Sunday, 13 March 2016

Morgan Stanley Says there are 4 reasons not to buy Equities

Lets give ’em another chance … now on equities:
  • If you’re asking if its time to buy … “Our response remains, ‘not yet,” says MS
  • “In our view the current rally is likely to be short-lived and investors would be better-placed staying defensive rather than adding to equities”
  • The gains in past weeks have “all the characteristics of a short-covering rally with the largest gains seen where the largest shorts were placed”, and they’re not “backed by fundamentals”
MS says there are 4 reasons not to buy:
1. Earning globally are trending lower, both in emerging (‘sharply lower’ earnings) and developed markets (signs of slowing)
2. Global debt is back at record highs … global debt to GDP now higher than the GFC peak
3. Share price valuations above long-term averages levels
4. China still a “key risk” – “growth remains weak”, policy responses have been about “kicking-the-can-down-the-road” instead of structural reform.
  • MS also highlight trade issues, exports and imports both plummeted y/y
  • Chinese debt is too high
MS do counter their argument (sort of, actually, not really) with a reason to buy:
  • The low oil price
  • In the past lower oil prices have stimulated economic growth & could again
  • Buy on balance they reckon high debt levels are outweighing low price benefits. Bummer.
MS offer what to watch for when it is time to buy:
  • A turn in earnings momentum
  • Lower equity valuations to below average levels
  • Better Chinese data

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