Ian is joined this week by Paul Jenkin, and the duo kick-off the episode discussing their take of the FOMC meeting. The largest hike from the Fed since the mid-90s didn’t come entirely as expected, with a hawkish set of forecasts pitted against a dovish press conference. Paul discusses the reasons he expects policy rates to set higher than current market pricing, and what that means for bank portfolio behavior. The pair spend some time discussing asset-swap valuations, and what lower housing may...
Jun 17, 2022•24 min•Ep. 53
Ian and Andrew start the episode by discussing Friday’s data deluge, particularly the red-hot inflation reading in the United States. Andrew talks about the implications for Canada based on the drivers of U.S. CPI strength, noting that both the near-term peak and the end-of-year resting spot have now increased. The duo spend a lot of time talking about the options for the Bank of Canada, and introduce CIBC’s new forecasts for the target rate, which is higher as a result of the data. Ian talks ab...
Jun 13, 2022•33 min•Ep. 52
The scorching hot CPI report has created yet another shock for the market, and the probability of an even more ‘forceful’ response from the Bank of Canada seems warranted. In this episode, Ian and Andrew do a deep dive on the latest report and talk about the many methodology adjustments StatsCan is making to the basket. The co-hosts take some time to go over the new forecasts presented in the MPR from last week, and unveil CIBC’s new policy forecast. Ian discusses why back-end rates underperform...
Apr 22, 2022•26 min•Ep. 51
In the 50th episode of Curve Your Enthusiasm, Ian and Andrew begin the show discussing the strength in the recent Canadian GDP numbers. Ian talks about data sensitivity and the bond market, while Andrew highlights why he thinks the path to terminal matters. The co-hosts both outline why they think the Fed is more likely to take short-run terminal above long-run neutral, and Andrew discusses the work he is doing on Canadian NAIRU. The proximity to the federal budget sparks a conversation with the...
Apr 01, 2022•24 min•Ep. 50
The Bank of Canada (BoC) hiked interest rates for the first time since 2018, and the episode begins with a dissection of the statement. This week, Ian is joined by Andrew Grantham, Senior Economist in CIBC Economics. Once the pair establish what was surprising from the BoC, they spend some time discussing why C$100.0 oil in 2022 has a different impact than C$100.0 oil in 2014. Andrew discusses his upside view on inflation, while also discussing the latest trends in provincial economics. Ian and ...
Mar 04, 2022•27 min•Ep. 49
Ian is joined this week by Josh Kay, and the duo begin the episode talking about the benefits, and dangers, of a non-standard sized hike. Ian discusses the required trade off between a higher terminal rate and a faster pace of hikes and why the curve is currently ‘trapped’. Josh spends some time discussing how credit markets are reacting to higher interest rates, while also taking a look back at recent Canadian credit performance. The pair finish the episode talking about portfolio construction ...
Feb 22, 2022•24 min•Ep. 48
On this episode of CYE, Ian and Nick begin this episode discussing whether or not markets are priced for peak macro conditions. Ian talks about the importance of the BoE and ECB meetings on the global stock of negative yielding debt, and how that dynamic may interrupt traditional flattening trends into a hiking cycle. Nick discuss productivity trends within the context of where the market is pricing-in terminal policy rates in North America, while Ian gives a highlight on what to expect from Gov...
Feb 08, 2022•19 min•Ep. 47
Ian is joined this week by Jeremy Saunders from CIBCs XVA trading group. The duo kick-off the episode by discussing the Bank of Canada and Fed meeting this week, looking at the primary reasons why the Bank decided to delay the first hike until March. Jeremy discusses the importance of preserving forward guidance as a policy tool, and contrasts the messaging between the two post-meeting press conferences. Ian provides his view on the BoC balance sheet, and unveils the firms new central bank and i...
Jan 28, 2022•21 min•Ep. 46
Ian is joined this week by Craig Bell, and the duo cover a lot of ground heading into the Bank of Canada interest rate decision next week. The episode begins with an in-depth discussion on why the Bank can credibly delay rate hikes in January. Craig goes on to discusses the path ahead for swap spreads, while Ian spends some time walking through what balance-sheet rolloff will look like in Canada, and why it isn’t as big a deal for the bond market as in the United States. The co-hosts spend some ...
