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Investment opportunities

June 2024

Opportunities amidst market volatility

Expect markets to stay volatile in the short term given a confluence of economic and geopolitical uncertainties. However, opportunities exist for medium term investors with the risk appetite and patience. In our view, the broader medium-term outlook remains positive given decent economic and earnings fundamentals, and an abundance of liquidity on the sidelines.

Positive outlook for China/HK equities

We have upgraded China/HK equities from neutral to overweight because the Chinese government is showing greater resolve to tackle the property and economic woes through more stimulus and radical measures. Chinese equities are currently under-owned, and their valuations are very low. Clients with high concentration in China/HK equities may review their portfolios to assess if they are holding on to quality stocks.

Structured Investments

Theme: Turn of the rate cycle

There is a strong inbound travel momentum in China, with the number of inbound tourist arrivals increasing by more than three-fold year on year in 1Q2024, supported by visa-free travel arrangements and an improved payment environment for foreigners, with outbound Chinese travel also likely to trudge along steadily to a full recovery in 2025. In the longer term, Asia is poised to lead tourism growth, driven by relatively youthful demographics, a burgeoning middle class, and potential consumption upgrades. This could benefit stocks such as Samsonite International SA and Trip.com.

    • Samsonite International SA is a leader in the global lifestyle bag industry and the world's best-known and largest travel luggage company (estimated 13% market share). The company has a clear strategic direction to drive revenue growth in the near term, aiming for a 10% to 12% revenue growth in FY2024. Besides tailwinds from the recovery of outbound travel in China, India has also been identified as a core market where American Tourister (a brand of luggage owned by Samsonite) is a key mass market brand. Consumption upgrades in Asia may allow higher- end brands, namely Samsonite and Tumi, to gradually enter the market and further improve profit margins. Samsonite International plans to do this by shifting back into expansion mode and aims to add 50 to 60 new stores in 2024 to aid sales growth.

  • Trip.com is a leading one-stop global travel platform, integrating a comprehensive suite of travel products and services as well as differentiated travel content. It is leading the industry’s recovery in China, supported by its strong foothold in the region, competitive offerings and high-quality services which enables it to gain market share. Outbound travel remains a key growth driver in 2024. While outbound air prices may soften as flight capacity recovers, Trip.com benefits from higher take rates than domestic bookings. The company’s good 1Q2024 results, China’s June Dragon Boat festival and China’s summer holiday from late June to August are other positive factors favouring the company in the short term.

Bonds

This bond is suitable for those looking for a quality corporate bond which focuses on industrial real estate in the Asia Pacific region.

AIMS APAC REIT (SGD)

This is a perpetual bond that pays a coupon of 5.65% p.a. with call date on 14 August 2025.

AIMS APAC REIT focuses on investing in industrial real estate in the Asia -Pacific region. The Trust's principal investment objective is owning and investing in a diversified portfolio of income-producing industrial real estate assets in Singapore and Asia, including warehouse and logistics centres, manufacturing, business parks and hi-tech spaces.

The portfolio performance continues to be steady with the 9MFY2024 gross revenue and net property income (NPI) at S$131.6mn (up 5.1% year on year) and S$97.8mn (up 6.3% year on year) respectively. The implied 3QFY2024 gross revenue and NPI were S$44.8mn (up 6.6% year on year) and S$33.5mn (up 8.5% year on year) respectively.

Funds

JPMorgan Global Income Fund

The JPMorgan Global Income Fund is a global, multi-asset income fund that aims to provide regular income by investing primarily in a portfolio of income generating securities, globally, and through the use of derivatives. The fund seeks income opportunities from around the globe and aims to provide investors with a consistent and potentially attractive income. The fund has a historical annualised dividend yield of 6.20% p.a.

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 6.47% p.a.

AB American Income Portfolio

The AB American Income Portfolio is a fund that invests in US Dollar-denominated fixed income securities. The fund dynamically balances credit and duration through investments in high yield and emerging market sectors to enhance income and dampen interest-rate risk, and in high-quality government bonds to alleviate credit risk when markets are stressed. The fund also limits its exposure to below investment-grade rated bonds to 50% and avoids CCC-rated issuers.

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

The US Dollar (USD) Index (DXY) weakened in May due to softer US economic data. Nevertheless, the currency’s decline had limitations as it retains a carry advantage, and Federal Reserve rhetoric remains hawkish. Nonetheless, US exceptionalism has somewhat softened (versus April when most US data was still printing red hot) while growth and activity in other parts of the world, including Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Germany, and France are starting to show signs of stabilisation. Given a slight shift in the global growth dynamics, and skewed market pricing for fewer Fed cuts, the risk-reward may favour selling the USD on rallies. The immediate risk is persistent US inflation and higher-for-longer rates which could result in USD strength lingering on in the coming weeks. For the year, we still expect the USD to trend slightly lower towards the year-end as the Fed is done tightening and should embark on rate cut cycle in due course. Further USD weakness would require the blessings of weaker US data, in particular price/wage-related ones, and/ or for the Fed’s rhetoric to turn less hawkish.

The other risk we are mindful of is the US elections in mid-November. The scenario for a play-up of US-China trade tensions cannot be ruled out and this may inject some uncertainty into markets, thereby implying that the downward path of the USD may be bumpy and may even face intermittent upward pressure if geopolitical tensions rise.

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.
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  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.
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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”).