Delivering Global Macro Investment Insights

DeSaque Macro Research

DeSaque Macro Research Limited was formed by Said DeSaque in April 2012 with the view to delivering global macro investment insights aimed at providing new ideas to clients.

Said DeSaque has over 26 years of experience working as a professional economist in financial services. Prior to establishing DeSaque Macro Research, Said held positions as Senior Economist at Robert W Baird and William Blair. He began his career as a graduate at PaineWebber in 1986, where he eventually became Head of the London Economics Department.

Said takes a very keen interest in international relations, along with their implications for economic development. His research interests include the economic transformation of China and its implications for global capital markets, particularly in the United States. He is a member of Chatham House in London.

The US economy and capital markets have historically been Said’s main focus of attention. He frequently presents his views to institutional investors in diverse geographic locations. In recent years, Said has also been carefully monitoring economic developments in Asia, particularly China and Japan.

US Re-Stocking Cycle Produces Tight Freight Capacity and Supply-Chain Related Inflation Risks

Reasons Why the US Economic Recovery Should Defy the Doomsayers

Potential US Fiscal Policy Errors Due to Brinkmanship Puts the Fed Under Extra Pressure

Global Economist, DeSaque Macro Research

Said Desaque

Global Economist

Macroeconomics

Since March, US financial markets have been slaves to news about COVID-19 and, consequently, have become susceptible to negative news stemming from other sources. Priced for perfection entering 2021, investors are largely ignoring adverse outcomes, such as higher inflation, stemming from non-pandemic sources.The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will probably tolerate a 50 basis points inflation overshoot of the long-term target, even though members are not expecting this outcome before 2023 Q4. Aggregate demand exceeding supply is the most plausible route to higher inflation, but the economy remains in a sizeable negative output gap at present.Higher prices due to supply chain disruptions in Q1 will probably be overlooked by the FOMC. Meanwhile, narrow money supply (M1) has surged since March, suggesting significant pent-up spending firepower, that could impact inflation, particularly in services.Winter lockdowns will depress economic activity in Q1, thereby reducing global inflationary pressures, notably in Europe. While the FOMC is powerless to prevent economic weakness in Q1, leaving the responsibility to fiscal policy, the real issue facing investors is how long full economic recovery from the pandemic will ultimately require. According to their latest Summary of Economic Projections, FOMC members believe it will take three years for the economy to properly heal and, consequently, any future changes in policy will be signalled by alterations in asset purchases that could produce another taper tantrum.

Since March, US financial markets have been slaves to news about COVID-19 and, consequently, have become susceptible to negative news stemming from other sources. Priced for perfection entering 2021, investors are largely ignoring adverse outcomes, such as higher inflation, stemming from non-pandemic sources.The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will probably tolerate a 50 basis points inflation overshoot of the long-term target, even though members are not expecting this outcome before 2023 Q4. Aggregate demand exceeding supply is the most plausible route to higher inflation, but the economy remains in a sizeable negative output gap at present.Higher prices due to supply chain disruptions in Q1 will probably be overlooked by the FOMC. Meanwhile, narrow money supply (M1) has surged since March, suggesting significant pent-up spending firepower, that could impact inflation, particularly in services.Winter lockdowns will depress economic activity in Q1, thereby reducing global inflationary pressures, notably in Europe. While the FOMC is powerless to prevent economic weakness in Q1, leaving the responsibility to fiscal policy, the real issue facing investors is how long full economic recovery from the pandemic will ultimately require. According to their latest Summary of Economic Projections, FOMC members believe it will take three years for the economy to properly heal and, consequently, any future changes in policy will be signalled by alterations in asset purchases that could produce another taper tantrum.      

US Inflation Risks in 2021: Supply Chain Pressures Dampened by Winter Lockdowns