Standard Chartered: “Opportunity to earn income in light of torn Central Banks”

Standard Chartered: “Opportunity to earn income in light of torn Central Banks”

 

o   Central banks torn between fighting inflation and avoiding a recession

o   US Federal Reserve to slow rate hikes after July as inflation peaks

o   Raises allocation to “attractive”bonds at the expense of equities

o   Diversified income allocation basket now offers more than6% yield

 

5 July 2022, Dubai, United Arab Emirates –Standard Charteredannounced today its investment outlook for the second half of 2022. In its report, titled “Walking a tightrope”, the bank highlighted key opportunities for investorsto earn a high income through increasing allocation to bonds by dialing back exposure to equities; and through positioning their portfolios for outperformance of Asia (ex-Japan) and UK equities.

 

Standard Chartered said its model globally diversified income allocation basket now offers more than 6% yield following the rise in bond yields this year. The risk-reward balance for bonds have turned more attractive after the rise in yields. With equities, especially in the US and Europe, facing rising risk ofcentral banks tightening monetary policy too much, the bank sees an opportunity for investors to dial back exposure to equities and move to bonds. Within equities, it highlighted its preference for Asia ex-Japan on the back of a policy-driven economic recovery in China. Meanwhile, UK equities also look attractive because of the market’s high dividend yields and exposure to energy, financial and material sectors.

 

Commenting on the report, Dr. Owen Young, Head of Affluent and Wealth Management for Africa, Middle East and Europe at Standard Chartered Bank, said: “A year ago, investors were struggling to earn even a 4% income – they had to take on more risk to earn that kind of yield. Today, they can earn more than 6% yield from a relatively conservative allocation. This is a rare opportunity for income investors.”

 

The Bank’s base case scenario has the US economy slowingdown, without falling into a recession over the next 6-12 months. It expects the US Federal Reserve to slow the pace of its interest rate hikes after July as inflation peaks, but still maintain an aggressive monetary policy stance as inflation remains above 5% at the end of the year.Europe, being on the frontline of the Ukraine war, faces rising risk of stagflation. Against this backdrop, the bank sees Gold and private real estate as attractive inflation hedges. China, meanwhile, is on the opposite end of the economic cycle, with authorities easing COVID-19 lockdowns and relaxing credit, fiscal and regulatory policies to revive growth.

 

Dr. Young added: “Equities and bonds both fell significantly in the first half of 2022, mainly driven by Fed monetary policy repricing. There have been few places to seek refuge across asset classes. However, this dislocation has created an attractive entry point for long-term investors seeking to protect themselves against inflation.”

 

 

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For further information please contact:

 

Wasim Ben Khadra

Regional Head of Communications, Africa & Middle East

Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing

Standard Chartered

Phone: +971 56 5080106

E-mail:wasim.benkhadra@sc.com

 

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets,and serving clients in a further 83. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.

 

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