Podcast appearances and mentions of tapas strickland

Monday 5th September 2022 View our disclaimer and terms of use: nab.co/3shJyyp View our NAB Financial Services Guide: nab.co/3rvJtI9 There was a short-lived burst of positivity on Friday, when USD payrolls numbers delivered a Goldilocks result, with jobs rising, but wage rises easing and more people piling into the jobs markets. The good news was offset by news that Russia will not be reopening the Nordstream gas pipeline, adding to the pressure on Europe to navigate its way through winter. NAB's Tapas Strickland talks through the market impact on today's podcast, as well as the problems in China, where 65 million people are currently in lockdown in 33 cities. The ECB, RBA and Bank of Canada all meet this week, and the UK gets a new Prime Minister later today.

Tuesday 23rd August 2022 View our disclaimer and terms of use: nab.co/3shJyyp View our NAB Financial Services Guide: nab.co/3rvJtI9 The US dollar has risen close to a multi-decade, against a falling Euro and pound, as the energy outlook in that part of the world worsens and gas prices continue to skyrocket. NAB's Tapas Strickland says this has added to the resolve of central banks to tackle inflation with faster rises in interest rates. There is a plethora of PMI reports today. The question is, if they show any weakening in the performance of economies, will that be enough to moderate the hawkishness that's prevalent amongst most central banks right now?

Monday 15th August 2022 View our disclaimer and terms of use: nab.co/3shJyyp View our NAB Financial Services Guide: nab.co/3rvJtI9 There was a lot more positive sentiment around on Friday, because there are more signs that perhaps inflation is peaking. NAB's Tapas Strickland says strong corporate earnings have helped, and a belief that the Fed will not be moving much further on rate hikes – even though many Fed speakers are keen to argue otherwise. It's a different story amongst bond markets, were the 2-10 years spread remains firmly in negative territory, suggesting a recession or at least much slower activity for the remainder of the year. The RBNZ meets this week – Phil asks Tapas is they are being viewed as a test case for central banks, given that interest rates are likely to hit 3% this week, amid signs that the economy is slowing.

Thursday 11th August 2022 US inflation numbers were lower than expected, giving markets a major boost if confidence. Shares rose sharply, thew VUIX index fell to the lowest in quite a while, the USA dollar weakened, and the Aussie dollar was given a major boost. But will the enthusiasm last? As NAB's Tapas Strickland explains, the falls were largely related to lower energy prices and the low-side core surprise was a payback for the high-side reading in June. In fact, the core reading is still rising and the Fed has made it clear they still have more work to do. So, can we expect markets to retrace their steps a little over the next day or so?

Wednesday 3rd August 2022 There has been some market caution this morning as Nancy Pelosi arrives in Taiwan, much to the disgust of China. Her rhetoric has been confrontational too, so what is the purpose of this visit? Fed speakers have been keen to shift US market sentiment away from the notion that there will be an easing in the path of rate hikes, with Mary Daly saying they are “nowhere near almost done”. NAB's Tapas Strickland says there's been a sharp rise in 2 year yields since, fully erasing the fall seen after the last FOMC meeting. The RBA raised rates as expected but is being cagey about where to next. On today's podcast we look at the likely path to the end of the year, but is the market overly optimistic about how quickly rates will come back down?

Wednesday 27th July 2022 There gave been sizeable falls in US equities, mainly stemming from a cut to Walmart's profit estimates. NAB's Tapas Strickland explains how the rising price of food is leaving less money for people to spend on discretionary items, with more price increases to come. Meanwhile, Europe is hoping to cut gas consumption as Russia halves the supply of gas down the Nordstream pipeline. The EU has agreed a voluntary arrangement, but will be enough to build reserves for winter? Australia's inflation numbers are out today – what will they be, and could they force the RBA to be more aggressive next week? The IMF has downgraded its global growth forecasts, noting an increasingly gloomy and uncertain outlook. Least but not least, the FOMC announces its rate decision just before tomorrow's podcast. Tune in then for the full rundown, as it happens.

Monday 18th July 2022 US equities rallied on Friday as data releases showed some resilience in the economy, but is it enough to stave off recession? Probably not, says NAB's Tapas Strickland on today's podcast, but it will be enough to put to bed any ideas of a 100 basis point rate rise by the Fed this month. Also today, China's fall in GDP was worse than expected, with continuing lockdowns making the official forecast for the year completely out of reach. The focus this week will be on Europe: what if the Nordstream pipeline doesn't reopen? And, with so much uncertainty, NAB is predicting the US dollar will remain stronger for longer, which is likely to keep the Aussie dollar below 70 US cents for some time to come. Hear more about that in today's podcast too.

