NikkoAM - Global Equities Have Room to Run, Fed Taper Won't Affect Global Recovery, Nikko AM Says

Global Equities Have Room to Run, Fed Taper Won't Affect Global Recovery, Nikko AM Says

Press Release

17 December 2013

Nikko AM continues 2-year overweight in global equities, US equities preferred
Continues view held since June that Fed will taper in December (or January)

Global equities have much more room to appreciate given the positive global economic backdrop, and U.S. equities are likely to prove the star performer in 2014, according Nikko Asset Management’s (Nikko AM) latest findings from its Global Investment Committee (GIC). On the back of a spectacular year of performance for indices such as the S&P 500 and the Nikkei 225, equities generally topped the GIC’s forecasts for 2013. The Tokyo-based asset manager has been overweight equities since September 2011.

“In the US, booming home prices added around US$428 billion to U.S. household wealth in the 3rd quarter, leading to a combined ‘wealth effect’ of nearly US$1.9 trillion and soaring auto purchases and retail sales,” said John F. Vail, Chief Global Strategist and Chair of the Nikko AM’s GIC. “U.S. payrolls look set to continue expanding at a healthy rate, with Nikko AM’s estimates showing a 0.07% average monthly drop in the unemployment rate for the first half of 2014, and stabilising at the ‘full employment’ rate of 6.5% by June 2014. This all bodes well for the global economic recovery and U.S. equities in particular.”

Nikko AM’s GIC members have forecasted U.S. Federal Reserve tapering to start in December or January 2014, quantitative easing to end in the 3rd quarter of 2014 and the first US interest rate hike to be deferred until the 3rd quarter of 2015.

“The prospect of when the U.S. Fed might start tightening had been rattling markets and causing volatility spikes throughout 2013, but markets have now adapted to the new consensus. If the Fed does start to taper in early 2014, it is a positive sign that the U.S. economy is firm enough to withstand such efforts, and should be seen as a positive for the global economy,” said Vail. “In Japan, we expect the BOJ to continue its “autopilot” massive monetary easing. Thus, we expect the yen to weaken further in the quarters ahead, with a target of 104 to the dollar by March 2014, falling to 105 by June 2014, from the current range of 102-103. A weaker yen means higher earnings for Japanese companies and we foresee earnings estimates to continue to surprise on the upside. Thus, we continue to be positive on Japanese equities as well.”

Nikko AM’s growth target for US equities is 7% total return from December 6 through the end of March 2014 and 21% through 2014, with European and Japanese equities following close behind with 5% and 4% respectively, in USD terms. Our target for 10-year bonds as at June-end 2014 is 3.15%.

– ENDS –

For inquiries, please contact:

Tokyo
Corporate Communications
Kyoko Wada, Naho Yohda
Tel: +81-3-6447-6775
Email: corpcom@nikkoam.com

Singapore
Jeanie Cheah, Senior Marketing Manager
Tel: +65-6500-5793
Email: Jeanie.Cheah@nikkoam.com

About Nikko Asset Management

With USD203.9 billion* under management, Nikko Asset Management is one of Asia’s largest asset managers, providing high-conviction, active fund management across a range of equity, fixed income, multi-asset and alternative strategies. In addition, its complementary range of passive strategies covers more than 20 indices and includes some of Asia’s leading exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Headquartered in Asia since 1959, Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries employ personnel representing around 30 nationalities, including approximately 200 investment professionals**. The firm has a presence through subsidiaries or affiliates in a total of 11 countries and regions. More than 400 banks, brokers, financial advisors and life insurance companies around the world distribute the firm’s products.

The investment teams benefit from a unique global perspective complemented by the firm's historic Asian DNA, striving to deliver consistent excellence in performance. The firm also prides itself on its progressive, solution-driven approach, which has led to many innovative funds launched for its clients.

For more information about Nikko Asset Management and to access its investment insights, please visit the firm’s homepage.

* Consolidated assets under management and sub-advisory of Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries as of .
** Including employees of Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries as of .

What are you searching for?

About us - We are Nikko AM

Sustainability - Invest in sustainability and its opportunities

Funds - Invest in Nikko AM funds

Insights - Investment insights by our thought leaders

Strategies - Our approach in investment strategies

Global Equities Have Room to Run, Fed Taper Won't Affect Global Recovery, Nikko AM Says

Press Release

About Nikko Asset Management