SHARE THIS In the 2024 October-December quarter, risk assets largely moved in line with expectations surrounding the US presidential election. We maintained an overweight position on growth assets over the quarter amid indications of resilient economic...
SHARE THIS This month we discuss signs of improvement in the Bank of Japan (BOJ)'s market communication following its recent rate hike; we also focus on Japan's economic resilience amid a flurry of trade-related headlines impacting the markets.
SHARE THIS Although the arrival of a new year has brought some optimism after a tough 2024, economic activity remains subdued in New Zealand. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand may further cut interest rates in 2025 with global uncertainties impacting the...
SHARE THIS The New Zealand equity market paused for breath and dipped in January after posting significant gains towards the end of 2024. Some of the market’s decline reflected a dent in enthusiasm for consumer-facing and cyclical stocks. Global market...
SHARE THIS The speed at which AI applications are becoming part and parcel of daily life is breathtaking, with DeepSeek's apparent breakthrough merely accelerating an inevitable, fundamental change in the field. We firmly believe these breakthroughs...
SHARE THIS We see Asian local government bonds being supported by accommodative central banks amid an environment of benign inflation and moderating growth. Within the region, we expect investor appetite for higher carry bonds such as those of...
SHARE THIS We believe the introduction of DeepSeek may cause a recalibration of capital expenditures. Its introduction has initiated a shift towards a more cost efficient, scalable, and accessible AI landscape.
SHARE THIS The Indian healthcare sector is projected to become one of the top global markets by 2030, driven by demographic changes, rising incomes, and expanding insurance coverage, presenting long-term investment opportunities.
SHARE THIS In January, the Bank of Japan raised short-term interest rates to 0.5%, the highest level seen in 17 years, as it continued with its slow but steady withdrawal of accommodation. As the Japanese economy shows ongoing signals of recovery from...
SHARE THIS For January, we reduced our overweight position in growth while maintaining our overweight position in defensives. With respect to growth assets, Trump's second presidency ushers in a new era of US exceptionalism which has implications on...
SHARE THIS The focus in the media and amongst most analysts has centred around tariffs and a possible fiscal tightening in the USA – although we would argue that on a cash basis the latter is already happening quite aggressively. In some cases, it...
SHARE THIS Our focus on franchise and management quality allows us to look forward with optimism, whilst balance sheet quality and valuation discipline provide comfort for when the fireworks start for all the wrong reasons.
SHARE THIS In March 2024, after the Nikkei Index reached an all-time high, we offered five structural reasons why Japan's economic resurgence was more than just a flash in the pan. Almost a year later, those five reasons remain just as relevant for...
SHARE THIS We assess the factors behind the recent surge in Japan's long-term yields and its implications for equities; we also analyse the robustness of corporate earnings amid the structural economic changes taking place.
SHARE THIS February was a challenging month for New Zealand’s stock market following a weak corporate earnings season. Looking ahead, however, we remain confident about the market in 2025 and after. A key reason for this is the interest rate cutting...
SHARE THIS We believe that the Official Cash Rate’s projected path to the 3% level, which we consider likely to be the lowest point of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s current easing cycle, may be more noteworthy than the interest rate cut in February.
SHARE THIS For 30 years, policy factors like falling corporate tax and interest rates were seen to have generated a bulk of corporate profits, reducing stock-selection opportunities. There are indications that this policy-driven earnings era is coming...
SHARE THIS Vietnam is demonstrating a commitment to improving governance, expanding infrastructure and cultivating a more competitive business environment. These efforts position Vietnam to harness its demographic advantages and capitalise on emerging...
SHARE THIS While US equities stumbled in February, Asian ex Japan equities gained modestly, helped by continued positive momentum in Chinese tech stocks. China's tech has been the comeback story so far in 2025 after DeepSeek injected some liveliness...
SHARE THIS We continue to believe that Asia’s local government bonds are positioned to perform well, supported by accommodative central banks amid an environment of benign inflation and moderating growth.