Tuesday 12th July 2022 There's a more cautious tone in the markets today, with US equities falling, bond prices rising, and the US dollar continuing on the up and up. Sentiment hasn't been helped today by more lockdowns in China as COVID cases flare up. Ironically, Yuan loans have increased a fair bit. NAB's Tapas Strickland says this suggests, perhaps, that the economy will pick up once COVID cases have settled down. Meanwhile the Euro is very close to parity with the rising US dollar, as concerns grow about continuity of energy supplies. Already parts of Germany are starting to ration energy use.

Tuesday 5th July 2022 The RBA meets today and the NAB expectation is that they will lift interest rates by 50 basis points. Phil asks NAB's Tapas Strickland whether, by seeing inflation rising slower than many other parts f the world, whether we'll see a lower peak and hence, less work needed by the RBA. There seem to be lots of hope lately that inflation might be showing signs of peaking, but the war rages on and oil and food supplies are still heavily constrained. The most telling reality check is that Germany trade has fallen heavily into deficit, for the first time since 1991 (and even then, only relatively briefly). It could be worse still if Russia restrains supply even further.

Friday 1st July 2022 Yields are lower in the US and Europe as recession fears grow, prompted by weaker than expected personal spending in the US, with a very strong chance of a negative Q2 GDP, which would mean the US economy was in recession. Whilst you might hope less consumption would mean falling inflation, NAB's Tapas Strickland days there's little sign of it yet. It wasn't just the US receiving bad news. There was a flurry of negative data for Europe, even before the EDB lifts rates, and a particularly bad activity outlook report from New Zealand. So, if the US, Europe, UK and New Zealand all go into recession, does that mean Australia will follow?

Tuesday 14th June 2022 There have been massive moves in financial markets since the release of the US inflation data on Friday. The US dollar is around the highest in decades, bond yields have shot up, in many cases to the highest in more than a decade, and the S&P500 has fallen to its lowest level in 15 months. NAB's Tapas Strickland says the concern is we are seeing inflation expectations de-anchoring. In other words, is panic creeping to the markets? The concerns are heightened by the meetings of the Fed, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan this week. The UK might not see big moves by the central bank, but only because the economy is already slowing and, after today's GDP numbers, could well be the first into a recession.

Tuesday 7th June 2022 There's been lots of action on the markets overnight, with rates pushing higher and, for most of the session, equities on the rise too. NAB's Tapas Strickland says reopening news from China has helped push equities higher, but the prospect of rate hikes has seen that optimism diminish as the session neared the close. In currencies, the pound was the best performer in the G10, rising on the news of a leadership challenge for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He won the challenge and the pound started drifting down again, but there's no guarantee he'll stay in his job for long. The RBA is the main focus today, with NAB expecting a 25 basis point rise. There's less urgency and, with more meetings, greater flexibility than with other central banks.

Wednesday 25th May 2022 Yesterday's upbeat sentiment was very short-lived, with a sharp fall in equities and bond yields today. A statement from Snap! about a worsening environment hitting revenue projections sent shares down across the board, but particularly advertising reliant tech stocks. That wasn't the only bad news of the day. As NAB's Tapas Strickland outlines in today's podcast, there's been a plunge in new home sales in the US, and a sharp fall in service PMIs in the UK. On the back of all of this, markets are expecting central banks to move a little slower on rate hikes, with the Fed's Raphael Bostic warning policy makers to ‘proceed carefully'. We also look at the RBNZ decision today and Australia's construction numbers this morning.

Monday 16th May 2022 There was a slight reversal in sentiment on Friday, with the US dollar losing ground, equities climbing and bond yields rising. NAB's Tapas Strickland says news of the easing of lockdowns in Shanghai this week might have provided an excuse for this switch around, but news over the weekend could make this change in direction very short lived, with China relinquishing its staging of the 2023 Asia Cup (soccer). In Europe, Sweden and Finland have both announced they intend to join NATO. If that wasn't enough to upset Putin, Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest. Today, eye swill be on China's fixed asset investments, industrial production numbers and retail sales, and on the continuing debate about whether the Fed (or any central bank) can deliver a soft landing from the inflation battle without forcing a recession.

