Asset Allocation

We build a four-stage business cycle framework based on economic growth and capacity utilization, and then analyze historical returns for most major asset allocation decisions for each stage. Given that we are in the early recession stage (negative growth coupled and an overheated economy), our framework recommends a defensive positioning across all asset classes.

In this Strategy Outlook, we present the major investment themes and views we see playing out for the rest of 2023 and beyond.

Investors are still cautious and have significant cash that needs to be put to work. Trickle-down of it into the US equity market may extend the rally. Overly bearish futures positioning is also a strong contrarian indicator. Disinflation is good for real earnings growth, and imminent earnings rebound may add support for equities.

We are overweight Private Credit. Improvements in yield, negotiating leverage, and structuring upside are major tailwinds over the coming years. The business cycle provides an attractive backdrop for all Private Credit sub-asset classes. In this Special Report we examine Private Credit as a whole, but with more emphasis on the income-focused sub-categories of Senior and Mezzanine Debt.

A benign disinflation will support equities over the next few quarters. Stocks will fall next year as a recession begins when investors least expect it.

In this report, we follow up on the upgrade to our US duration stance from last week with a review of our rates views and government bond allocations outside the US. We conclude that while we now find US Treasuries to be more attractive from a value perspective, even better value is available in euro area and UK government debt.