Allocation

Short-Term Mispricing of Fed’s Intentions Unlikely to Be As Serious, This Time, Western Asset Predicts

ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered a record amount of US$63.57 Bn in net inflows in June and a record level of US$347.70 Bn in year to date net inflows. At this point last year there were net inflows of just US$123.55 Bn.

We see further strength in Japanese equities after their recent rally, given an encouraging earnings outlook, relatively low valuations and a stable yen under Japan’s ultra-easy monetary policy.

The meeting between President Trump and President Xi in April removes a cloud hanging over the equity market. This comes at a time when fears over debt levels have been well discounted, while growth appears to have stabilised nicely at a relatively high level. Furthermore, corporate earnings are starting to surprise positively.

According to Richard Turnill, BlackRock’s Global Chief Investment Strategist, if we look at the earnings yield of U.S. equities — the implied yield in earnings estimates that makes potential returns comparable to bond yields. U.S. equities look expensive on this basis. But compared with historically low bond yields, U.S. equities still look cheap.