Monday 9th May 2022 Equity markets continued their falls on Friday, driven by concerns that the FOMC will let the economy slip into recession if it's needed to keep inflation under control, just as the BoE warned last week. NAB's Tapas Strickland says some Fed speakers have suggested a faster rate of tightening will be needed if supply chain difficulties aren't corrected in a hurry. Given the China and Ukraine situations, that seems unlikely. Inflation concerns are rising everywhere. Even the ECB is expected to hike rates soon, and though the RBA's path is somewhat slower than most there are concerns that they too might be underestimating the hit inflation could make and will need to correct quickly. All in all, a lot of investors will be looking eagerly for any signs that supply chain problems are improving.

Friday 29th April 2022 The US delivered a sharp fall in GDP in the first quarter. It wasn't expected and could naturally spark fears that recession could be coming to the US sooner rather than later. But NAB's Tapas Strickland says ‘beneath the hood' the numbers showed that the US economy was still performing relatively well, with the numbers dragged down by a larger negative trade balance and lower inventories. As a result, equities continued to push higher, along with the US dollar. Inflation fears are rising in Europe though, with a higher-than-expected CPI read for Germany. These concerns pushed front-end yields higher and forced the Riksbank to unexpectedly lift their rates.

Tuesday 19th April 2022 There's a fundamental difference in the approach of the ECB and the Fed, as NAB's Tapas Strickland explains on today's podcast. Whereas the Fed is focused on inflation, the ECB is also concerning itself with growth. Could we see rising prices curtail that growth faster than anticipated? What about rising rates. The IMF has warned that rising rates will drive deleveraging that will have a marked impact on GDP growth. We also look at lockdowns in China and whether the rising bond yields in the US will offset any positive news to come from earnings results this week.

Tuesday 12th April 2022 US bond yields continue to career higher. ‘IT was another blistering night' says NAB's Tapas Strickland, with 10-year Treasury yields reaching a three-year high. With no new news, he says, it's a continued reaction to the hawkish Fed agenda. But could it all backfire? The Fed has never had successive 50 basis point rises. There are still concerns that they could spark a recession if they move too quickly, particularly as supply chain difficulties won't be resolved by monetary policy. And the rising COIVD cases in China suggest there will be more supply constraints to come. With inflation front and centre of everyone's attention right now, US CPI figures are obviously the numbers to watch for.

Tuesday 5th April 2022 The hope of peace in Ukraine is slipping away as more evidence of war crimes emerges, suggesting diplomacy could take some time. The Euro fell as expectations rose for more sanctions against Russia, which also pushed oil higher. NAB's Tapas Strickland says negotiations are continuing though and we shouldn't underestimate the chance for some sort of truce to be found. Meanwhile, inflation remains a global concern, particularly in the US. The inverted yield curve is also a cause for consternation. Tapas suggests the FOMC should have moved sooner on rates and speculates that the RBA will be watching and learning. Will the word ‘patience' disappear from today's RBA statement?

Monday 28th March 2022 The sell-off of bonds continues, with a further spike in yields at the end of last week. NAB's Tapas Strickland says it's because there is heightened expectations that the Fed will lift rates even faster than previously thought, possibly even four 50 basis point rises this year. Yet the share market – in the US and Europe – continues to rise. We look at why in this morning's podcast, plus Shanghai in lockdown, how the Yen has lost its safe haven status and the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine.

Wednesday 23rd March 2022 Just three weeks into March and US two-year bond yields are up 74 basis points, says NAB's Tapas Strickland, on today's Morning Call. Will the Fed be happy to see the market responding in this way, particularly as there's less growth later in the yield curve? Does that suggest there are some concerns about whether Fed can keep inflation in check, without causing a recession. What does history tell us about the chances of that happening? Meanwhile the Yen is a casualty from all this bond action, with their central bank a long way off any sort of tightening. And the rise in oil prices has stalled today, we look at the reason. Today, UK's CPI is the main set of numbers. Inflation and more of it.

Tuesday 15th March 2022 China and the US have been meeting, with the hope that talks can resolve the war in Ukraine. But China is showing little sign of offering total support for the west. NAB's Tapas Strickland wonders whether they'll need to, with talks between Russia and Ukraine at least offering the opportunity “for an off-ramp” from the conflict. Oil prices have fallen today, mainly because of further lockdowns in China as the country continues to pursue a zero-COVID strategy. That'll add to supply chain problems, which will further add to inflation pressures. No surprise then that bond yields have risen sharply ahead of the FOMC later this week.

