• Multi-Asset
  • Multi-Asset & Macro
  • Pensions

Multi-asset allocation views: Room to grow

The early part of a year gives investors an opportunity to take stock. Sunil Krishnan reflects on how the current environment is shaping our views for multi-asset portfolios.

Multi-asset allocation views: Room to grow

Despite some clear economic challenges, we are constructive on the outlook for the economy and risk assets. Strict lockdowns have been imposed in Europe once again, and at least parts of the US have followed suit. However, the distribution of vaccines to bring the global pandemic under control should have a positive impact on economic activity in the medium term.

Two other themes inform our current views. The first is that there are signs of froth in equity markets, particularly in US small caps and some tech companies. Retail investor participation, especially from US households, is high in these names and there is evidence of speculation in short-dated options, again likely from retail investors. Signs of excess bullish sentiment are increasing across a range of markets.

Signs of excess bullish sentiment are increasing across a range of markets

Although we do not yet see them as being material enough to pose a systemic risk to the global equity market, we are watching closely for indications of contamination. Following Tesla’s entry into the S&P 500, it would be a concern if gains in a single stock became a major force in the overall index performance. Similarly, if GameStop-style speculative behaviour began to emerge further afield, in European or Asian markets for instance, we would see it as a further warning sign.

The second theme informing our views is the change of administration in the US. Following the Democrat Senate wins in Georgia, investors have been debating whether the prospect of greater stimulus would be balanced out by more investor-unfriendly measures like tax rises or tightening of regulation.1

Stimulus and regulation

On balance, we see the election result as constructive. While there may be appetite to consider changes in the tax regime, it is unlikely to be high on the US administration’s priority list in the middle of a pandemic, whereas President Biden has already put forward a $1.9 trillion rescue plan and is talking of an ambitious recovery plan to follow.2 This proposal may be watered down in the legislative process, but even a programme of half the size would have been unthinkable before the Georgia Senate election results given the recent passage of a smaller programme. We expect to see increases in near-term fiscal stimulus.

The environment is a stated priority for the new administration

With regards to regulation, the environment is a stated priority for the new administration. President Trump passed a raft of executive orders to roll back environmental regulation over the last four years, and the Biden administration has already begun to restore some of it.3 However, this is a return of the inevitable rather than a major surprise, especially in light of the global trend towards decarbonisation.

The second area of debate concerns the tech sector and whether regulation there could pose an existential threat to the largest companies. There is growing interest in trust-busting measures in China, Europe and the US, but without international coordination regulators will struggle to force major changes in tech companies’ business models.4,5,6 For example, large US tech firms may be tempted to address European Union rules by simply creating a standalone European entity.

Regulators are also looking at whether companies’ past acquisitions were made for anti-competitive purposes. It would be difficult to unwind those decisions, but it signals greater scrutiny of such deals in future. The real question is to understand which companies’ business models are most dependent on being able to acquire assets defensively and which benefit from organic growth and innovation. We may see more differentiation between the two in the medium term. But we do not see the current regulatory pressure as a major challenge for tech earnings as a whole in 2021.7

The final element of pressure on tech relates to content moderation due to public and political criticism over the seeming inability of platforms to address hate content. Regulators aim to put social media platforms in the position of content editors. It is to some extent inevitable, and we expect the distinction between platforms and content publishers to diminish over time, but this is more likely to require platforms to refine rather than upend their business models. They may need to invest in moderation or editorship, but it is not quite the same as having to shut down large parts of their business.8

Threats to big tech do not look quite so severe but could still be a headwind for those companies

If the threats to big tech were more existential, they would lead us to challenge the US market as an investment. At the moment, they do not look quite so severe but could still be a headwind for those companies. That is one of the reasons we prefer to remain diversified in terms of geographies, despite the relative US outperformance over the last year and decade.

