Unknowns – Known and Unknown
The world is full of surprises or unknowns, some of which we can anticipate, while others are harder to foresee. “Known unknowns” are uncertainties and issues of which we are aware, but do not know the outcome. An example is this year’s U.S. presidential election. “Unknown unknowns” are events that we do not expect or have never happened before, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new set of known unknowns. We know the virus exists, but do not know when and how the economy will recover, how many people will be infected, when a vaccine will be available, and how safe and effective the vaccine will be. The significant support to economies and capital markets from central bank interventions and government spending have eased some of these concerns. Just as we have not yet won the war against the virus, the long-term effects of its economic consequences remain to be seen.
Quantitative easing in the time of COVID-19
Quantitative easing (the increase of money supply in the economy from central banks) is not a new tool. It was first designed to combat the global financial crisis in 2009. From 2009 to 2015, the U.S. Federal Reserve injected $3.5 trillion into the economy, which led to asset inflation. To avoid a dramatic economic shock, the Fed retracted these measures very slowly. Over the course of approximately four years, the money supply shrank by about $0.8 trillion.
The Fed is using this same tool to fight the economic consequences of the pandemic, but with unprecedented speed. In just three months, $3 trillion was added to the economy. In that same time, cash went from being king (when markets were volatile) to trash (as supply increased). While quantitative easing has inflated asset prices, it has consequences – in other words, new known unknowns.
It is not certain how long this situation will last. It is estimated that the Fed’s balance sheet will be extended to $10 trillion and, if the past is any guide, will take three decades to return to pre-pandemic levels. If that is the case, asset prices will remain elevated as cash is devalued (30 years is effectively permanent). Asset holders will benefit the most, while savers suffer. This could amplify another growing issue – the wealth gap, a problem central banks have ignored in the past. Can they continue to ignore it for the next decade or even three?
Forever indebted?
In addition to quantitative easing, another by product of this pandemic was government spending in the form of subsidies to individuals and businesses. These totalled approximately 15% of gross domestic product (GDP) in both Canada and U.S. The challenge is not the subsidies themselves, but that both governments were running deficits prior to this and the extra burden adds uncertainty to how the debts will be repaid. Raising taxes is an obvious solution but could further weaken the economy and is politically unpopular. The only other solution is higher debt and larger deficits for longer – so long that many will see it as permanent. Large debt balances are only affordable if interest rates are zero, and who is going to save at zero interest?
The “new” new normal
The term a “new normal” was created after the financial crisis to describe a world where money supply is above trend and interest rates are below normal. After this pandemic, we will enter a “new new normal” where money supply is likely to be even more above trend and rates are close to zero for a decade, or decades. The unknowns in economies and human behaviour will continue to evolve in the next several years. Over the long term, there are very good odds stock markets will broadly outperform bonds, as yields are so low. Over the short term, there will be a tug-of-war between those who believe we will return to the “new normal” established in 2009 and those who believe we are headed to the “new new normal”. Either way, there is sure to be volatility, opportunities and challenges.
By Alfred Lam, CFA, Senior Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer and Marchello Holditch, CFA, Vice-President and Portfolio Manager CI Multi-Asset Management
This document is intended solely for information purposes. It is not a sales prospectus, nor should it be construed as an offer or an invitation to take part in an offer. This report may contain forward-looking statements about one or more funds, future performance, strategies or prospects, and possible future fund action. These statements reflect the portfolio managers’ current beliefs and are based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including economic, political and market changes and other developments. United pools are managed by CI Investments Inc. Assante Wealth Management is a subsidiary of CI Investments Inc. Neither CI Investments Inc. nor its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees or advisors are responsible in any way for damages or losses of any kind whatsoever in respect of the use of this report. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with investments in mutual funds and the use of the Asset Management Service. Any performance data shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions or dividends and does not take into account sales, redemption or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the fund prospectus and consult your advisor before investing. Assante Wealth Management and the Assante Wealth Management design are trademarks of CI Investments Inc. CI Multi-Asset Management is a division of CI Investments Inc. This report may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner whatsoever, without prior written permission of Assante Wealth Management. Copyright © 2020 Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. All rights reserved.
