P A N O R A M A. A Fearless Market SWITZERLAND EUROPE UNITED STATES ASIA

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "P A N O R A M A. A Fearless Market SWITZERLAND EUROPE UNITED STATES ASIA"

Transcription

1 P A N O R A M A SWITZERLAND A Fearless Market Will the Swiss Small and Mid Cap companies continue to outperform the Large caps? p. 06 EUROPE With high earnings growth, will European equities finally catch up with the rest of the world? p. 08 UNITED STATES Are market current valuations justified? p. 10 ASIA Will valuations in emerging Asia remain low indefinitely? p. 12 Q2 2017

2 EDITORIAL Dear Reader, We are pleased to announce that the Bruellan Asset Management team has been strengthened by the appointment of a new fixed income fund manager. Yvan Mencattini has more than 25 years of experience in fixed income at leading investment management firms. His management process has earned him two distinct awards from LIPPER for the performance of one of his bond funds. We therefore take this opportunity to enhance our PANORAMA publication and we now offer you a segment dedicated to fixed income. On behalf of the BAM team, I wish you an interesting read. A Fearless market After ending 2016 on a strong note, equity markets have continued their firm appreciation during this first quarter with an appreciation of 6.1% for the S&P 500, 6.3% for the DJ Europe Stoxx and 9.5% for the MSCI Asia Pacific. Equity markets seems to be fearless despite numerous risks. On the political front, increasing social polarization and nationalism has brought Brexit and its long lasting consequences, a French presidential election saga and rising US protectionism, to name just a few. On the economic front, artificially low interest rates have led to misallocation of capital, and many countries have increased their sovereign debt to pre 2008 levels. These risks are real, but fortunately, significant improvements in macroeconomic and microeconomic developments are also visible. Indeed, most regions saw their economic growth estimates revised upward during the last quarter. Forecasts for 2017 GDP growth have been revised from 1.4% to 1.6% for the Eurozone, 1.2% to 1.7% for the UK, 2.2% to 2.3% for the US market, 1% to 1.1% for Japan. Stable growth of 5.8% is expected for the Asia ex-japan region (at 5.8%). Leading economic indicators continue to point toward a positive environment as 80% of the world s main countries now have a Manufacturing PMI in expansionary territory. Furthermore, 2/3 of these countries have witnessed an acceleration since the beginning of the year. World economic growth will remain below potential levels but it is resilient and accelerating. This growth acceleration was followed by significant increases in price pressures in almost all countries. The consumer price index (CPI) has increased in almost all regions. For example, the monthly Eurozone CPI has reached its highest level since early 2013 (to 2%) and the US CPI its highest level since 2012 (to 2.5%). However, this is mostly due to rising energy prices, since core CPI remains stable. With more growth and inflation, the number of sovereign bond yielding a negative rate have shrink significantly. Back to July 2016, Swiss, Japanese, Eurozone rates were negative up to 15 years (30 for Switzerland) whereas today, no sovereign bond above 9 years have a negative yield. Florian Marini, CIO Chart: US earnings are back to positive level after five consecutive quarters of negative growth. At the company level, the last earnings season has been the best in almost two years. With two consecutive quarters of positive earnings growth, the earnings recession (five consecutive quarters of negative earnings growth) is finally behind us. Companies have posted strong quarterly earnings growth in all main regions (Eurozone + 12%, US + 9% and Japan + 12%) (cf. chart above for US market). Moreover, almost all sectors have made a positive contribution to these earnings. Earnings growth expectations for 2017 have been revised upward for the first time in years in almost all regions (Europe, Japan, Emerging Markets) with the exception of the US. US earnings growth has been revised downward from 12.8% one year ago to 10.2% now, in contrast to a market which is up by 6.1% in 3 months. As a consequence, despite numerous political and economic risks, the global economy continues to improve and corporate earnings are the best in almost two years in all regions. The current risk in our view is more related to the comparison of earnings growth with the recent stock market appreciation. Markets have skyrocketed despite a downward earnings revision for the largest market (US). This could lead to a correction for the equity market but we would view this as a buying opportunity. 2 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

3 CONTENTS 4-5 Market Performance & Allocation Grids 6-7 Switzerland 8-9 Europe United States Asia Fixed Income Technical Corner About our Funds Bruellan in the News & Agenda Disclaimer & Where to find us BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

4 MARKET PERFORMANCE From To Economic Indicators Real GDP % Inflation % PMI Debt %GDP Current Account %GDP Budget %GDP Unemploy ment % Interest rates USA Euro Area Switzerland UK Asia ex Japan Japan Brazil Russia India China World Current Current Current Current Current 3 Months 10 Years % 2.4% % 0.3% % -0.1% % 1.1% % 3.7% % 0.1% % 8.5% 6.6% 10.1% 4.2% 6.6% % Exchange-Rate Movements Against USD (%) RUB XAU AUD DKK JPY INR BRL GBP CHF SEK EUR CAD CNY NOK Against CHF (%) RUB XAU AUD JPY INR BRL GBP SEK EUR DKK CNY CAD NOK USD Against EUR (%) RUB XAU AUD JPY INR BRL GBP CHF SEK DKK CAD CNY NOK USD Stock Markets: Returns & Valuation Bond Markets Leading PE USD EUR CHF GBP EM Local Government LT Median Current EM Corporate S&P % 4.6% 4.3% 4.4% US High Yield Corporate Eurostoxx 8.3% 6.8% 6.5% 6.6% USD Inflation Swiss Perf. Index 9.4% 7.8% 7.5% 7.6% US Corporate FTSE % 3.8% 3.5% 3.7% Euro High Yield Corporate MSCI Asia Ex-Jpn 12.8% 11.2% 10.9% 11.0% US Treasury 7-10 Yrs Nikkei % 3.0% 2.7% 2.8% Euro Corporate Brazil Bovespa 12.1% 9.7% 9.4% 9.3% US Treasury 1-3 Yrs MSCI Russia India SENSEX -4.6% 17.1% -5.9% 15.5% -6.2% 15.1% -6.1% 15.3% Euro Gov. 0-1 Year Euro Gov Years China CSI % 3.9% 3.6% 3.7% Euro Inflation MSCI World 6.4% 4.9% 4.6% 4.7% Sectors: Returns & Valuation (Leading PE) USA Europe World USA Europe World LT Median Current LT Median Current LT Median Current Cons. Discr. 8.3% 5.2% 6.9% Cons. Staples 5.3% 7.4% 6.6% Financials 2.2% 4.7% 4.1% Energy -6.9% -5.5% -5.6% Industrials 4.5% 8.4% 6.3% Precious Metals Gold Industrial Metals Coffee (EUR) Agriculture Commodities Technology 12.1% 11.1% 12.0% Materials 5.8% 5.7% 6.3% Utilities 5.0% 6.0% 5.9% Health Care 8.2% 6.0% 7.8% Telecom -4.1% 3.6% 0.5% WTI Brent Natural Gas Real Estate 2.3% 0.2% 3.5% BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

5 ALLOCATION GRIDS Global Asset Classes Stocks Bonds Gold Cash Overweight Marketweight Underweight Main Drivers Global economy continues to improve and corporate earnings are the best in almost two years in all regions. The economy's improvement and higher inflation are pushing us away from Central banks' intense easing policies and low interest rate environment. Could act as a safe haven asset in case of market downturn. Global valuations are demanding. Elections in Europe, Trump's beginning as president and Brexit could be obstacles. Economy slowing down. Risks Interest rate increase is a drag on this non-yielding asset. Equities US Europe Switzerland Asia Pacific ex-japan Sales and earnings growth are back to normal. However, after strong performance in Q1, equity market valuations are now demanding. Macroeconomic environment in the Eurozone is improving significantly and earnings are now growing at a faster rate compared to their US counterparts. Swiss companies will benefit from their global leading positioning. However, after a strong market performance in Q1, valuations are now demanding. Industrial recovery continues, valuations remain low Setback in economic reforms may move markets as valuations are not low. Political risks and Governments highly indebted. Strong and rapid appreciation of Swiss franc would have negative impact on exports of Swiss companies. International trade flows affect markets more than fundamentals Japan Earnings growth is rising at double digit rate. Wage growth and inflation remain feeble Bonds Corporate Our positive view on the economy implies a period of low corporate spreads. Economy slowing down. Sovereign Global economic improvement leads to a rise in rates. Soaring costs of debt for highly indebted countries. Emerging Positive economic expectations continue to support the emerging markets in USD. Economy falling back into slowdown Currencies EUR vs USD Interest rate differential in favor of a stronger USD against EUR. EUR vs CHF Moderate appreciation of the Euro against CHF is expected to continue. SNB will continue to mitigate the CHF appreciation. USD vs CHF Interest rate differential in favor of a stronger USD against CHF. EUR vs GBP Higher inflation in UK following Brexit should lead to higher interest rate differential. GBP is expected to appreciate against EUR. EUR vs JPY USD vs GBP With global economy improvement, JPY should lose attractivity as a safe haven currency. Interest rate differential in favor of a stronger USD against GBP. BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

