LGT Private Banking House View

August 2023

Global growth weakness is likely to continue well into autumn, but the US economy has shown remarkable resilience. The stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment has led us to increase the global equity allocation to “Neutral”. On a tactical basis, we are starting to take profits in gold and downgrade the precious metal to “Neutral”.

Date: 26 July 2023
Author: Thomas Wille
Reading time: 7 minutes

Summer is living up to its name, with meteorologists reporting record temperatures in many parts of the world. However, capital markets are barely reflecting the heat. The volatility index of the S&P 500, the VIX, has fallen to its lowest level in three years. Equity investor sentiment has brightened slightly, but we are still a long way from the euphoria of the late 1990s.

The coming weeks will shed light on two key factors currently causing uncertainty in financial markets. First, how far along are the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the European Central Bank (ECB) in their respective monetary tightening cycles? We continue to believe that we are nearing the end and that 80% to 90% of the rate hikes have already taken place. Second, how have companies adjusted to the macroeconomic environment characterised by weak growth and increased price pressure? The outlook for the next few quarters will be crucial, and capital markets are already giving advance praise.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently driving the markets and we are convinced of the long-term potential of the investment story. However, the price fireworks of recent weeks have taken us by surprise. In some areas, there is a sense of euphoria and investors are feeling the pressure to be in the game at all costs. This is known as “FOMO”, meaning investors are afraid of missing out. Regular rebalancing of positions and active risk management are key success factors. AI is currently a prime example of this, but risk management should be applied to all sectors and industries in the current complex market environment.

The further decline in inflation and the resulting improvement in the growth-inflation mix have led us to increase our tactical position in global equities to “Neutral”, having already decreased our underweight in June. At the same time, we have reduced bonds and alternatives in a multi-asset portfolio. Despite this slight shift in allocation, the focus for the second half of the year is broadly unchanged - selection remains important.

Macroeconomic environment

Global growth weakness will likely continue well into autumn. Despite recessionary expectations the US economy has shown remarkable resilience. However, growth continues to slow amid weak consumption and contracting investment, and most analysts expect flat GDP over the second half of 2023. Sentiment indicators suggest more pessimism, with manufacturing and consumer confidence at long-term lows. The likelihood of a soft landing has nevertheless increased, with a controlled slowdown and gradual easing of demand and inflation pressures being our base case.

Investment strategy

After an initial increase in the equity allocation last month, the stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment has prompted us to take a further step and increase the global equity allocation to “Neutral”. This follows after having upgraded Europe and emerging markets on a regional level, as well as energy, materials, technology, consumer discretionary and consumer staples on a sector level in recent months. The increase in equities is financed by reducing bonds and alternative assets from “Overweight” to “Neutral”.

Equity strategy

While the current second quarter earnings season is important for investors, we believe that the outlook for the second half of the year and a first look at 2024 are crucial. Within the equity allocation, we maintain our regional pecking order of emerging markets, Europe and the US. Our preferred sectors are energy and healthcare, and we are overweight in consumer staples and materials. Despite regional and sector preferences, stock selection remains the most important factor for success.

Bond strategy

Our preferences in bonds have not changed since last month. We continue to favour government bonds and corporate bonds with investment grade credit rating, while we remain cautious with regard to high yield bonds. With the yield curve still strongly inverted, we consider yields at the short end to be attractive. In order to keep credit risks low, we prefer to be positioned in short-term corporate bonds, while we favour longer maturities in government bonds. Overall, we aim for an average duration slightly above the benchmark. One of the reasons for this is to avoid building up additional credit risks in a weakening economic environment.

Currency strategy

We project that the Swiss franc is set to oscillate within a stable range or potentially strengthen slightly against the US dollar in the near future, supported by various factors. The Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) monetary policy stance over the last few months, coupled with robust fundamentals in Switzerland, contributes to this positive outlook. Additionally, technical analysis indicates favourable price momentum. With respect to positioning, the shift towards favouring the Swiss franc over the US dollar and hence the unwinding of short positions of asset managers could amplify the upside potential of the Swiss currency as the year progresses. Overall, these factors point towards a sideways to slightly stronger performance for the Swiss franc.

