Head of Equity Strategy
Summary: In today's equity update we discuss the fresh macro data from Japan and New Zealand showing consumer and business confidence are still falling. On top of bad macro data, US tariffs on Chinese goods are hiked over the weekend and Boris Johnson added drama to Brexit with his advice to suspend Parliament. The big question is who wants to take risk here and how it should be done.
Macro fundamentals disappointed overnight again. New Zealand business confidence in August fell to lowest levels since 2008 and Japan consumer confidence in August missed expectations by a mile and accelerating to the downside. Based on incoming data we are again raising the recession probability – the next six months are going to be critical. Yesterday, Ray Dalio the founder of Bridgewater Associates wrote a piece comparing the current situation to the period 1935-1945 in which central banks no longer have the fire power to control and stimulate growth. Ray Dalio says the global economy is entering the final stage of the long-term debt cycle where interest rate cuts are increasingly impotent. Only fiscal stimulus can alleviate the slowdown.
Trump’s new tariffs hike goes into effect over the weekend (September 1) and given last weekend’s string of tweets how many traders are keen on taking risk into the weekend? We continue to argue that traders should not take the risk over the weekend and investors should increasingly turn portfolios defensive.
Is Brexit chaos coming?
Yesterday was another eventful day in London as the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised the Queen to suspend Parliament raising strong discontent due to its timing leading up to the new Brexit deadline on October 31. The political developments around Brexit but also Italy are strong arguments for our continued stance that investors should underweight the European value trap in equities.
S&P 500 earnings momentum still surprisingly strong
Despite all the weakness being thrown at equity markets from macro fundamentals we were surprised to note yesterday that S&P 500 is still seeing EBITDA growth around 5% y/y. The slowdown in profit growth even seems to be stabilizing contrary to the sharp decline in 2015 due to rapidly falling oil prices that cut profits in the energy sector.
The key to S&P 500 earnings growth remains the technology sector. So far, more technology regulation in Europe and the US-China trade war have not hit earnings growth enough. But our view is that over the next six months earnings growth will begin surprise to the downside as even technology companies will begin to feel the heat.
Stocks to watch
While financial markets are sending clear signals that USD funding under pressure China’s largest technology company Tencent (00700:xhkg) just raised $6.5bn in what is the largest USD-denominated credit facility by any Chinese company. This is obviously a strong signal for Tencent that has been struggling for years with more competition and temporary gaming ban which has slowed revenue growth from 45% to around 20% over the past two years.
Pernod Ricard (RI:xpar) is not feeling the slowdown in China as the French alcoholic beverage company delivered its largest earnings growth in seven years due to strong Chinese demand. As a result, the company is planning to buy back more of its shares which seems like a potentially bad decision given the company’s high valuation (50% above MSCI World). Shares are up 19% year-to-date outperforming the general market.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM:xnys) raises its FY earnings forecast on strong quarterly earnings release. The stock price is flirting with resistance levels from Q3 2018 and mid-2015. The positive surprise in guidance could help the stock head into new territory.
2024: The wasted year
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Uncover the shifting focus in 2024's FX markets towards growth resilience and relativity, away from bond yields and inflation stories.
Embrace the metal revolution on the commodity market in the coming year, with a focus on gold, silver, platinum, copper, and aluminum.
The gloominess of geopolitical conflicts and the repetitive nature of political agendas. What else does 2024 hold in store for us?
The disheartening cycle of unresolved geopolitical conflicts, the rise of polarizing political parties, and the stagnation of productivity.
Understand China's political landscape in Q4 2023 and the impact on counter-cyclical initiatives, with a focus on the pivotal Q1 2024.
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Uncover the shifting focus in 2024's FX markets towards growth resilience and relativity, away from bond yields and inflation stories.
Embrace the metal revolution on the commodity market in the coming year, with a focus on gold, silver, platinum, copper, and aluminum.
The gloominess of geopolitical conflicts and the repetitive nature of political agendas. What else does 2024 hold in store for us?
The disheartening cycle of unresolved geopolitical conflicts, the rise of polarizing political parties, and the stagnation of productivity.
Understand China's political landscape in Q4 2023 and the impact on counter-cyclical initiatives, with a focus on the pivotal Q1 2024.
