In a surprise move, the ECB announced they would not end QE, as scheduled, in March of 2017 — but instead extend it through December of 2017 — albeit at a slightly slower pace. Instead of tossing 80b euro per mo into a flaming barrel of garbage, they’ll toss just 60.
The subsequent result is a profound blowout between short duration govt bonds and long — a widening of the yield curve if you will. This is extremely bullish for European banks.
Additionally, the euro is down 1% v the dollar and bank stocks are raging higher.
The Eurostoxx 50 is higher by 1.7% — led by BBVA +5.2%, Intesa +5%, Santander +4.6% and Deutsche Bank +3.1%.
Italian banks are soaring too. Banca di Milano Scarl +8.8%, Banco Popolare +8% and Unicredit +5.8%.
Draghi: From April 2017, ECB net asset purchases to continue at monthly pace of €60 bn until end December 2017, or beyond, if necessary
— ECB (@ecb) December 8, 2016
Mario Draghi is explaining the ECB’s decision to extend quantitative easing https://t.co/2bfL1H9OZK
Latest video: pic.twitter.com/ec7ZrjIidj
— Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) December 8, 2016
Bear in mind, the primary driver for the US bank rally was the widening of the yield curve, the spread between the 2s and 10s, from 70bps to 128bps. Right now in Germany, the spread is around 113bps — with the 2yr bogged down at -0.71%.
And this.
If you enjoy the content at iBankCoin, please follow us on Twitter@ecb "without distorting them."
That was funny.
— Mark Vermeer (@IamTheDutchKing) December 8, 2016
These “Surprises” always seem to be just like the previous “surprise”. 1984 sure took awhile but it’s finally here.
1984 is a keystone piece of literature that everyone should read,
So yields on the long end are running to the upside due to boogeyman Euro inflation expectations? Or do you see this as more of a function on the shorter end celebrating moar QE?
Also (and completely changing the subject), what does it mean to be a “leaf”? I feel like I’m 8 years old and asking my buddy’s older brother what sex is…
Canadian
Maybe the next step is for Super Mario to assist the Wops into squishing all their Zombie banks into one Pastafarian union – call it “Rigatonia a la Bankia” (think Saltimbocca a la Romana”). Then put out a call for the Proles to BUY IN to a new stock offering – call it “fritte dolci” to collect for extra support sauce for the Banksters.
Beats thinking that this is just another ploy to lure Proles into signing up for more debt slave contracts, while supporting the elites in extending ever bigger and better promises to the great unwashed, while the demographicers silently slide down the contracting slope of deflationary downness (i.e. growthnyet).
There. The use of NYET in this discussion guarantees a stamp of FAKE NEWS. Mission accomplished.