Over the past month, the macroeconomic outlook has barely changed in China. The government’s attempts to re-engineer the economy through both stimulus program and looser credit conditions continue to have a positive impact on the key housing market and on credit impulse.
Our leading indicator for China’s economy, the credit impulse, which tracks the flow of new core credit in % of GDP, is still in contraction but slowly moving upward, at minus 3.8% of GDP according to our latest update. We expect this trend to continue as the inflow of new credit will likely keep increasing in coming months to cope with the consequences of the trade war. In addition, the targeted housing policy continues to positively affect the real estate sector – which represents roughly 80% of Chinese people’s wealth. Completed investment in real estate, a major driver of growth surged 11.2% YTD Y/Y in May and the average price of new homes in 70 major cities monitored by the government rose at their fastest pace in five months in May, at 0.7% from the previous month, and 10.7% on an annual basis. As was the case in previous economic downturns, China’s real estate is a key pillar of the country’s economic stability to mitigate the slowdown.
The bottom line is that domestic demand is still weak. Slowdown in retail sales is similar to that of 2016, when the economy reached a low point, and apparels sales, which are a good proxy of the broad economy in China, are the weakest in 20 years. Further fiscal stimulus, driven to support domestic demand, is likely to be announced in coming months as this is currently the most worrying point of the Chinese economy.
A new fragmented world order can render some of today's infrastructure obselete, but it also calls for massive new investments across the globe, which requires a new set of strategic and tactical investment strategies.
Steen Jakobsen,
Chief Investment Officer
As globalisation turns to fragmentation, China seems set on playing a role in the global economy, while simultaneously working towards proofing its own economic situation from external shocks and crises.
Redmond Wong,
Market Strategist
The recent bank runs and ensuing challenges are reminicent of something we've seen before. Will it end like the S&L crises of 1986 and 1995?
Chris Dembik,
Head of Macroeconomic Research
Equity markets need to recalibrate to another - fragmented - global world. What's your view on equities in this market - are they going up or down?
Peter Garnry,
Head of Equity Strategy
With every development comes new opportunites, some of which could be in India. Have you considered the country as a part of your diversification strategy?
Charu Chanana,
Market Strategist
A collar is an option strategy that allows some protection while maintaining some upside potential. What investment would you like to use a collar strategy for?
Hans Oudshoorn,
Trainer Academy
There are arguments to be made for many commodities to have upside. Which are you paying the most attention to this quarter?
Ole S. Hansen,
Head of Commodity Strategy
In a very challenging macro environment, which currencies do you think will come out on top?
John J. Hardy,
Head of FX Strategy
