Asset allocation
Current views at a glance - Q4 2016
Our investment team provide a brief overview of our current views on asset classes.
09/10/2016
Key
Equities
UK
Ongoing concern over Brexit suggests favouring large-cap equities as higher overseas earnings will benefit from weaker sterling.
European
Post-brexit challenges remain with a weak financial sector potentially constraining growth.
North America
Earnings expectations lowered, but the market is likely to be more resilient.
Japanese
Stronger yen will weigh on foreign earnings, while domestically Abenomics has not produced the growth or increase in inflation as desired.
Asia Pacific
Slower interest rate cycle in the US and better relative growth momentum will be more supportive to Asian equities.
Emerging markets
Despite a boost from weaker currencies, domestically there are still many challenges, and externally a difficult outlook for commodity markets.
Fixed income (bonds)
Government
Core inflation is rising in the UK and US, with continual volatility in bonds expected.
Investment grade
Credit spreads provide some pick-up in yield but we prefer short-dated bonds.
High-yield
Spreads have tightened giving potential for setback, but yields are still attractive (on a relative basis).
Inflation-linked
Domestic inflationary pressures are rising (UK and US), while commodity inflationary impact is turning positive.
Alternatives
Absolute: equity
Increased volatility and dispersion should provide opportunities.
Absolute: fixed income
Lower liquidity and flatter rate profiles reduces the attractiveness of many strategies.
Absolute: macro
Increased volatility across many asset classes should counter flatter rate cycles.
Commercial property (UK)
Post-Brexit concerns have resulted in the marking down of property but income characteristics are still attractive.
Uncorrelated infrastructure
Uncorrelated income continues to be attractive and in demand.
Precious metals
Gold has continued to act as a diversifier and as portfolio insurance.
Industrial metals
Ongoing excess supply is likely to weigh on prices for some time.
Energy
Oil continues to be volatile as politics and supply concerns dominate the market.
Cash
Cash
Cash has defensive and opportunistic qualities in uncertain and volatile markets.
Currency versus £
US$
We are neutral on the US dollar overall however there is potential for further weakness in sterling.
€
Post-Brexit concerns and the trade deficit weigh more on sterling than euro.
¥
Abenomics continues to struggle although in the short term the yen could benefit from US election uncertainties.
Asian currencies
A dovish Fed tightening cycle may reduce pressure on Asian currencies.
Author
This article is issued by Cazenove Capital which is part of the Schroder Group and a trading name of Schroder & Co. Limited, 1 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Nothing in this document should be deemed to constitute the provision of financial, investment or other professional advice in any way. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of an investment and the income from it may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. This document may include forward-looking statements that are based upon our current opinions, expectations and projections. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. All data contained within this document is sourced from Cazenove Capital unless otherwise stated.