6 SWITZERLAND The global economic acceleration should continue to benefit the Swiss economy. After an economic growth of 1.3% in 2016, the economy should accelerate slightly in 2017 to above 1.5%. This acceleration is being accompanied by inflation being positive for the first time in 5 years, and a narrowing universe of bonds yielding a negative interest rates. Swiss equities remain an interesting asset class for investors, especially in certain areas which will be detailed below, and the Swiss franc will continue to play its role of safe haven. Chart 1: The KOF leading indicator of the economy is pointing toward GDP improvement The Swiss economy should continue to benefit from the broad improvement in global economic growth. Currently 80% of countries in the world have a PMI Manufacturing index in expansionary territory (up from 60% in early 2016) and all major trading partners of Switzerland have witnessed improving economic conditions in recent months. European trading partners represent around half of Swiss exports, Asia one third and North America around 14%. After a GDP growth rate of 1.3% in 2016, the Swiss economy should accelerate slightly in 2017, with leading indicators of the economy pointing toward an acceleration in the coming months. Indeed, in February the Swiss Manufacturing PMI reached its highest level in five and a half years, and the Swiss KOF indicator (chart 1) reached its highest level since These readings would normally be associated with an economy gaining a slight momentum above the market expectation of 1.5%; in , those same readings were associated with GDP growth of 1.8 to 2.0%. The global acceleration has been followed by a significant increase in price pressure in almost all European countries. The European consumer price index (CPI) surged from 1.1% in December to 2% in February (and back to 1.5% in March) (chart 2). Swiss inflation was not immune to this pressure, and after 5 years in negative territory, the CPI reached its highest level in March at PLUS 0.6%. Chart 2: Consumer Price indices for the Eurozone and Switzerland have reached new 5 year highs 6 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

7 Interest rates are also moving upwards with inflation and economic growth. The Swiss 10 year government bond yield has moved from -0.64% in July 2016 to -0.09% in March. The negative interest rate environment for long-term maturity securities is narrowing and helping sectors dependent on the yield curve, such as insurance companies and banks. Swiss National Bank (SNB) policy remains unchanged with cash interest rates at -0.75% and a commitment to continue its forex intervention to mitigate the Swiss franc appreciation. The currency is stable despite pressure coming from political risks, such as the current cacophony surrounding the French elections. Fortunately, Swiss companies have shown that they can cope with a strong currency thanks to their strong capacity for adaptation and innovation. In 2016, once again, Swiss Small & Mid Cap companies outperformed large ones (chart 3), in earnings and sales as well as stock market performance. In fact, large companies evolved in line with small and mid caps until 2014, at which point a considerable difference in market performance began. The same divergence was seen in companies earnings, where small and mid caps started doing better than their large cap peers. This rally has been fueled partly by strong inflows into funds specializing in Swiss Small and Mid Cap companies. Due to the lower liquidity of this segment, these funds have started to have problems accepting new money today. Chart 3: Swiss Small and Mid Caps have been outperforming large cap companies since 2014 Table 1: Strong sales growth expectations in Small and Mid cap companies Table 2: Earnings growth expectations are more attractive in Small and Mid cap companies Performance wise, the small and mid cap index is already up 9% year to date (table 2) and the large cap SMI is up only 6.5% in the light of downward earnings revisions. «It is important to monitor an eventual change of situation where Blue chip companies would begin to rebound at the expense of Small and Mid caps.» This difference has continued in Sales for SMI companies (Large caps) have already been revised down from +0.1% to -0.2%, and earnings growth from +5.3% to +2.8% (table 1). At the same time, Small and Mid Caps maintained a strong sales growth rate at around 5% and earnings should grow by 10% for sales and earnings expectations are high and steady in the small and mid cap segment. However, despite the great quality of those companies, it is important to monitor an eventual change of situation where Blue chip companies would begin to rebound at the expense of Small and Mid caps. In conclusion, Swiss indices have already surged since the beginning of the year despite negative earnings revisions, increasing the risks of a possible market correction. Nevertheless, the Swiss economy should continue to benefit from improvement in global growth. While still below the long term average, resilient growth is the current scenario for the Swiss economy, with GDP growth expected to be above 1.5% in Our view remains positive concerning Swiss equities for the coming quarters. BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

8 EUROPE The macroeconomic environment in the Eurozone is improving significantly and European earnings are now growing at a faster rate than those of their US counterparts. Our positive view therefore remains unchanged for the coming quarters, but long term risks cannot be ignored, such as high sovereign debt levels, political tensions and protectionist rhetoric. Chart 1: Eurozone Manufacturing and Services PMI After ending 2016 with a signification acceleration, the Eurozone-area s leading economic indicator continued to gain momentum slightly, with the Manufacturing PMI increasing from 54.9 to 56.2 during the first three months of the year. The good news came from the Services PMI which improved significantly, rising from 53.7 to 56.5 (chart 1). Both indices have now reached their highest levels in almost six years. The European Central Bank (ECB) has revised its 2017 Eurozone GDP growth forecast for the second consecutive quarter: from 1.6% in September, 1.7% in December and now up to 1.8% in March. «Eurozone-area s leading economic indicator continued to gain momentum.» Chart 2: Eurozone CPI and Core CPI This growth acceleration was followed by significant increases in price pressures in almost all European countries. The consumer price index (CPI) increased from 1.1% in December to 1.5% in March (chart 2), reaching its highest level since early This is mostly due to rising energy prices, since core CPI remains low at 0.7%. The rise in inflation toward the 2% long term target rate puts pressure on the ECB to taper its loose monetary policy. 8 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

9 At the company level, the global earnings recession finally seems to be behind us. The last earnings season has shown the strongest growth since the second quarter of 2015 (+12% compared to Q4 2015), and has been strong across nearly all sectors, with only the consumer sector posting a negative result. Following improving guidance in Eurozone GDP (from 1.4% to 1.6%) and in inflation rates (from 1.3% to 1.7%), 2017 expected sales growth has been revised upwards from 5.5% to 5.7%, and earnings growth from 12% to 13.5%. Operating margins, a crucial part of Europe s improvement, also picked up strongly recently (chart 3). Chart 3: Operating Margins and Earnings per Shares have been picking up recently We took into account those better top down numbers and readjusted our expectations for European sales and earnings growth. We expect sales to grow between 3.5% and 5% in 2017 (up from between 2.5% and 4% previously) and earnings between 8% and 11% (up from between 6% and 9%). Our numbers based on macro expectations are still below the market s expectations, which are based on analysts expectations for each company. Either there will be an increase in GDP estimates, which would be positive for the market, or, to the contrary, sales and earnings revisions could come down, which could put some pressure on market prices. «The last earnings season has shown the strongest growth since the second quarter of 2015 (+12% compared to Q4 2015), and has been strong across nearly all sectors, with only the consumer sector posting a negative result.» The earnings revisions ratio for the next 12 months 1 is at a 5 year high (chart 4), confirming strong positive momentum. Chart 4: Earnings Revision Ratio at a 5 year high Once again, political risk has come under the spotlight with the cacophony surrounding the French Presidential election. After the Brexit vote and the American election, investors fear the rise of Marine Le Pen, who is expected to be the leading candidate for the first electoral round to be held on April 23rd. However, we do not expect the National Front candidate to win the general election during the run-off on the 7th of May. In conclusion, the muted performance in the European market is disappointing in comparison with US performance, and the reason probably stems from the constant political instability. However, investors should keep in mind that the macro-economic environment in the Eurozone is improving significantly and that European earnings are now growing at a faster rate compared to their US counterparts. Our positive view therefore remains unchanged for the coming quarters, but long term risks cannot be ignored, such as high sovereign debt levels, political tensions and protectionist rhetoric. 1 The proportion of companies for which analysts upgrade earnings numbers compared to companies for which analysts downgrade numbers. BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

