CoreMacro
| Global
Global macro research on the forces driving the world economy, with calls across stocks, bonds, and currencies.
Our Fourth Quarter Strategy Outlook presents the major investment themes and views we see playing out for the rest of the year and beyond.
In September, the model outperformed the S&P 500, while it underperformed global equities in both USD and local-currency terms. For October, the model trimmed its allocation to stocks and boosted its weightings in bonds and cash.
The Fed delivered a "hawkish hold." Remain tactically short U.S. equities and position for a stronger dollar. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan laid out a radical overhaul: The new framework is consistent with price-level targeting and debt monetization. Long-term investors should position for a weaker yen and higher Japanese equity prices. Also, stay structurally underweight Japanese bonds: Zero is a resting point, rather than a final destination, for 10-year JGB yields.
A looming Fed rate hike will weigh on stocks over the coming weeks. One of the reasons cited for raising rates is the possibility that continued low interest rates are endangering financial stability. Historical evidence suggests that excessive financial deregulation, rather than lower interest rates, has been the primary cause of financial crises. In fact, easy monetary policy - to the extent that it leads to higher inflation and higher nominal interest rates - can actually enhance financial stability.