to say they won't cut the hiking cycle short, or even start cutting rates as soon as they have an excuse to.

It seems foolish to depend on this as a strategy now though.

All of their messaging and forecasts see them getting inflation under control within the next couple of years or so. And maybe they will.

Anything can happen in two years. Recent history is a perfect (albeit extreme) example of that.

When the return to low rates then?

Well, let's look at the US as an example. Imagine that the unemployment rate jumps to 4% (it's currently at 3.6%), with core inflation staying sticky around 4% too.

Here's inflation (core PCE, Fed's preferred measure) in context 👇

Way above that 2% target. And a longer term view of the unemployment rate 👇

Double 4's is still a very hard environment for the Fed to cut rates. It might not even be enough to see the Fed pause the hiking cycle.

A 4% unemployment rate is historically VERY low and the risk of the much-feared wage-price spiral increases the longer that inflation remains high while employment is strong.  

Consider company incentives too. As long as they're able to keep raising prices, they're more likely to pay up to keep capable staff on board.

All of the above risks embedding inflation expectations at higher levels than the central bank wants to see. Without a meaningful drop in employment, it's hard to make the case for the central bank pivot.

What's gold got to do with it?

We'll get there. More scene-setting first.

The economy is slowing, inflation's biting, but people are unhappily muddling through, drawing down savings, working overtime, and/or two jobs to make ends meet.

Companies are hanging in there too, still hiking prices but not like they could before. They're reluctant to cut staff because of difficulty replacing them if it's the wrong move ("and this inflation stuff will all blow over soon")

Right now, the US economy is still adding jobs, but the hiring pace has slowed back towards more 'normal' levels.

At some point, something will have to give. Companies can't keep hiring into a slowing economy. Unless the economy miraculously turns for reasons nobody's foreseen, profits will probably be the first release valve before employment really starts to tumble.

Remember the tightening roadmap 👇

The housing slowdown is well underway now. Redfin reported that 60,000 deals fell through in June alone 👇

The momentum in new orders is starting to ease, as seen in recent PMI data. 👇

ISM manufacturing new orders fell below 50 (into contraction) in June too.

So, profits next. Eventually, employment will contract too. Then what?

For the past couple of decades, the Fed's been there as a reliable ally. Economy's slowing, cut rates, restart the cycle.

Can the Fed be relied upon if inflation isn't back at target?

And if it isn't the stable world of old, investors might look at things a little differently when asking

"Where do I put my money to work?"

• Equities? No rates tailwind, earnings volatile, unreliable returns

• Bonds? Volatile, no CB tailwind, inflation risks, unreliable returns

• Commodities? Volatile, highly cyclical, unreliable returns

• Gold? Boring, but maybe I won't LOSE money

It's an over-simplification, but investors have been spoilt by relatively reliable returns from bonds and stocks during the Great Moderation.

BlackRock say that era's done now... 👇

In that kind of volatile regime, is there a temptation to hold something tangible? Something that's stood the test of time as a wealth preservation vehicle? Admittedly, it's an imperfect vehicle, but over time gold does tend to appreciate, and it usually does OK in a recession too...

Right now, there's a strong dollar headwind to contend with. That could last a while longer yet. But at some point, the Fed will take their foot off the gas pedal, and that USD tailwind will fade.

As company profits take the hit, it's likely that investors will hide in bonds and drive yields down, but with an uncertain economic picture, credit markets will likely stay tight regardless.

Presuming that equity returns are no longer the 'sure thing' they once were due to companies battling to maintain profitability and little sign of a Fed rescue package on the horizon (because inflation is still too high), these could be the perfect conditions for gold to shine.

Sentiment's in the doldrums too. These are taken from a recent Macro Ops note. First up, a thread on gold positioning/sentiment  👇

And a chart on how gold tends to perform when consumer sentiment is at extremes 👇

As for pricing, your guess is as good as any. A few obvious levels stand out. 👇

But really, it's all about the change in conditions, the change in narrative.

"This is such a terrible investing environment, I can't make money ANYWHERE"

The mid-term elections could be a catalyst too. Add a divided, combative congress to the mix, and there's potentially no policy support from the fiscal or the monetary side for a year or two... Scary prospect.

So, there you have it. The bull case for gold.

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