Alternative assets

On a tactical basis, we are starting to take profits in gold and downgrade the precious metal to “Neutral”. With this tactical adjustment, alternative assets are reduced from “Overweight” to “Neutral”. However, our medium- to long-term view on gold remains very positive. This is also reflected in our strategic asset allocation in a multi-asset portfolio, where we doubled the gold allocation from 2% to 4% in the spring.

General risk information

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Risk information for single stock/single bond recommendations

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Responsible for compilation: LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., Lange Gasse 15, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland. Responsible supervisory authority: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, Laupenstrasse 27, CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland. Responsible for distribution within the meaning of article 8 FinMV [Financial Analysis Market Abuse Ordinance]: LGT Bank Ltd., Herrengasse 12, 9490 Vaduz, Principality of Liechtenstein. Responsible supervisory authority: Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA), Landstrasse 109, P.O. Box 279, 9490 Vaduz, Principality of Liechtenstein. Responsible for distribution within the meaning of the Directives on the Independence of Financial Research from the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA): LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., Lange Gasse 15, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland. Responsible supervisory authority: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, Laupenstrasse 27, CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland. Responsible for distribution within the meaning of section 48f BörseG [Stock Exchange Act] and the circular regarding financial analysis in connection with the interpretation of section 48f Stock Exchange Act [Börsegesetz (BörseG)]: LGT Bank AG, Zweigniederlassung Österreich, Bankgasse 9, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. Responsible supervisory authority: Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA), Landstrasse 109, P.O. Box 279, 9490 Vaduz, Principality of Liechtenstein; Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), Otto-Wagner-Platz 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

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Employees of LGT Capital Partners Ltd., Pfäffikon, LGT Bank Ltd., Vaduz, LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and LGT Bank AG, Zweigniederlassung Österreich, who are responsible for compiling and/or distributing financial analyses, are subject to the applicable regulations as prescribed by law and supervisory legislation. In particular, measures were taken to avoid conflicts of interest (e.g. checking information exchanged with other employees, independence of the remuneration of the employees concerned, preventing the exertion of influence on these employees, compliance with rules on employee transactions, etc.). In addition, the handling of financial analyses is governed by an internal, group-wide directive issued by LGT Group Foundation, Vaduz. Adherence to the regulations and organizational instructions is monitored by a Compliance Officer.

Reference regarding analysis history

If this analysis was made available to any issuers mentioned in the publication prior to its distribution or publication, no changes were made to the price or rating after the issuer’s feedback. Important references for Liechtenstein can be found in articles 3 to 6 FinMV [Financial Analysis Market Abuse Ordinance], for Switzerland in the Swiss Bankers Association Directives on the Independence of Financial Research, and for Austria in section 48 BörseG [Stock Exchange Act], the Austrian analysis principles of the Österreichische Vereinigung für Finanzanalyse und Asset Management [Austrian Association for Financial Analysis and Asset Management, ÖVFA] and the Austrian Society of Investment Professionals (ASIP) and the Standard Compliance Code of the Austrian banking sector. A history of all ratings and recommendations is available at your LGT relationship manager.

Essential sources of information

Our analysts draw on publicly accessible information we consider to be reliable. For the compilation of the analysis, publications by domestic and foreign media and news services (e.g. Reuters, Bloomberg, VWD etc.), business publications, trade publications, statistics and rating agencies were used, together with information from the issuers of the analyzed securities – mainly via the Internet, but also in writing or by telephone. We also procure information from investment banks (sell-side research and primary research).

Reference regarding valuation rates

Unless otherwise stated or specified, the rates used in the analysis are normally the share prices provided by the news agencies Reuters and/or Bloomberg at the close of the stock exchange of the domestic market of the analyzed security or the relevant principal market of this security on the respective local stock exchange on the eve of the day of compilation.

