Investors underestimate the “Brexit” risk

Print

The sentix Euro Breakup Index (EBI) for may reflects improvements within the euro zone. Based on declining stress levels in the euro-periphery investors perceive the odds continue to shift in favour for the cohesion of the single currency area. However, a potential “Brexit” would cause significant turmoil.

The sentix Euro-Break-up index (EBI) reaches with 12.3% the lowest level in six months. Based on positive developments of the situation in the euro periphery, investors risk perception lightens. The EBI sub-index for Greece notably improves from 14.7% to 9.8% in May. Subsequently, investors believe that the agreement reached between Greece, the EU, and the IMF could reduce contagion risks further and stabilise the struggling member country. As a consequence, the sentix risk of contagion index falls.

Unfortunately, as break-up threats continue to decline in the periphery, investors shift towards problems in France. The effectiveness of the strike tactics of some groups within France lets investors remodel political risk assessments in their investment scheme. The EBI sub-index doubles to nearly 1.3% - the highest level since March 2015.

20160531 Pie ebi eng 

By lower EBI risk levels, investors furthermore reduce the odds that the UK will leave the EU in June. Merely, 16% of survey participants currently think that a “Brexit” is going to take place; down from 27% in April. Comparable market polls in the UK suggest higher probability for a “Brexit.” An imminent risk exists that the 968 mainly German speaking sentix participants underestimate the likelihood of a “Brexit” systematically. If indeed a Brexit takes place, the market is likely to panic. As among other things, the only 9% share of institutional investors expecting a “Brexit” highlights the apparent surprise potential. 

20160531 bar ebi eng

Opinion polls state that 18-45% of respondents would see the UK to depart in June. In contrast, investors are aware of the negative impact on financial markets. On average 60% of respondents believe that all asset classes would be adversely affected. In April, investors were still relatively optimistic on real estate and bonds. In May, however, 64% and 60% of investors believe that real estate and bonds values would plunge.


Background

The sentix Euro Breakup Index is published on a monthly basis and was launched in June 2012. Its poll is running for two days around the fourth Friday of each month. Results are regularly published on the following Tuesday morning. Survey participants may choose up to three euro-zone member states of which they think they will quit the currency union within the next twelve months. Further details on the sentix Euro Breakup Index can be found on http://ebr.sentix.de.
This month’s reading of 16.7% means that currently this percentage of all surveyed investors expect the euro to break up within the next twelve months. The EBI has reached its high at 73% in July 2012 and touched its low at 7.6% in July 2014.
The current poll in which 968 individual and institutional investors participated was conducted from May 26 to May 28, 2016.

We use cookies and third-party services that store information in the end device of a site visitor or retrieve it there. We then process the information further. This all helps us to provide you with our basic services (user account), to save the language selection, to optimally design our website and to continuously improve it. We need your consent for the storage, retrieval and processing. You can revoke your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from this website in your browser. Your consent is thereby revoked. You can find further information in our privacy policy. To find out more about the cookies we use and how to delete them, see our privacy policy.

I accept cookies from this site.

EU Cookie Directive Module Information