Making Sense of Copper and the Global Economy

Download PDF: Copper price jumped 14% last month before reversing its gain amid the shutdown of refineries in China that trigger concerns of refined copper shortages at a time when inventory at commodity exchange warehouses is low. The impact of the electricity shortage in China is not limited solely to copper, but also to otherContinue reading “Making Sense of Copper and the Global Economy”

China: Implications from Real Estate Crackdown and Growth Outlook

Download PDF: The news related to Evergrande default last month has reignite investors attention to the country real estate sector, which is a major driver of Chinese growth and strongly intertwined to the country’s banking sector. Moreover, property accounts for 70% of household wealth – a significantly higher portion compared to U.S. and Japan atContinue reading “China: Implications from Real Estate Crackdown and Growth Outlook”

Positive on Russia, Neutral on Mexico

Download PDF: Remains Overweight Russia Russia and other oil-exporting countries historically perform poorly during a global slowdown, but tighter discipline among OPEC+ and shale producers since last year has bolstered oil prices to above $80/bbl, which creates a positive spin for energy producers. We have been constructive on Russian and energy sector since last quarter,Continue reading “Positive on Russia, Neutral on Mexico”

EM Equity Strategy in an Economic Downturn

Download PDF: The global economic boom unfolding in the past year is showing signs of moderation, with data from China – the first country to suffer and come out of the pandemic – currently signaling a contraction in manufacturing activities. It is very likely that the U.S. and Euro area will also see a decelerationContinue reading “EM Equity Strategy in an Economic Downturn”

Central and Eastern European Countries: Rising Rates Will Lift All Boats

Download PDF: Central banks in Czech and Hungary have begun to raise their policy rate this year amid acceleration in inflation as their domestic recovery unfolds, creating a tailwind for the koruna and forint against the Euro, which will not see the ECB raising its borrowing cost anytime soon (Chart 1). With Central and EasternContinue reading “Central and Eastern European Countries: Rising Rates Will Lift All Boats”

South Africa: The Not So Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Download PDF: Last November we discussed the cyclically bullish but bleaker longer-term outlook for South African assets, in which the former has played out nicely until the end of second quarter this year. Our long position on South African bond was closed on August 10 with 10.2% gain while our overweight recommendation on South AfricanContinue reading “South Africa: The Not So Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”

$100 Oil? Crude Outlook, Russia and Saudi

Download PDF: Recent weeks have seen oil price keeps on climbing despite the thawing tension between U.S.-Iran relation that potentially bring additional 1.5 mb Bbl/day supply into the market. We are expecting a continued strong global recovery this year and restraint from Saudi and Russia in ramping up production, as currently the two countries’ oilContinue reading “$100 Oil? Crude Outlook, Russia and Saudi”

Peru: Latin America’s Growth Star

Download PDF: For long investors have regarded Chile and Peru as one of the more stable Latam countries, as reflected in these countries’ borrowing cost and disciplined management of fiscal and monetary policy. Late last year, however, Peru went through a political crisis over the impeachment of former President Vizcarra by the Congress over corruptionContinue reading “Peru: Latin America’s Growth Star”

February 2021: EM Bonds, Brazil and Turkey

Download PDF: EM local-currency bonds EM bonds still have room for spread tightening against U.S. Treasury. The 10-year Treasury yield will have difficulty to break 1.2% level as the Fed is unlikely to raise rate until inflation overshoot its 2% target, creating an anchor for yields globally to remain low. Moreover, the relatively modest fiscalContinue reading “February 2021: EM Bonds, Brazil and Turkey”

Commodity Plays, Copper and Yield, Caution on U.S. Equity

Downlaod PDF: Earlier this week we published our long-term global themes, outlining the possibility of stronger inflationary pressure and the danger it poses to corporate sector. Meanwhile, we also publish our next year outlook last month, where we argue that Chinese growth will rebound strongly and liquidity will remain plenty, buoying asset prices. With ourContinue reading “Commodity Plays, Copper and Yield, Caution on U.S. Equity”