Robeco: ECB reinforces balance sheet target

On average peripheral bonds performed in line with Bunds last week, with short-dated  peripheral bonds doing better than longer-dated ones. Perhaps most striking is the relative lack  of movement in peripheral spreads after the dovish ECB meeting. Spanish bonds have returned  13.4% year-to-date, Italian bonds 12.2% and Irish bonds 11.6%.

European Central Bank

The ECB reinforced its target to increase its balance sheet to March 2012 levels, which means an expansion of around EUR 1 trillion. The statement that “further measures” will be “implemented, if needed” could point to sovereign bond purchases if the balance sheet target is not reached with the current covered bond and ABS buying programs and the TLTROs.

Euro area

The European Commission lowered Eurozone GDP growth forecasts significantly in its recent Economic Outlook. 2014 growth was lowered from 1.2% to 0.8%, while 2015 growth was lowered from 1.7% to 1.1%, mainly due to further weakness in Germany, France and Italy.

Spain

The Catalan government will proceed with the consultation vote on independence this Sunday, despite the negative ruling from the Constitutional Court. Polls show the declining popularity of Rajoy’s ruling People’s Party, partly due to corruption allegations. The recently created antiestablishment party Podemos gained significantly, and is leading the polls with 28% of the votes.

Robeco Euro Government Bonds

We remain positive on peripheral bond markets. Fundamentals are improving and the ECB’s policy remains very supportive for periphery. The fact that the ECB is now clearly targeting a significant balance sheet expansion means further unconventional measures may well be needed. We expect that the covered bond and ABS purchase program will not be able to reach the targeted size. The current purchase programs and potential further measures will continue to spur the search for yield. Peripheral bonds remain attractive in this environment.

Die Analyse im pdf-Dokument