2021 Investment Outlook A macroeconomic and asset allocation framework - Invesco

Page created by Bob Espinoza
 
CONTINUE READING
2021 Investment Outlook A macroeconomic and asset allocation framework - Invesco
2021 Investment Outlook
                                     A macroeconomic and asset
                                     allocation framework

This document is not for consumer,
public or retail use.
                                                    2021 Investment Outlook   01
2021 Investment Outlook A macroeconomic and asset allocation framework - Invesco
This document is intended only for Institutional
Investors. It is not intended for and should not
be distributed to, or relied upon, by the public
or retail investors.

Please do not redistribute this
document.

02      2021 Investment Outlook
2021 Investment Outlook A macroeconomic and asset allocation framework - Invesco
Introduction                              What we have learned thus far
                                   The year 2020 saw the global              An economy’s ability to manage the
                                   economy plunged into economic             spread of the virus is critical to its
                                   turmoil. Unlike many past crises,         economic recovery in the absence of
                                   this one was unique in that it was        a vaccine. East Asia – in particular,
                                   not economic in origin but started        China, Japan and South Korea – has
                                   as a health crisis. The COVID-19          managed the virus well as a result of
                                   pandemic rapidly impacted the             targeted lockdowns and coordinated
                                   economy through lockdowns                 social efforts. Much of the developed
                                   across the globe, which stymied           world and many emerging markets,
                                   economic activity and caused an           on the other hand, have struggled to
Kristina Hooper                    unprecedented destruction of              contain the pandemic. This difference
Chief Global Market                demand. Given these circumstances,        is reflected in economic activity:
Strategist                         we recognize that the shape of            those countries that have effectively
                                   economic growth in the coming year        curtailed the virus have been less
                                   is dependent on a wide variety of         impacted economically. We must also
                                   factors, including: infection rates,      recognize that even in the absence of
                                   fiscal policy, monetary policy, public    lockdowns, economic activity can be
                                   health policy including the severity      impacted by a rise in infections, which
                                   – or “stringency” – of lockdowns,         can impact confidence and result in
                                   progress towards the development          behavioral shifts in consumption.
                                   of therapies and a vaccine, and
                                   consumer and business confidence.         We have also learned that the
                                                                             pandemic has disproportionately
                                   To address the breadth of                 impacted the services industry versus
                                   possibilities that lie ahead in this      the manufacturing industry due
                                   environment, we at Invesco brought        to social distancing measures and
                                   some of our experienced investment        changes in behavior. We expect this
                                   professionals and thought leaders         pattern is likely to continue until a
                                   together to create an outlook for         vaccine is developed and distributed.
                                   2021 – a base case, an upside
                                   scenario and a downside scenario.         This recovery has also demonstrated
                                   Our goal is to provide you with a         the importance of policy support
                                   range of possibilities, enabling you to   throughout this crisis for both
                                   select the scenario that aligns most      economies and markets. Across
                                   closely with your expectations for the    the globe, countries have enacted
                                   coming year. To provide a broader         significant fiscal spending programs;
                                   perspective we have addressed             as a result, the economic recovery
                                   these scenarios on both a global          has been relatively strong in a
                                   basis and with respect to specific        number of economies. Some
                                   economies – the United States, the        economies have run the risk of not
                                   eurozone and China. We begin first        providing adequate fiscal stimulus,
                                   with an assessment of the macro           especially some emerging markets
                                   outlook, followed by the investment       economies.
                                   implications we see tied to see these
                                   conditions.                               Major central banks around the world
                                                                             have provided even greater monetary
                                                                             policy support, undertaking a range
                                                                             of policies to support economies
                                                                             including a massive expansion of
                                                                             their balance sheets through large-
                                                                             scale asset purchases. In addition
                                                                             to impacting the economy, this has
                                                                             had a substantial impact on capital
                                                                             markets.

