Global Multi-Asset Investment Strategist, True Insights

Jeroen Blokland

Global Multi-Asset Investment Strategist

Build Well-Diversified Multi-Asset Portfolios

True Insights

Our research helps investors build well-diversified multi-asset portfolios and profit from market developments. In addition, our unique and proven Macro – Sentiment – Valuation (MSV) investment framework ensures a consistent flow of new investment opportunities. Together with our market views, these opportunities will be reflected in our live ETF-based Global Multi-Asset Portfolios.

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Our Fear &amp; Frenzy Sentiment Index hit Frenzy for the first time during this rally.</li>
<li>We marginally lower the weight of Developed Market Equities since we are already underweight risky assets, which, unlike 2022, has not paid off this year.</li>
<li>In addition, we close our inflation-linked bond and Yen trade.</li>
</ul>


Our Fear &amp; Frenzy Sentiment Index hit Frenzy for the first time during this rally.
We marginally lower the weight of Developed Market Equities since we are already underweight risky assets, which, unlike 2022, has not paid off this year.
In addition, we close our inflation-linked bond and Yen trade.


Changes in Portfolio Weights: Sentiment Hits ‘Frenzy,’ We Comply

<ul>
<li>For the first time in the current melt-up, our Fear &amp; Frenzy Sentiment has touched ‘Frenzy’ territory, suggesting the rally has run its course, at least temporarily.</li>
<li>China has cut rates and is contemplating more stimulus to bolster sectors like real estate and domestic demand. Meanwhile, the economy continues to slow.</li>
<li>In a surprise move, Blackrock has filed for a spot Bitcoin ETF with Coinbase as a custodian!</li>
</ul>


For the first time in the current melt-up, our Fear &amp; Frenzy Sentiment has touched ‘Frenzy’ territory, suggesting the rally has run its course, at least temporarily.
China has cut rates and is contemplating more stimulus to bolster sectors like real estate and domestic demand. Meanwhile, the economy continues to slow.
In a surprise move, Blackrock has filed for a spot Bitcoin ETF with Coinbase as a custodian!


The Weekly Market Monitor (24) – Our Key Sentiment Index Signals Market FRENZY

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>With core PCE and core CPI both rising more than 4.8%MoM annualised in recent months, and up 4.7%YoY and 5.3%YoY respectively, the pause could only be justified with forward hawkishness.  </li>
<li>ISM manufacturing PMI below 50 for six months, manufacturing new orders below 50 for 9 months, and Services PMI at 50.3 now, suggest that the US is already in recession.</li>
<li>We continue expecting the FedFunds rate to peak at 5.5%, with the Apr-Sep'23 recession and lagged impact of rate hikes enabling core PCE inflation to subside to 3%YoY by end-2023.</li>
</ul>


With core PCE and core CPI both rising more than 4.8%MoM annualised in recent months, and up 4.7%YoY and 5.3%YoY respectively, the pause could only be justified with forward hawkishness.  
ISM manufacturing PMI below 50 for six months, manufacturing new orders below 50 for 9 months, and Services PMI at 50.3 now, suggest that the US is already in recession.
We continue expecting the FedFunds rate to peak at 5.5%, with the Apr-Sep'23 recession and lagged impact of rate hikes enabling core PCE inflation to subside to 3%YoY by end-2023.


FOMC's Hawkish Pause: Recession and a FF Peak of 5.5% to Finally Restrain Core PCE

<ul>
<li>The ISM Manufacturing Index scenarios call for a long US Treasuries, short (US) Equities strategy in each scenario.</li>
<li>Financial conditions paint a rosier picture for equities than the ISM Manufacturing, yet downside prevails. </li>
<li>Despite the uptick in US Macro surprises, global economic surprises are dropping. As a result, a massive gap has opened between the MSCI World Index performance and macro surprises. </li>
</ul>


The ISM Manufacturing Index scenarios call for a long US Treasuries, short (US) Equities strategy in each scenario.
Financial conditions paint a rosier picture for equities than the ISM Manufacturing, yet downside prevails. 
Despite the uptick in US Macro surprises, global economic surprises are dropping. As a result, a massive gap has opened between the MSCI World Index performance and macro surprises. 


Macro Market Indicators (June 2023)(Update)

United States

The MSCI World Index is a free-float weighted equity index. It was developed with a base value of 100 as of December 31, 1969. MXWO includes developed world markets, and does not include emerging markets. MXWD includes both emerging and developed markets.

MSCI World Index (MXWO INDEX)

Changes in Portfolio Weights: Sentiment Hits ‘Frenzy,’ We Comply

Our Fear & Frenzy Sentiment Index hit Frenzy for the first time during this rally, telling us to lower the weight of equities.

Jeroen Blokland

The Weekly Market Monitor (24) – Our Key Sentiment Index Signals Market FRENZY

Our Fear & Frenzy Sentiment Index is on the verge of entering FRENZY territory, which would be the first time during the latest rally!

Jeroen Blokland

FOMC's Hawkish Pause: Recession and a FF Peak of 5.5% to Finally Restrain Core PCE

We've FOMC critics since Dec'21. ISM manuf'g new orders <50 for 9 months affirm the US is in recession. That, with the FF rate at 5.5% by Sep'23,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Macro Market Indicators (June 2023)(Update)

We look at 'Macro Market Indicators' that say something about the direction of markets and the relative attractiveness of different asset classes.

Jeroen Blokland

Macro Market Indicators (June 2023)

We look at 'Macro Market Indicators' that say something about the direction of markets and the relative attractiveness of different asset classes.

Jeroen Blokland