Day: June 15, 2024

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Macquarie analysts acknowledge the possibility of a summer crude oil rally but caution that the market might not be swayed in a note Friday.

They maintain a structurally bearish view of crude oil prices despite potential short-term upward pressure.

“[A] summer rally [is] possible, but [the] market may look past it, and draws could disappoint,” Macquarie states. The firm highlights surplus concerns in the second half of 2024 and throughout 2025, which could lead to a significant price correction.

While acknowledging geopolitical risks and potential for a hot summer boosting demand, Macquarie identifies several negative drivers. They express concern about OPEC+ compliance with production quotas, particularly in the context of US election year dynamics. Additionally, they foresee continued growth in non-OPEC oil production, including from the United States, potentially dampening prices.

Macquarie also tempers enthusiasm for potential production increases from new sources like the Dangote Refinery and Dos Bocas facilities, suggesting their ramp-up might be slower than anticipated. Finally, the report suggests China’s oil demand, particularly for diesel, is becoming less sensitive to economic growth, further limiting upside potential.

Overall, Macquarie’s analysis suggests a cautious approach to the possibility of a summer oil rally. They believe structural factors could lead to a price correction despite potential short-term upward pressure.

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.

In a recent note, Goldman Sachs economists have delved into the potential impacts of U.S. immigration policies before and after the upcoming election, examining scenarios under both a continued Biden administration and a potential second Trump administration.

Net immigration to the U.S. surged to approximately 2.5 million last year, significantly boosting labor force and GDP growth while helping to alleviate wage pressures. For 2024, Goldman Sachs estimates net immigration will total around 2 million, which is double the pre-pandemic trend rate.

The outlook, however, hinges on several pre- and post-election policy decisions. President Biden’s recent changes, announced on June 4, aim to restrict a channel that could potentially account for 700,000 immigrants annually at current unauthorized migration rates.

“However, we think the ultimate effect would be a fraction of this as most affected immigrants would likely attempt other modes of entry,” Goldman economists wrote. “Legal challenges to the new rules might even block implementation altogether.”

Should President Biden secure a second term, the administration is expected to maintain the current immigration policies with minimal changes. The new asylum restrictions, while intended to reduce net unauthorized immigration, face legal and logistical challenges “but could lower net unauthorized immigration and limit the potential for upside immigration surprises this year,” Goldman noted.

This policy would set a daily limit of 2,500 unauthorized migrants encountered outside official ports of entry, with any excess being expelled back across the border. Given the daily rate was reported at 3,500 in May, this limit is likely to be immediately met, meaning that US authorities “would expel apprehended migrants back across the border, rather than releasing many of them into the US to await a court date.”

Goldman Sachs notes that several groups are excluded from this policy, such as unaccompanied children, victims of severe trafficking, and other vulnerable migrants. Moreover, the policy does not apply to asylum seekers at official ports of entry, where many affected by the new policy are likely to redirect their efforts.

In contrast, a second Trump administration would likely pursue more aggressive immigration restrictions. The range of outcomes under this scenario is broad due to the potential for substantial policy shifts and legal battles.

Goldman Sachs outlines two primary scenarios for net immigration under Trump:

1) High-End Scenario: If courts block major changes to asylum policies and limit the impact of deportations, net immigration could decline to around 1.5 million in 2025. This figure is still roughly double the 2017-2019 average reported by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

2) Low-End Scenario: If the Trump administration successfully implements substantial cuts to asylum claims and humanitarian parole, and enacts a more extensive deportation program, net immigration could fall below the 2017-2019 average of 700,000 per year and potentially approach zero temporarily.

“​​That said, it seems unlikely that net immigration would be negative on an annual basis even in that scenario,” economists argued.

The Trump administration’s proposed deportations face the highest uncertainty, with potential removals ranging from 300,000 to 2.1 million in 2025, according to Goldman.

With the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaching, analysts are actively debating the potential outcomes, particularly how a second term for Donald Trump might unfold.

Weighing in on this matter, JPMorgan’s team believes a second Trump administration would bring significant changes across various policy areas, from foreign relations to domestic regulations.

One of the primary shifts under a Trump 2.0 administration would be a tougher stance on foreign policy, particularly towards China. In its note, JPMorgan highlights that Trump’s approach would be driven by a belief that “America must win and dominate,” likely resulting in more aggressive use of Executive Orders related to trade and investment.

Simultaneously, the second term might also “result in a more contentious relationship between the US and European Union with adverse consequences for Ukraine,” the bank’s team highlighted.

Environmental policies would see a rollback as well, the note states. Trump is expected to reverse many of the clean energy initiatives implemented by the Biden administration, focusing instead on lightening the regulatory burden on oil and gas companies.

“However, we see no structural changes in our expectations for both US oil and natural gas production during the next presidential term, regardless of who sits in the White House,” JPMorgan added.

Domestically, Trump’s administration would likely include experienced politicians and loyalists, in contrast to some of the more unconventional picks during his first term. This could lead to a more streamlined and possibly more market-friendly approach to governance.

Economic policies under Trump 2.0 would emphasize tax cuts and deregulation. The focus would be on lowering corporate taxes further, reducing regulatory burdens, and possibly introducing a new Federal Reserve chair who supports negative interest rate policy (NIRP).

Meanwhile, the infrastructure sector could see continued investment, particularly in 5G and traditional infrastructure projects. JPMorgan believes the Trump administration would show more support for industries like aerospace, defense, airlines, and financial services.

Analysts said Trump remains focused on his Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, using social media extensively for campaigning and political messaging. Abortion remains a “galvanizing issue but both sides may have overplayed their hands in how they are addressing it on the campaign trail,” they wrote.

At the same time, Gen Z remains a large voting bloc but is also “disillusioned, raising questions about voter turnout, and requiring specific policy appeals.”

Overall, the 2024 election is expected to be highly competitive, with close races in several key battleground states. Current polling shows Trump leading in critical states such as Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan, although the margins are narrow.

“The outcome of the 2024 US presidential elections will come down to just thousands of votes in a few pivotal swing states, mirroring the close outcomes of 2016 and 2020,” JPMorgan’s note states.