Asset allocation update – Any landing will not be soft

Our multi-asset allocations have become more cautious since late February, with equity risk-taking now some 75% lower than it was in January, while short positions in US and European bonds have also become lighter. This reflects our scepticism about forecasts of an economic ‘soft landing’.  

A poll of our multi-asset team shows a 60% expected probability of recession in the next 12 months, with hawkish central banks and higher bond yields to boot. Expectations of rising earnings seem unlikely to be fulfilled in the more challenged macroeconomic environment we foresee.

Bonds don’t signal recession, equities do (perhaps wrongly)

US 10-year Treasuries are currently set for their worst first half since 1788, according to some projections. While 32% of the US yield curve is inverted, that does not mean that bonds are signalling recession. For that, 60% of the curve would have to be inverted.

Yet at the same time, markets expect the US Federal Reserve or the European Central Bank not to be able to hold their ground when it comes to a tightening of  monetary policy. Instead, a sharp reversal of the rate rising cycle is expected from next year onwards.

Equity prices meanwhile clearly reflect investor worries: using a simple measure of what equities are ‘pricing’[1] suggests recession concerns are much greater in equity markets than on the bonds side.

However, we should remember that, firstly, 40% drawdowns not uncommon and current levels are ‘only’ half way there; and, secondly, and pulling in the opposite direction, that the stock market has priced nine of the last five recessions, that is, markets have often fallen significantly when in the end, a recession did not materalised.

A bounce is possible, but not a lasting one  

Recent weakness could be followed by short-term relief rallies, but with earnings expectations[2] yet to be corrected lower, we are wary of equities. Were it not for the positive contribution of expected earnings per share growth (by over 7% for the broad ACWI index), equity returns to date would have been weaker than the -22% recorded so far.

For now, Europe is our preferred short, facing geopolitical risk, inflation/supply chain challenges, policy pressures, and growth/earnings challenges. We have been cautious on European equities since the day before the Ukraine war broke out, reducing our exposure further in April and May.[3]

We are positive on Chinese technology stocks (via our MSCI China exposure) and Japanese equities (held chiefly via our Topix exposure).

Asset class views as of 22 June

[1] Based on their behaviour over the past 11 cycles  

[2] The disconnect between macro indicators (such as the ISMs) and EPS is notable  

[3] Earlier in the year, we closed our long positions in both US small and large caps

Disclaimer

Any views expressed here are those of the author as of the date of publication, are based on available information, and are subject to change without notice. Individual portfolio management teams may hold different views and may take different investment decisions for different clients.

The views expressed in this podcast do not in any way constitute investment advice.

The value of investments and the income they generate may go down as well as up and it is possible that investors will not recover their initial outlay. Past performance is no guarantee for future returns.

Investing in emerging markets, or specialised or restricted sectors is likely to be subject to a higher-than-average volatility due to a high degree of concentration, greater uncertainty because less information is available, there is less liquidity or due to greater sensitivity to changes in market conditions (social, political and economic conditions).

Some emerging markets offer less security than the majority of international developed markets. For this reason, services for portfolio transactions, liquidation and conservation on behalf of funds invested in emerging markets may carry greater risk.

Writen by Maya Bhandari. The post Asset allocation update – Any landing will not be soft appeared first on Investors’ Corner – The official blog of BNP Paribas Asset Management, the sustainable investor for a changing world.

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