10 UNITED STATES The US economy continues growing very steadily. On the corporate side, revenue and profit growth are back to normal after two weaker years. Chart 1: Employee compensation and profits, % of net corporate value added The US economy remains steadily on its growth path, 2017 real GDP growth is expected to remain at around 2%, as it has for seven years already. Though inflation is still below the Federal Reserve (Fed) s target, the need for further rate increases is there because high employment rate continues to push up wages and consumption demand continues accelerating. After years of deleveraging, household balance sheets are not very stretched anymore, and home loan and credit card delinquencies are also at very low levels. The overall US macroeconomic picture is very stable at the moment as the private consumption is strongly supported by the improving situation of households. The other side of the coin is the persistently low productivity growth, which stands at about one percent compared to the long-term average of two. Low productivity growth keeps overall economic growth low or enables high employment despite slow growth, whichever way one prefers to look at it. The common market expectation is that low productivity growth scenario is here to stay. However, historically tight jobs market should amplify productivity growth, meaning companies have stronger incentives to seek more output per employee (chart 1). The slowing labor force growth will certainly amplify this effect, especially if restrictive immigration policies will be implemented by the new administration in the coming years. We could well start seeing some pickup in productivity as the domestic economy remains quite stable and the slack in the jobs market is disappearing. «The overall US macroeconomic picture is very stable at the moment as the private consumption is strongly supported by the improving situation of households.» 10 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

11 Chart 2: Free cash flow yield of S&P 500 While the stock market in the US is not historically at cheap levels (chart 2), the valuations reflect the quite bright future expectations when compared to the last couple of years. It should be noted that the period was exceptionally weak when revenue and income growth were dragged down by two main factors: appreciating dollar and declining commodity prices. The sectors most affected were Energy and Materials, but also Information technology because of its global sales base as well as some industry-specific factors. There were no large scale spillover effect to other sectors (especially Financials) from high default rates in Energy and Materials sectors. The stock market as a whole did not react very violently, as those effects were expected to be mostly temporary. For this year and the next, the growth trends in revenue and profit should be in back to normal mode as can be seen from the graph 3 below: Chart 3: S&P 500 Revenue and net income growth Unsurprisingly, lately the expectations about the USA have revolved around developments in politics and how the new administration s plans are advancing. One of the most important items on the agenda, repealing Obamacare as well as the related taxes, has seen some initial progress in the form of a new GOP House draft bill. As expected, the plan is that the penalty charged to those who refuse to buy insurance would be repealed immediately, along with some Obamacare-related taxes. Costs would be reduced through imposing per capita caps and ending the expansion of Medicaid that grants coverage for the poor. In addition, the president has been very clear about the need to provide insurance coverage to everyone. «For this year and the next, the growth trends in revenue and profit should be in back to normal mode.» Since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, about 20 million previously uninsured people gained coverage, and it is popular in some Republican-controlled states as well. Repealing and replacing Obamacare is a very challenging project even though the goal would seem to be very much like modified Obamacare with a new name. This is despite Republican majority in both houses of the Congress: a few Republican senators have already announced that they will not back any proposal that does not protect people on Medicaid. We still expect that the reform, if any, will not be dramatic as such plan would not likely pass in Congress. A reform that will have even wider effect will be the one concerning tax code. While business tax and repatriation tax reforms will likely move forward, the border tax adjustment is a far more complex one to implement. In a simple model, the basic problem is that the effect of border tax is offset by appreciating dollar, and the implicit cost of the trade barrier would fall on the US consumer. Tax reform is also a high priority matter, and we expect to get more details quite soon. Any meaningful changes to business tax code would be an added bonus to our optimistic US outlook. BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

12 ASIA Valuations in emerging Asia remain low despite strong macro outlooks. The industrial upturn in China gives more room to contain credit growth and keep the rebalancing orderly. Chart 1: Valuations Most of the Southeast Asian markets have seen significant outflows since the US elections. It seems that large institutional investors, on aggregate, pulled money in order to invest more in the US. Interestingly, valuations in emerging Asia remain persistently low despite probably the best macroeconomic outlooks in the world. Expectations of higher interest rates and yield curve normalization in the US should not explain such a drastic and long term valuation difference between the developed markets and emerging Asian markets (chart 1). These dynamics of international investment flows do cause big movements in stock prices as well as in currencies, which perhaps further explains the persistence of negative momentum in Asia. But for a longer term investor looking for value, the current weakness creates quite favorable entry points, as the selling in our opinion continues to be quite indiscriminate. It should also be noted that the stock markets in Southeast Asia are rather small in market capitalization versus the largest Western markets, so relatively small fund flows create substantial volatility. Only a few billion US dollar outflow per quarter can easily shift a large Asian market such as Indonesia by double digit percentage points. As a result, valuations can remain quite low for an extended period of time, which has been the case in most of the emerging markets. In Southeast Asian markets, overall growth rate expectations remain more or less stable, and are at quite high levels relative to other regions (chart 2). Domestic demand in these countries continues to grow quickly thanks to extremely favorable long term demographics. Very young populations ensure high predictability for long term consumption growth which in essence benefits most of the businesses that focus on serving the domestic economy instead of exporting raw materials overseas. 12 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

13 Chart 2: GDP growth estimates for 2017 Most of the Southeast Asian countries continue to grow at rate 2 to 3 times faster than Western developed economies, even when the turmoil of recent years caused by China s rebalancing is taken into account. China s problematic and unbalanced economic model did cause an extraordinary bubble in the commodity markets in past years, and while Southeast Asian countries definitely benefited from the Chinese growth miracle, in our opinion investors in general do not understand the real drivers behind these countries economic growth. The fact is that short term developments in this sector depend highly on commodity prices as it has a very high operational leverage and producer prices will drop back as soon as base effects reverse. Though there is nothing structural about the industrial upturn, it gives more room to contain credit growth and keep the rebalancing orderly. This is obviously a good thing for the overall economy and quite in line with the government policy of supporting companies following the old economic model, in order to give enough time for the new privately-managed and more profitable enterprises to become the effective growth driver of a future China. The recent stabilization in global commodity markets does not change the fact that most heavy industries in China will continue implementing serious cuts in excess capacity in coming years. This will be the prevalent trend in many Chinese industries steel manufacturing, coal mining, aluminum smelting and shipbuilding, to name a few. Chart 3: China retail sales growth «Though there is nothing structural about the industrial upturn, it gives more room to contain credit growth and keep the rebalancing orderly.» Most Southeast Asian countries have no structural challenges such as an aging population and dependence on fixed asset investment, and economic growth rates are rather healthily based on meeting the needs of the growing population of consumers. Taking into account all of the above, the populous countries of Southeast Asia are one of the most interesting places to invest right now, particularly if investors seek long term value at a reasonable price. In China, producer prices and industrial profits have been on an upward trajectory recently, after a stretch of declines. We would not put much weight on expectations of Chinese heavy industry returning to a sustainable high growth path, as the sector still has longer-term profitability and overcapacity issues. We emphasize very often to our clients the unavoidable need for the Chinese overall GDP growth rate to decelerate from the current 6%+ annualized rate to more healthy low single digit rates, but in our opinion, this is still not very well understood by markets. Yet it remains a fact that a low growth rate driven primarily by strong household spending is much more desirable than very high but empty and non-profitable investment-driven growth. Meanwhile household consumption, the future backbone of the economy, and retail sales, especially online, continue to grow as a share of the GDP (chart 3). BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

14 FIXED INCOME At the last FOMC meeting the Fed raised rates as expected (chart A), and kept its median projection of future rates unchanged. Based on our base case scenario, we are more constructive on USD fixed rate assets, since the expected 12-month return has turned positive. The credit spread asset class in general offers little upside in a late-cycle boom and faces asymmetric downside risk at the current level of spreads. Chart A: US 10 year yield versus Fed Funds rate Chart A : Implied Fed Funds Target Rate SOVEREIGN As expected, the Fed raised rates and kept its median Chart B: US Yield curve [10 years minus 2 years] projection of future rates unchanged. We are constructive on USD bonds. At the last FOMC meeting the Fed raised the federal funds rate by 25bp, a move which was already fully priced in by the market. They maintained their median projections for both 2017 and 2018 (chart A ). This latest Fed decision reinforces our idea that they will pursue their monetary policy in order to manage the market s inflation expectations and to avoid an unpredictable rise in US 10 years rate. Therefore we believe that the US yield curve, measured by the difference between the rate on US 10 year and 2 year Treasuries, will continue to flatten (chart B). In our main scenario we are more constructive on USD bonds, as expected 12-month returns are now positive. We remain underweight in core EUR and CHF bonds, as technical factors, especially the European Central Bank Quantitative Easing program, are keeping prices at a rich level. EMERGING Positive economic factors continue to support the emerging market. We are constructive overall although there is limited room for further spread tightening. Emerging market and developing economies are showing signs of recovery, broadening in Asia and remaining mixed in EMEA and in LATAM. With both external and domestic demand gaining momentum, emerging market bonds are able to withstand the tightening USD monetary conditions. These positive factors for the asset class will continue to drive inflow from investors. Overall, we still see good reasons to be constructive even though there is limited room for spread tightening due to tight valuations. Despite the fact that USD emerging market debt will naturally be negatively impacted by rising US rates (chart C), we remain positive on a one year horizon. Chart C: Emerging USD Spread versus US Treasury 14 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