Explanation of investment recommendations for stocks

We apply a “hybrid approach” (internal fundamental analysis combined with “theScreener”, an external, purely quantitative analysis tool). TheScreener is based on purely quantitative, i.e. computable variables such as (but not exclusively restricted to) profit adjustments of the past few weeks, stock valuation in relation to historical performance and comparison groups, the technical trend, performance in relation to the market etc. The assessment of the equity analysts, which is largely based on a qualitative analysis, does not need to match with the one of theScreener. For the overall judgement the assessment of the equity analysts overrides the one of theScreener. LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. categorizes its analysis recommendations into five ratings: for a “Buy” recommendation we expect a relative outperformance compared with the sector. Only equities subjected to an internal fundamental analysis can be rated “Buy”. The recommendation “Attractive” is used for equities exclusively ranked by theScreener without any internal fundamental analysis as “slightly positive” or “positive”. A moderate relative outperformance versus the index is expected. For equities that we rate as “Hold” we expect a performance largely in line with the one of the sector. This can comprise both equities for which a fundamental analysis has been carried out as well as equities that theScreener ranks as “neutral” versus the index. The recommendation “Unattractive” is used for equities exclusively ranked by theScreener without any internal fundamental analysis as “slightly negative”. A moderate relative underperformance versus the index is expected. By contrast, “Sell” recommendations are based on the expectation of a relative underperformance compared with the sector. This can comprise both equities for which we are recommending “Sell” for fundamental reasons as well as equities that theScreener ranks as “negative” versus the index. Therefore the ratings always reflect a relative consideration versus the sector and/or specified index. The risk assessment is based on the individual judgement of the analyst (e.g. we assume a “high” risk for illiquid shares, highly indebted companies or shares from developing countries).

Reference regarding share valuation basis: The analysis compiled by LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. are essentially based on secondary research relating to fundamental and quantitative analysis. Generally accepted valuation methods (valuation multiples, return figures, sector comparisons, comparisons with past valuations etc.) are used for this. The forecasts for the quantitative analysis are prepared with the help of mathematical-statistical procedures (see statements above concerning the analysis tool “theScreener”). Economic indicators such as interest rates, currencies, commodity prices and assumptions relating to the economy are included in the overall assessment. The mood of the market also affects the company valuation. Moreover, many of the approaches are based on estimates and expectations that may change quickly and without warning, depending on developments specific to the industry. Therefore, the recommendations derived from the analysis can also change accordingly. The investment judgements generally refer to a period of 6 to 12 months. However, they are also subject to market conditions and represent a snapshot of the situation. They may be achieved more quickly or more slowly or be revised upwards or downwards.

Explanation of investment recommendations for bonds

We employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to derive our recommendations, which are to be seen as relative to sector/quality peers among comparable maturities. “Buy” and “Sell” recommendations demand a qualitative in-house analyst opinion, in which we incorporate both historical and projected financial results and credit metrics as well as past and anticipated company and sector-specific observations and trends. We recommend “Buy” for a security for which we expect a strong relative outperformance compared to sector/quality peers among comparable maturities. We recommend “Sell” if we expect strong relative underperformance compared to sector/quality peers among comparable maturities. The ratings “Attractive”, “Hold” and “Unattractive” can be based purely on a quantitative approach, which includes the market price of credit risk, valuation of equities and associated instruments, corporate leverage, liability structure, size, and agency rating. We recommend “Attractive” for a security for which we expect a relative outperformance compared to sector/quality peers among comparable maturities. We recommend “Hold” if we expect an average performance compared to sector/quality peers among comparable maturities. We recommend “Unattractive” if we expect a relative underperformance compared to sector/quality peers among comparable maturities.

This publication does not constitute either an issuing or listing prospectus, nor any other kind of prospectus. This publication also does not constitute any offer for subscription or any other transaction or obligation.

Definition of rating categories of S&P and Moody’s which are relevant for us:

AAA/Aaa: Borrower with highest credit quality. Default risk also virtually negligible over the longer term
AA/Aa: Safe investment, default risk virtually negligible but more difficult to assess in the longer term
A: Safe investment as long as no unforeseen events impair the overall economy or sector
BBB/Baa: Average investment. However, problems must be expected if the overall economy deteriorates
BB/Ba: Speculative investment. Defaults must be expected if the economic situation deteriorates
B: Highly speculative investment. Defaults are likely if the economic situation deteriorates

For more information on our methodology for bonds, please contact your LGT relationship manager or your local LGT Group company.

