Cross-Asset Liquidity Strategist, CrossBorder Capital

Michael J. Howell

Cross-Asset Liquidity Strategist

Implementing Research Using Alt Data & AI

CrossBorder Capital

CrossBorder Capital is a London-based independent investment advisory firm. Founded in 1996, it exploits a gap in the investment arena by focusing on Central bank liquidity. 

It specialises in the monitoring and analysis of global liquidity flows - an important determinant of asset prices, from currencies through to bonds, equities and real estate.

CrossBorder Capital implements its investment strategy and currently manages over US$ 350m.


Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>How to Invest in 2023 and 2024 based on the evolving cycle of Global Liquidity, which likely bottomed in October 2022 and is now rising again</li>
<li>
QT is effectively dead. Major stock and bond markets may range in 2023, but certain areas, like cyclical, commodities and EM, will show strong gains</li>
<li>Three major changes are driving Global Liquidity higher: Fed stops QT, PBoC eases liquidity aggressively and collateral supply improves as bond volatility drops. MOVE index important</li>
</ul>


How to Invest in 2023 and 2024 based on the evolving cycle of Global Liquidity, which likely bottomed in October 2022 and is now rising again

QT is effectively dead. Major stock and bond markets may range in 2023, but certain areas, like cyclical, commodities and EM, will show strong gains
Three major changes are driving Global Liquidity higher: Fed stops QT, PBoC eases liquidity aggressively and collateral supply improves as bond volatility drops. MOVE index important


Global Liquidity & Asset Allocation in 2023: Is QT Dead?

<ul>
<li>
 China’s PBoC injected a whopping RMB 3 trillion (US$450 billion) into money markets through December and January</li>
<li>Latest data show sharp fall-off in Chinese liquidity from late-February. Nonetheless, it is hard to extrapolate much from this. 2023 still looks to be a year of much more liquidity</li>
<li>The close connection between the PBoC and Chinese business points to a stronger Chinese and World economy in the second half of 2023. Buy cyclicals? 
</li>
</ul>



 China’s PBoC injected a whopping RMB 3 trillion (US$450 billion) into money markets through December and January
Latest data show sharp fall-off in Chinese liquidity from late-February. Nonetheless, it is hard to extrapolate much from this. 2023 still looks to be a year of much more liquidity
The close connection between the PBoC and Chinese business points to a stronger Chinese and World economy in the second half of 2023. Buy cyclicals? 



Global Liquidity – Is China Squeezing Or Easing Liquidity Again?

<ul>
<li>
 Global Liquidity is projected to rise in 2023 after last year’s tumble, but after its recent surge are we seeing a material pull-back?</li>
<li>UK gilt crisis in September was a wake-up call. In the 23 following weeks, US Fed liquidity has flat-lined not fallen. US monetary policy is bifurcating 
</li>
<li>Deteriorating US fiscal position will place huge demands for more QE. Between now and 2023 the Fed balance sheet could double in size. QT is dead in America
</li>
</ul>



 Global Liquidity is projected to rise in 2023 after last year’s tumble, but after its recent surge are we seeing a material pull-back?
UK gilt crisis in September was a wake-up call. In the 23 following weeks, US Fed liquidity has flat-lined not fallen. US monetary policy is bifurcating 

Deteriorating US fiscal position will place huge demands for more QE. Between now and 2023 the Fed balance sheet could double in size. QT is dead in America



Global Liquidity Update – Is US Fed QT Dead?

<ul>
<li>
 Global Liquidity cycle bottomed around October 2022 based on our calculations, immediately following the UK gilt crisis. That is no coincidence!</li>
<li>Central Banks are increasingly using their balance sheets to focus on financial stability. Expect more subtle forms of YCC in the future</li>
<li>QT (quantitative tightening) is effectively dead. Central Banks are becoming active collateral managers. Investors must closely watch the MOVE not the VIX</li>
</ul>



 Global Liquidity cycle bottomed around October 2022 based on our calculations, immediately following the UK gilt crisis. That is no coincidence!
Central Banks are increasingly using their balance sheets to focus on financial stability. Expect more subtle forms of YCC in the future
QT (quantitative tightening) is effectively dead. Central Banks are becoming active collateral managers. Investors must closely watch the MOVE not the VIX


A Sea Change in Global Liquidity: Why QT Is Dead?

Marketing Director, Asia Frontier Capital

Asia Frontier Capital

Marketing Director

Investing in high growth Asian frontier economies.

