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Investment opportunities

October 2024

Stay diversified

There’s still a lot going for markets and investors, as the Federal Reserve cuts rates and if the US economy avoids a recession. Liquidity is abundant and that’s a source of support too. So, it makes sense to stay invested but of course, keep a diversified portfolio.

Quality Chinese equities benefiting from rate cut cycle

With interest rate cuts and more companies placing a stronger emphasis on shareholders’ return, quality yield plays remain as one of our investment themes and a core part of investors’ portfolio. We expect the US Federal Reserve to cut its fed funds rate at its next five policy meetings up to March 2025. US rate cuts, resulting in a weaker US Dollar, could offer more flexibility for Chinese policymakers to cut rates further before year-end.

Structured Investments

Theme: The New World Order

Financial regulators including The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced stronger-than-expected easing measures to support its economy and stabilise the stock market. In contrast to the piecemeal approach to policy stimulus earlier, this coordinated approach was a positive surprise, which set off a surge in Hong Kong and China equities, and a strengthening of the Chinese renminbi. It is believed that brokers (with lower forced liquidation risks, a potential increase in M&As and increase in turnover) and exchanges (with a potential increase in turnover) stand to benefit. The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) and CITIC Securities Co Ltd (CITICS) would be key beneficiaries.

  • HKEX provides an integrated platform for cash trading, derivative trading, clearing, settlement, fixed income, currencies and commodities, and custody and information services in Hong Kong. In 1Q2024, HKEX’s results were stronger than expected, with net profit up 14% quarter-on-quarter. HKEX should benefit from growing turnover and a potential revival of capital market activities. HKEX remains in a unique position connecting China with the world.
  • CITICS leads the market share amongst China’s brokerages and in areas like underwriting, asset management, margin financing, securities lending and direct investment markets. CITICS has demonstrated better-than-expected cost control in its latest quarterly results, which should make it better positioned amid the challenging operating environment. Within the industry, CITICS is preferred given its diversified operation and strong market position. The company should be a key beneficiary of market consolidation and supply side reform.

Bonds

This bond is suitable for those looking for a green bond issued by a leading industrial REIT in Singapore.

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (SGD)

This perpetual bond pays a coupon of 3% p.a. with a call date on 17 September 2025.

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (AREIT) is the leading industrial REIT with a market capitalisation of S$12.7bn as of 20 September 2024. Its investment properties are spread across Singapore, United States, Australia and UK/Europe.

AREIT is sponsored by CapitaLand Investment Limited which has a deemed interest of about 18% in AREIT. AREIT’s Singapore Dollar perpetual and bonds are issued by HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Singapore) Limited, in its capacity as trustee of AREIT.

AREIT’s credit profile is underpinned by resilient industrial assets in developed markets along with healthy credit metrics and rental reversions. Its outlook remains stable for the next 12 months.

Funds

Multi-asset Funds

PIMCO Balanced Income & Growth Fund

The PIMCO Balanced Income & Growth Fund is a global multi-sector strategy that seeks to combine PIMCO’s total return investment process and philosophy with income maximization. The Portfolio construction is founded on the principle of diversification across a broad range of equity and global fixed income securities. The fund has a historical annualised dividend yield of 6.78% p.a. (extracted from Bloomberg as of 30 September 2024).

Note: Past performance figures do not reflect future performance. Dividend figures are from Bloomberg, as of 30 September 2024.

Bond Funds

PIMCO GIS Income Fund

The PIMCO GIS Income Fund is designed for investors who seek steady income with a secondary goal of capital appreciation. It takes a broad-based approach to investing in income-generating bonds. The fund aims to achieve this by employing PIMCO’s best income-generating ideas across global fixed income sectors. The fund has a historical annualised dividend yield of 6.36% p.a. (extracted from Bloomberg as of 30 September 2024).

Note: Past performance figures do not reflect future performance. Dividend figures are from Bloomberg, as of 30 September 2024.

M&G (Lux) Optimal Income

The M&G (Lux) Optimal Income Fund is a global bond fund that aims to provide a combination of capital growth and income to deliver a return based on exposure to optimal income streams in investment markets, while applying environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The fund has a historical annualised dividend yield of 6.14% p.a. (extracted from Bloomberg as of 30 September 2024).

Note: Past performance figures do not reflect future performance. Dividend figures are from Bloomberg, as of 30 September 2024

Equity Funds

AB Low Volatility Equity Portfolio Fund

The AB Low Volatility Equity Portfolio fund is a global equity fund seeking capital growth through securities of companies that the fund manager believes have lower volatility. Its investment approach focuses on quality, stability and price, where the fund seeks high quality stocks of companies with stable performance and predictable earnings, trading at attractive prices. The fund also has distribution share classes for investors looking for dividend income.

Currencies

If Fed cuts rate even though the US is not in a recession, and if growth outside the US remains decent, this could disadvantage the US Dollar (USD). We maintain our view for the USD to trend lower as the Fed’s rate cut cycle continues. Some risks to watch include the US election outcome in November, global growth momentum and geopolitical risks.

In the last few months, we have seen policy makers in major markets (Japan, US and China) announcing policy moves to support growth. These moves have benefited Asian currencies. The Malaysian ringgit and Thai baht were amongst the biggest beneficiaries in the region. Further upside cannot be discounted as the Fed continues to cut rates (which could weigh on the USD) while hopes of further stimulus measures from China are mounting. Currencies that are typically sensitive to falling US rates and a stronger Renminbi are the Malaysian ringgit, Thai baht and Korean Won.

Important Information

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

This document may be translated into the Chinese language. If there is any difference between the English and Chinese versions, the English version will apply.

