LGT Wealth India

The U.S. July’s CPI inflation print surprised positively and raised the odds that headline inflation may have peaked this cycle though core inflation is likely to prove persistent. CPI moderation was driven by lower gasoline and airfares and a softer Energy PPI, though Food PPI surges.
Monthly Investment Perspectives

September 2022

GLOBAL MACRO: BUSINESS CYCLE STAGE – CONTRACTION

The U.S. July’s CPI inflation print surprised positively and raised the odds that headline inflation may have peaked this cycle though core inflation is likely to prove persistent. CPI moderation was driven by lower gasoline and airfares and a softer Energy PPI, though Food PPI surges. Absolute CPI index (in points) for the U.S. has shown first signs of wilting as Jul-22 print was actually for the first time this year, lower than prior month’s print. The key message, nevertheless, from the Fed Chairman at Jackson Hole was that the Fed will likely hike and hold and there may be a period of pain for households and businesses.

Composite PMI surveys indicate a contraction sustained contraction (2nd consecutive month) for the U.S. though EMs have maintained m-o-m economic activity. Yield curves have inverted for the U.S. The U.S. business cycle barring the low unemployment technically as well as economically points to a recession. But as long as the labour market remains tight things should not be text-book-style recessionary.

U.S. PPI Energy drove PPI down but PPI food surges

sep-01

Source: Bloomberg, LGT

GLOBAL EQUITIES: REACTING TO INTEREST RATES IN 2022

The Fed Chairman’s speech at Jackson Hole suggests that the tight labour market has become the main factor for future decisions. U.S. unemployment should rise over the next few quarters, easing wage pressures, but not reach levels that correspond to past recessions. If a recession starts today, it will be from the lowest level of unemployment in 50 years.

The U.S. CBOE VIX has also risen post Jackson Hole and equity markets are respecting interest rate moves in CY22. Specifically, there appears a clear negative correlation between real yield on the U.S. 10Y and the S&P500. Currently, with the recent spike in the U.S. 10Y, U.S. equities have predictably seen some correction in Aug-22. We retain our tactical OW stance on Equities vs Bonds. We remain Neutral on Asia ex-Japan while retaining our tactical OW stance on the US, Japan and UW on Europe and EMs ex-Asia. We also remain UW on interest rate-sensitive sectors Consumer Discretionary, Real Estate, Financials, Utilities and Industrials.

Sub-50 Composite PMIs for most DMs makes India shine

sep-02

Source: Bloomberg

GLOBAL FIXED INCOME: HAWKISHNESS SPURS YIELDS; STAY OW ON IG VS HY

The ultra short term curve has inverted for the U.S. Statistically, S&P500 forward 12-month returns have been weak, but it looks like the flagship equity index has weakened earlier this time in response to the real U.S. 10Y yield once again resuming its uptrend. Region-wise, Europe is seeing one its hottest inflation periods. Almost touching double digits (9.1%), CPI here is higher m-o-m, 1-year and 3-year averages. WPI – typically a leading indicator of CPI – here is at a mindboggling 36.1% (Jul-22). Similar is the situation in Japan, though inflation has not reared its head as much coming in at a much more manageable 2.9%.

The Housing sector contributes 42% to the U.S. CPI (rentals at as high as 32% of overall CPI) and any sign of softening here could mean an easing of U.S. inflation over the coming months. The supply-side has an equal if not more hand to play in the inflation spike and signs are emerging on that front too though the Fed likely has no control over supply-side factors. Consequently, we continue to favour short-duration IG bonds over HY bonds and stay UW on Sovereigns.

Supply chain related cost inflation falling

sep-03

Source: UBS, LGT, July 2022

GLOBAL COMMODITIES: GAS WAR ESCALATING; UW GOLD

European natural gas prices surged by as much as 36% after Russia indefinitely suspending the flow of the vital fossil fuel through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline into Germany. European natural gas prices have surged more than 300% this year, putting pressure on the continent’s economy. As the power prices are closed liked to availability of gas, the surge in gas prices has driven up electricity prices.

Meanwhile, OPEC+ has agreed to cut oil output for first time in a year. The block has agreed to cut their supplies to the global economy by 1,00,000 barrels per day. With the DXY continuing its upward march, hitting its highest levels over 2 decades, and the Fed seen sticking to its sharp hikes in interest rates in coming months to cool off inflation, there could be more pressure on Gold prices. Downgrade two notch underweight on Gold vs Cash vs. only 1 notch last month.

