Lyxor’s latest Investment Strategy – Italian Referendum: Wait And Play Contrarian

The Italian referendum, which aims at making future governments more stable, morphed into a vote of confidence on Renzi..…

 

Jeanne Asseraf-Bitton – Global Head of Cross Asset Research

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Markets and polls say „No“ will prevail, but without triggering early elections.

Polls forecast a non-disruptive “No”, leading to a new government (led by Renzi or not). But with 25% undecided, all bets are still open

Italian and European markets are consistent with this outcome. They price a persisting risk premium in Italy and Europe, not a disruptive one.

Our views on the likely scenarios after the referendum:

„Yes“ (45% probability) to boost Italian equities +10%, Italian banks +15%, European equities +5%, and to revert the Italian BTP vs. Bund 10Y spread to its recent 100 bps average.

  “Soft No” with a new government (45% probability) to lead to a moderately higher risk premium in Italy and Europe. Italian equities to drop -5%, Italian banks -7%, European equities +5%, and Italian 10Y spread to rise to 200/250bps.

 “Hard No” with early elections (10% probability) to translate into a much deeper tail risk, extending to Europe. We expect Italian equities to plunge -10%, Italian banks -15%, European equities -7%, and the Italian 10Y spread to reach 300ps, with the Bund yield weakened by safe haven flows.

We would refrain from positioning before the vote. Post-referendum, we would play contrarian because of the ECB.

Quelle: AdvisorWorld.ch