The world is full of surprises or unknowns, some of which we can anticipate, while others are harder to foresee. “Known unknowns” are uncertainties and issues of which we are aware, but do not know the outcome. An example is this year’s U.S. presidential election. “Unknown unknowns” are events that we do not expect or have never happened before, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new set of known unknowns. We know the virus exists, but do not know when and how the economy will recover, how many people will be infected, when a vaccine will be available, and how safe and effective the vaccine will be. The significant support to economies and capital markets from central bank interventions and government spending have eased some of these concerns. Just as we have not yet won the war against the virus, the long-term effects of its economic consequences remain to be seen.
Quantitative easing in the time of COVID-19
Quantitative easing (the increase of money supply in the economy from central banks) is not a new tool. It was first designed to combat the global financial crisis in 2009. From 2009 to 2015, the U.S. Federal Reserve injected $3.5 trillion into the economy, which led to asset inflation. To avoid a dramatic economic shock, the Fed retracted these measures very slowly. Over the course of approximately four years, the money supply shrank by about $0.8 trillion.
The Fed is using this same tool to fight the economic consequences of the pandemic, but with unprecedented speed. In just three months, $3 trillion was added to the economy. In that same time, cash went from being king (when markets were volatile) to trash (as supply increased). While quantitative easing has inflated asset prices, it has consequences – in other words, new known unknowns.
It is not certain how long this situation will last. It is estimated that the Fed’s balance sheet will be extended to $10 trillion and, if the past is any guide, will take three decades to return to pre-pandemic levels. If that is the case, asset prices will remain elevated as cash is devalued (30 years is effectively permanent). Asset holders will benefit the most, while savers suffer. This could amplify another growing issue – the wealth gap, a problem central banks have ignored in the past. Can they continue to ignore it for the next decade or even three?
Forever indebted?
In addition to quantitative easing, another by product of this pandemic was government spending in the form of subsidies to individuals and businesses. These totalled approximately 15% of gross domestic product (GDP) in both Canada and U.S. The challenge is not the subsidies themselves, but that both governments were running deficits prior to this and the extra burden adds uncertainty to how the debts will be repaid. Raising taxes is an obvious solution but could further weaken the economy and is politically unpopular. The only other solution is higher debt and larger deficits for longer – so long that many will see it as permanent. Large debt balances are only affordable if interest rates are zero, and who is going to save at zero interest?
The “new” new normal
The term a “new normal” was created after the financial crisis to describe a world where money supply is above trend and interest rates are below normal. After this pandemic, we will enter a “new new normal” where money supply is likely to be even more above trend and rates are close to zero for a decade, or decades. The unknowns in economies and human behaviour will continue to evolve in the next several years. Over the long term, there are very good odds stock markets will broadly outperform bonds, as yields are so low. Over the short term, there will be a tug-of-war between those who believe we will return to the “new normal” established in 2009 and those who believe we are headed to the “new new normal”. Either way, there is sure to be volatility, opportunities and challenges.
By Alfred Lam, CFA, Senior Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer and Marchello Holditch, CFA, Vice-President and Portfolio Manager CI Multi-Asset Management
This document is intended solely for information purposes. It is not a sales prospectus, nor should it be construed as an offer or an invitation to take part in an offer. This report may contain forward-looking statements about one or more funds, future performance, strategies or prospects, and possible future fund action. These statements reflect the portfolio managers’ current beliefs and are based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including economic, political and market changes and other developments. United pools are managed by CI Investments Inc. Assante Wealth Management is a subsidiary of CI Investments Inc. Neither CI Investments Inc. nor its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees or advisors are responsible in any way for damages or losses of any kind whatsoever in respect of the use of this report. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with investments in mutual funds and the use of the Asset Management Service. Any performance data shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions or dividends and does not take into account sales, redemption or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the fund prospectus and consult your advisor before investing. Assante Wealth Management and the Assante Wealth Management design are trademarks of CI Investments Inc. CI Multi-Asset Management is a division of CI Investments Inc. This report may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner whatsoever, without prior written permission of Assante Wealth Management. Copyright © 2020 Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. All rights reserved.