RL360: GAM Investment Solutions - Markets in September 2018

Generic Links

Welcome to RL360's

dedicated financial adviser website

For financial advisers only

Not to be distributed to, or relied on by, retail clients

GAM Investment Solutions - Markets in September 2018

GAM Investments’ Larry Hatheway outlines his latest multi-asset views, discussing what has caused the sharp bifurcation of market performance this year, whether equity markets will be driven by rotation and fresh leadership, and the key risks to markets for the remainder of 2018.

Markets have been highly differentiated in 2018. Strong out-performance from the US market, underpinned by the information technology sector, has coincided with clear under-performance of emerging equity, local currency and debt markets. Europe has also stumbled. That is a big departure from last year.

 

What lies behind this divergent performance? In part, it reflects investor caution following the volatility of markets in the first quarter, even if the reasons (inflation fears) have since receded. A strong dollar, which has hurt emerging markets, is a further factor. That partly reflects the strength of the US economy, which has shown a more convincing mid-year rebound in contrast to other parts of the world.

 

Dislocations and stresses in certain parts of the emerging world, such as Turkey and Argentina, are also beginning spread more broadly across the asset class. The riskiness of emerging markets tends to reinforce the tendency to look for stability, quality and certainty.

 

Against that backdrop, a key question is whether there will be new market leadership in the final months of 2018. For that to happen, we must see a change in the fundamentals, with confidence restored in growth outside the US. Europe and the emerging markets have to demonstrate a more convincing macroeconomic story.

 

To date, that is not present, particularly in emerging markets where, if anything, rising risk premiums and a higher cost of capital risk are undermining growth. An end to dollar strength is also required. While the dollar has stopped appreciating, emerging currencies remain weak, which tends to push up credit and inflation risk premiums in those markets.

 

Lastly, we need to see a decline in geopolitical tensions, particularly as regards trade frictions. At present, concerns of a further escalation are mounting instead. The risk is that trade disputes undermine corporate optimism and as a result dampen capex and employment.

 

Unexpected inflation remains the biggest risk to the cycle and markets. If inflation were to pick up significantly and unexpectedly in the US, Western Europe or Japan it would change the expectations for monetary policy and drive up interest rates and risk premiums, resulting in market setbacks and weaker growth.

 

In short, the bifurcation of markets reflects both divergent fundamentals and investor concerns about threats to economic and market stability. Rotation and fresh leadership require a change in those factors, which – for now – appears difficult to envisage.

 

More macroeconomics articles from GAM

 

Important Legal Information:

The information in this document is given for information purposes only and does not qualify as investment advice. Opinions and assessments contained in this document may change and reflect the point of view of GAM in the current economic environment. No liability shall be accepted for the accuracy and completeness of the information. Past performance is no indicator for the current or future development. Allocations and holdings are subject to change.

 

 

Author

Photo of Larry Hathaway, Group Head of GAM Investment Solutions

Larry Hatheway

Group Head of GAM Investment Solutions and Group Chief Economist, GAM Investment Solutions

October 2018


Please note that these are the views of Larry Hatheway on behalf of GAM Investment Solutions and should not be interpreted as the views of RL360.

360 fund links

A range of GAM funds can be accessed through our guided architecture products Oracle, Paragon, Quantum, Quantum Malaysia, LifePlan, and Protected Lifestyle, and also through our PIMS portfolio bond.