03       2021 Investment Outlook
2021 Investment Outlook A macroeconomic and asset allocation framework - Invesco
Our Base Case                                                  Asset Allocation Recommendations
Our base case scenario projects that the global economy        These three scenarios in turn dictate our asset allocation
continues to recover albeit unevenly and at a slower           views:
pace. COVID-19 had an extremely negative impact on
the Chinese economy, but its recovery is well underway.        In our base case scenario, we expect equities to
We expect China to outperform given its better control         outperform fixed income as growth moves above trend,
of the virus, while the US and Eurozone are likely to          the global earnings cycle recovers, and risky assets are
experience pauses in their respective re-openings given        supported by ample money supply growth. Gradual re-
our expectation of partial lockdowns – although some           opening of face-to-face sectors to favor cyclicals, value
fiscal stimulus will continue to support activity. Our         and small/mid cap stocks, also supported by attractive
assumption in this scenario is that an effective vaccine       valuations and rising bond yields. Improving risk appetite
will be developed and rolled out in the back half of 2021.     and a depreciating US dollar drives outperformance in
In this environment, we expect the goods economy will          emerging market (EM) equities over developed markets
continue to outpace services earlier in the year until the     (DM). Currency and local market valuations favor DM
rollout of a vaccine in the second half of 2021, when          ex-US over US equities, supported also by cyclical
services rebounds more robustly.                               outperformance in 2021 and a rotation away from
                                                               growth into value sectors and regions. In fixed income,
Our Upside Case: “V” for Accelerated Vaccine                   we believe credit markets have room for additional spread
                                                               compression and may offer attractive risk-adjusted returns.
In this scenario, the global economic recovery is              Global yield curves may steepen with gradually rising
more robust, led by China but with other economies             bond yields but remain well-anchored by asset purchase
participating more quickly due to the development and          programs and low inflation expectations. Real assets are
distribution of a vaccine in the first half of 2021. We also   expected to do well with low and stable inflation.
assume greater fiscal stimulus in this scenario affords a
faster recovery.                                               In our upside scenario, we would take a more ‘risk
                                                               on’ approach, expecting equities to more dramatically
Our Downside Case: Double-Dip                                  outperform fixed income. Given our assumption that a
                                                               vaccine will be developed more quickly, we would expect
In this scenario, we assume multiple waves of the virus        cyclicals, value and small/mid cap stocks to begin to
which are difficult to control, requiring renewed national     perform well earlier in 2021.
lockdowns in many countries and weighing down the
global economy. In this scenario, we assume fiscal and         In our downside scenario, we would take a more ‘risk
monetary stimulus is too slow and inadequate as the            off’ approach, expecting fixed income to outperform
political will and fiscal space for these policy actions       equities. Within equities, we would favor defensives,
prove to be less than in 2020.                                 given our expectation that it will take longer for the
                                                               development of a vaccine. Within fixed income, we would
                                                               favor US Treasuries, credit and longer duration bonds.
                                                               In this environment, we would favor the US dollar versus
                                                               other currencies.

                                                                                     2021 Investment Outlook           04
Figure 1A
An Overview of the                          The Developed World Lags in Virus Control; 2nd Wave in Full Force
Pandemic: The Totals                                                                       South Africa                         Americas                  Asia Pacific
Population-adjusted sums                                                                   China                                Europe                    Middle East
reveal the extent of the spread                                                                 Feb        Mar            Apr      May     Jun      Jul           Aug           Sep    Oct        Nov
of virus

                                        7-Day Average Daily Confirmed Cases Per 100,000
                                                                                          50

This crisis, unlike most others that

                                                                                                                                                                                            ne
                                                                                                                                                                                        Eurozo
have occurred in the past, is not                                                         40
economic in origin. Lockdowns and
the behavioral shifts in consumption

                                                                                                                                                                a
– both from households and

                                                                                                                                                             ric
                                                                                          30

                                                                                                                                                           Af
businesses – will stunt any recovery,

                                                                                                                                                         h

                                                                                                                                                                                      UK
                                                                                                                                                      ut
and the main factor that defines

                                                                                                                                                    So
these effects is the degree of the                                                                                                                                    Br
                                                                                                                                                                        az
                                                                                                                                                                           il
spread of the virus.                                                                      20

Until the virus abates, we expect
the economic recovery from the                                                            10                                       US
COVID-19 pandemic to progress in
                                                                                                           ina
fits and starts.                                                                                      Ch                                                  Ind
                                                                                                                                                             ia
                                                                                                                                                                                            Japan
                                                                                           0

                                            Sources: Invesco, JHU CSSE COVID-19 Data, as of 15 November 2020. Population data is from
                                            OurWorldinData.