Wednesday 2nd March 2022 View our disclaimer and terms of use: nab.co/3shJyyp View our NAB Financial Services Guide: nab.co/3rvJtI9 'What a night for market moves', says NAB's Tapas Strickland, on today's Morning Call. With no sign of an easing of the conflict in Eastern Europe, risk sentiment has risen sharply in the last 24 hours, with bond yields way down, oil peaking higher, the US dollar gaining strength and huge volatility on equity markets. Oil prices are rising even without export bans because trade houses are reluctant to touch Russian cargo. Today we look at how the uncertainty will translate to central banks. NAB's Ivan Colhoun says the RBA continues to be patient, given that inflation is not as strong as elsewhere. Like all other central banks they will be factoring in the uncertainty from the war. The Bank of Canada might moderate their plans tonight on that basis, and Jerome Powell will be asked for his approach when he fronts up to the House Committee in the US later today.

Tuesday 22nd February 2022 Will Putin's declared support for separatists in the Donbass region be the false flag event the West has been concerned about? Does that mean an invasion is imminent? Market reaction hasn't been strong so far, except for a rise in oil prices, but maybe that'll change as the US returns from the President's Day holiday. NAB's Tapas Strickland says the actions overnight has certainly reversed the optimism yesterday, when a diplomatic solution looked more hopeful. Meanwhile, PMIs in Europe were really strong, which will add to the inflation pressures and could lead to a more hawkish ECB. US PMIs are out later on, and we'll Christopher Kent from the RBA later today. What's he going to say about QE and interest rates?

Monday 14th February 2022 View our disclaimer and terms of use: nab.co/3shJyyp View our NAB Financial Services Guide: nab.co/3rvJtI9 There was a swift response on Friday to speculation that Putin would launch an attack on Ukraine as soon as this week. The US dollar gained ground at the expense of the Euro, whilst bond yields, which had risen on the upside inflation surprise on Thursday, came falling down again. NAB's Tapas Strickland says more negative new over Ukraine will add to the strength of the US dollar, but similarly, markets could slowly reverse their positions if weeks go by without any resolution. Meanwhile, second guessing the actions of central banks remains a focus on markets, with Aussie bond yields shooting up on Friday as Philip Lowe suggested a rate rise this year was “consistent with their central scenario”.

Tuesday 1st February 2022 It seems more likely than not that the RBA will announce an end to QEW today. NAB's Tapas Strickland says core timed mean inflation is running two years ahead of the RBA's forecasts which suggests a rate rise this year is also likely. The front end of the yield yield curve rose a little in the US after Raphael Bostic argued for a 50 basis point rate rise in March, although he retreated a little form those remarks today. Inflation is rising in Europe, with figures out just in time for the ECB this week, and the BoE will almost certainly raise rates too. So is inflation the only driver now? What if the rates push major economies into a downturn?

Monday 24th January 2022 On today's podcast: Curiously bond yields retreated at the end of last week even though the assumption remains that the Fed will signal a March hike. NAB's Tapas Strickland says the fall in yields is a response to the sharp sell-off in equities at the end of the week which is, itself, a response to the rising interest rate environment. Locally, the CPI numbers for Australia tomorrow will put the RBA's timeline for rate rises into sharp focus. Global PMIs today might have less influence given they are influenced by transitory factors, such as lockdowns, and the focus on the Fed.

Tuesday 18th January 2022 Bond yields continue to rise as expectations heighten for faster central bank tightening. As NAB's Tapas Strickland discusses on today's Morning Call, the exception is the People's Bank of China, which lowered rates yesterday on concerns about the spread of Omicron. President Xi has asked other central banks to sit tight, but that seems unlikely. Even the RBA is likely to bring forward its end to QE to next month. Whilst China faces more lockdowns, the rest of the world seems to be opening up The UK seems likely to end its Plan-B restrictions as soon as next week. The Empire Fed Manufacturing survey will be worth looking out for today, particularly after a sharp fall in the ISM Manufacturing Prices Paid Index. Could the supply chain disruption be easing – and maybe inflation was transitory after all? Perhaps.