Diversified exposure in equities

We otherwise remain constructive on equities, particularly since investor expectations do not yet fully reflect the positive medium-term impact of vaccine rollouts in some sectors (despite signs of froth elsewhere). For instance, in industries suffering most from the pandemic, such as airlines, or areas that are highly dependent on global economic demand like energy, prices remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

Figure 1: Airline and energy stock prices, 2019-2021 (US$)
Airline and energy stock prices, 2019-2021 (US$)
Source: Bloomberg, Aviva Investors, as of February 5, 2021

Despite the uneven price recovery between sectors, we prefer to keep our equity positions broad-based across developed and emerging markets. This is partly because of the potential regulatory headwinds for US tech stocks and general signs of froth, and partly because focusing solely on sectors where stock prices are lagging can become bound up in style and factor risks.

European firms are much more advanced in adapting their business models to a net-zero future

The exception we make is in European oil and gas, as a cyclical play which has not recovered very strongly. Even allocations to energy can be influenced by environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations. Our ESG team’s analysis shows European firms are much more advanced than their US counterparts in responding to engagement and adapting their business models to a net-zero future.9

In terms of valuations, one of the key drivers for energy companies is oil prices. The pandemic continues to limit the potential for increases for now, but the medium-term outlook for demand is more positive in light of vaccine rollouts. In addition, at a meeting in early January 2021, OPEC surprised the market by deciding against a widely expected rise in production levels, to which Saudi Arabia added a unilaterally expressed willingness to take on more of the burden in terms of output reduction to protect prices.10 Suppressed production and a more favourable demand outlook in the medium term could combine to support oil prices.

Credit is more sensitive to US Treasuries

Credit has been a preferred allocation for us over recent quarters as the economy recovered and central banks pledged support, helping underpin corporate bond markets.

However, alongside high yield and hard-currency emerging-market debt, investment-grade credit has seen significant spread compression since the wide levels reached in March 2020 when the pandemic first hit. As spreads have tightened and total yields converge on equivalent government bonds, these markets have become more sensitive to interest rate moves and the US Treasury market. In this regard, they have become less compelling.

Figure 2: HY, IG and EMD option-adjusted spreads, 2020 (basis points)
HY, IG and EMD option-adjusted spreads, 2020 (basis points)
Source: Bloomberg, Aviva Investors, as of February 5, 2021

In contrast, local-currency emerging-market debt is not as sensitive to US Treasuries and could benefit if emerging-market currencies rally against the US dollar.

Local-currency emerging-market debt could benefit if emerging-market currencies rally against the US dollar

This did not happen strongly in 2020 despite dollar weakness versus developed peers; perhaps reflecting investor caution towards emerging economies given the progress of the pandemic. However, that could change in 2021 if economic activity rebounded in emerging markets at the same time as in the US – especially as a more dovish Federal Reserve will not tighten policy in a hurry, creating less supportive conditions for a strong dollar.11

Figure 3: JP Morgan Emerging Currency Index (US$)
JP Morgan Emerging Currency Index (US$)
Source: Bloomberg, JP Morgan, as of February 5, 2021

‘Risk-neutral’ Japanese yen

In terms of currencies, we continue to like being long Japanese yen versus the US dollar, although it may be less of a risk-reducer than it once was. Indeed, as more investors short the US dollar, the currency’s correlation with risky assets could become more negative. In other words, episodes of weakness in risky assets could see the dollar rally as investors unwind their levered positions.

Japanese yen could be somewhat sheltered from risk-on/ risk-off movements

In the current context, being long Japanese yen and short US dollars is not a risk-off position but, with the Japanese yen being a traditional safe-haven currency, it could be somewhat sheltered from risk-on/ risk-off movements.

The currency is also supported by domestic investors bringing more investments back into Japan. There is some evidence reshoring began towards the end of last year, especially in equities, and we expect it to gather pace in 2021.

