Emerging Markets in The Next Decade

Download PDF: Monthly_202001 In this first publication for 2020, we are outlining our bullish view on selected EM countries which will likely benefit as investors diversify from U.S. equities. It has been pretty much a consensus by now that risk assets will likely to do well this year, with some strategists betting on the value/growthContinue reading “Emerging Markets in The Next Decade”

Russia: How’s the Troubled Kid Doing?  

Download PDF: Russia_Country_Research Russia’s growth rate has experienced a dramatic slowdown since the Global Financial Crisis. Domestic imbalances, correction in oil prices and sanctions imposed by the U.S. in 2014 have all contributed to the slack. Since, Russian government has been trying to fix its budget imbalance, reducing reliance on imports and building economic warContinue reading “Russia: How’s the Troubled Kid Doing?  “

Musings on Commodity Prices, Inflation Turnaround and Cycle Turning Point

Download PDF: Monthly_201911 The structural backdrop of excess global savings, lackluster global consumption and investment demand and deleveraging cycle have all push bond yields lower. Meanwhile, the slack in manufacturing activity since 2014, magnified by the trade war, has push commodity prices in real terms to a level equal to those in 2001. Subjectively, itContinue reading “Musings on Commodity Prices, Inflation Turnaround and Cycle Turning Point”

Mexico: Reaching Cyclical Bottom

Download PDF: Mexico_Reaching_Cyclical_Bottom It is likely that Mexican economic condition will improve going forward. Various indicators are at level comparable to those in 2013 and 2016 downturn and monetary stimulus is currently on progress. The easing stance of global monetary policy and reflationary effort in China are further likely to ease domestic condition and benefitContinue reading “Mexico: Reaching Cyclical Bottom”

Update on Brazil and South Africa

Download PDF: Brazil and South Africa Update Brazil’s economy is slowing, but positive development on pension reform has charged the market of late. Much of the positive development has been priced in and the risk of further slowdown in the economy is rising. Brazilian stocks are not cheap relative to EM overall, currently at itsContinue reading “Update on Brazil and South Africa”

May 2019: The Dollar Story and Where Are We in the Cycle?

Download PDF: Monthly_2019_April The strength of the dollar has dismayed many investors, us included. The weakening growth in the U.S., as measured by final demand component of the GDP, has pointed downward and should lead to a weaker dollar at a time when China is reflating. We still believe that the current improvement in EuroContinue reading “May 2019: The Dollar Story and Where Are We in the Cycle?”

Putamen Capital: February 2019 Update

Our decision last month to portfolio equity allocation proved to be a correct one, despite our model suggesting a very defensive position. Emerging Markets and U.S. equity rallied on the backdrop of Fed dovishness and signs of reflation coming from China, the largest importer for many EM countries. We still believe that the growth slowdownContinue reading “Putamen Capital: February 2019 Update”