Monday 20th December 2021 Markets are very cautious ahead of the Christmas break, with concerns about the impact of the Omicron strain. The Netherlands has gone into another lockdown and restrictions are being introduced in many other parts of Europe. But that's not stopping a more hawkish attitude from the FOMC. NAB's Tapas Strickland says a March hike in the US is a real possibility, with Fed Governor Waller flagging concerns about an “alarmingly high” inflation rate. More discontinuity in supply chains from Omicron could add to inflation concerns, of course. Today, we also discuss rate hikes whilst winding down balance sheets. Could central banks go too far too quickly?

Tuesday 14th December 2021 There's a little more caution this morning, with equities down, driven by banks, travel and energy, with stay at home stocks doing better. But NAB's Tapas Strickland points out, the fall in the S&P is on the back of the 67th record high of 2021 on Friday night. He says we shouldn't expect too many significant moves ahead of the FOMC, ECB and Bank of England later in the week, and little significant news expected before then. Turkey's central bank has already met, responding to sky high inflation by lowering interest rates. An interesting approach. Whilst rising Omicron cases are adding to the cautious tone. Numbers in the UK have risen sharply again, with the first recorded fatality.

Monday 6th December 2021 Markets were far more cautious on Friday. In part there are still concerns about the new Omicron strain, although circumstantial evidence so far is pointing to it being a milder variant. NAB's Tapas Strickland says tech stocks were hit the hardest, because there's growing acceptance that the Fed will push ahead with faster tapering, irrespective of tailwinds. Payrolls numbers were weaker than anticipated, but not enough to stop them, it seems. That raises the question, will central banks push ahead with tightening measures before economies have recovered to the detriment of the longer term outlook?

Friday 3rd December 2021 Markets have displayed much mor epositive sentiment in the last 24 hours, but its not lasting. Gains in US equities have fallen away a little, and oil prices have risen sharply and fallen back again. NAB's Tapas Strickland says Omicron news is mixed – it's certainly spreading quickly but symptoms of those who are vaccinated appear to be mild. US Treasury yields have flattened further as more Fed officials pile on with calls for faster tapering. Oil prices fell sharply mid-session on the news that OPEC would lift supplies next month, but rose again on the news that they would pull back if demand falls because of Omicron. In short, another day of uncertainty all round.

Thursday 25th November 2021 There were many more positive signs for the US economy overnight, with initial jobless claims at an all-time low. The US dollar remains in favour, with the DXY index reaching a 16-month high. On today's podcast NAB's Tapas Strickland says rising inflation concerns are turning even the most dovish FOMC members, with Mary Daly the latest calling for a faster taper to make room for rate rises. Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summer spoke again about his concerns about the Fed's delay, worried that they won't be able to find “a soft landing”. Meanwhile, the Kiwi dollar has been hit hard by the quarter percent rate rise by the RBNZ. Why was there such a sharp response? Plus, the latest on oil, with prices down today, but we can expect more volatility as OPEC takes on their customers. How dare they dip into reserves!

Wednesday 17th November 2021 It's been a positive session overnight, with US retail sales rising and US jobs bouncing back. NAB's Tapas Strickland says it's difficult to tell how much of the 1.7% month on month increase in sales is a result of rising prices and how much is more goods sold, but it shows consumers are prepared to spend even with supply constraints and inflation concerns. The UK jobs numbers are particulartly good because they have grown despite the end of a job furlough scheme with 1.1 million people on it. Mostly retained their jobs and there were many extra jobs besides. Is this the ammunition the Bank of England needs for a rate rise next month? Meanwhile Governor Lowe continues to be cautious about rate hikes for Australia, reiterating nothing is likely to happen until 2024, even though the market has priced in 2022.

Monday 8th November 2021 You might expect a little more optimism in the markets given Friday's strong non-farm payrolls data in the US, Pfizer's news about a pill for COVID sufferers, the passing of Biden's $1.2 billion infrastructure bill and rising consumer credit in the US. Equity markets are riding high on future hopes, but NAB's Tapas Strickland says bond markets continue to unwind from expectations on the timing of rate hikes by central banks, in particular the surprise move by the Bank of England last week not to move. Today we also look at Friday's RBA Statement of Monetary Policy, and look ahead to US CPI and Australian labour market data this week.

