Financial market research and analysis

Markets have priced in Article 50

Markets have been taking a more positive view of British assets since Theresa May’s Brexit speech. Ahead of the Brexit bill vote, the British pound and gilt yields are probing six-week highs. The FTSE 100 is lower mainly as a function of the stronger pound but remains close to record highs.

The British government has deliberately made the Article 50 bill very short and specifically about starting the exit process. Prime Minister Theresa May announced in PMQs that the government will release its whitepaper about what to do once the process of leaving has officially started.

Politicians are kicking up a fuss about not knowing the details of government plans but will ultimately vote the same way as the British public. MPs voting “with their conscience” rather than representing their constituencies will be few and far between.

The pound has been rising despite a general understanding that the bill will pass, suggesting the market has now priced in that the UK will leave the EU.

The whitepaper could turn markets red

Consensus opinion suggests this is just fleeting optimism before the next inevitable sell-off when Brexit uncertainty kicks in. This view makes sense if the positive opinion rests on the possibility that by being given a vote on article 50, parliament could scupper Brexit or at least delay it. If renewed optimism is purely on the chance Brexit is cancelled/delayed, then if the bill passes, the pound should turn lower, perhaps sending the FTSE 100 back towards record highs.

We believe the biggest near term risk is the ‘Hardness’ of the whitepaper. The Brexit bill being passed is almost a forgone conclusion. Fears of a ‘hard Brexit’ are a risk to business sentiment and investment. The ‘hard Brexit’ risk will be laid bare when the government releases its whitepaper.

If the overall tone of the bill is too “hard” then investors could dump Sterling as well as Brexit-sensitive sectors of the stock market. Sectors that fell precipitously after the Brexit vote such as homebuilders and domestically-exposed retailers might be in the firing line. Bank stocks could come under pressure if an equivalent to passporting is not given priority in the whitepaper.

Fleeting optimism?

We are taking a more positive view over the consensus. Having rejected Single Market membership, Theresa May has added some clarity on how the UK will approach negotiations with the EU. A “new, comprehensive, bold and ambitious free trade agreement” with the EU could mean business investment increases rather than decreases.

More certainty (or less uncertainty!) over the Brexit process in concert with a resilient British economy suggests Sterling is undervalued at current market prices. The market has been pricing in disaster, while anything is possible, we think a Brexit catastrophe will be averted.

Bank of England should take a backseat

The Bank of England monetary policy decision, minutes and the inflation report on Thursday will have a very different tone depending on the result of the Brexit vote in parliament. In either case, we believe the Bank of England will keep its policy stance neutral. Mark Carney and co will want to take a backseat while many political questions remain unanswered.

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