Our View

The virus has not been defeated yet

11.08.2020

Dr. Felix Brill, Chief Investment Officer

Reading time: 9 Min

The gold price soaring, the US dollar sinking - the last few weeks have been tough. In this environment, the stock markets have performed differently from region to region. Europe struggled, while the US and emerging markets were able to add gains. Against the background of a renewed rise in Covid-19 infections, we confirm our cautious portfolio stance.

The price of gold has continued its run and easily passed both its all-time high and the USD 2,000 mark per troy ounce. Since the beginning of the year, this has resulted in an increase of more than 30% in US dollar terms. That the price has eased somewhat in recent days is not untypical after such a strong and rapid rise. We read this development as a breather rather than a change of the price trend.

From our point of view, gold is receiving support from various sides: be it from the weakening US dollar, the negative real interest rates or the anxiety of many investors that inflation could rise in the long term after all. Last but not least, we appreciate gold's very good diversifying properties and therefore stick to our long-standing gold positioning.

As much support as we are currently seeing for gold, the US dollar is receiving little or none of that. The greenback is currently facing headwinds. Since we published the first issue of our “Telescope" magazine entitled “The Wimpy Dollar" at the end of May, the US dollar has weakened across the board. As we explained in detail in the magazine (link here), there are good reasons to believe that this was only the prelude to a longer-term phase of dollar weakness. That is why we continue to consistently hedge the US dollar.

Positioning_August 2020

Weighting August 2020

Our View on the Portfolio

The performance of gold this year has been outstanding and is softening the impact of a lower dollar
Equity themes are helping to get exposure to structural change

With even more government bonds issued, the case for them is becoming even worse
Credit risks are elevated for all corporate bond segments

Our View on the Economy

Rising infections cast a shadow

The world economy is showing signs of a strong recovery from the Corona crash. However, the strong GDP growth figures expected for the third quarter in the US and the Eurozone should be taken with a pinch of salt, as they are calculated from a much lower base after the strong decline in the second quarter. The crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic meanwhile acts as an accelerator to structural change in many industries, including the automotive industry. The affected sectors are likely to go through difficult times also after Corona. The recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Europe has led to fears that a second wave of infections is under way. If new lockdown measures were to be re-introduced then this would be a severe blow to the recovery. In the short term, uncertainty is therefore likely to increase.

Leading indicators signal a strong recovery in manufacturing and the service sector
Government support programmes seem to be effective so far
Monetary policy continues to be accommodating

Rising number of insolvencies could dampen the economic recovery
Concerns about a second wave of infections could trigger new lockdown measures
An increase in government budget deficits will constrain future fiscal policy

Our View on Monetary Policy

Phase two has started

Central banks are entering a new phase of crisis management. It is now a question of letting the emergency measures work and analysing their effect. Because of their preventive and decisive interventions, monetary authorities, especially in the US and Europe, are in a comfortable position to wait and see. Should economic data disappoint going forward, or financing conditions deteriorate again, more specific and targeted actions are likely. The ECB could, for example, consider buying bonds from companies whose credit rating has recently deteriorated significantly. This would be primarily a confidence-building measure. The US Federal Reserve has also left the crisis-fighting phase, focusing on getting the numerous emergency credit programmes up and running.

Money markets are functioning well again
Central banks credibly signal that they are ready to take additional action at any time
Financial market participants continue to trust central banks

No guarantee that financial markets won’t withdraw confidence from central banks
Zero and negative interest rates distort the price of risk, thereby increasing the risk of price bubbles

Our View on Government Bonds

Significantly higher issuance of government bonds

Central banks have arrived in phase two. Now that the fire has been extinguished, the focus has shifted to controlling the embers. In the short term, therefore, a further substantial expansion of government-bond purchasing programmes is not on the agenda - although one-off measures are possible. On the other hand, there is now a massive increase in the volume of sovereign debt issued. The generous financial assistance provided by the states in the wake of the crisis must finally be financed. Meanwhile, the EU recovery plan includes issuing eurobonds. The recovery fund will then redistribute money from the rich member countries in the north to the indebted countries in the south. Peripheral bonds will benefit from that. Overall, however, we confirm our strong underweight of government bonds..

The economic consequences of the Corona pandemic have not yet been fully resolved leading to high demand for government bonds
Government bonds contribute to diversification in the portfolio

Supply of government bonds is rising tremendously, which could lead to interest rates spikes going forward
Rising public debt is likely to jeopardise credit ratings
Government bonds carry a high interest rate risk

Our View on High Yield Bonds

Liquidity versus solvency

Companies usually try to strengthen their balance sheets and reduce debt as recessions hit. But during the Covid-19 recession, they did the opposite. As a first reaction, USD 340 billion of credit lines were drawn from banks, which were subsequently repaid by issuing bonds. So will there soon be a feeling of hangover after the debt party? The crisis hits sectors in different intensity and for different periods of time. In general, the lower the quality, the stronger the impact. In US High Yield this year, only 105 credit ratings have been upgraded compared to 926 downgrades so far. But, with central banks buying bonds, markets are neglecting the fundamental reality. The spread on high yield bonds was less than 5%, even though the expected default rate stands at 12.5%. So the question is, how long this type of "planned economy" can last in capital markets. (high yield bonds are currently not included in the model portfolio)

Central banks enjoy the confidence of financial markets, thereby supporting and steering markets
Governments are also ready to further support the economy if necessary

