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Since the Fed started hiking interest rates in March 2022, global liquidity conditions have tightened materially, bringing inflation down, but it has now raised risk of an adverse growth outcome in 2024. Markets are unprepared for this scenario and continue to assume a ‘soft landing’ –- that inflation can dissipate without harming growth prospects. However, we expect a rise in recession risk in western economies, while in eastern economies, some parts of Asia could face growth challenges but still provide diversification benefits and a relative bright spot.
In the longer run, we believe a shift to a ‘new paradigm’ is underway, with inflation and interest rates somewhat higher than during the 2010s. Our preference in this environment will be for a ‘defensive growth’ approach which includes pivoting to higher quality markets. We also suggest ‘intelligent diversification’ strategies.
A Problem of Interest
Monetary and credit conditions have tightened materially. That breaks inflation, but risks breaking other parts of the system too.
New Paradigm
We are in a new economic regime of tighter money and more active fiscal policy. That means different macro dynamics, higher inflation and interest rates.
Defensive Growth
Market expectations are for a soft landing. But as the cycle slows and inflation falls, ‘bonds are back’. We focus on defensive strategies in portfolios.
Read our full outlook for insights on the following:
- Economic outlook and asset class implications Our ‘house view’ is for defensive positioning in portfolios at present. That reflects what we see as an optimistic scenario priced into markets versus our concerns over elevated risk of recession and further disinflation.
- Answers to ‘top-of-mind’ questions Discussion on hedge fund performance during periods of stress, the impact of US rates on emerging markets, tactical stock/bond allocations and expectations for responsible investment.
- Refinancing the ‘Covid maturity wall’ Opportunistic funding at low rates during and just after the pandemic created a ‘maturity wall’ in 2024 and 2025, which could create refinancing difficulties at the higher rates now prevailing.
- The value anomaly in European equities Comparing the relative valuation of value and growth stocks over the last two decades reveals that value is now 30 per cent cheaper than it was, while growth is over 50 per cent more expensive.
- Intelligent diversification through thematic allocations We think new sources of diversification will be needed as part of a new investment paradigm that poses challenges to both equity returns and the role of traditional diversifiers.
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For professional investors and intermediaries only. This document should not be distributed to or relied upon by retail clients/investors.This commentary provides a high level overview of the recent economic environment, and is for information purposes only. It is a marketing communication and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to any reader of this content to buy or sell investments nor should it be regarded as investment research. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of its dissemination.
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