As part of our focus on providing a high quality, personalised investment service, we look to support our investment managers in their decision making when it comes to constructing client portfolios. Our asset allocation committee is one example of this, via their monthly output showcasing their views on a global sectorial basis.
The Asset Allocation Committee, which consists of three members of our research team and a number of investment managers, aims to provide a view on the asset allocation that seems most suitable in current macro conditions. The output of the monthly meetings remains a suggested stance and it is important to note, that the views expressed are not those of the firm but rather those of the committee and that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of your individual investment manager.
Here we present a snapshot of the current views.
Fixed Income
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UK Government Bonds - conventional gilts |
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Inflation as a threat has re-emerged whilst expectations for rate rises are moderating. |
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UK Corporate Bonds |
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Investment grade bonds with the shortest maturities are preferred, within the constraints of income requirements. |
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UK Government Bonds - Index linked gilts |
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The re-emergence of inflation is supportive but current values anticipate higher inflation. |
UK Equities
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Materials |
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Global growth should support the sector, however ongoing trade wars are of some concern.
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Consumer Staples |
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We like this sector for its defensive qualities, recent weakness offers buying opportunities. |
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Consumer Discretionary |
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Incumbents continue to be challenged by disruptive technology and changing consumer behaviour. Selective opportunities are on offer however. |
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Financials – ex Banks, Insurance & Property |
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This includes a broad range of stocks which are generally geared into the cycle. Be aware of macroeconomic concerns. |
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Financials – Banks |
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Prefer globally exposed banks to domestic, look for beneficiaries of rising rates.
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Financials – Life Insurance |
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Supportive demographics, particularly internationally, however the sector is a geared play on the market. |
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Real Estate |
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Global real estate may offer better value but we caution on bond proxy status. |
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Health Care |
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Growth and defensive attributes and global demographic tailwind. Distinguish between pharma/healthcare/biotech sub sectors. |
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Industrials |
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Valuations starting to look more reasonable following the correction. |
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Energy |
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Robust global demand should help to underpin prices. Dividends looking more secure with oil at current levels, however valuations appear up with events. |
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Information technology |
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Prefer both funds and international blue chips for exposure to specific tech themes. Long term attractions of the sector are clear. |
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Telecommunications |
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Capex and competition remains an issue. Persistent underperformance an issue. Yields may come under pressure. |
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Utilities |
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Bond proxy. Political risk. High gearing. However valuations may now be starting to reflect the uncertainty. |
Alternatives
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Absolute Return |
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Exposure might be appropriate given current market conditions. We suggest caution on the "yield hunt" and are wary of lower quality products. |
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Infrastructure |
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Investors should be cautious when looking for yield and pay close scrutiny to the quality of the investment product and premiums. |