The ratio of downgrades to upgrades in credit ratings is extreme and will not be positive in the foreseeable future
Covid-19 has led to higher debt levels. In recessions, companies typically strengthen their balance sheets
The impact of the virus will be felt harder in some sectors, some will not recover for years

Our View on Equities

Ready for the summer break

The financial figures for most companies for the first six months have been less negative than feared. Neverthe-less, the numbers show drastic effects and an erosion of profit margins. The gradual normalisation of business activity and an improvement in consumer confidence thus indicate a milder economic outcome of the Corona crisis compared to what many analysts had assumed. By contrast, fundamental valuations are already high, driven mainly by the technology sector and low interest rates. It is expected that the momentum of price increases will diminish and a sector rotation looks increasingly likely. The focus will be on companies whose debt is likely to be somewhat higher but whose business performance was very robust during the crisis.

Companies surprised with robust second quarter results
Strong retail sales testify to improved consumer confidence

Sentiment indicators signal increased risks of setbacks in the short term
High concentration of price gains on a few stocks; the market breadth has significantly decreased

Our View on Equities Europe

The "old continent" is struggling

The decline in economic performance in Europe at -12.1 % in the second quarter is unique. In particular, in the segment of consumer durables, but also in the tourism and hotel industry, Europe's economy has been hit hard. By contrast, banks are more resilient and better capitalised than during the financial crisis 2008/09. As the trough seems to be behind us, it is clear that Europe with a higher share of old industrial structures has been affected much more than regions with strong technological orientation (including the US, China, South Korea, and Taiwan). The measures taken by the ECB and the EU will support the economy, but the high costs of industrial transformation are likely to exceed the fiscal support significantly. Moreover, as the recent appreciation of the euro is also burden for the export sector, we see European stocks as less attractive than other stock markets.

Big fiscal support package will support Europe's economy
New car registrations exceed previous year's level

Europe suffers from a high share of cyclical consumption
The stronger euro against the US dollar affects exporters negatively
The re-emergence of new infections could lead to new lockdown measures

Our View on Alternative Investments - Gold

Citius, Altius, Fortius

Faster, higher, stronger — According to the Olympic Games' motto, gold reached record heights faster than expected, and has recently been able to record prices of more than USD 2,000 an ounce. Once again, the most important price driver was record money inflows into exchange-traded gold funds. Investors buy gold because the US dollar weakens or they fear inflation to rise. By contrast, demand from the jewellery industry fell 53% year on year in the second quarter, and central banks' demand was also markedly lower compared to the record year in 2019. According to the World Gold Council, total demand decreased by 11%. In the futures markets, the net positioning remained unchanged, after both buyer and seller positions increased. We continue to find gold in the portfolio context attractive, but there is a risk of some price reset in the short term.

Uncertainty increases fear-driven investment demand
Low interest rates and inflation risks serve as an opportunity dividend
Price momentum and extended stock-market valuations increase demand

The demand from jewellery and central banks will recover slowly
Strong price momentum can lead to profit taking in the short term

Our View on Currencies

Change of tune

The US dollar is weakened. The US is not getting the Corona pandemic under control. The economic reset may thus be bumpy in the US. At the same time, the EU recovery fund to cope with the crisis will stabilise the EU and thus the Eurozone. The US presidential election is now also in the spotlight. Whether Donald Trump can secure a win to stay at the White House is uncertain. This leads to questions about the future course of policies, which is not to taste of currency markets and burdening the greenback. But even under technical considerations, the euro is now receiving support. The moving averages of the past 50 and 100 trading days broke the 200-day line of the EUR/USD exchange rate. This could mean a EUR strength and a simultaneous USD weakness.

EUR: EU recovery fund provides tailwind
CAD: Benefits from a weaker US dollar
AUD: Benefits from an improved economic situation in China

USD: Looks weak in the short term
BRL: Brazil's real remains on a downward trajectory due to Brazil's rampant pandemic
GBP: Brexit returns to the forefront, the British pound is threatened with short-term setbacks

Download the document here.

Find past publications here:

Our View in July 2020

Our View in June 2020

Authors:
Dr. Felix Brill, Dr. Thomas Gitzel, Harald Brandl, Bernhard Allgäuer, Jérôme Mäser

Important legal advice
This documentation was produced by VP Bank AG (hereinafter the bank) and distributed by the companies of the VP Bank Group. This documentation does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or sell financial instruments. The recommendations, estimates and statements contained therein reflect the personal views of the relevant analyst of VP Bank AG at the time of the date stated on the documentation and can be changed at any time without prior notice. The documentation is based on information that is considered reliable. This documentation and the assessments or assessments made therein are prepared with the utmost care, but their accuracy, completeness and accuracy cannot be guaranteed or guaranteed. In particular, the information contained in this documentation may not include all relevant information on the financial instruments covered or their issuers.

For more important information on the risks associated with the financial instruments in this documentation, the proprietary business of the VP Bank Group or the management of conflicts of interest in relation to these financial instruments, and for the distribution of this documentation, see www.vpbank.com/legal_notes

#Coronavirus

#Investment Research

News

06.08.2024 Our View

Our View in August

News

11.12.2023 Media release

VP Bank publishes the 8th issue of the investment magazine "Telescope"

News

06.11.2023 News

Investors and Climate Change: Navigating Complexity