Asia Frontier Capital Ltd. is a pioneering fund management company based in Hong Kong that specializes in investing in high growth Asian frontier economies by managing the AFC Asia Frontier Fund , AFC Iraq Fund and the AFC Vietnam Fund.

The AFC Asia Frontier Fund invests in public equities of Asian frontier countries that are seeing increasing consumption due to favorable demographic trends, rising incomes and high GDP growth. The fund invests in listed equities of companies that have their principal business activities in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Iraq, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The AFC Asia Frontier Fund is positioned to take advantage of the continuing economic shifts in these countries and offers high returns combined with significant diversification opportunities. This fund is directed by the founder and CEO of Asia Frontier Capital, Thomas Hugger, who has been investing in frontier markets across Asia and Africa for more than 20 years.

The AFC Iraq Fund was launched on the 26th June 2015 and aims to achieve long-term capital appreciation for investors by capturing value and growth potential in the post conflict high-growth & resource rich Iraq market. The fund emphasises long term investment horizon to truly capture the opportunity in Iraq. The fund's investable universe consists of locally listed companies that have their principal business activities in Iraq as well as foreign listed companies that have the majority of the business in Iraq as a whole including the prosperous Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI). The AFC Iraq Fund offers access to investments in post conflict recovery potential of Iraq, including the KRI, and/or stability in its territory. The AFC Iraq Fund is managed by Asia Frontier Capital (Iraq) Limited, Cayman Islands under the executive leadership team of Thomas Hugger (CEO & Fund Manager) and Ahmed Tabaqchali (CIO) who have more than 47 years of investment experience as well as an extensive background covering global, emerging, frontier and MENA markets.

The AFC Vietnam Fund invests exclusively in listed Vietnamese equities to capture value in growth companies with a focus on the small to medium size companies. This market segment offers a unique investment opportunity as the valuation gap between large- and small-cap stocks in Vietnam is presently much wider than in comparable neighboring markets and the valuations are significantly depressed versus their regional peers. The fund adopts a fundamental-quantitative approach and employs an in-house earnings model to identify attractive companies where we see high growth opportunities. In conjunction with targeting the maximum upside potential the portfolio has been structured to mitigate corporate government and liquidity risks. The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of 70-90 attractively valued companies to carefully control concentration risk.  This approach allows the fund to sell, or buy, positions without having a significant market impact. The fund is directed under the executive leadership of Thomas Hugger and Andreas Vogelsanger who have more than 50 years combined experience managing investments in frontier markets, Asia and around the world.

For more information about the fund, management team and investment strategy please contact us at info@asiafrontiercapital.com.

<ul><li>The year began on a strong positive note for global equity markets and most AFC funds also had a positive return at the start of the year.</li><li>Investor sentiment continues to improve as confidence grows that we are at the peak of global inflation and interest rate hikes.</li><li>This was also evident in the less aggressive 25 basis point increase in interest rates by the U.S. Fed on 1st February 2023, as well as less hawkish messaging from the U.S. Fed in the past few weeks.</li></ul>

The year began on a strong positive note for global equity markets and most AFC funds also had a positive return at the start of the year.Investor sentiment continues to improve as confidence grows that we are at the peak of global inflation and interest rate hikes.This was also evident in the less aggressive 25 basis point increase in interest rates by the U.S. Fed on 1st February 2023, as well as less hawkish messaging from the U.S. Fed in the past few weeks.

Asian Frontier Markets Start the Year Strong - Asia Frontier Capital (AFC) - January 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)

Global Liquidity & Asset Allocation in 2023: Is QT Dead?

Summary of recent CrossBorderCapital Webinar on Global Liquidity evidencing major inflection of liquidity cycle, spurred by PBoC ease, end of Fed...

Michael J. Howell

Global Liquidity – Is China Squeezing Or Easing Liquidity Again?

China’s PBoC injected a whopping RMB3tr into money markets in December and January. Close connection between liquidity and business points to a...

Michael J. Howell

Global Liquidity Update – Is US Fed QT Dead?

Between now and 2023 the Fed balance sheet could double in size. QT is effectively dead in America. Wise investors should start to prepare some...

Michael J. Howell

A Sea Change in Global Liquidity: Why QT Is Dead?

September 2022 UK gilts crisis has proved a major wake up call for Central Bankers. It marked a major turning point in the Global Liquidity cycle....

Michael J. Howell

Asian Frontier Markets Start the Year Strong - Asia Frontier Capital (AFC) - January 2023 Update

The year began on a strong positive note for global equity markets and most AFC funds also had a positive return at the start of the year.

Asia Frontier Capital