15 CORPORATE We prefer US Investment Grade bonds versus European, as the recent spread compression on European bonds means there is not enough of a return to compensate a rate increase in Europe. Fundamentals in corporate bonds remain strong, as growth expectations are positive. In Europe, the leverage ratio, as measured by Net Debt to EBITDA, is better now than last year. In the US, leverage has picked up slightly but remains below trend. That being said, spread compression (chart D) is limited as technical factors have distorted both markets. The European Central Bank, through its Corporate Sector Purchase Program (CSPP), has been buying bonds at a rate of EUR 7.8 billion per month. This program will continue to keep spreads tight, and credit premium are not high enough to compensate a rate increase in Europe. Therefore, we prefer to remain underweight in investment grade company bonds in Europe versus the US. HIGH YIELD Solid credit fundamentals continue to support the high yield Chart E: High yield spreads vs governement asset class. However, the recent strong spread compression means has led to became more cautious. Solid credit fundamentals continue to support the High Yield in a positive economic growth cycle and contribute to improve credit metrics to keep default rate at a very low level. After the recent strong spread compression (chart E), this asset class offers little upside in a late-cycle boom, and faces asymmetric downside as current spread levels (i.e. ~400bps) paying just the actual company leverage ratio. However, technical factors remain supportive as inflows into High Yield funds have been positive and expected primary issuance remains below the record of In this environment, we believe that Corporate Hybrid bonds offer a better risk /return profile, and Banks AT1 is attractive as the recovery in corporate loan volume will support bank revenues. BRUELLAN FIXED INCOME PROJECTION Chart D: Global Corporate box plot [from June 2015 to March 2017] Currency / Expected Country Return at 1 Years Core Govt USD Overweight [5 Years] EUR Underweight CHF Underweight Peripheral Govt FR Underweight [10 Years Spreads vs Germany] IT Overweight SP Underweight PT Overweight Inflation Linked USD Neutral [10 Years BreakEven] EUR Neutral UK Neutral Credit - Corporate EUR Neutral Credit - Senior Financial EUR Neutral Credit -Subordinated Financial EUR Neutral Credit - Hybrid EUR Neutral High Yield EUR Neutral Credit - US Corporate USD Overweight Emerging Corporate USD Overweight BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

16 TECHNICAL CORNER EQUITIES BONDS - 10-YEAR YIELDS 16 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

17 CURRENCIES COMMODITIES BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

18 ABOUT OUR FUNDS BRUELLAN DYNAMIC TACTICAL FUND «A solid cornerstone to any investment portfolio» Graph: Historical performance of the Bruellan Dynamic Tactical fund vs World Index The Bruellan Dynamic Tactical fund, managed by Antti Tilkanen and Petteri Pihlaja, is an equity fund with no geographical restrictions. The investment strategy of the fund focuses solely on companies fundamentals, without market timing, hedging or speculation. The key to superior long term returns is simple: just own companies with sustainable businesses that will generate ample free cash flow to their owners over the next several economic cycles. Good long-term results are achieved partly by avoiding classic mistakes that investors make; chasing investment fads, trying to time peaks and troughs of the market and generally being overly active all cause more harm than benefit as time passes. That is not to say that Tactical is a passive index fund, far from it. Our investment universe includes every listed company in the world, of which we get to pick the best ones, without any artificially set restrictions. We own only high-quality businesses whose success, with a high probability, is better than average over the economic cycle. Usual characteristics of our companies are high return on capital, high differentiation, strong market postion and success driven by their own competitive advantages rather than external factors. For these reasons, we don t have much interest in, for example, materials or energy sectors. As a result, the portfolio is quite different from the benchmark. The more time passes, the more positive the difference caused by owning only superior business models will be. An added bonus of owning only high quality companies is that the operational risk of the portfolio is very low, which is a good recipe for peace of mind in any market situation. While continuous comparison to the benchmark is not relevant to us, we obviously expect to make returns superior to the benchmark in the long term. We are clearly on the right track over the past five years; we are ahead of the world index and the vast majority of other global equity funds. 18 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

19 Inception date Currency Fund Managers Fund size Liquidity Cut Off ISIN Protea BAM European Equities Domicile Min. Investment Management fees Performance fees High Water Mark Benchmark Bloomberg Custodian Investment Manager Administrator Auditor Luxembourg/UCITS IV 20 January 2015 EUR Florian Marini, CFA Nicolas Vialis, CFA 25 Millions EUR Weekly Tuesday 1000 EUR 0.8%-1.2% 20% Yes Stoxx 600 Total Return Retail : LU Instit.: LU Retail : PROBEER LX Instit.: PROBEEI LX Pictet & Cie (Europe) S.A. Bruellan S.A. Fund Partner Solutions Deloitte Audit Domicile Fund Managers Fund size Protea BAM US Equities Luxembourg/UCITS IV Inception date 20 January 2015 Currency Liquidity Cut Off Min. Investment USD Petteri Pihlaja Antti Tilkanen 18 Millions USD Management fees 0.8%-1.2% Performance fees 20% High Water Mark Benchmark ISIN Bloomberg Custodian Investment Manager Administrator Auditor Weekly Tuesday 1000 USD Yes S&P 500 Total Return Retail : LU Instit.: LU Retail : PRBAMRU LX Instit.: PRBAMIU LX Pictet & Cie (Europe) S.A. Bruellan S.A. Fund Partner Solutions Deloitte Audit Protea BAM Asia Pacific Equities Domicile Fund Managers Fund size Luxembourg/UCITS IV Inception date 20 January 2015 Currency Liquidity Cut Off Min. Investment USD Petteri Pihlaja Antti Tilkanen 18 Millions USD Management fees 0.8%-1.2% Performance fees 20% High Water Mark Benchmark ISIN Bloomberg Custodian Investment Manager Administrator Auditor Weekly Tuesday 1000 USD Yes MSCI Asia Pac ex Japan Retail : LU Instit.: LU Retail : PRAPEXR LX Instit.: PRAPEXI LX Pictet & Cie (Europe) S.A. Bruellan S.A. Fund Partner Solutions Deloitte Audit Bruellan Dynamic Swiss Equities Domicile Switzerland Inception date 21 January 2015 Currency Fund Managers Fund size Liquidity Cut Off Min. Investment CHF Florian Marini, CFA Nicolas Vialis, CFA 30 Millions CHF Tuesday 1000 CHF Management fees 0.8%-1.2% Performance fees 20% High Water Mark Benchmark ISIN Bloomberg Custodian Investment Manager Administrator Auditor Weekly Yes Swiss Performance Index Retail : CH Instit.: CH Retail : BDFSECA SW Instit.: BDFSECB SW BCV Bruellan S.A. CACEIS KPMG Bruellan Dynamic Tactical Equities Domicile Inception date Currency Fund Managers Fund size Liquidity Cut Off Min. Investment Benchmark ISIN Switzerland 28 July 2005 EUR Petteri Pihlaja Antti Tilkanen 22 Millions EUR Weekly Tuesday 1000 EUR Management fees 0.8%-1.2% Performance fees 20% High Water Mark Bloomberg Custodian Investment Manager Administrator Auditor Yes MSCI World AC Net Return Retail : CH Instit.: CH Retail : PROBEER LX Instit.: PROBEEI LX BCV Bruellan S.A. CACEIS KPMG Domicile Protea BAM Global Bonds Fund Managers Fund size Luxembourg/UCITS IV Inception date 1 September 2015 Currency Liquidity Cut Off Min. Investment ISIN - Class EUR ISIN - Class CHF ISIN - Class USD Bloomberg Custodian Investment Manager Administrator Auditor EUR Yvan Mencattini 95 Millions EUR Weekly Tuesday 1000 EUR Management fees 0.6%-1% Retail : LU Instit.: LU Retail : LU Instit.: LU Retail : LU Instit.: LU Retail : PBGBREU LX Instit.: PBGBIEU LX Pictet & Cie (Europe) S.A. Bruellan S.A. Fund Partner Solutions Deloitte Audit BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

