As the global economy faces increasing challenges, it’s crucial to understand what will shape capital markets in the latter half of 2023. Will the persistent food crisis worsen further? What factors will influence the European currency during the winter months? What key themes will dominate the year ahead? The second half of 2023 holds several pivotal stories that warrant consideration when navigating the global markets.

The Lingering Food Crisis:

The unprecedented food crisis that gripped the world in 2022 continues unabated into the second half of 2023, affecting over a billion people worldwide. Over a quarter of a billion people now grapple with acute hunger, with some teetering on the brink of starvation. This dire situation persists due to a confluence of economic factors compounded by climate issues, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.

The global supply chain disruptions that began in 2022, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, worsened with the outbreak of the Ukrainian conflict. This resulted in a sharp surge in food prices, affecting essentials like wheat, rice, corn, and vegetable oil. The world found itself cut off from the supply of these critical commodities, giving rise to the food crisis.

In 2023, the world still grapples with a shortage of cereal crops, exacerbated by a robust U.S. dollar bolstered by tightening monetary policies in the United States. Low- and middle-income countries, primarily in Africa, struggle to import food due to soaring prices and the devaluation of their local currencies against the dollar.

The limited availability of grain crops remains a harsh reality. The current harvest season in July–August portends severe global grain shortages, particularly maize. Key importers are already making anticipatory purchases, and as we approach the autumn-winter period, prices for major grain crops are likely to rise, creating opportunities for speculative transactions in grain futures.

Europe’s Ongoing Energy Challenge:

The energy crisis continues to cast a shadow over the European Union’s gas market. While gas prices have stabilized somewhat in 2023 compared to the wild fluctuations of the previous year, the problem persists.

The reduction in gas demand this year can be attributed not to improved efficiency or structural changes in the energy sector but rather to declining production in energy-intensive industries, especially in the chemical sector. This reduced the demand for gas and pushed down its cost.

Despite accumulating significant gas reserves, Europe faces potential energy security challenges if a harsh winter depletes these reserves, leading to a price surge. Moreover, the absence of reliable pipelines, including Nord Stream, necessitates a shift toward more expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG), imposing additional financial burdens on European consumers.

‘This puts the ECB in a difficult position. On the one hand, there’s a falling production and on the other—high prices. You have to choose between low inflation and recession on the one hand and a weak euro and high inflation on the other hand‘, said Kar Yong Ang, the OctaFX financial market analyst. ‘And, therefore, it is possible that euro currency will once again go to parity with the dollar’, he added.

OPEC’s Influence on Oil Prices

On November 26th, Vienna will host the 36th semi-annual OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, a pivotal event that will shape the future of oil prices. The meeting’s agenda includes discussions on extending the oil production cut agreement.

From May through the end of 2023, several OPEC+ countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Oman, have voluntarily reduced oil production by an additional 1.2 million barrels per day, while Russia extended its voluntary restrictions through the year’s end. This results in a total voluntary reduction of 1.66 million barrels per day during this period.

The outcome of this meeting will have a direct impact on the overall oil supply. A stronger reduction in production could drive oil prices upward, while no changes or a decision to increase production may lead to price declines. Traders should consider this upcoming meeting when making trading decisions related to Brent and WTI crude oil.

Conclusion

In our current environment of economic and political instability, challenges and opportunities coexist. From September 2023 onward, numerous opportunities will arise, beginning with the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and the OPEC meeting in Vienna. How you choose to capitalize on these opportunities is up to you, but one thing is clear: they should not be overlooked.

About OctaFX

OctaFX is a global brokerage firm that has been providing online trading services since 2011. Serving clients in over 180 countries with more than 42 million trading accounts, OctaFX offers commission-free access to financial markets and a range of educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools to help clients achieve their investment goals.

Committed to charitable and humanitarian initiatives, OctaFX supports the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects in local communities. OctaFX has received more than 60 awards, including the ‘Best Online Broker Global 2022’ award from World Business Outlook and the ‘Best Global Broker Asia 2022’ award from International Business Magazine.

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• Source: https://financefeeds.com/top-6-key-economic-events-to-watch-in-the-second-half-of-2023-part-2/