2024 New Zealand Outlook: A Slow Road Ahead
Our outlook for New Zealand is mixed in 2024. We expect economic growth and equity market to remain muted. In contrast, we remain positive on New Zealand government bonds.
Asia/Pacific
The United Kingdom and Japan Entered Technical Recessions in Q4
UK GDP fell by more than expected in fourth quarter 2023, which pushed the country into a technical recession. It joined fellow G7 economy, Japan, which had earlier undershot expectations and delivered a second consecutive quarter of negative growth.
Review of Market Performance: Calendar Year 2023
Risk assets enjoyed mostly positive returns in CY 2023. Developed markets equities led as fears over the severity of a possible recession moderated and inflation declined.
Do Shifting US-China Geopolitics Create Investment Opportunities Elsewhere in Asia?
Yes, US-China geopolitical realities are already having an impact on trade and investment flows within Asia. China will remain an important destination for investor capital, but the shift in capital flows, alongside positive domestic structural developments in other parts of Asia, create investment opportunities beyond China that deserve a closer look.
VantagePoint: Asia Opportunities Amid Shifting Geopolitics – Part II
The shifting geopolitical realities between the United States and China have already impacted trade and investment flows. In this two-part series of VantagePoint, we review this reality and consider investment implications alongside those of other key factors—such as domestic structural developments, macroeconomic conditions, and valuations. In Part I, we focused on opportunities in China specifically. In this companion piece, we discuss investment opportunities beyond China.
VantagePoint: Asia Opportunities Amid Shifting Geopolitics – Part I
The shifting geopolitical realities between the United States and China have already impacted trade and investment flows. In this two-part series of VantagePoint, we review this reality and consider investment implications alongside those of other key factors—such as domestic structural developments, macroeconomic conditions, and valuations. In Part I, we focus on opportunities in China specifically, and in Part II, we discuss other Asian investment opportunities beyond China.
Currency Views and Valuations
This chart book examines historical currency momentum, valuation, and fundamentals in nine key currencies—US dollar (USD), British pound (GBP), euro (EUR), Swiss franc (CHF), Japanese yen (JPY), Australian dollar (AUD), New Zealand dollar (NZD), Canadian dollar (CAD), and Singapore dollar (SGD)—to help investors understand how these currencies behave against other major currencies.
Key Central Bank Policy Rates Approach Cyclical Peak
Over the past two weeks, central banks in the United States, United Kingdom, euro area, and Japan have all held monetary policy meetings. The communications following these meetings retained a hawkish bias, suggesting further policy tightening may be necessary—except for the Bank of Japan—however, additional interest rate hikes will likely be much less frequent for the remainder of this cycle. Despite this reality, we do not think major central banks will be quick to cut interest rates next year.
Will Japanese Equities Continue to Outperform?
No, we do not think it is likely that Japanese equities can meaningfully outperform in the near term, given growing headwinds from the slowing global manufacturing cycle, possible monetary tightening, and potential Japanese yen strength.
Review of Market Performance: Fiscal Year 2023
Risk assets enjoyed mostly positive returns in fiscal year 2023. Equities rebounded as fears over the severity of a possible recession moderated. Emerging markets equities lagged developed markets as the pace of reopening in China disappointed. Bond performance improved as credit assets posted positive returns but developed markets sovereign bonds struggled. Real assets suffered due to higher interest rates and slowing demand.