  1. Any opinions or views of third parties expressed in this document are those of the third parties identified, and do not represent views of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (“OCBC Bank”, “us”, “we” or “our”).
  2. This information is intended for general circulation and / or discussion purposes only. It does not consider the specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person.
  3. Before you make an investment, please seek advice from your Relationship Manager regarding the suitability of any investment product taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs.
  4. If you choose not to do so, you should consider if the investment product is suitable for you, and conduct your own assessments and due diligence on the investment product.
  5. We are not making an offer, solicit to buy or sell or subscribe for any security or financial instrument, enter into any transaction or participate in any trading or investment strategy with you through this document. Nothing in this document shall be deemed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell or subscribe for any security or financial instrument or to enter into any transaction or to participate in any particular trading or investment strategy.
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  7. OCBC Bank shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly howsoever in connection with or as a result of any person acting on any information provided herein.
  8. Investments are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The information provided herein may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or future performance of countries, assets, markets or companies. Actual events or results may differ materially. Past performance figures, predictions or projections are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance.
  9. Any reference to a company, financial product or asset class is used for illustrative purposes and does not represent our recommendation in any way.
  10. The information in and contents of this document may not be reproduced or disseminated in whole or in part without the Bank’s written consent.
  11. OCBC Bank, its related companies, and their respective directors and/or employees (collectively “Related Persons”) may, or might have in the future, interests in the investment products or the issuers mentioned herein. Such interests include effecting transactions in such investment products, and providing broking, investment banking and other financial services to such issuers. OCBC Bank and its Related Persons may also be related to, and receive fees from, providers of such investment products.
  12. You must read the Offer Document/Indicative Term Sheet/Product Highlight Sheet before deciding whether or not to purchase the investment product, copies of which may be obtained from your relationship manager.
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Global Equities Disclaimer

  1. Dividend growth is not guaranteed, nor are companies in which you invest obliged to pay dividends;
  2. Companies may go bankrupt rendering the original investment valueless;
  3. Equity markets may decline in value;
  4. Corporate earnings and financial markets may be volatile;
  5. If there is no recognised market for equities, then these may be difficult to sell and accurate information about their value may be hard to obtain;
  6. Smaller company investments may be difficult to sell if there is little liquidity in the market for such equities and there may be substantial differences between the buying price and the selling price;
  7. Equities on overseas markets may involve different risks to equities issued in Singapore;
  8. With regards to investments in overseas companies, foreign exchange rates may move in an unfavourable direction affecting adversely the valuation of investments in base currency terms.

Foreign Currency

  1. Foreign currency investments or deposits are subject to inherent exchange rate fluctuation that may provide opportunities and risks. Consequently, exchange rate fluctuations may affect the value of your foreign currency investments or deposits.
  2. Earning on foreign currency investments or deposits may change depending on the exchange rates prevalent at the time of their maturity if you choose to convert.
  3. Exchange controls may apply to certain foreign currencies from time to time.
  4. Any pre-termination costs will be taken and deducted from your deposit directly and without notice.

Dual Currency Returns

  1. By buying Dual Currency Returns, you are giving us the right to repay you at a future date in a different currency from the currency in which you made your original investment, even if you would prefer not to be paid in this currency at that time. Dual Currency Returns are affected by foreign exchange rates, which may affect how much you get back from your investment. You may receive less than you originally invested.
  2. Foreign exchange control restrictions may apply to the foreign currencies linked to your Dual Currency Returns. As a result, we may repay your investment and interest in a different currency. You may receive less than you originally invested when the amount of this different currency is converted back to the base currency (the currency you originally invested). You may be able to get information on foreign exchange control restrictions, if any, for each foreign currency offered in relation to Dual Currency Returns, from the relevant monetary, regulatory or other governmental authorities for that currency.
  3. We will not end Dual Currency Returns before the maturity date (the date they are due to end). You may, however, withdraw the amount you originally invested before the maturity date. If you do this, please remember that you will have to pay any charges that apply which are calculated based on the amount of the time remaining before maturity date, as well as current market conditions relating to strike prices, foreign exchange rates and changes in the underlying foreign exchange pair. These charges may mean that you get back much less than you originally invested. Please feel free to approach your relationship manager for details of the procedures and charges that apply if you withdraw your Dual Currency Returns investment before the maturity date.
  4. Dual Currency Returns are not insured deposits for the purposes of the Deposit Insurance and Policy Owners’ Protection Schemes Act 2011.

Collective Investment Schemes

  1. A copy of the prospectus of each fund is available and may be obtained from the fund manager or any of its approved distributors. Potential investors should read the prospectus for details on the relevant fund before deciding whether to subscribe for, or purchase units in the fund.
  2. The value of the units in the funds and the income accruing to the units, if any, may fall or rise. Please refer to the prospectus of the relevant fund for the name of the fund manager and the investment objectives of the fund.
  3. Investment involves risks. Past performance figures do not reflect future performance.
  4. Any reference to a company, financial product or asset class is used for illustrative purposes and does not represent our recommendation in any way.
  5. For funds that are listed on an approved exchange, investors cannot redeem their units of those funds with the manager, or may only redeem units with the manager under certain specified conditions. The listing of the units of those funds on any approved exchange does not guarantee a liquid market for the units.
  6. Any indicative distribution rate may not be achieved and is not an indication, forecast, or projection of the future performance of the Fund.

Cross-Border Marketing Disclaimers

OCBC Bank's cross border marketing disclaimers relevant for your country of residence.

Any opinions or views of third parties expressed in this document are those of the third parties identified, and do not represent views of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (“OCBC Bank”, “us”, “we” or “our”).