                                            Figure 1B
                                            Second Wave Death Toll Lower, but Still a Threat

                                                                                           South Africa                         Americas                  Asia Pacific
                                                                                           China                                Europe                    Middle East

                                                                                                Feb        Mar            Apr      May     Jun     Jul          Aug        Sep        Oct        Nov
                                                                                          1.4
                                        7-Day Average Deaths Per 100,000

                                                                                                                                   UK

                                                                                          1.2

                                                                                          1.0

                                                                                          0.8
                                                                                                                   ne
                                                                                                                 Eurozo

                                                                                          0.6
                                                                                                                                                 Brazil

                                                                                          0.4
                                                                                                                                               ric h
                                                                                                                          US

                                                                                                                                             Af out
                                                                                                                                                  a
                                                                                                                                               S

                                                                                          0.2           ina
                                                                                                      Ch                                                        India
                                                                                          0.0
                                                                                                                                                                                            Japan

                                            Sources: Invesco, JHU CSSE COVID-19 Data, as of 15 November 2020. Population data is from
                                            OurWorldinData.

05        2021 Investment Outlook
Until COVID-19 Abates, “Normal” Activity Likely to be Depressed
Using measures of the movement of people as a demand proxy indicates a large gap from normal

We look to high frequency indicators of demand to gauge the progression of the recovery. Here, we highlight mobility as an
approximation of the gap between current and “normal” activity, especially in industries requiring face-to-face interactions.

  Figure 2
      Developed Markets                                                             DM         EM excl. China                                                     United States

                             100                                                               100                                                                100
     Index January 1 = 100

                              75                                                     -21%       75                                                    -14%         75                                                     -21%

                              50                                                                50                                                                 50

                              25                                                                25                                                                 25
                                                     May

                                                                                                                       May
                                                                       Aug

                                                                                                                                         Aug

                                                                                                                                                                                           May

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Aug
                                                                                         Nov

                                                                                                                                                            Nov
                                         Mar

                                                                                                           Mar
                                                           Jun

                                                                                                                             Jun

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Nov
                                                                                                                                                                              Mar
                                                                             Sep

                                                                                                                                               Sep

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Jun
                                               Apr

                                                                                                                 Apr

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Sep
                                                                                                                                                                                     Apr
                                                                                   Oct

                                                                                                                                                     Oct
                                   Feb

                                                                                                     Feb

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Oct
                                                                                                                                                                        Feb
                                                                 Jul

                                                                                                                                   Jul

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Jul
      Eurozone                                                                                 United Kingdom                                                     Japan

                             100                                                               100                                                                100
     Index January 1 = 100

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         -8%
                              75                                                                75                                                                 75
                                                                                     -27%
                                                                                                                                                     -36%
                              50                                                                50                                                                 50

                              25                                                                25                                                                 25
                                                     May

                                                                       Aug

                                                                                         Nov
                                         Mar

                                                           Jun

                                                                             Sep
                                               Apr

                                                                                   Oct
                                   Feb

                                                                                                                       May

                                                                                                                                                                                           May
                                                                                                                                         Aug

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Aug
                                                                 Jul

                                                                                                                                                            Nov

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Nov
                                                                                                           Mar

                                                                                                                                                                              Mar
                                                                                                                             Jun

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Jun
                                                                                                                                               Sep

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Sep
                                                                                                                 Apr

                                                                                                                                                                                     Apr
                                                                                                                                                     Oct

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Oct
                                                                                                     Feb

                                                                                                                                                                        Feb
                                                                                                                                   Jul

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Jul
      South Korea                                                                              India                                                              Brazil
     Index January 1 = 100

                             100                                                               100                                                                100
                                                                                     +0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +0%
                              75                                                                75                                                    -14%         75

                              50                                                                50                                                                 50

                              25                                                                25                                                                 25
                                                     May

                                                                                                                       May
                                                                       Aug

                                                                                                                                         Aug
                                                                                         Nov

                                                                                                                                                            Nov

                                                                                                                                                                                           May
                                         Mar

                                                                                                           Mar
                                                           Jun

                                                                                                                             Jun

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Aug
                                                                             Sep

