Greece was Off the Front Burner

Greece had been a dominant issue for investors for much of the first seven months of the year.  The seemingly reversal by Greek Prime Minister Tsipras allowed Greece to move off the front burner.  China stepped up to replace Greece as a key issue for investors.  First, it was the slide in the Chinese share prices, and as stocks appeared to stabilize, officials altered the currency regime.

Greece had been a dominant issue for investors for much of the first seven months of the year.  The seemingly reversal by Greek Prime Minister Tsipras allowed Greece to move off the front burner.  China stepped up to replace Greece as a key issue for investors.  First, it was the slide in the Chinese share prices, and as stocks appeared to stabilize, officials altered the currency regime.

With the German parliament’s approval for a third aid package for Greece, and the Dutch approval likely, the Greek saga enters a new phase.  Greek politics, bank recapitalization and implementation will be the new focus.

The official creditors’ demands have split the loose coalition that makes up the Syriza party.  There is much discussion about whether Tsipras will call a vote of confidence.  If he does, the left-wing of Syriza may come back into the fold, while the pro-European parties, like PASOK and the New Democracy would likely vote to against the government,  which it had supported on the reforms.  The left wing of Syriza may chose instead to make its stand at the party conference next month.  

A key tactical decision is to find least disruptive time to hold new elections.  Expect the first review of the implementation of Greece’s commitments in October.  That is key not only for freeing up more funds, but also for a more serious discussion about debt relief.  Debt relief is not only what Syriza has campaigned for, but it is a precondition for IMF involvement.  An election after the review would seem to be the least disruptive and the better for Tsipras, who is still the most popular politician in Greece.  The polls suggest Syriza would likely return to power, but probably in a somewhat broader coalition. 

The ECB will conduct a stress test and review the asset quality of Greece’s large banks.  This will help determine the amount of recapitalization funds needed.  The continued contraction in nominal GDP in Greece warns that the loan book of the banks has likely deteriorated.  Importantly, official creditors have ruled out forcing depositors to bear any of the cost of the recapitalization.  Senior bondholders are a different story.  The precise details of the recapitalization are not clear, and it could involve some consolidation among the four large banks. 

Skeptics about the Greek program fall into two camps.  The first sees the imposition of austerity as being fundamentally antithetical to growing.  The second sees the key problem being that Tspiras is not seriously commitment to implementation.  The first camp ultimately may prove correct, but their argument is moot presently.  Greece’s elected representatives have accepted the terms.  It is the second issue that is key. 

Lastly, we note that Merkel suggested this week that the refugee problem is likely to become more important (and divisive?) than the Greek economic and financial problems that nearly tore EMU apart.  More refugees entered Greece last month than in the whole of last year.  Nearly 95% come from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.  Without addressing this humanitarian issue, it is difficult to see how Greece’s is going to find its economic bearings.

What Next For Greece? is republished with permission from Marc to Market