warning
March 2022 – Please be aware of scammers falsely representing AMP Capital. AMP Capital is aware of an ongoing scam operation targeting customers and the broader community, offering inflated interest returns, available through fictitious investment vehicles, titled AMP Capital High Yield Fixed Return Global Market Fund. Through the use of phishing emails and phone calls, malicious operators are attempting to entice them to invest in a false product that features AMP Capital’s branding. Please be aware this is a not a legitimate product from AMP Capital.

AMP Capital does not approach potential customers via electronic direct mail (EDM) nor does the company solicit personal or financial information via email. If you are concerned that you may have been targeted by scammers, please contact us on 1800 658 404 from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (Sydney time). More information on scams can also be found on the ACCC’s website Scamwatch.

Economics & Markets

More volatility ahead for 2019

By AMP Capital

AMP Capital’s Dermot Ryan has warned financial planners to brace for more volatility in 2019, as the nascent trade war between the US and China re-emerges and the global economy is weaned off historically low interest rates. In recent years, volatility has been subdued, but last year after only seeing one small spike in February volatility made a big return in all asset classes in the last quarter of the year.

Many of the issues that caused the volatility remain unresolved: the US-China trade war, weak lead economic indicators and the building rise of global interest rates. While Australian equities have suffered less so far, we expect bouts of volatility to throw up some interesting investment opportunities.

Global share markets have enjoyed the longest bull market in history in recent times, led by US equities. Even balanced funds, which hold defensive as well as growth assets, are showing near record returns. Volatility may well dent some returns, but will throw up some interesting investments. 

graph: global nominal risk free rates are the lowest since 1273 but are back on the rise
Source: Bank of England 2018

However, Mr Ryan, AMP Capital’s Australian equities co-portfolio manager, says higher interest rates will start to crimp corporate profit growth in 2019 as debt financing costs for companies start to increase and consumer spending is curtailed, increasing the risk that the markets will be unable to continue their strong growth.

The trade war between the US and China will also re-emerge as an issue in early 2019, posing a risk to global economic growth but particularly threatening economies in Asia. “There’s been a temporary little ceasefire in the trade war at the moment,” said Mr Ryan, speaking of the Christmas/New Year holiday period. “That’s something that will re-emerge in Q1.”

US growth

Mr Ryan’s warning comes despite the US economy continuing to move from strength to strength, with unemployment at cyclical lows and the Trump tax cuts providing a backdrop of stimulus to an already growing economy.

Even if higher interest rates start to slow growth, President Trump has the ability to deploy domestic infrastructure spending next year, which will underpin growth if there is risk of a slowdown.

“We think they’re in a very flexible position,” said Mr Ryan. 

Income over growth

Investors preparing for the end of the bull market are being advised to focus on finding stable companies, with good balance sheets and strong free cash flows or income rather than chasing concept or overpriced stocks.

Defensive companies with good balance sheets are expected to outperform, while developers and contracting companies are expected to benefit for the next few years from government spending on infrastructure.

But Mr Ryan has cautioned investors against the traditional large cap leaders in the Australian market like the banks, telcos and real estate investment trusts, saying opportunities lie instead with low-growth companies with reliable earnings.  

Share this article

Important notes

While every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, AMP Capital Investors Limited (ABN 59 001 777 591, AFSL 232497) and AMP Capital Funds Management Limited (ABN 15 159 557 721, AFSL 426455)  (AMP Capital) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any statement in it including, without limitation, any forecasts. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This article has been prepared for the purpose of providing general information, without taking account of any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. An investor should, before making any investment decisions, consider the appropriateness of the information in this article, and seek professional advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation and needs. This article is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided and must not be provided to any other person or entity without the express written consent of AMP Capital.

 

This article is not intended for distribution or use in any jurisdiction where it would be contrary to applicable laws, regulations or directives and does not constitute a recommendation, offer, solicitation or invitation to invest.

Cookies & Tracking on our website.  We use basic cookies to help remember selections you make on the website and to make the site work. We also use non-essential cookies, website tracking as well as analytics - so we can amongst other things, show which of our products and services may be relevant for you, and tailor marketing (if you have agreed to this). More details about our use of cookies and website analytics can be found here
You can turn off cookie collection and/or website tracking by updating your cookies & tracking preferences in your browser settings.