                                                                                                                                               Sep

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Nov
                                               Apr

                                                                                                                 Apr

                                                                                                                                                                              Mar

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Jun

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Sep
                                                                                   Oct

                                                                                                                                                     Oct
                                   Feb

                                                                                                     Feb

                                                                                                                                                                                    Apr

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Oct
                                                                                                                                                                        Feb
                                                                 Jul

                                                                                                                                   Jul

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Jul

      Canada

                             100
     Index January 1 = 100

                             75
                                                                                    -24%

                             50

                             25
                                                     May

                                                                       Aug

                                                                                         Nov
                                         Mar

                                                           Jun

                                                                             Sep
                                               Apr

                                                                                   Oct
                                   Feb

                                                                 Jul

   The 7-Day Average Mobility is the Google mobility trends indices. These show how visits and length of stay at different places vary compared to a 100 basis, measured as
   the median value for the corresponding day of the week, during the 5-week period 3 Jan to 6 Feb 2020. The “average” above is the simple average of retail & recreation,
   workplace, transit stations, and grocery & pharmacy series. “Eurozone”, “Developed Markets” and “EM excl. China” are the mobility indices for each country, weighted
   according to their 2019 GDP. Sources: Google, MSCI, Macrobond and Invesco. As of 15 November 2020. Mobility data published with a one-week lag.

                                                                                                                                                                                    2021 Investment Outlook                          06
Figure 3
Reimposition of Lockdowns
Impacts Services More Than                   Manufacturing                        Services
Manufacturing
Purchasing managers indices         US – Goods economy has fared relatively well
signal that services suffer first
                                              Jan     Feb      Mar      Apr      May      Jun      Jul     Aug      Sep         Oct
and most
                                     60
The recovery to date has largely     55
played out in the goods economy      50
much more than in services, as
consumers can carry on with          45
purchases from home while other      40
activities requiring face-to-face    35
interactions, such as leisure and
travel, are more challenging to      30
resume.                              25
                                     20
                                     15

                                    China – Short & sharp hits to activity
                                              Jan     Feb      Mar      Apr      May      Jun      Jul     Aug      Sep         Oct

                                     60
                                     55
                                     50
                                     45
                                     40
                                     35
                                     30
                                     25
                                     20
                                     15

                                    Eurozone – Dramatic hits to services economy
                                              Jan     Feb      Mar      Apr      May      Jun      Jul     Aug      Sep         Oct

                                     60
                                     55
                                     50
                                     45
                                     40                                                            Resurgence of
                                                                                                   virus pulls service lower
                                     35
                                     30
                                     25
                                     20
                                     15

                                    Sources: Invesco, JHU CSSE COVID-19 Data, as of 15 November 2020. Population data is from
                                    OurWorldinData.

07       2021 Investment Outlook
2020 Fiscal Easing Far Outstrips 2009, Supporting Recovery
However, amount varies across regions, pointing to divergent growth

Investors fearful of the current macro environment would do well to look to policy as a guide to the rapid bounceback in
markets.

Countries across the globe have enacted outsize fiscal spending programs to carry economies through the virus, far surpassing
the actions undertaken in the Global Financial Crisis.

  Figure 4
  Fiscal Support by G20 Members as % of National GDP

                            2009                                                                          2020
   US                                                  6                                                                                                                   14

   Canada                               3                                                                                                             10

   UK                               2                                                                                                    7

   Germany                                   4                                                                                                8

   France                     1                                                                                                     6

   Italy                                           5                                                                           5

   Japan                            2                                                                                                                                  13.7

   Australia                                 4                                                                                           7

   China                                                          8                                                       4

   India                                     4                                                                                      6

   S. Korea                                  4                                                                                                        10

   Indonesia                            3                                                                                 4

   Russia                           2                                                                                3

   Turkey                                               6                                                                      5

   Saudi Arabia                                                                11                                    3

   S. Africa                                 4                                                                                                        10

   Brazil                     1                                                                                                               8

   Mexico                     1                                                                            1

   Argentina                            3                                                                                      5

   World                          1.9                                                                                    4.2

   Sources: IMF Policy Tracker, IMF GDP Data, Atlantic Council, DE Data Wrapper, Invesco. Calculations based on data at various national release and announcement dates,
   and Atlantic Council as of 26 July 2020. 2009 based on IMF, Eurostat and G20 data. NB: Calculations exclude deferrals and guarantees; include discretionary fiscal support
   programs (aside from “automatic stabilizers”); announced and implemented programs -- all scaled against 2008 and 2019 GDP, respectively. The “World” aggregate
   represents G20 nations – G20 comprises 19 major economies plus the EU.