Figure 4: Net purchases of foreign equities by Japanese investors (negative net = repatriation)
Net purchases of foreign equities by Japanese investors (negative net=repatriation)
Source: Bloomberg, Aviva Investors, as of February 5, 2021

Want more content like this?

Sign up to receive our AIQ thought leadership content.

Please enable javascript in your browser in order to see this content.

I acknowledge that I qualify as a professional client or institutional/qualified investor. By submitting these details, I confirm that I would like to receive thought leadership email updates from Aviva Investors, in addition to any other email subscription I may have with Aviva Investors. You can unsubscribe or tailor your email preferences at any time.

For more information, please visit our privacy notice.

More multi-asset allocation views

Related views

Important information

THIS IS A MARKETING COMMUNICATION

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (AIGSL). Unless stated otherwise any views and opinions are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but has not been independently verified by Aviva Investors and is not guaranteed to be accurate. Past performance is not a guide to the future. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. Nothing in this material, including any references to specific securities, assets classes and financial markets is intended to or should be construed as advice or recommendations of any nature. Some data shown are hypothetical or projected and may not come to pass as stated due to changes in market conditions and are not guarantees of future outcomes. This material is not a recommendation to sell or purchase any investment.

The information contained herein is for general guidance only. It is the responsibility of any person or persons in possession of this information to inform themselves of, and to observe, all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorised or to any person to whom it would be unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

In Europe, this document is issued by Aviva Investors Luxembourg S.A. Registered Office: 2 rue du Fort Bourbon, 1st Floor, 1249 Luxembourg. Supervised by Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. An Aviva company. In the UK, this document is by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited. Registered in England No. 1151805. Registered Office: St Helens, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference No. 119178. In Switzerland, this document is issued by Aviva Investors Schweiz GmbH.

In Singapore, this material is being circulated by way of an arrangement with Aviva Investors Asia Pte. Limited (AIAPL) for distribution to institutional investors only. Please note that AIAPL does not provide any independent research or analysis in the substance or preparation of this material. Recipients of this material are to contact AIAPL in respect of any matters arising from, or in connection with, this material. AIAPL, a company incorporated under the laws of Singapore with registration number 200813519W, holds a valid Capital Markets Services Licence to carry out fund management activities issued under the Securities and Futures Act (Singapore Statute Cap. 289) and Asian Exempt Financial Adviser for the purposes of the Financial Advisers Act (Singapore Statute Cap.110). Registered Office: 1 Raffles Quay, #27-13 South Tower, Singapore 048583.

In Australia, this material is being circulated by way of an arrangement with Aviva Investors Pacific Pty Ltd (AIPPL) for distribution to wholesale investors only. Please note that AIPPL does not provide any independent research or analysis in the substance or preparation of this material. Recipients of this material are to contact AIPPL in respect of any matters arising from, or in connection with, this material. AIPPL, a company incorporated under the laws of Australia with Australian Business No. 87 153 200 278 and Australian Company No. 153 200 278, holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL 411458) issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Business address: Level 27, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.

The name “Aviva Investors” as used in this material refers to the global organization of affiliated asset management businesses operating under the Aviva Investors name. Each Aviva investors’ affiliate is a subsidiary of Aviva plc, a publicly- traded multi-national financial services company headquartered in the United Kingdom.

Aviva Investors Canada, Inc. (“AIC”) is located in Toronto and is based within the North American region of the global organization of affiliated asset management businesses operating under the Aviva Investors name. AIC is registered with the Ontario Securities Commission as a commodity trading manager, exempt market dealer, portfolio manager and investment fund manager. AIC is also registered as an exempt market dealer and portfolio manager in each province of Canada and may also be registered as an investment fund manager in certain other applicable provinces.

Aviva Investors Americas LLC is a federally registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Aviva Investors Americas is also a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”). AIA’s Form ADV Part 2A, which provides background information about the firm and its business practices, is available upon written request to: Compliance Department, 225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 2250, Chicago, IL 60606.