Multi-Asset Weekly: Economic Growth in Focus
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Chief Investment Office4 Sep 2023
  • Equities: A slowing US economy, labour market, and easing pricing pressures drove equities higher
  • Credit: Local currency bonds could be a good opportunistic play
  • FX: DXY eyeing the year’s high of 105.9; EUR/USD to remain soft after closing below 1.08
  • Rates: High Goldilocks probability to steepen yield curve
  • The Week Ahead: Keep a lookout for US Change in Initial Jobless Claims; China Inflation Numbers
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Equities: Benign macroeconomic data buoyed markets

Slowing economy raises hope of Fed pause. Major global equity indices rose on the back of a slowing US economy, specifically on signs that the labour market is finally cooling. Global equities gained 2.5% for the week (ended 1 September), with Developed Markets and Emerging Markets rising 2.7% and 1.5% respectively.

US equities rose for the week as job numbers for June and July were revised down, and hourly wages for August came in lower than expected, indicating the Fed is making progress in its fight against inflation. The S&P, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones gained 2.5%, 3.2%, and 1.4% respectively. Europe markets also traded higher (FTSE 100 +1.7% and DAX +1.3%) although inflation is still a concern in the area. Asia markets were mostly positive. China’s better-than-expected PMI reading and the People’s Bank of China’s recent lowering of mortgage rates and downpayment percentage contributed to the SHCOMP and Hang Seng rallying 2.3% and 2.4% respectively. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index jumped 3.4% on broad based buying from domestic investors.

Topic in focus:  Healthcare for longevity.  We believe stocks in the healthcare sector are prime beneficiaries of a longevity economy, as people lead longer and healthier lives. Growth in long-term demand is driven by an ageing population, increasing income levels, and a growing desire for better quality of life, coupled with the prevalence of major diseases and more people seeking treatment.

The medical equipment sector represents a strong area of growth in healthcare. Long-term secular trends such as growing demand for innovative devices (e.g., wearables) and services (e.g., health data analytics), ageing populations, and the prevalence of diseases underpin the expansion potential for the sector. By 2030, the global total addressable market of medical devices will reach USD800b, according to KPMG forecasts, as the industry continues to undergo rapid digital transformation. Product makers are incorporating smart functions into integrated devices, connected through cloud for real-time monitoring of patient data. For example, smart watches are used to detect cardiac arrhythmia conditions, which signal risks of stroke. The adoption of digital connectivity allows for uninterrupted monitoring of patients to identify preventive measures ahead of life-threatening situations.

Figure 1: Look to MedTech for outperformance among healthcare sub-sectors

Source: Refinitiv, DBS

 

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