                                                                                                                                2021 Investment Outlook                         08
Monetary Policy in the Driver’s Seat
Emergency monetary programs are pumping cash into banks

In addition to the large fiscal policy support that governments have put forward, major central banks are also
undertaking a range of policies to support economies.

As part of this, central banks have resumed their balance sheet expansions via large-scale asset purchases.

This additional cash in banks has helped ease financial conditions to support economic activity.

  Figure 5
  Substantial Large-Scale Asset Purchases Will Likely Support Recovery
  Major Central Bank Balance Sheets, Total Assets

        Fed               BoJ                 ECB                 BOE
                      2008                2010                2012                2014               2016                2018           2020
     Billions USD
     25,000
                                                                                       Since March, +$7.3T in balance sheet assets

     20,000

     15,000
                                                                                                                                    ECB: +$2.7T

     10,000
                                                                                                                                    BoJ: +$1.2T

     5,000

                                                                                                                                    Fed: +$2.9T

  Sources: Federal Reserve (Fed), European Central Bank (ECB), Bank of England (BoE), Bank of Japan (BoJ), as of 9 November 2020.

09          2021 Investment Outlook
Broad Money Growth Has Surged Across the Developed World
If not curtailed, this will raise spending and later inflation

A recent dramatic uptick in money supply has stoked inflation fears.

The US outpaces developed market peers – but all are up substantially.

  Figure 6
  Money Supply Growth across Major Developed Economies, % yoy

            US                       Euro area                         Japan                        UK
           2007               2009                 2011                2013                2015                 2017                2019
   25
                                                                                                                                               US
                                                                                                                                                    24.1

   20

   15
             Euro area
                                                                                                                                                    11.6

   10                                                                                                                                                9.8
                                                                                                                 UK
                                                                                                                                                     9.0

     5
           Japan

     0

    -5

  Sources: Refinitiv, US Federal Reserve (M2), European Central Bank (M3), Bank of Japan (M2), Bank of England (M4x), as of 28 October 2020.

                                                                                                               2021 Investment Outlook                     10
Figure 7
Implications for World GDP
Our base, upside and downside               Base                  Upside                    Downside
scenarios for 2021 call for a               Q4                  Q2                   Q4                   Q2              Q4
policy-fueled recovery, led by              2019                2020                 2020                 2021            2021
China
                                     110

                                     105

                                     100

                                     95

                                     90

                                     85
                                    Source: Invesco assumptions, with historical data provided by national governments.

                                  Base Case…
                                  • China outperforms. US and Eurozone pause their reopening with partial
                                    lockdowns, while fiscal and monetary policy continue to support activity.

                                  • Manufacturing continues to lead, while a recovery in service sectors
                                    transpires, assuming a vaccine is rolled out broadly in H2 2021.

                                  “V” for Accelerated Vaccine…
                                  • In our assessment of upside risks, we assume a vaccine is approved early
                                    and broadly in use in H1 2021, driving a faster recovery.

                                  • We also incorporate further expansionary fiscal policy actions.

                                  Double-Dip…
                                  • Downside risks include severe secondary waves, requiring renewed
                                    national lockdowns in many countries.

                                  • Concurrently, the benefits of fiscal and monetary support are delayed as
                                    in during the first wave.

                                  • Political will and fiscal space for these policy actions proves to be less than
                                    in 2020.

