Financial Markets
A number of divergences have emerged in global financial markets. These gaps are unsustainable. The recent improvement in Asian trade/manufacturing has been largely due to firming demand for electronics/semiconductors. Meanwhile, demand/output for industrial goods and basic materials - the areas leveraged to Chinese capital spending - remain weak. Fixed-income traders should bet on yield curve steepening in India: receive 1-year/pay 10-year swap rates.
Yield and Protector Portfolios should continue to benefit in current environment. Equities face seasonal headwinds.
A benchmark overall duration stance is still warranted, as central banks will maintain exceptionally accommodative monetary policies to offset potential Brexit-related shocks to confidence.
Some near-term upside in Treasury yields is very likely as flight to safety flows begin to unwind. However, given that global growth divergences remain in place, we will continue to look for an opportunity to increase duration on any meaningful back-up in yields.
The model continues to keep its largest overweight in U.S. equities. Directionally, Japan's underweight is slightly reduced for a second month (albeit by only 13 basis points).
For the month of June, the model performed in line with both global equities and the S&P 500. For the month of July, the model is increasing its risk exposure.
The Brexit vote will either usher in the complete dissolution of the euro area, or it will prove to be a blessing in disguise. Our bet is the latter, but the next few months are still likely to see heightened political uncertainty and elevated financial volatility, warranting a cautious stance towards risk assets. Investors have become too complacent about the prospect of Fed hikes over the coming years. Even a slight upward move in rate expectations could cause the dollar to surge. Underweight U.S. stocks in currency-hedged terms.
This <i>Special Report</i> looks at global equity valuations. The conclusion is that although most equity markets are far from cheap, some compelling investment opportunities do exist.
The only certainty regarding the next steps in the Brexit Saga is uncertainty. In the attached report, BCA's Geopolitical Strategy presents the BREXIT Decision Tree and reviews the possible next steps. We also collate all of the BCA investment views and strategies - tactical and strategic - that relate to the ongoing saga.