Risk information for fund recommendations

No guarantee is provided that the publications and information are up to date. Investment decisions should therefore always be made on the basis of the current prospectus and/or the complete documentation and publication of the third party/fund issuer (in particular the key investor information) and following consultation with an expert. This fund recommendation does not meet all the statutory requirements for guaranteeing the impartiality of financial research. The Swiss Bankers Association Directives on the Independence of Financial Research do not apply to this recommendation. It does not constitute financial analysis within the meaning of the Liechtenstein Ordinance on the Preparation of Financial Analysis according to the Law against Market Abuse in the Trading of Financial Instruments. LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and/or its affiliated companies are not subject to any prohibition of trading prior to the publication of financial research with regard to the recommended funds. The research can form the basis for the investment decisions of LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. itself and/or those of its affiliated companies. It is possible that LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and/or its affiliated companies might receive retrocessions from the issuers of the funds dealt with here.

All selected third-party funds are subjected to a thorough quantitative and qualitative analysis process prior to inclusion in the LGT FundGuide. Selected third-party funds are also subject to a continuous monitoring process. Austria: Investment decisions should only be made on the basis of the current KIID and valid prospectus following consultation with an expert.

Country-specific information

LGT funds: The current full prospectus, the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) and the current annual and semi-annual reports can be obtained free of charge from the fund administrator and from the following addresses: Liechtenstein: LGT Bank Ltd., Herrengasse 12, FL-9490 Vaduz and as an electronic version at www.lafv.li; representative for Switzerland: LGT Capital Partners Ltd., Schützenstrasse 6, CH-8808 Pfäffikon; main distributor and paying agent for Switzerland: LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., Lange Gasse 15, CH-4002 Basel; paying agent in Austria: Erste Bank der österreichischen Sparkassen AG, Am Belvedere 1, A-1010 Vienna.

Risk information for recommendations concerning structured products

This recommendation was prepared by LGT and not by an independent financial analysis department. Therefore this recommendation does not meet all the statutory requirements for guaranteeing the impartiality of financial research. The Swiss Bankers Association Directives on the Independence of Financial Research do not apply to this recommendation. Investments in structured products entail a wide range of risks. Investment decisions should therefore only be made on the basis of the valid prospectus or complete documentation following consultation with an expert. This does not constitute financial analysis within the meaning of the Liechtenstein Ordinance on the Preparation of Financial Analysis according to the Law against Market Abuse in the Trading of Financial Instruments.

Risk information in connection with foreign currencies

Information about foreign currencies were produced by LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and not by an independent financial analysis department. Therefore, forecasts, observations and price information are subject to change at any time and there is no guarantee that the information is complete. Investment decisions should accordingly be made in consideration of the investor’s personal risk tolerance and within the overall context of the portfolio. The Swiss Bankers Association Directives on the Independence of Financial Research do not apply to currency analysis. Such analyses do not constitute financial analysis within the meaning of the Liechtenstein Ordinance on the Preparation of Financial Analysis according to the Law against Market Abuse in the Trading of Financial Instruments.

Risk information on LGT Sustainability Rating

To determine the LGT Sustainability Rating, the companies, countries and supranational organizations underlying the investment vehicles are assessed according to criteria defined by LGT with respect to the areas of environment (E), social issues (S) and corporate governance (G). Corporate and country-specific sustainability data (raw data) of external data providers feed into this rating. The LGT Sustainability Rating is a result based on criteria and calculation methods determined by LGT. It does not claim to be exhaustive, accurate or up to date. The LGT Sustainability Rating is not substantiated by LGT. Any liability of LGT is excluded. The LGT Sustainability Rating does not constitute advice, an offer, a solicitation or invitation to submit an offer; it is neither a basis for a decision nor a recommendation to buy or sell investment vehicles or other specific products, and does not constitute advertising for products or services. Advice from a qualified specialist before making an investment decision is recommended. Investments may be subject to fluctuations. A high LGT Sustainability Rating and a high ESG score do not guarantee a good or better performance of the investment vehicle or other products, in particular in comparison with an investment with a lower LGT Sustainability Rating. The LGT Sustainability Rating must be strictly separated from other analyses and assessments.

Risk information for US assets

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Information related to LGT (Middle East) Ltd.

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