Jan 21, 2022•23 min•Ep. 45
Ian is on the hunt for a new co-host, and is joined this week by Nick Exarhos to discuss a host of themes that matter right now for the bond market. The duo begin their discussion on what quantitative tightening (QT) would look like from the Bank of Canada, and the key differences we should expect relative to the Fed. Nick discusses the impact of fiscal drag in the United States on the growth outlook, and questions whether excess savings is enough offset the slowdown. Ian spends some time talkin...
Jan 17, 2022•21 min•Ep. 44
In the final episode of 2021, Ian & Royce discuss the widened uncertainty related to new COVID variants. Royce discusses his view on the recent Canadian data, both GDP & jobs, while Ian opines on the potential for the Bank of Canada to deliver earlier-than-expected rate hikes. The two hosts go back-and-forth about the most optimal policy sequencing, specifically whether or not central bankers should shrink balance sheets before delivering rate hikes. The potential for yield-curve inversi...
Dec 07, 2021•21 min•Ep. 43
Ian & Royce begin the episode this week discussing the most recent Labour Force Survey. They conclude that while the economy has reached a milestone in recovering all of the jobs lost during the pandemic, that’s not a sign of “mission accomplished”. Ian then takes a deep breath and speaks about the recent move in Canadian short rates, and why the profile for the Bank of Canada has been so aggressively repriced in the past week. Royce agrees, and walks us through his view on the upcoming Bank...
Oct 14, 2021•24 min•Ep. 42
The recent increase in COVID-19 cases is showing up in the data in different ways, in different regions. Royce describes why inflation surprises shouldn’t be taken at face value, while growth surprises aren’t as concerning as the bond market is suggesting. Ian walks through his expectation for the FOMC meeting next week, and provides a framework for thinking about how the Fed’s taper will impact bond yields. Both Ian and Royce do a deeper dive on the recent communications from the Bank of Canada...
Sep 17, 2021•25 min•Ep. 41
Royce and Ian take stock of the recent FOMC meeting, and discuss what new information they heard from the Fed. Royce explains the key drivers of inflation differentials between Canada and the United States, while Ian vents his frustration over the lack of response in the bond market. The new repo facilities are discussed within the context of how the sequencing of QE impacts the timing of U.S. rate hikes, and both Ian and Royce opine on what that means for the Bank of Canada.
Jul 30, 2021•23 min•Ep. 40
Royce and Ian take the pulse of the reflation trade. Ian discusses the reasons that some investors are calling the trade dead. Royce talks about why the base case economic outlook remains bright for North America, despite some downside risks that are on the rise. They close the podcast by discussing the expected path for the Bank of Canada’s balance sheet.
Jul 12, 2021•27 min•Ep. 39
Royce and Ian dissect the recent US Federal Reserve meeting, calling it a reality check for the central bank. Royce talks about why the hawkish move makes Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem’s life a lot easier. Ian then analyses the market reaction and how trading reflation has changed post-meeting. Royce and Ian debate transitory versus persistent inflationary pressures and talk about how that will affect fixed income pricing. Ian also convinces Royce to roll over their friendly wager on econ...
Jun 25, 2021•23 min•Ep. 38
Ian and Royce take stock of the divergence between strong inflationary signals and a bond market that just won’t stop rallying. And keeping with the theme of divergence, Royce discusses why the compositional differences of the Fed and Bank of Canada’s policy framework is contributing to perceived BoC hawkishness, noting too that AIT is creating too much uncertainty. The co-hosts also dissect the contents of the BoC meeting this week, and the Economic Update speech from Deputy Governor Tim Lane. ...
Jun 11, 2021•26 min•Ep. 37
Royce and Ian are back together after a few weeks off to dissect all of the conflicting economic data releases in the US. Royce talks about how some of the growing pains south of the border might be a precursor to future developments in Canada. Ian gives a rundown of how investors are digesting all of this new information, and flags some potential catalysts for market volatility in the coming months. The episode closes with Royce discussing new research on the neutral rate in Canada, which sugge...
May 18, 2021•24 min•Ep. 36
Ian and Royce discuss what calls they got right and what surprised them in this week’s Federal Budget and Bank of Canada announcement. They give their views on which central bank’s outlook is more likely to be realized between the Bank of Canada and the US Federal Reserve. Ian discusses how the expected supply in the Government of Canada bond market this year will interact with the central bank’s tapering plans. Royce talks about why market pricing for the terminal rate in Canada might not actua...
