The Macron relief rally will be short-lived amid backdrop of uncertainty

By George Prior

Emmanuel Macron’s historic win in the French elections will be met by only a modest relief rally amid heightening geopolitical and economic issues, warns the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organizations.

The warning from Nigel Green of deVere Group follows the re-election of Macron to a second term as French president on Sunday evening with 58.8% of the vote, according to an estimate from the Ipsos polling institute. His far-right challenger Marine Le Pen won 41.2% of the vote in an election.

He comments: “Markets have been spared the shock and uncertainty that would have sent them into a tail-spin should Le Pen have won, as she would have put France on a very different course.

“European markets and the euro are likely to experience a relief rally on Macron’s re-election and his pro-business, pro-Europe agenda.

“But this could be short-lived, especially as his win was largely already priced-in by the markets.

“As the news sinks in, attention will move to other pressing geopolitical matters that will weigh on global markets.

“Investors will focus on the worsening Covid situation in China, the world’s second-largest economy. The Asian powerhouse is facing its worst Covid outbreak since the start of the pandemic in late 2019, as it locked down major cities like Shanghai.

“Surprisingly, the People’s Bank (PBOC) recently rejected the opportunity to lower its policy rates today – despite the sharp economic downturn and recent calls from Beijing for monetary support.”

Nigel Green continues: “Other triggers for low market sentiment include ongoing red-hot inflation, interest rate hike expectations from most key central banks, and the continuing global uncertainty created by the Russian-Ukrainian war.”

Against such a turbulent background, the markets will breathe a collective sigh of relief – albeit briefly – with the likely outcome of the presidential elections in France.

“The election is of major importance beyond France’s border and the outcome has international implications. The country is the second-biggest economy in the European Union, the only one with a UN Security Council veto, and its sole nuclear power,” says Nigel Green.

“In addition, as the new German Chancellor is facing increasing scrutiny over the handling of the Russian-Ukraine war, amongst other issues, Macron is arguably the most powerful leader in Europe currently.”

“As he can’t run again so his legacy will be set in the next five years and his agenda will likely be bolder.”

He concludes: “Markets have avoided the upset of a Le Pen win, but investors must not become complacent.  There remain major global headwinds that could negatively impact returns. That said, volatility always brings enhanced investment opportunities.

“Investors should review their portfolios sooner rather than later to ensure they remain on track to reach their long-term financial goals.”

About:

deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of more than 70 offices across the world, over 80,000 clients and $12bn under advisement.