20 BRUELLAN IN THE NEWS 20 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

21 AGENDA Calendar Q Date Country / Region Political Economical 04/05/2017 US FOMC Meeting Minutes 04/12/2017 Canada Bank of Canada Rate Decision 04/23/2017 France First round of French presidential election 04/27/2017 Japan BOJ Rate Decision 04/27/2017 Europe ECB Rate Decision 05/03/2017 US FOMC Rate Decision 05/04/2017 UK U.K. Local Elections 05/07/2017 France Second and final round of French presidential election 05/11/2017 UK Bank of England Bank Rate 05/24/2017 Canada Bank of Canada Rate Decision 05/24/2017 US FOMC Meeting Minutes 06/08/2017 Europe ECB Rate Decision 06/11/2017 France First round of Legislative Elections 06/14/2017 US FOMC Rate Decision 06/15/2017 UK Bank of England Bank Rate Decision 06/15/2017 Switzerland Swiss National Bank Rate Decision 06/16/2017 Japan BOJ Rate Decision 06/18/2017 France Second round of Legislative Elections BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

22 Contributors Bruellan Asset Management Team: Florian Marini, Nicolas Vialis, Antti Tilkanen, Petteri Pihlaja, Yvan Mencattini Edition & Formatting Mélody Duarte Proof reading Anne Hornung-Soukup Disclaimer This publication is for private circulation and information purposes only and does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice or an offer to buy/sell or an invitation to buy/sell securities mentioned. This information and any opinions have been obtained from or are based on sources believed to be reliable but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No responsibility can be accepted for any consequential loss arising from the use of this information. The information is expressed at its date and is issued only to and directed only at those individuals who are permitted to receive such information in accordance with local regulations. In some countries the distribution of this publication may be restricted: it is the reader s responsibility to find out what those restrictions are and observe them. Bruellan SA cannot be liable for a breach of such restrictions. Source of graphics: Bloomberg & Bruellan SA. Bruellan SA is FINMA regulated Bruellan SA - Copyright 22 BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q2 2017

23 WHERE TO FIND US Bruellan S.A. 2, rue S.- Thalberg CH-1201 Genève Tel Fax Bruellan S.A. Rue du Petit-Chêne 18 CH-1003 Lausanne Tel Fax Bruellan S.A. «La Vallée Blanche» CH-1936 Verbier Tel Fax Bruellan S.A. Rue Centrale 50 CH-3963 Crans-Montana Tel Fax BRUELLAN - PANORAMA - Q

24 PANORAMA is also available online. Register for our mobile application to receive the latest market news, our views and fund information.

P A N O R A M A. Skyfall? SWITZERLAND EUROPE UNITED STATES ASIA. Will Swiss franc appreciation drag down corporate margins? p. 8

P A N O R A M A. Skyfall? SWITZERLAND EUROPE UNITED STATES ASIA. Will Swiss franc appreciation drag down corporate margins? p. 8 Chetzeron P A N O R A M A SWITZERLAND Will Swiss franc appreciation drag down corporate margins? p. 8 EUROPE Back to European equities after the Italian budget crisis? p. 10 UNITED STATES Is this nine-year

More information

Explore the themes and thinking behind our decisions.

Explore the themes and thinking behind our decisions. ASSET ALLOCATION COMMITTEE VIEWPOINTS First Quarter 2017 These views are informed by a subjective assessment of the relative attractiveness of asset classes and subclasses over a 6- to 18-month horizon.

More information

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK March 2016

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK March 2016 Austrasse 56 P.O. Box 452 94 Vaduz, Liechtenstein asset@imt.li www.imt.li INVESTMENT OUTLOOK 03.2016 19 March 2016 Since mid-february markets have calmed significantly and risky assets have enjoyed a clear

More information

Sharing your values is our strength, Growing your wealth is our business.

Sharing your values is our strength, Growing your wealth is our business. Sharing your values is our strength, Growing your wealth is our business. 2 0 1 7 G E N È V E L A U S A N N E - C R A N S M O N TA N A V E R B I E R BRUELLAN SA 2, rue Sigismond-Thalberg CH-1201 Geneva

More information

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK. August 2017

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK. August 2017 INVESTMENT OUTLOOK August 2017 INVESTMENT OUTLOOK AUGUST 2017 MACRO-ECONOMICS AND CURRENCIES Developed and Emerging Markets A series of comments from major central banks during the month, reminded investors

More information

Asset Allocation Monthly

Asset Allocation Monthly For professional investors Asset Allocation Monthly December 2015 Joost van Leenders, CFA, Chief economist, Multi Asset Solutions joost.vanleenders@bnpparibas.com +31 20 527 5126 SUMMARY INVESTMENT CLIMATE

More information

Retirement Funds. SEMIANNual REPORT

Retirement Funds. SEMIANNual REPORT SEMIANNual REPORT November 30, 2017 T. Rowe Price Retirement Funds The funds invest in a diversified portfolio of T. Rowe Price mutual funds, offering a professionally managed, age-appropriate mix of stocks

More information

Seven-year asset class forecast returns

Seven-year asset class forecast returns For professional investors and advisers only. Seven-year asset class forecast returns 2017 Update Seven-year asset class forecast returns 2017 update Introduction Our seven-year returns forecast largely

More information

GLOBAL EQUITY MARKET OUTLOOK

GLOBAL EQUITY MARKET OUTLOOK LPL RESEARCH WEEKLY MARKET COMMENTARY KEY TAKEAWAYS 2017 was an excellent year for international equities, particularly EM. We favor the United States and EM equities for tactical global asset allocations

More information

Target Funds. SEMIANNual REPORT

Target Funds. SEMIANNual REPORT SEMIANNual REPORT November 30, 2017 T. Rowe Price Target Funds The funds invest in a diversified portfolio of T. Rowe Price mutual funds, offering a professionally managed, age-appropriate mix of stocks

More information

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy October 2009

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy October 2009 Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy October 2009 By John Praveen, Chief Investment Strategist For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com

More information

IMT Asset Management AG Austrasse 56 P.O. Box Vaduz, Liechtenstein

IMT Asset Management AG Austrasse 56 P.O. Box Vaduz, Liechtenstein Austrasse 56 P.O. Box 452 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein asset@imt.li www.imt.li INVESTMENT OUTLOOK 04.2017 20 April 2017 In March, equity markets continued to rally. Emerging markets outperformed developed

More information

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy PRUDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS ADVISERS, LLC. Global Investment Outlook & Strategy John Praveen, PhD Chief Investment Strategist FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mayura Hooper Phone: 973-367-7930 Email:

More information

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy May 2008

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy May 2008 Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy May 2008 By John Praveen, Chief Investment Strategist For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com

More information

Global Economics Monthly Review

Global Economics Monthly Review Global Economics Monthly Review January 8 th, 2018 Arie Tal, Research Economist The Finance Division, Economics Department Please see important disclaimer on the last page of this report 1 Key Issues Global

More information

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy PRUDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS ADVISERS, LLC. Global Investment Outlook & Strategy February 2017 Global Stock Market Rally likely to Continue with Solid Q4 Earnings & Stronger 2017 Earnings, ECB

More information

Leumi. Global Economics Monthly Review. Arie Tal, Research Economist. July 12, Capital Markets Division, Economics Department. leumiusa.

Leumi. Global Economics Monthly Review. Arie Tal, Research Economist. July 12, Capital Markets Division, Economics Department. leumiusa. Global Economics Monthly Review July 12, 2018 Arie Tal, Research Economist Capital Markets Division, Economics Department Leumi leumiusa.com Please see important disclaimer on the last page of this report

More information

Market volatility to continue

Market volatility to continue How much more? Renewed speculation that financial institutions may report increased US subprime-related losses has sent equity markets tumbling. How much more bad news can investors expect going forward?