VIX indices throw up significant volatility around Jackson Hole

sep-04

Source: Bloomberg

INDIA MACRO: MORE TOWARDS INITIAL RECOVERY THAN MOST DMs

India’s yoy CPI growth has taken a breather like most DMs (esp. U.S.). The absolute level of CPI (173.4 in Jul-22 vs. 172.6 in Jun-22) still continues upwards unabated though. However, credit markets point towards some softening of monetary stance particularly in the short term: 3M OIS spreads (vs. repo) are now pricing in only 35bps hike vs. 50bps in Jul-22. The 10Y has actually softened in the last 2 months. Credit offtake has been very encouraging nearly across the board with all sectors showing appetite. Repo rate hikes have been transmitted effectively towards cost of credit as most loans are now linked to this benchmark. But despite these hikes, loans sanctioned and disbursed has not seen any negative effect. This does offer some hint of the resilience in the economy.

High speed indicators, especially Manufacturing, Services and Composite PMIs for India are markedly better (all showing expansion) than DMs (contraction), FII flows have been buoyant and auto volumes stellar. One more niggle apart from the upwards march of absolute CPI could be the BOP (or the CAD). But this arguably, is a short term pain for long term gain: weaken the CAD to deflate the INR, and then let this depreciation recursively aid exports which closes the virtuous cycle.

Credit offtake on the mend

sep-05

Source: RBI, Indus Equity

AMCs are sitting on a large pile of cash waiting to be deployed

sep-06

Source: Capitaline, Mint, Anand Rathi Wealth Ltd.

INDIA EQUITIES: “INROGANIC” COLOUR OF GROWTH – STAY OW EQUITY; UP OW MID VS LARGE

The capital account has likely seen some relief after the FII rout of last few months. AMCs are now sitting on large cash piles of Rs. 57k Cr. in Jul-22 vs. 5-yr. avg. of Rs. 32k Cr. This should act as a cushioning buffer for any untoward fall in equities. With that safety net, capacity utilizations are now at a robust 75%. The NIFTY’s trailing P/B appears significantly overpriced in contrast to its trailing P/E. The P/S appears hovering near statistical averages. So asset turns are being sweated just about appropriately (courtesy the high utilization rates) and, earnings have also increased disproportionately but pointing to much less flow-through from India Inc.’s P&L to its balance sheet. Net worth should likely swell in the coming years as capex plans gather steam to normalize currently high utilizations and capture growth. This should inflate book values as the “inorganic” asset increase leads to an opening of the earnings growth flood gates.

Minor hiccups from global macro do take a toll on asset class outlook: Volatility in equities (and most asset classes) increased towards Aug-22 end as the Fed Chair reinvoked inflation jitters at the Jackson Hole Symposium. But volatility indices in general, are mean reversionary in nature. Net-net, we remain OW on Equity vs Bonds and within equities, increase our OW stance by one more notch towards midcaps primarily driven by their relatively higher earnings projections.

Deposit growth would need to pick up for sustainable credit growth

sep-07

Source: Bloomberg

INDIA FIXED INCOME: DURATION CHOICE – A ROCK OR A HARD PLACE; RETAIN OW CORP

The rate hardening cycle is not yet in the rear view mirror as monetary policy makers world-over have demonstrated consistent lags in responding to real-world economic conditions since the first of the multiple COVID-19 waves. Naturally, this would reflect in long term yields as inflation expectations of hardening still linger.

Despite the phased policy response, one must acknowledge that globally, liquidity (one of the quickest monetary tools) has thankfully been on the wane. An immediate impact is a hardening of ST yields (in addition to LT yields) which has already happened clearly in India over the last 2 months. Credit growth is on the mend, though deposit growth is yet to keep pace. For the short term, banks could fuel this credit growth via liquidation of excess investments (part of their currently, overly robust SLR book). But capitalization / leverage ratios will soon be scrutinized and

sustainable credit growth would pan out only when deposits are shored up, which might happen only via increase in rates.

Consequently, we maintain our neutral position in terms of duration despite the recent hardening seen on the short end of the curve in last 2 months. Sectoral preference within Fixed Income remains unchanged (i.e. OW Corporate Bonds / Funds).

TTM PE should re-rate as capacity utilization drops on capex pickup

sep-08

Source: Bloomberg

CURRENCY: INR IN FOCUS, REMAIN OW

The INR has been fairly resilient against the backdrop of global currencies. Not only against most EM currencies, but against most DM currencies as well the INR was able to hold its ground. India’s “virtuous cycle” strategy of weakening its CAD in a bid to weaken the INR in a bid to increase exports in a bid to stabilize the CAD in a bid to stabilize the INR might already be seeing some traction in the last leg of this strategic roadmap against most currency baskets. Capital flows, hot money, sticky money should start seeing some pick-up again as domestic macro currently, does not seem in a dire spot with high-frequency indicators in fine fettle. Remain OW on the INR vs. the greenback.