Apr 23, 2021•27 min•Ep. 35
Royce and Ian discuss whether something is ‘off’ in the recent jobs data, questioning whether the seasonal adjustment process has broken-down. Royce provides his view on what to expect in Budget ’21 next week, while Ian looks ahead to the BoC rate-decision and the likelihood that a taper is announced.
Apr 14, 2021•17 min•Ep. 34
Royce and Ian discuss the latest Fed announcement and how some of the accompanying projections seemed inconsistent with others. They talk about why the new forecasts could be subject to more change than usual, and how that fits in with the Fed’s new reaction function. They conclude that this leaves more room for markets to ‘fight the Fed’ dot-plot than in the previous cycle. The conversation then moves on to an analysis of the relative timing and magnitude of Bank of Canada and Fed rate hikes pr...
Mar 19, 2021•27 min•Ep. 33
Ian and Royce discuss the recent bond market selloff from their own perspectives, and conclude that a ‘high pressure’ economic outcome isn’t the driving force. Royce surprises us with his love of farms, while Ian talks about his expectations for the BoC meeting next week and when we can expect a taper.
Mar 05, 2021•25 min•Ep. 32
Ian and Royce discuss the recent bond market selloff and the ongoing debate regarding the US fiscal package. With volatility increasing in both fixed income and equity markets, the arguments have moved from the ivory towers to the real world. They also touch on the implications of all this for the expected QE taper by the Bank of Canada.
Feb 19, 2021•21 min•Ep. 31
Royce and Ian discuss the latest developments in the US regarding the Federal Reserve. Royce talks about how a range of employment indicators will be in focus as central bankers figure out what constitutes maximum employment, and how that will affect the timing of rate increases. Ian discusses how tapering US QE could affect Canadian rates. Ian and Royce then chat about how all of this affects the Canadian dollar.
Jan 29, 2021•26 min•Ep. 30
Royce and Ian interpret the Governor of the Bank of Canada’s remarks on a host of vital issues, including a micro-cut, the effective lower bound for rates, the future of quantitative easing and the central bank’s inflation mandate. Royce also discusses the upgrades to the economic outlook in the latest Monetary Policy Report, and Ian breaks down some of the divergences seen in short-term Canadian rates.
Jan 22, 2021•32 min•Ep. 29
Ian and Royce are back in the studio, talking about the potential merits of a Bank of Canada microcut. Ian discusses the interesting way in which yields have been rising, while Royce does a deep-dive on the forecasts we can expect to see coming out of the MPR next week.
Jan 13, 2021•30 min•Ep. 28
Ian and Royce discuss new information regarding the Bank of Canada’s toolbox. They analyze the most likely ways the central bank can adjust its policies in the event that upside or downside risks materialize in light of the latest commentary coming from officials. The hosts also look at ways monetary policymakers can alter the mix of stimulus as they inevitably bump up against the limits of bond buying even in base-case scenarios for 2021. Ian and Royce end the show by bidding farewell to 2020 i...
Dec 14, 2020•27 min•Ep. 27
Lisa Raitt joins Royce to give a former-insider’s view on what turned out to be a heftier-than-expected Fall Economic Statement from the Federal government. Ian and Royce then discuss the debt management strategy included in the document and its interplay with the Bank of Canada’s quantitative easing program. Ian sneaks in some questions at the end of the show about how worrisome the current strength in the Canadian dollar will be for the eventual economic recovery.
Dec 02, 2020•29 min•Ep. 26
Ian & Royce discuss the implication of recent vaccine developments on the bond market and what it means for our macro forecast. As well, Royce discusses what the appointment of Yellen to Treasury Secretary means for the FOMC. Ian speaks about the reflation theme and what the bond market expects from the upcoming Budget update on November 30th
Nov 25, 2020•26 min•Ep. 25
Royce and Ian have a wide-ranging discussion on the upcoming Bank of Canada decision. Royce outlines the updates the Bank of Canada will need to make to its forecasts, while Ian discusses the likelihood of calibrating the quantitative easing program. The conversation also touches on the limitations of the Bank of Canada’s purchases on the level of domestic bond yields, and how fiscal support might be leaking out of the Canadian economy.
Oct 27, 2020•29 min•Ep. 24