More information

Financial Market Outlook: Stocks Rebounding from July Correction, Further Gains Likely. Bond Yields Range Bound

Financial Market Outlook: Stocks Rebounding from July Correction, Further Gains Likely. Bond Yields Range Bound For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com Financial Market Outlook & Strategy: Stocks Rebounding from July Correction, Further Gains Likely. Bond

More information

Leumi. Global Economics Monthly Review. Arie Tal, Research Economist. May 8, The Finance Division, Economics Department. leumiusa.

Leumi. Global Economics Monthly Review. Arie Tal, Research Economist. May 8, The Finance Division, Economics Department. leumiusa. Global Economics Monthly Review May 8, 2018 Arie Tal, Research Economist The Finance Division, Economics Department Leumi leumiusa.com Please see important disclaimer on the last page of this report Key

More information

Explore the themes and thinking behind our decisions.

Explore the themes and thinking behind our decisions. ASSET ALLOCATION COMMITTEE VIEWPOINTS Fourth Quarter 2016 These views are informed by a subjective assessment of the relative attractiveness of asset classes and subclasses over a 6- to 18-month horizon.

More information

Global Investment Strategy

Global Investment Strategy Global Investment Strategy SEPTEMBER 218 ANDREW JENNER HEAD OF INVESTMENT Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management (UK) Ltd. (Registered in England No 1842259) A member of MUFG, a global financial group Investment

More information

the drive you demand ASSET ALLOCATION June 2017 Global Investment Committee

the drive you demand ASSET ALLOCATION June 2017 Global Investment Committee the drive you demand ASSET ALLOCATION June 217 Global Investment Committee GLOBAL TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION Rising earnings argue for remaining overweight equities Global economy / Asset allocation Sustained

More information

Quarterly Currency Outlook

Quarterly Currency Outlook Mature Economies Quarterly Currency Outlook MarketQuant Research Writing completed on July 12, 2017 Content 1. Key elements of background for mature market currencies... 4 2. Detailed Currency Outlook...

More information

Financial Market Outlook: Further Stock Gain on Faster GDP Rebound and Earnings Recovery. Year-end Target Raised

Financial Market Outlook: Further Stock Gain on Faster GDP Rebound and Earnings Recovery. Year-end Target Raised For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com Financial Market Outlook & Strategy: FurtherStock Gains Likely, Year-end Target Raised. Bond Under Pressure

More information

UBS Forum. Sharper opinions, smarter decisions

UBS Forum. Sharper opinions, smarter decisions Thursday, February 5 2015 UBS Forum. Sharper opinions, smarter decisions Madrid Milan London Frankfurt Zurich Chief Investment Office WM The Diverging World CIO Year Ahead 2015 Bill O'Neill Head of Investment

More information

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK. May 2017

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK. May 2017 INVESTMENT OUTLOOK May 2017 MACRO-ECONOMICS AND CURRENCIES Geopolitical Event Risk - High on the Agenda Developed and Emerging Markets It s been an eventful start to Q2 2017. Capital markets have absorbed

More information

IMT Asset Management AG Austrasse 56 P.O. Box Vaduz, Liechtenstein

IMT Asset Management AG Austrasse 56 P.O. Box Vaduz, Liechtenstein Austrasse 56 P.O. Box 452 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein asset@imt.li www.imt.li INVESTMENT OUTLOOK 08.2017 4 August 2017 The most important debates currently center on the sustainability of the equity bull

More information

Canada's equity market lagging world markets

Canada's equity market lagging world markets Let's Talk Charts August 30, 2017 Canada's equity market lagging world markets Chart of the Day S&P/TSX Composite MSCI World 90 This chart compares the relative performance of the S&P/TSX Composite with

More information

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy PRUDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS ADVISERS, LLC. Global Investment Outlook & Strategy April 2017 Stock Markets likely to Grind Higher as Expectations of Strong Earnings Growth & Improving Global GDP

More information

Australian Dollar Outlook

Australian Dollar Outlook Tuesday, 31 March 015 Australian Dollar Outlook Still Under Pressure We have revised our AUD forecasts for this year down slightly to reflect developments over recent months. We now expect the AUD to end

More information

China: Local Equity Markets Rally

China: Local Equity Markets Rally China: Local Equity Markets Rally DECEMBER 3, 2014 Peter Donisanu Global Research Analyst In this Global Perspectives Weekly: Government structural reforms» China s A-share equity markets have posted double-digit

More information

June 2013 Equities Rally Drive Global Re-rating

June 2013 Equities Rally Drive Global Re-rating June 2013 Equities Rally Drive Global Re-rating Since the lows of 2011, global equities have rallied 30% while Earnings per Share remained flat. This has been the biggest mid-cycle re-rating of global

More information

Financial Market Outlook: Stock Rally Continues with Faster & Stronger GDP Rebound, Earnings Recovery & Liquidity

Financial Market Outlook: Stock Rally Continues with Faster & Stronger GDP Rebound, Earnings Recovery & Liquidity For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com Financial Market Outlook & Strategy: Further Stock Gains with Macro Sweet Spot & Earnings Recovery.

More information

Asset Allocation Model March Update

Asset Allocation Model March Update The month of February was marked by a sell-off in global equity markets and a sudden increase in market volatility with the CBOE Volatility Index reaching its highest level since August 2015. The rout

More information

Gold in a policy normalisation phase August 2018

Gold in a policy normalisation phase August 2018 0.02 2.02.03 0.04 09.05 08.06 07.07 06.08 05.09 04.0 03. 02.2 0.3 2.3.4 0.5 09.6 08.7 Gold price (USD) Inflation Nowcaster (Z-score) PERSPECTIVES F O R P R O F E S S I O N A L I N V E S T O R S O N L Y

More information

Volume 8, Issue 10 Mar 10, 2008

Volume 8, Issue 10 Mar 10, 2008 Volume 8, Issue 10 Mar 10, 2008 >> SUMMARY ECONOMIC OVERVIEW US : 75 bp interest rate cut appearing likely this month EUROPE : Neutral policy stance reaffirmed last week JAPAN : Slowing US economy likely

More information

Asset Allocation Monthly

Asset Allocation Monthly For professional investors Asset Allocation Monthly October 2015 Joost van Leenders, CFA Chief Economist, Multi Asset Solutions joost.vanleenders@bnpparibas.com +31 20 527 5126 Uncertainty about US monetary

More information

Investment strategy update Fundamentals remain solid despite strong volatility

Investment strategy update Fundamentals remain solid despite strong volatility For intermediaries only. Not for further distribution. 07 February 2018 Investment strategy update Fundamentals remain solid despite strong volatility Key takeaways Global market volatility picked up strongly

More information

Q QUARTERLY PERSPECTIVES

Q QUARTERLY PERSPECTIVES Q2-219 QUARTERLY PERSPECTIVES Tavistock Wealth - Investment Team Outlook Christopher Peel - John Leiper - Andrew Pottie - Sekar Indran - Alex Livingstone India Turnbull - Jonah Levy - James Peel Welcome

More information

AUD-EUR OUTLOOK Risk Appetite is the Key Wednesday, 25 January 2012 The Australian dollar has recently soared to record highs against the euro, reflecting heightened concerns about European sovereign risk,

More information

Monthly Outlook. June Summary

Monthly Outlook. June Summary Monthly Outlook June 2015 Summary Yields of US Treasuries (USTs) rallied in May, with the 2-year and 10-year yields up 4 and 9 basis points (bps) respectively as compared to end-april levels. During the

More information

Quarterly Update on Valuation Metrics in Emerging Debt

Quarterly Update on Valuation Metrics in Emerging Debt Quarterly Update on Valuation Metrics in Emerging Debt September 2018 Carl Ross and Victoria Courmes The punch line: Due to the 26-bp spread tightening in the third quarter (to 362 bps), USD external debt

More information

The Market Navigator N a v i g a t i n g t h r o u g h t h e S e a s o f C h a n g e

The Market Navigator N a v i g a t i n g t h r o u g h t h e S e a s o f C h a n g e April 17, 2018 The Market Navigator N a v i g a t i n g t h r o u g h t h e S e a s o f C h a n g e Systematic tracking of market and macro momentum through highly condensed, objective indicators in the

More information

Market Watch. July Review Global economic outlook. Australia

Market Watch. July Review Global economic outlook. Australia Market Watch Latest monthly commentary from the Investment Markets Research team at BT. Global economic outlook Australia Available data for the June quarter is consistent with a moderation in GDP growth

