Latest from BCA Research

Investors remain cautious about the US economy and still have significant cash that needs to be put to work which could extend the rally further. Earnings rebound later in the year will be supported by rising sales growth and surging earnings of the Magnificent Seven. A restocking cycle, and a pickup in freight activity support transports. Upgrade Transports to an overweight.

The latest round of earnings calls from the systemically important banks suggested that the expansion is still intact. Households are still flush and still spending and consumer and business delinquencies remain remarkably low.

The ECB’s tone has changed decisively. Intransigent forward guidance is gone; data dependency is in. What does this transition mean for the path of European interest rates and the euro?

The DXY will continue to have near-term upside, as economic growth holds up in the US, while it deteriorates in other parts of the world. Remain constructive on the DXY at current levels, but pivot to a short position on evidence US growth is boosting the rest of the world.

The US is not out of the woods when it comes to inflation, which means that it is too early to conclude that the Fed can stop raising rates. Any further increase in inflation risk would prompt us to turn more cautious on stocks.

A look at recent US data on economic growth and inflation, with an update on the implications for monetary policy and bond yields.

Foreign debt inflows into Philippines will be falling in coming months. Book profits on domestic bonds; and go short the peso.

Bank Credit Analyst

Bank Credit Analyst

In Section I, we audit the market’s “soft landing” narrative in response to a meaningful challenge to our cautious stance from recent financial market developments. We acknowledge that US economic growth was stronger in the first half of the year than many investors expected, but we are unmoved by the recent uptick in “soft landing” hopes. A “soft landing” outcome very likely necessitates interest rate cuts before recessionary dynamics emerge, and it is far from clear that rate cuts or (especially) an easy monetary policy stance are likely to materialize over the coming year. As such, we continue to believe that conservative portfolio positioning is appropriate. In Section II, we discuss some simple approaches that we use when valuing the major asset classes that we cover. We conclude that global ex-US equities and ex-US developed market currencies are the main assets that can be considered “cheap” today.

Among the critical materials needed for the global energy transition, Li is expected to see the largest increase in demand from 2022 to 2050. Li supply is not constrained, but continued investment in mining and refining will be required to meet increasing demand. We expect strong Li-ion battery demand in the major economies of the world – the EU, US and China – will keep a bid under Li, and allow growing supply to find a home. At tonight’s close we are getting long the LIT ETF, consistent with our view.