2023 Macro Outlook: All Eyes on Central Banks’ Delicate Dance

Editor’s Note: Every year, Loomis Sayles features outlooks from our sector teams — teams composed of traders, analysts, strategists and portfolio managers immersed in their respective sectors of the fixed income market. We asked each sector team three questions that drill into key themes in their respective sectors. We will publish views from each sector team over the next few weeks.

To set the stage, we’re starting with Craig Burelle, Senior Macro Strategies Analyst, and his views on the macro backdrop in 2023.

1. There has been a lot of talk about an approaching recession, yet the markets seem to be pricing a soft landing. What do you think is behind that disconnect? What are your views on a potential downturn?

Market behavior, particularly in equity markets, tends to look for the upside. And with signs that US inflation has peaked, labor market resilience and positive corporate earnings growth, there are reasons to be optimistic. Ultimately, however, we expect the lagged effect of monetary policy to prevail and put downward pressure on earnings and economic growth.

The global economic cycle appears to be transitioning from late expansion to downturn. We’ve noted a marked deterioration in some key fundamentals, including the outlook for corporate credit, pricing power and profit margins. In our view, the transition won’t be complete until employment or profits roll over. On the employment side, corporations have been adding jobs, but we are on the lookout for a shift in hiring patterns. On the profits side, we believe pricing power could be the final nail in the coffin if costs continue eating into margins.

2. Central banks have been working overtime to lower inflation. Now that US core PCE seems to be coming down, is the worst of inflation behind us? How might inflation influence central bank policy in 2023?