More information

2013 OVERVIEW: There are mainly 3 reasons for the rebound;

2013 OVERVIEW: There are mainly 3 reasons for the rebound; 2013 OVERVIEW: The China market has rebounded since end of June; the upward move has been about 15% from the bottom and it is the first significant move for China Markets, which have been in a range since

More information

Weekly Bulletin November 20, 2017

Weekly Bulletin November 20, 2017 US data bolster the case for a rate hike. WEEKLY OUTLOOK In the USA, inflation and retail sales in October recorded an upbeat tone. Annual consumer inflation picked up by 2%, while core annual inflation

More information

Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices (July 2018)

Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices (July 2018) Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices (July 2018) July 31, 2018 Bank of Japan The Bank's View 1 Summary Japan's economy is likely to continue growing at a pace above its potential in fiscal 2018, mainly

More information

Medium Risk Portfolio QUANTUM FUNDS PORTFOLIO REVIEW NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2014 OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY COMPOSITION OF PORTFOLIO QUANTUM FUNDS

Medium Risk Portfolio QUANTUM FUNDS PORTFOLIO REVIEW NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2014 OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY COMPOSITION OF PORTFOLIO QUANTUM FUNDS QUANTUM FUNDS ($500 INVESTMENT) Medium Risk Portfolio QUANTUM FUNDS PORTFOLIO REVIEW NOVEMBER OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY The fund pursues the objective of long-term total returns combined with capital preservation.

More information

UBS HouseView. Bubble thoughts. Digest. US Edition CIO Wealth Management Research. December 2013

UBS HouseView. Bubble thoughts. Digest. US Edition CIO Wealth Management Research. December 2013 UBS HouseView Digest Edition CIO Wealth Management Research December 2013 Bubble thoughts Bubble thoughts Five years ago the Federal Reserve announced its first round of quantitative easing (QE). QE has

More information

Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review

Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review April 2019 Dr. Gil Michael Bufman, Chief Economist Arie Tal, Research Economist Economics Department, Capital Markets Division 1 Please see disclaimer on the last page

More information

Market Insight Economy and Asset Classes December Oil Prices Downtrending: The Real Global Economic Stimulus

Market Insight Economy and Asset Classes December Oil Prices Downtrending: The Real Global Economic Stimulus Market Insight Economy and Asset Classes December 2014 Oil Prices Downtrending: The Real Global Economic Stimulus 2 Equities Markets Feature In Citi analysts view, the expansion phase the US are enjoying

More information

Macro Research Economic outlook

Macro Research Economic outlook Macro Research Economic outlook Macroeconomic Research Itaú Unibanco April 2017 Roadmap Global Economy The global outlook remains favorable Global growth positive momentum continues, with a synchronized

More information

2018 Convertible Outlook

2018 Convertible Outlook SSI Investment Management January 2018 2018 Convertible Outlook By: Ravi Malik, CFA, Portfolio Manager 2017 was a strong year for risk assets including convertibles, driven by synchronized global expansion,

More information

US Economic Outlook Improving

US Economic Outlook Improving Government Bonds Have Never Looked Less Attractive OUTLOOK Executive Summary Kenneth J. Taubes Chief Investment Officer, US Economic Outlook US GDP growth may lead growth among developed nations, at approximately

More information

November PRUDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS ADVISERS, LLC. Global Investment Outlook & Strategy

November PRUDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS ADVISERS, LLC. Global Investment Outlook & Strategy PRUDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS ADVISERS, LLC. Global Investment Outlook & Strategy November 2015 John Praveen, PhD Chief Investment Strategist FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Miller Phone:

More information

Global Equites declined from Concern over Trade War

Global Equites declined from Concern over Trade War Quarterly Market Outlook: Quarter 2 2018 on 3 April 2018 Global Equites declined from Concern over Trade War Investment Outlook for 2 nd Quarter 2018 Equity Thailand U.S. Europe Japan Asia Bond Thailand

More information

Economic Outlook August 2017

Economic Outlook August 2017 Economic Outlook August 2017 Philippe WAECHTER Directeur de la Recherche Economique Compte Twitter: @phil_waechter ou http://twitter.com/phil_waechter SoundCloud http://soundcloud.com/phil_waechter Blog:

More information

B-GUIDE: Market Outlook

B-GUIDE: Market Outlook Quarterly Market Outlook: Quarter 1 2018 on 5 th January 2018 Investment Outlook for 1 st Quarter 2018 Accelerating Global Economy Supports the Rising Earnings Equity Thailand US Europe Japan Asia Bond

More information

Insolvency forecasts. Economic Research August 2017

Insolvency forecasts. Economic Research August 2017 Insolvency forecasts Economic Research August 2017 Summary We present our new insolvency forecasting model which offers a broader scope of macroeconomic developments to better predict insolvency developments.

More information

Global Economic and Market Outlook for Gavyn Davies, Chairman, Fulcrum Asset Management

Global Economic and Market Outlook for Gavyn Davies, Chairman, Fulcrum Asset Management Global Economic and Market Outlook for 2018 Gavyn Davies, Chairman, Fulcrum Asset Management After many years of persistent downgrades to consensus GDP forecasts, 2017 has seen the first upgrades since

More information

World Economic outlook

World Economic outlook Frontier s Strategy Note: 01/23/2014 World Economic outlook IMF has just released the World Economic Update on the 21st January 2015 and we are displaying the main points here. Even with the sharp oil

More information

Total

Total The following report provides in-depth analysis into the successes and challenges of the Northcoast Tactical Growth managed ETF strategy throughout 2017, important research into the mechanics of the strategy,

More information

Markets Overview Pulse & calendar Economic scenario

Markets Overview Pulse & calendar Economic scenario : : : : 8: 1: 1: 1: 1: 18: : : : : : : 8: 1: 1: 1: 1: 18: : : : : : : 8: 1: 1: 1: Markets have reacted in a calm way to the US decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal Despite the increase in geopolitical

More information

BANK OF FINLAND ARTICLES ON THE ECONOMY

BANK OF FINLAND ARTICLES ON THE ECONOMY BANK OF FINLAND ARTICLES ON THE ECONOMY Table of Contents Global economy to grow steadily 3 FORECAST FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY Global economy to grow steadily TODAY 1:00 PM BANK OF FINLAND BULLETIN 1/2017

More information

Year in review Year in review Global Markets. Year ending: December 31, 2017 CAN: S&P/TSX 16,209 15, % MSCI All Country World Index

Year in review Year in review Global Markets. Year ending: December 31, 2017 CAN: S&P/TSX 16,209 15, % MSCI All Country World Index Year in review Year in review Global Markets Year ending: December 31, EQUITY INDICES 29-DEC- 30-DEC- % CHG CAN: S&P/TSX 16,209 15,288 6.0% US: INDU 24,719 19,763 25.1% US: SPX 2,674 2,239 19.4% Nasdaq:

More information

Strategy Bond yield conundrum vol. 2

Strategy Bond yield conundrum vol. 2 Investment Research General Market Conditions 30 November 2017 Strategy Bond yield conundrum vol. 2 The big US curve flattening The big theme in the US fixed income market is the flattening of the yield

More information

October 2014 Strong Dollar Effects to Investors Dollar Trend Forecast

October 2014 Strong Dollar Effects to Investors Dollar Trend Forecast October 2014 Strong Dollar Effects to Investors In last month investment report, we have discussed our view for the dollar trend in the next 1 to 2 years (We said that following the changing monetary policy,

More information

Views and Insights. Schroders Multi-Asset Investments. Section 1: Monthly Views November Summary Issued in November 2015

Views and Insights. Schroders Multi-Asset Investments. Section 1: Monthly Views November Summary Issued in November 2015 Issued in November 215 For Financial Intermediary, Institutional and Consultant use only. Not for redistribution under any circumstances. Views and Insights Section 1: Monthly Views November 215 Summary

More information

FundMarket Insight Report Singapore Market Month-End Analysis April 30, 2013

FundMarket Insight Report Singapore Market Month-End Analysis April 30, 2013 Lipper Research Series FundMarket Insight Report Singapore Market Month-End Analysis April 30, 2013 Markets Summary Japan Nikkei 225 Index surged 11.80% and took the lead among global major markets, while

More information

Quarterly market summary 4th Quarter 2018

Quarterly market summary 4th Quarter 2018 POOLED PENSIONS Quarterly market summary 4th Quarter 2018 Economic overview As the quarter progressed, investors became increasingly concerned about the outlook for the world economy. The perception was

More information

By John Praveen, Chief Investment Strategist of Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC.*

By John Praveen, Chief Investment Strategist of Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC.* By John Praveen, Chief Investment Strategist of Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC.* For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com

More information

Global House View: Market Outlook

Global House View: Market Outlook HSBC GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT September 29 Global House View: Market Outlook Contents 1688/HSB1395a Market performance Macro-economic Picture Market Views: high level asset allocation Market Views: Equity

More information

PRIVATE BANKING PRIVATE BANKING

PRIVATE BANKING PRIVATE BANKING US (UNDERWEIGHT) Valuations remain high Downward revision to earnings forecasts persists Monetary policy realtively less supportive Recent rally relative to other markets looks March 211rebased 2 1 overstretched

More information

Summary. Economic Update 1 / 7 May Global Global GDP growth is forecast to accelerate to 2.9% in 2017 and maintain at 3.0% in 2018.

