18 June 2018
House view
Risks to investment markets are rising, as major economies start to show signs of slowing and central banks are tightening policy.
While economic growth remains solid for now, divergences are building between solid US growth and slightly softer growth across other regions.
As the US increases interest rates, ANZ’s chief investment office continues to expect “the good times to fade”, with growth continuing to ease through 2019, while shares return in the mid-to-high single digits this year.
In response to solid US growth, the nation’s central bank (the US Federal Reserve) has slowly been raising its federal funds rate. But while the US grows solidly, reinforced by recent positive company earnings, there are signs the European Union, Japan, China and other emerging nations are slowing.
Near-term prospects for emerging-market shares in particular are at greater risk from higher US rates and possibly a stronger US dollar. Recent troubles in Argentina and Turkey flag that risks are rising, though we don’t expect a sharp spill-over into other vulnerable markets in the region.
As we approach the mid-year mark, we are now looking much more closely at what 2019 may bring. At this stage it appears next year is shaping up as a year of slower growth and higher uncertainty as central banks continue to tighten monetary policies further.
Exactly how this plays out depends on inflation:
To date, US wages and inflation have continued to rise slowly and this supports our “good times fade” baseline view. However, with the US unemployment rate at a historic low level, a more pronounced lift in wages is becoming much more likely.
Given the current balance of strong growth and rising, although still relatively contained, risks, the chief investment office is retaining a “neutral” positioning to growth assets such as shares.
| Asset class | Preference level | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ||
International equities |
neutral |
We expect global equities to perform relatively well, with good but easing economic and earnings momentum. |
Australian, New Zealand equities |
neutral |
We expect New Zealand and (more so) Australian equities to perform well relative to bonds and offer an attractive yield. |
Emerging markets |
neutral |
While global growth remains solid, momentum has eased and we consider the outlook will become more challenging. |
Listed real assets1 |
neutral |
Real estate markets and infrastructure have underperformed on the back of rising interest rates. |
| Defensive | ||
Australian |
neutral |
Low but positive returns as interest rates rise overseas. |
International |
underweight |
Slowing growth and rising inflation mean yields will trade in a tight range. |
Cash2 |
overweight |
|
| Currency | ||
AUD |
neutral |
Solid but easing global growth will remain supportive of the Aussie’s prospects for now. |
Equities, fixed income and cash are relative to benchmark. Currencies are relative to an absolute return outlook (short term).
1. Comprises of 50/50 split between global real estate investment trusts and infrastructure securities.
2. Cash is the balancing asset class. Cash is a residual to portfolio manager’s overall implementation of other asset-class strategies. It continues to form part of the overall defensive asset allocation, with PMs having flexibility in terms of how to implement the stated defensive asset strategy across fixed income and cash. In the regional investment council model cash overweight to facilitate an underweight position we hold in international bonds and to manage overall fund duration.
As at June 2018.
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Mark is responsible for delivering an overarching investment strategy, including asset allocation, investment themes, investment manager and product selection and monitoring for ANZ Wealth in Australia. Before joining ANZ in 2013, Mark spent 15 years at UBS and 10 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia, making him a well-recognised and respected member of the Australian investment community.
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