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.
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Dual Currency Returns
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