DBRS Morningstar: Inflation and COVID-19 Supply Disruptions in Relation to Sovereign Debt

Some increased inflation could be positive for sovereign debt sustainability, provided this is not followed by a period of higher real interest rates.

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Thursday, November 18, 2021
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Key Points: 
  • Some increased inflation could be positive for sovereign debt sustainability, provided this is not followed by a period of higher real interest rates.
  • Some inflation is positive as it lowers real interest rates and generates higher fiscal revenues, said Thomas Torgerson, Co-Head of Sovereign Ratings at DBRS Morningstar.
  • The DBRS Morningstar group of companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc. 2021 DBRS Morningstar.
  • The information upon which DBRS Morningstar ratings and other types of credit opinions and reports are based is obtained by DBRS Morningstar from sources DBRS Morningstar believes to be reliable.


This commentary takes a view on the impact of higher price inflation on sovereign debt and associated risks. Coronavirus-related lockdown dislocations combined with massive fiscal support to disposable income are fueling price inflation as economies make their recoveries. Energy, transport, raw material and other input shortages and bottlenecks are the main contributing factors. While shortages and bottlenecks are most likely to be transitory and commodity price inflation should ease due to base effects, upward price expectations could lead to second-round pressure on wages in coming quarters. At the same time, strong demand for labor, along with still low labor participation, could increase wage pressures. Low labor participation is especially notable in North America. Less accommodative monetary policies have commenced in the U.S., Canada and Australia, while policies are unchanged in most of Europe, where price inflation drivers appear less strong so far.

Key Highlights:

  • Sharp price inflation is mostly transitory, but core inflation could stay higher for longer.
  • Employment/selling price expectations are increasing, indicating higher prices/wages ahead.
  • Some increased inflation could be positive for sovereign debt sustainability, provided this is not followed by a period of higher real interest rates. The potential adverse effects are mitigated by declining financing needs and favorable debt profiles.

“Some inflation is positive as it lowers real interest rates and generates higher fiscal revenues,” said Thomas Torgerson, Co-Head of Sovereign Ratings at DBRS Morningstar.

Nichola James, Co-Head of Sovereign Ratings at DBRS Morningstar added: “However, should these trends continue, central banks may find themselves shifting from less policy accommodation to monetary tightening needing to increase policy rates and/or reduce asset purchases more aggressively to avoid severe de-anchoring of inflation expectations. A more rapid monetary policy tightening than expected is manageable provided it is timely and credible.”

To read the full report, click here: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/388313/inflation-and-covid-19-supply-disruptions-in-relation-to-sovereign-debt

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