Wednesday 3rd November 2021 Central banks are still grappling with what to do about inflation. The RBA is reluctant to talk about interest rate hikes anytime soon, because they don't think inflation will be a big problem. The Fed and the Bank of England take a different view, but how hawkish will they be. Today on the Morning Call NAB's Tapas Strickland looks back at yesterday's RBA meeting and looks ahead to the FOMC tomorrow morning, whilst discussing the various attitudes to the dimensions of inflation. Concerns over supply chain disruptions, of won't be helped by the rise of COVID lockdowns in China , with the Commerce department there asking local authorities to stock up for winter.

Tuesday 26th October 2021 The markets continue to be dominated by rising inflation concerns, including the price of oil. WTI got over $85 today, but has fallen back since. NAB's Tapas Strickland tells how Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has said it's too early to up production whilst uncertainty prevails. There was an example of that uncertainty as another Chinese province went into lockdown. But equity markets aren't concerned about such things. The S&P500 hit a new high as share rose on the back of strong earnings and higher commodity prices. And Joe Biden could be a step closer to having a scaled back version of his infrastructure package see the light of day. Listen in to find out why.

Monday 18th October 2021 Equity markets were buoyed by strong US earnings results and stronger than expected retail sales numbers, but there are many reasons to suggest this confidence might be short-lived, according to NAB's Tapas Strickland. Corporate earnings have been focused on the finance sector, so results from other sectors will give an indication of the inflation impacts on margins and growth potential. Chinese activity data today and the ongoing Evergrande saga could impact global growth hopes. Then there's inflation, which continues to grow, with the Fed expected to bring forward its first rate hike and the Bank of England Governor reiterating the need for a rate rise in the UK this year. Paying more for a mortgage is unlikely to boost consumer confidence which is already flagging.

Tuesday 12th October 2021 Fuel prices are rising, with the gas crisis now pushing up oil and coal prices. On today's podcast NAB's Tapas Strickland says central banks are now worried about inflation getting “permanently embedded” (Andrew Bailey's words) and are becoming more hawkish in their outlook. The latest is the Bank of England, where markets are already pricing in a 50 percent chance of a small increase as soon as next month. Bond yields continue to rise on this new attitude by central banks. Also today, does Australia need to reopen its borders to get the economy back on track? Can we fully recover without the return of a migrant workforce?

Wednesday 29th September 2021 It seems like it was a fairly heated Senate Banking Committee meeting in the US overnight. Flags were raised about whether Jerome Powell will win another term as Governor of the Fed, given the background of yesterday's resignations and with one Democrat Senator overnight calling him ‘dangerous'. The US debt ceiling is also causing concern, with it being used as a bargaining chip for the moderation of Biden's spending plans. NAB's Tapas Strickland says we have been here before so the market is not overly concerned about the lack of progress, just yet. We also discuss how the Fed are likely to push ahead with tapering even if employment doesn't pick up, how China's growth this year is likely to be hit by rolling power outages, signs that Australia will bounce back quickly out of lockdown and the future for Evergrande.

Monday 20th September 2021 There's more caution in the markets as we kick off a week doinated by central banks – the US Fed, BoE, BoJ, Swiss National Bank, Riksbank, Norgesbank all meeting, but NAB's Tapas Strickland says it's the US Fed that has markets on a bit of a holding pattern. There will be particular interest in the mapping of dot points this week. On the podcast there's discussion about the flattening US yield curve, reasons for the weak retail numbers in the UK, Europe's gas crisis, and the impact of a potential default by Evergrande in China this week.

Thursday 16th September 2021 There's a little more optimism in the markets this morning, particularly in US equities. NAB's Tapas Strickland says there's no overarching good news, suggesting there's a strong element of ‘buying the dip'. Which could mean it's all reversed tomorrow! In fact, the news out of China was largely negative, with industrial production, fixed asset investment and retail sales all below expectations. The huge debts of the Evergrande Group are also likely to see authorities tightening financial controls on the construction industry. Inflation was more than expected in the UK and Canada, and will, in both cases, add fuel to the argument that their central banks will raise interest rates at least once next year. Locally, Australia's employment data will be the numbers to watch, although they are a little out of date. US retail sales will also be one to watch.

Tuesday 14th September 2021 Markets are a little mixed ahead of today's US CPI numbers. But, just how important are these numbers when the Fed is far more focused on returning the country to full employment. NAB's Tapas Strickland says supply-led inflation is allowing the Fed to be more accommodative for longer. Oil prices hit a six week high overnight, based on supply constraints and OPEC's expectations for increased demand. Besides US inflation numbers, the focus later will be on UK jobs numbers and, at lunchtime, a speech by the RBA's Philip Lowe.