India REER is almost near all-time highs indicating significant
strength in INR stripping off inflationary/carry effects

sep-09

Source: Bloomberg

TACTICAL ASSET ALLOCATION (TAA) VIEWS & PERFORMANCE

Source: Bloomberg. Assuming a 6% annualized yield for cash.

GLOBAL ASSET PERFORMANCE SNAPSHOT

Source: Bloomberg Equity/Fixed Income Returns/Yields in local currencies. Commodities in USD. Numbers for Fixed Income are Yields. As of August 31, 2022.

ROUTES TO MARKETS: MODEL ALLOCATIONS

Glossary: PMI: Purchasing Managers’ Index, US: United States, GDP: Gross Domestic Product, QOQ: Quarter on Quarter, CY: Calendar Year, FOMO: Fear of Missing out, MSCI: Morgan Stanley Capital International, EM: Emerging Markets, PE: Price to Earnings Ratio, EPS: Earnings per Share, OW: Overweight, UW: Underweight, IG: Investment Grade, HY: High Yield, BPS: Basis Points, ECB: European Central Bank, BOE: Bank of England, UK: United Kingdom, DXY: Dollar Index, IMF: International Monetary Fund, GDP: Gross Domestic Product, FY: Fiscal Year, INR: Indian Rupee, BSNL: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, GST: Goods and Services Tax, YOY: Year on Year, PV: Passenger Vehicles, 2W: Two Wheelers, CV: Commercial Vehicles, IMD: India Meteorological Department, LPA: Long Period Average, BOFA: Bank of America, FMS: Fund Manager Survey, FII: Foreign Institutional Investors, MF: Mutual Funds, SIP: Systematic Investment Plan, VIX: Volatility Index, MOM: Month on Month, ST: Short Term, LT: Long Term, MPC: Monetary Policy Committee, RBI: Reserve Bank of India, CPI: Consumer Price Index, G-SEC: Government Securities, FX: Foreign Exchange

Disclaimer
This document provides general information about LGT Wealth India Private Limited (“LGT Wealth”), its investment framework, strategies and investment approaches relating to its products and services. For more details, Investors may refer to our website www.lgtindia.in. The information provided herein are for the exclusive and confidential use of the addressee(s) only. Any distribution, use or reproduction of the information contained in this document, in full or in part without the written permission of LGT Wealth, is unauthorised and strictly prohibited. If you have received this document erroneously and you are not the intended recipient(s) of this document, please delete and destroy it and notify LGT Wealth immediately without making any copies and/or distributing it further. This document is not intended to be an invitation to affect a securities transaction or otherwise to participate in an investment service/offer. Nothing in this document should be construed as advice nor an offer or recommendation or solicitation of any products/services by LGT Wealth. The products/services referred in this document may not be suitable for all kind of Investors. Investors with any questions regarding the suitability of any of the products or services referred must consult their Relationship Managers, Financial Advisors, Tax consultants before taking investment decisions. LGT Wealth India does not provide any tax advice. Investors should assess the tax impact of their investment(s)/transaction in consultation with their tax advisors prior to investing. It may be noted that past performance does not guarantee similar future performance. LGT Wealth neither assures nor guarantees any future returns or future performance nor does it guarantee and/or assures that the projections/performance mentioned in this document or elsewhere, will be met. Although LGT Wealth has taken all reasonable steps to ensure accuracy of the data and completeness of the information contained in this document, it neither confirms nor guarantee accuracy or completeness of such information contained in this document anyway. Investors are expected to make an independent assessment and verify its veracity, separately before making any investment decisions. You expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall have gone through the respective product documents, disclosure documents, policies and other risk statements as are available on the website of the company and/or with the regulators before taking any such investment decisions and LGT Wealth shall neither be liable nor take any responsibility for any investment decisions, that is taken solely based on this document. For further details including complaints and suggestions, if any, you may contact us at:
LGT Wealth India Private Limited
Registered Office: 414,16/1 to 24 & 17, B Wing, Comm. Building, Kanakia Wall Street, Near Chakala Signal, JB Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai 400093. Tel No: +91 22 62396028 | E-Mail: info@lgtindia.in
AMFI Registration No. ARN-201038; Portfolio Management Registration No. INP00007322