Summary. Economic Update 1 / 7 May Global Global GDP growth is forecast to accelerate to 2.9% in 2017 and maintain at 3.0% in 2018. Economic Update Economic Update 1 / 7 Summary 2 Global Global GDP growth is forecast to accelerate to 2.9% in 2017 and maintain at 3.0% in 2018. 3 Eurozone The eurozone s recovery appears to strengthen

More information

Fund Management Diary

Fund Management Diary Fund Management Diary Meeting held on 10 th July 2018 Does the oil price determine other commodity prices? The price of oil has surged this year and held on to its gains in recent weeks even as many commodity

More information

Ashdon Investment Management Q ECONOMIC COMMENTARY

Ashdon Investment Management Q ECONOMIC COMMENTARY Ashdon Investment Management Q2 2016 ECONOMIC COMMENTARY June 2016 In the preparation of this presentation, Ashdon relied on data taken from sources it believes are creditable. As such, Ashdon believes

More information

Quarterly Macro Report

Quarterly Macro Report Quarterly Macro Report 3rd Quarter 218 Even though forward-looking indicators for the industrialized countries still point to an acceleration of growth, the outlook for the global economy has deteriorated

More information

Seven-year asset class forecast returns, 2015 update

Seven-year asset class forecast returns, 2015 update Schroders Seven-year asset class forecast returns, 2015 update Craig Botham Emerging Markets Economist Introduction Our seven-year returns forecast builds on the same methodology which has been applied

More information

WEEKLY CHANGES AGAINST THE USD MACRO & MARKETS COMMENTARY

WEEKLY CHANGES AGAINST THE USD MACRO & MARKETS COMMENTARY July 31, 2017 [ W E E K LY E C O N O M I C C O M M E N TA R Y ] WEEKLY ANALYSIS FOR THE MOST CRITICAL ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS MACRO & MARKETS COMMENTARY» Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)

More information

Optimism returns But not everywhere

Optimism returns But not everywhere ING Investment Office Publication date: 22 May 2018, 12:50 p.m. Monthly Investment Outlook May 2018 Optimism returns But not everywhere Asset allocation April May Equities Real estate Commodities Alternatives

More information

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy

Global Investment Outlook & Strategy PRUDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS ADVISERS, LLC. Global Investment Outlook & Strategy March 2017 Global Stock Markets Rally likely to Continue, Driven by Strong Earnings & Strengthening GDP Growth.

More information

Summary. Economic Update 1 / 7 December 2017

Summary. Economic Update 1 / 7 December 2017 Economic Update Economic Update 1 / 7 Summary 2 Global Strengthening of the pickup in global growth, with GDP expected to increase 2.9% in 2017 and 3.1% in 2018. 3 Eurozone The eurozone recovery is upholding

More information

Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review

Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review August 14 th, 2018 Arie Tal, Research Economist Capital Markets Division, Economics Department 1 Please see disclaimer on the last page of this report Key Issues Global

More information

Macroeconomic Outlook November 2015

Macroeconomic Outlook November 2015 Macroeconomic Outlook November 2015 Philippe WAECHTER Head of Economic Research My twitter account @phil_waechter or http://twitter.com/phil_waechter My blog http://philippewaechter.en.nam.natixis.com

More information

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy June 2009

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy June 2009 Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy June 2009 By John Praveen, Chief Investment Strategist For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com

More information

Market Commentary November 2015

Market Commentary November 2015 Market Commentary November 2015 The Federal Reserve will, most likely, raise interest rates in December The last time rates were set up was in 2006. It could lead to higher volatility in the short term

More information

Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary LPL FINANCIAL RESEARCH Weekly Market Commentary November 18, 2014 Emerging Markets Opportunity Still Emerging Burt White Chief Investment Officer LPL Financial Jeffrey Buchbinder, CFA Market Strategist

More information

May 31, The big picture Our forecasts

May 31, The big picture Our forecasts May 31, 2017 The big picture Our forecasts Letter to Investors How much of a Trump effect is in the markets? Why do markets merely shrug when the new U.S. president fails prominently with his first major

More information

[ ] WEEKLY CHANGES AGAINST THE USD. » The Bank of England raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in MACRO & MARKET COMMENTARY

[ ] WEEKLY CHANGES AGAINST THE USD. » The Bank of England raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in MACRO & MARKET COMMENTARY August 06, 2018 [ ] MACRO & MARKET COMMENTARY» The Bank of England raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in almost a decade. Raising the interest rate is suggesting that inflation continues

More information

Turkey / Markets Research 11 January 2018

Turkey / Markets Research 11 January 2018 Turkey / Markets Research 11 January 2018 Global Strategy 2018 The year of inflation? Okan Ertem, FRM Global economic growth is supported with positive output gap Output gap returns back into positive

More information

Market turmoil prevails, the economy continues to grow

Market turmoil prevails, the economy continues to grow ING Investment Office Publication date: 13 June 2018, 1.15 p.m. Monthly Investment Outlook June 2018 Market turmoil prevails, the economy continues to grow May June Asset allocation - + Market turmoil

More information

Jean-Pierre Roth: Recent economic and financial developments in Switzerland

Jean-Pierre Roth: Recent economic and financial developments in Switzerland Jean-Pierre Roth: Recent economic and financial developments in Switzerland Introductory remarks by Mr Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank and Chairman of the Board

More information

Leumi. Global Economics Monthly Review. Gil M. Bufman, Chief Economist Arie Tal, Research Economist. March 13, 2018

Leumi. Global Economics Monthly Review. Gil M. Bufman, Chief Economist Arie Tal, Research Economist. March 13, 2018 Global Economics Monthly Review March 13, 2018 Gil M. Bufman, Chief Economist Arie Tal, Research Economist The Finance Division, Economics Department Please note that we will not publish the monthly review

More information

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy February 2010

Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy February 2010 Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC. Global Investment Strategy February 2010 By John Praveen, Chief Investment Strategist For Market Commentary Interviews Contact: Lisa Villareal, 973-367-2503/lisa.villareal@prudential.com

More information

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK JUNE 2018 MACRO-ECONOMICS. Developed and Emerging Markets

INVESTMENT OUTLOOK JUNE 2018 MACRO-ECONOMICS. Developed and Emerging Markets INVESTMENT OUTLOOK JUNE 2018 MACRO-ECONOMICS Developed and Emerging Markets Trade tariffs and protectionist themes have dominated global markets throughout the year and risks have further heightened through

More information

International Valuation Newsletter

International Valuation Newsletter International Valuation Newsletter October 20 kpmg.ch/dealadvisory Dear reader Strong growth in Central and Eastern Europe and unprecedented political instability in the US have produced further economic

More information

The Current Risk Landscape. Axioma Insight Findings Melissa R. Brown, CFA

The Current Risk Landscape. Axioma Insight Findings Melissa R. Brown, CFA The Current Risk Landscape Axioma Insight Findings Melissa R. Brown, CFA About Axioma Axioma provides portfolio construction, risk modeling and performance attribution tools to asset managers and asset

More information

Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review

Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review Global Macroeconomic Monthly Review October 16 th, 2018 Arie Tal, Research Economist Capital Markets Division, Economics Department Please see disclaimer on the last page of this report 1 Key Issues Global

More information

Portfolio Select Series. Portfolio Review First Quarter 2017

Portfolio Select Series. Portfolio Review First Quarter 2017 Portfolio Select Series Portfolio Review First Quarter 2017 Q1 Q4 3 Select Income Managed Portfolio 6 Select 80i20e Managed Portfolio 10 Select 70i30e Managed Portfolio 14 Select 60i40e Managed Portfolio

More information