Monday 6th September 2021 Non-farm payrolls grew well below market expectations I the US on Friday, and are certainly not the substantial progress the Fed has been looming for. Today on The Morning Call NAB's Tapas Strickland looks at the market response to the payrolls numbers, and other signs that the global recovery might be slowing. Is it just a transitory phase? With that in mind, what will the RBA do about tapering its bond buying, and will the ECB still ease off its purchase under its PEPP? Both meet this week, and the Fed's Beige Book is out midweek to, to help provide some colour on the state of the US economy right now.

Tuesday 31st August 2021 It's been a quiet session overnight and NAB's Tapas Strickland says its likely to be a quiet week in the run up to non-farm payrolls on Friday, which will give us all a clearer understanding on the speed of the US jobs recovery. The continued high COVID case numbers, a drop in air travel and the threat of an EU ban on non-essential travel from the US haven't dented market enthusiasm, with the S&P reaching yet another record high. Locally today more GDP partials, which should give us enough data to determine whether tomorrows Q2 GDP number will be negative or positive. China's PMI numbers will be watched keenly, whilst Chinese authorities will be keeping an eye on computer gamers!

Wednesday 25th August 2021 The tide of optimism seems to have set in, with another day of rising commodity prices and a strengthening Aussie dollar. Rising iron ore prices and zero new cases in China have also helped the Aussie, as the country gets to grips with life with COVID after lockdown. NAB's Tapas Strickland says politicians are becoming more explicit about living with the virus, with Gladys Berejiklian expected to announce on Thursday some easing measures for those vaccinated. In New Zealand a rate hike in October is very likely, with the RBNZ signalling that the delay was to do with the timing of the lockdown and little more. Australian construction work data for Q2 is out today – if the number undershoots expectations, it could be enough to push Q2 GDP into negative territory.

Monday 16th August 2021 The US dollar lost a lot of ground on Friday, with Treasury yields falling, both on the back of a much weaker than expected consumer confidence report in the US. NAB's Tapas Strickland says this is the lowest read since the pandemic began. So, will treasury yields bounce back? Supply concerns have been exacerbated by the temporary closure of one of the world's busiest container ports, after just one COVID case. Could a zero-COVID policy from China lead to much more disruption in coming months? Locally lockdowns look set to continue for longer, but the expectation is that the economy will bounce back quickly afterwards, provided we don't see a significant rise in unemployment. Activity numbers from China today will give an indication of the extent of the slowdown in the recovery of the global economy.

Tuesday 10th August 2021 The UN chief has called the latest IPCC report on climate change “a code red for humanity”. The shorter timeframes for rising temperatures has not had any market influence. NAB's Tapas Strickland says, instead, the focus has been split between how quickly the Fed will introduce tapering, and concerns over whether the recovery will slow, with rising cases and more lockdowns. Oil has fallen further as flight numbers fall and the anticipation of less travel for the remainder of the year increases. Today the NAB Business Survey will reflect the lockdowns in Sydney and beyond, which Tapas points out, are likely to extend beyond the assumptions in the RBA's latest forecasts.

Wednesday 4th August 2021 Central banks seem to be taking a very optimistic view of the rate of recovery right now. The RBA has decided it will push ahead with its tapering of asset purchases, despite the protracted Sydney lockdown. The RBNZ's Governor Orr has as good as said that the central bank will lift interest rates next month. The direction taken by the US Fed will be dependent on jobs numbers, making the non-farm payrolls data all that more important at the end of the week. Meanwhile US equities have bounced back as investors take stock of strong corporate earnings. NAB's Tapas Strickland says 88% of S&P 500 companies have reported a positive earnings surprise for Q2. Of concern, though, are rising infection rates in China. Mass cancellation of flights has been influential in the fall in oil prices again overnight.

Monday 26th July 2021 Last week markets were pulled between concerns over the rise of the Delta variant and the encouragement of strong corporate earnings data. This week could go either way, with significant earnings to come, and mixed opinions on the direction the virus will take. In today's podcast NAB's Tapas Strickland looks at the latest vaccine efficacy numbers and the influence on the Aussie dollar. Which was one of the biggest losers last week. We also look at the PMIs from Friday shows, which suggest Europe might have the edge on the US for growth. And the American economy has something else to contend with, slower population growth.