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efta-01380816DOJ Data Set 10OtherEFTA01380816
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DOJ Data Set 10
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Economic & Asset Class Outlook
March/April 2016 Outlook
Near Term
World economy
— There are initial signs that U.S.
manufacturing may be
stabilizing with several regional
surveys turning positive. While
housing data is solid, consumer
spending has been tepid.
— In Europe, manufacturing has
been positive. the labor market
is improving and personal
consumption is solid. However,
geopolitical risks are beginning
to weigh on sentiment.
— Slow global growth has weighed
on manufacturing and business
confidence in Japan.
— Emerging markets continue to
be challenged by slow global
trade, political headwinds and
sluggish domestic demand.
— Tighter financial conditions in
—
some areas (e.g. U.S.), weak
global trade and geopolitical
risks have led us to downgrade
our 2016 global growth forecast
(from 3.4% to 3.2%).
— All developed markets were
brought lower led by the U.S.
(from 2.4% to 1.9% in 2016) as
—
an inventory drawdown, weak
manufacturing and slow exports
may weigh on growth this year.
_
— Europe and Japan were
modestly reduced but
aggressive central bank policy
should support growth.
— EM growth should gradually
recover as commodity prices
find a bottom, reforms take hold
and FX volatility subsides.
Monetary Policy, Inflation
and FX
Bond markets
— Slower U.S. economic growth
—
has resulted in the FOMC
downgrading their outlook on
growth, inflation and magnitude
of Fed funds rate hikes in 2016. _
— The ECB will likely remain in a
wait and see mode and let the
aggressive actions taken at their
March meeting (e.g. negative
interest rates, increased OE)
filter into the economy.
— The PBOC and BoJ will keep
-
the door open to take additional
stimulus measures to support
growth (e.g. QE. rate cuts).
- The USD should gain
momentum vs. the developed
markets as Fed policy diverges
from other central banks.
Ongoing geopolitical risks and
—
lower growth than originally
anticipated will likely limit the
Fed to raise rates one time this
year (likely June meeting) with
one post election. This will be
highly dependant on the outlook
for growth and inflation.
A weak Euro and stabilization in
commodity prices should help
Europe inflation move higher.
Growth and interest rate
differentials and diverging
monetary policy support the
dollar long term, especially
versus the Euro and Yen.
China and India should remain
accommodative while Latin
American countries have less
flexibility due to high inflation.
Global bond yields will likely
remain lower for longer despite
the Fed's tightening cycle and
modest pick up in inflation.
The rise in yields in the near
term should be limited due to
low commodity prices, central
bank QE (ECB and BoJ),
geopolitical risks (e.g. Brexit)
and concern over at least a
modest pullback in risky assets.
We remain modestly overweight
high yield but active
management is recommended.
We remain underweight EM
debt due to uncertain economic
fundamentals. volatile
currencies and heavy USD
denominated debt burdens.
The rise in long term yields over
the next 12 mos will likely be
muted as moderate inflation, a
'slow' Fed tightening cycle and
aggressive stimulus from the
ECB and BoJ keep global
sovereign yields contained.
We recommend a modest short
duration to the benchmark due
to the expectation of modestly
higher yields in the long run.
Focus on select credit (e.g. IG
and high yield). History
suggests credit outperforms
sovereigns in tightening cycles.
Cautious on EM debt due to the
uncertain growth outlook but
looking for opportunities to add.
Active management advised,
especially in high yield.
Footnotes. Outlook as of March
2016 Muitiasset Investment Committee Meeting and
Wealth Management
moot 22.2016 Amerces Reiaonal
Cenvnittee
Equity markets
- Most global Indices have rallied
10%4- since their Feb. lows. As
a result, valuations look
stretched, technicals are
approaching overbought
territory and near term caution
may be warranted.
- We reduced our weighting to
global equities by lowering the
U.S. (still overweight) and
Europe (to neutral).
- Still favor OM vs. EM.
- In the near term, global equities
may be challenged by weak
earnings, geopolitical risks and
stretched valuations.
- Favor select cyclicals over
defensives.
- In EM favor Asia over Latam.
- Over the next 12 months,
equities should be supported by
improving eamings growth,
modest economic growth and
accommodative central banks.
- However, heightened volatility
will offer tactical opportunities to
adjust positions (e.g. regions,
sectors) as warranted.
- As the economic cycle matures
(especially in U.S.). retums
should be driven by dividends,
buybacks and earnings growth.
- Favor DM over EM due to more
attractive fundamentals, better
earnings visibility and greater
monetary policy flexibility.
- In EM, favor Asia vs. Latam due
to more attractive fundamentals
and policy flexibility.
Alternatives and
Commodities
— With oil production continuing to
come down (rig count near
seven year low) and the dollar
remaining under pressure.
prices have been able to find
near term stability.
— However, it is too early to
suggest the bottom in oil prices
is behind us. Oil prices will likely
be challenged in the near term
as the dollar gains strength and
the ongoing supply/demand
imbalance remains.
- Gold has been supported by
geopolitical events, aggressive
central bank actions and slower
Fed rate hikes.
- Increased volatility to favor
select hedge funds.
- The combination of heightened
volatility, over supply and
stronger dollar keeps us
underweight commodities.
— However, an expectation for
better global growth (in 2016)
and likely production cuts
should support a modest rise in
oil prices over the next 12
months (Mar 2017 target=350) .
— Another way to complement
commodity exposure is through
investments less sensitive to the
price of oil (e.g. MLPs, oil
transportation 8 storage).
— We favor hedge funds with a
focus on equity market neutral.
These should benefit from
dispersion within equity sectors
and regions.
19
CONFIDENTIAL - PURSUANT TO FED. R. CRIM. P. 6(e)
DB-SDNY-0079376
CONFIDENTIAL
SDNY_GM_00225560
EFTA01380816
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