Quarterly Market Outlook - 1Q 2023

Investment involves risks. This information is for general reference only.

Market Outlook – Asset Class

Equities - Neutral

Economic activity continued to normalize lower. The global economy is now closer to contractionary territory against a backdrop of prolonged monetary tightening. Global financial conditions are expected to stay tight.

Inflation remains centerstage and central banks are unlikely to loosen unless they see a sustained drop in inflation towards policy targets. Inflation may have peaked in the U.S. and the Fed may suspend rate hikes some time in Q1 or Q2, but any talk of a pivot is still premature.

Pressure on valuations persists as the rise in funding costs and deteriorating economic outlook continue to weigh on corporate profitability.

While the technical picture remains light and investor sentiment remains bearish, approaching the peak of the rate hike cycle in the U.S. with a potential weakening of the U.S. dollar, investors may start to reposition for an economic recovery. This may support a market rebound towards the end of the quarter.

Fixed Income - Slightly Overweight

The longer-end of U.S. Treasuries may have peaked with anchored real yields and inflation expectations. With that in mind, investors may want to allocate part of their assets to developed sovereigns while volatilities persist.

The Fed is expected to continue hiking rate but at a slower pace depending on economic data. Front-end yields could edge higher and the yield curve may flatten further.

As policy rates may stay in restrictive territories for longer and the economic slowdown continues, default risks may increase modestly. Credit spreads could widen on deteriorations of economic conditions, market sentiment, and corporate fundamentals.

Market Outlook - Equities

U.S. - Neutral

If inflation continues to decelerate, Fed rate may peak in 1Q or 2Q at 5.25%. Relatively mild recession pressure coupled with a robust labour market creates room for the Fed to maintain rates at restrictive levels for longer. A rate cut may not happen until early 2024.

The recession in the U.S. may start from 3Q and last for three quarters. U.S. recession is expected to be relatively mild compared to other developed countries. A less hawkish Fed may improve sentiments in the equity market.

Large caps remain relatively expensive while small and mid caps are now at or slightly below the historical average. Pressures on margin remain especially for small caps that are less capable of passing on rising production costs.

Eurozone - Slightly Underweight

Eurozone inflation still hovers at much higher levels compared to the past years. Uncertainty over energy prices continues to be prominent with increasing demand in wintertime, ongoing disputes between Eurozone and Russia, and OPEC+ interventions.

Given inflation in Europe is not likely to come off anytime soon, ECB may need to stay hawkish and continues to hike, bringing about demand disruption and additional pressures to the already-weak business and investment sentiment.

Despite relatively attractive valuations, sluggish consumer demand and tightening financial conditions could weigh on corporate earnings further. More upside catalysts are needed to trigger a broad-based re-engagement of investors in the market.

Asia ex-Japan - Slightly Overweight

Economies of ASEAN countries may stay relatively robust and keep expanding with the boost of broad reopening, recovery in consumption and a comparatively benign inflation and interest rate environment.

The more resilient economic outlook compared to the developed market coupled with a weaker dollar could boost Asian currencies and attract capital inflow.

Global economic slowdown could further dampen the external demand of the region. Monetary policies may be tightened further than expected if inflation turns out to be more persistent.

Japan - Neutral

Valuation of Japan’s equity market remains in a reasonable zone. The large-scale share buyback program may provide support to equity performance.

Yen weakening has contributed to higher imported prices of energy which has been translated into a rising inflation rate. BOJ may face additional pressure to adjust its ultra-loose monetary policy and move towards a tightening direction.

The recent rebound of Yen together with weaker external demand may drag earning prospects of the export-oriented companies in Japan.

HK - Neutral / China - Neutral

Covid cases resurge after the ease of Covid restrictions, shadowing the hope of further relaxation in the near future.

With the slowdown and gloomier outlook of the real economy, monetary and fiscal policies may turn more supportive, especially in the distressed housing market.

Expectations on reopening and growth recovery remain the potential upside catalysts for China and HK markets, while the valuation of equities in both markets remain relatively cheap.

Market Outlook - Fixed Income

High Yield - Neutral

With weakening corporate fundamentals, credit quality is likely to deteriorate and credit spreads could widen.

Despite economic growth is slowing and the likelihood of a recession has increased, the high yield market has entered this period with relatively strong fundamentals. As yields remain elevated at an attractive valuation, defaults remain low and balance sheet stay strong, the asset class can rebound with the broader equity market.

Investment Grade - Neutral

Signs of softening inflation and subdued economic activities may prompt Fed to slow the pace of rate hikes. IG bonds could benefit given their longer duration in general.

Corporate spreads are in fair value zone on current fundamentals. However, if fundamentals deteriorate, spread could widen again.

Sovereign - Slightly Overweight

The uptrend of treasury yields could weaken and stay rangebound as rate hike pressure subsides in the U.S.. If economic recession risks strengthen, longer-term yields may reverse course and decline, benefitting bond returns.

Risk-averse appetite may continue to drive demand for repositioning into higher quality assets while uncertainties persist.

DISCLOSURES

Investment involves risks. Past performance of any particular fund or product mentioned in this document is not indicative of future performance of the relevant fund or product, and the value of the each fund or product mentioned in this document may go down as well as up. You should not invest solely in reliance on this document. There is no assurance on investment returns and you may not get back the amount originally invested.

You should consider your own risk tolerance level and financial circumstances before making any investment choices. If you are in doubt as to whether a certain fund or product mentioned in this document is suitable for you (including whether it is consistent with your investment objectives), you should seek legal, financial, tax, accounting and other professional advice to ensure that any decision made is suitable with regards to that your circumstances and financial position, and choose the fund(s)/product(s) suitable for you accordingly.

The information contained in this document has been derived from sources believed to be accurate and reliable as of the date of publishing of this document, and may no longer be true, accurate or complete when viewed by you. The content is for informational purpose only and does not constitute an offer, a solicitation of an offer or invitation, advertisement, inducement, representation of any kind or form whatsoever or any advice or recommendation to enter into any transactions in respect of the funds/products referred to in this document. This document is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research, or investment advice regarding a particular investment or the markets in general, nor is it intended to predict or guarantee the performance of any investment. The information does not take account of any investor’s investment objectives, particular needs or financial situation. You should not consider the information as a comprehensive statement to be relied upon. All expressions of opinion and predictions in this document are subject to change without notice.

All figures shown in this document are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

Subject to any contrary provisions of applicable law, neither the companies, nor any of their affiliates, nor any of the employees or directors of the companies and their affiliates, warrants or guarantees the accuracy of the information contained in this document, nor accepts any responsibility arising out of or in connection with any errors or omissions of the contents set out in this document.

This document is the property of Principal Asset Management Company (Asia) Limited that no part of this document may be modified, reproduced, transmitted, stored or distributed to any other person or incorporation in any format for any purposes without Principal Asset Management Company (Asia) Limited’s prior written consent.

Source of this document is from Principal Asset Management Company (Asia) Limited.

Principal, Principal and symbol design and Principal Financial Group are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc, a member of the Principal Financial Group.

This document has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission.

This document is issued by Principal Asset Management Company (Asia) Limited.