Summary
Divergent data and concerns over China’s growth are being tempered by more concerted government action. In the meantime, while the US’ Magnificent 7 has hogged headlines, a handful of stocks in Asia has actually done even better.
What’s top of investors’ minds
1. What will be the impact of Trump's policies on US rates?
Looking at history, it is worthwhile to note that US rates are influenced by a combination of 1) local development (growth/inflation), 2) the influence of external events on local dynamics and 3) funding patterns.
The first and most significant phase of the US rates selloff has happened. While yields may still creep higher as tariffs are announced, any further increases from current levels will likely be more tepid as tariff policies are gradually being priced in prior to their official announcement/confirmation.
History suggests that a rates selloff due to tariffs tends to temporary as tariffs are seen as a “negotiating tool” to help balance trade. Rates and FX volatility were higher during the period of tariff escalation for most of FY2018 - the magnitude of the move this time is more subdued as the impact is spilt/absorbed across asset classes. Additionally, countries are better prepared to retaliate. This could dampen the tariffs' intended impact or reduce the level of US aggression. Ultimately, a truce/de-escalation phase would be highly positive for markets.
We view this current episode as offering a potential trading opportunity, first for investors to short US rates and subsequently to go ‘long’ when signs of de-escalation emerge (the speed of transition in Trump 2.0 may be faster than Trump 1.0).
Aside from the tariff impact, we note that the US economy was already slowing going into the election. With inflation rates averaging around 2% or higher and US rates at 4% - and the highest real rate in almost 2 decades - investors have a healthy buffer. The recent nomination of Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary also illustrates that while the US wants to escalate to de-escalate trade policies, they are also concerned about high US interest rates and deficits. Bessent, in a recent interview, indicated that he would like to raise US economic growth to 3%, reduce the fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP and increase US oil production by 3mn barrels/day. These goldilocks targets, if achieved, could put downward pressure on both rates and inflation.
US 10-year treasury yield (2016-2020)
2. What next for the Chinese economy?
Divergent data and concerns over the growth path are being tempered by, arguably, more concerted government action.
It has been a tricky time attempting to gauge a likely path for the Chinese economy in 2025. Data over recent weeks has painted a positive picture for manufacturing PMI through the Caixin survey, yet official data was more subdued showing the dividing line potentially between private companies and more state-focused enterprises. As we head into December, concerns over housing and tariffs have weighed on confidence with various forecasts for Chinese GDP being revised below 5% for both 2024 and 2025. Perhaps critically, trade data has continued to show a wide gap - exports grew 6.7% year on year but imports fell 3.9% over the same period.
Against this slightly tepid backdrop, the question most commentators have asked is whether the central government will step forward with much more meaningful monetary stimulus. This fiscal impact could help to encourage the domestic consumer and stabilise growth; a chart in our 2025 market outlook paints the current picture for consumer confidence in China quite clearly.
Addressing the housing crisis may have been one focus connected to initial stimulus, but this does not appear to have moved to the broader economy where consumer confidence is muted, and savings rates remain high. Unlocking the potential within the consumer appears key for growth and confidence in 2025.
China consumer confidence
3. Broadening the rally?
Investors could arguably have done pretty well by buying a very small selection of US stocks to drive their performance, or so the headlines read.
Recent data from Morgan Stanley showed that approximately 20-25% of companies within individual markets such as China, India, Korea and Taiwan, did better than the magnificent 7 in 2024. If you then consider market capitalisation, this increases the impact, for example in markets like Taiwan and Singapore.
Significant valuation discounts still exist between the large cap US stocks and markets beyond the US – selective stock picking would have offered good gains in 2024. What is the chance that more of this persists in 2025? The rally may broaden to the small and mid -cap area of the Japanese market. Selected ASEAN markets still have considerable potential, particularly those that benefit from favourable long-term themes and arguably lesser impact from tariffs.
Equity market performance (2024)
Data source: LSEG Datastream, Eastspring Investments (Singapore) Limited. The use of indices as proxies for the past performance of any asset class/sector is limited and should not be construed as being indicative of the future or likely performance of the Fund. The latest data provided is as of 11 December 2024.
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