11      2021 Investment Outlook
The Upside and Downside Risks for Major Economies
We anticipate that the US and Europe will recover in fits and starts, while China begins the year on strong
footing

US                                                  Figure 8A
                                                           Base                   Upside                   Downside
Base Case – The current resurgence of the
virus slows reopening and dampens spending
but proves to be short-lived. Reopening                     Q4                   Q2                   Q4                  Q2              Q4
resumes in Q2/Q3 aided by further fiscal                    2019                 2020                 2020                2021            2021
support. Confidence is aided by the rollout of      115
a vaccine in H2 2021.
                                                    110
“V” for Vaccine – Renewed fiscal support            105
and a vaccine rollout in H1 2021 enable             100
comprehensive reopening and rapid recovery.
                                                    95
Double-Dip – Multiple waves require extensive       90
lockdowns amid insufficient fiscal support.
A vaccine is not available through the entirety     85
of the forecast period.                             80

China                                               Figure 8B

Base Case – China continues to exert strong                Base                   Upside                   Downside
control over the pandemic. The growth
recovery becomes self-sustaining enabling                   Q4                   Q2                   Q4                  Q2              Q4
policy support to fade. Global trade lags the               2019                 2020                 2020                2021            2021
domestic demand recovery.
                                                    115
“V” for Vaccine – China’s vaccination strategy      110
proves effective strengthening the consumption      105
and services rebound. International relations
and geopolitical tensions – and with it, trade      100
frictions – improve meaningfully.                   95
Double-Dip – Geopolitical tensions escalate.        90
The pandemic continues to be well-controlled        85
but remains a threat. Net trade takes a
substantial hit; foreign investment also suffers.   80

Eurozone
                                                    Figure 8C
Base Case – Resurgence of virus, proliferating
                                                          Base                   Upside                   Downside
targeted lockdowns halt the recovery over the
winter. Growth resumes with re-openings from
Q2 and a vaccine in H2.                                     Q4                   Q2                  Q4                   Q2              Q4
                                                            2019                 2020                2020                 2021            2021
“V” for Vaccine – The second wave is brought        115
under control in Q4 2020, allowing easing of
lockdowns through Q1 2021. Strong fiscal            110
policy response and an early vaccine available      105
in H1 2021.
                                                    100
Double-Dip – Multiple waves of the virus return     95
with renewed, extensive lockdowns. Risks of         90
financial stress in the Eurozone rise. A vaccine
is not available through the entirety of the        85
forecast period.                                    80
                                                    Source: Invesco assumptions, with historical data provided by national governments.

                                                                                                           2021 Investment Outlook               12
13   2021 Investment Outlook
Asset allocation
perspective
Invesco Investment Solutions – Tactical Asset Allocation: Macro Framework
• As of Q4 2020, the world economy and all its major regions are in a recovery regime. However, a strong second
  wave of Covid-19 infections increases the likelihood that Europe, and potentially the US, may experience a double-
  dip contraction given selective lockdowns in parts of the economy. China has led the recovery in 2020.

• In our base case scenario we expect the world economy and all its major regions to move into an expansion
  regime by the end of 2021. Europe should experience a stronger rebound, especially versus its trend growth rate,
  as a result of slower growth in Q4 2020. China expected to converge to its trend growth rate.

   Figure 9

                                                                 ion                               Slo
                                                               ns                                     wd
                                                             pa                                         ow
                                                           Ex                                             n
  Level of Growth

                                                            4Q21

                                                                        Trend growth rate

                                                                                                                                             nt

                                                                                                                                          Co
                         v   er y                                                                                                               ra
                                                                                                                                                   c
                    Reco                                                                                                                               tio
                                                                                                                                                             n
                                4Q20

    Source: Invesco Investment Solutions’ proprietary global business cycle framework mapping GMS and IFI scenario projections. For illustrative
    purposes only.

15                  2021 Investment Outlook
Invesco Investment Solutions – Tactical Asset Allocation: Macro Framework
• In the medium term, asset prices are strongly influenced by the prevailing macro regime. Asset classes, and their
  risk premia, perform differently in different stages of the business cycle.

• Mapping our three macro scenarios into a macro regime framework can help guide tactical asset allocation
  decisions and support the analysis of current developments with an historical perspective.

  Figure 10
  Global Cycle: historical excess returns across asset classes

  • Risky credit has led in recoveries, while equities have led in expansions.

  • Returns across asset classes have experienced convergence in slowdown regimes.

  • Government bonds and safe assets have outperformed in contractions.

          Equities                  High Yield                     Bank Loans                      Investment Grade                     Government Bonds

   Credit has led                                                                                                                Government bonds have
                                                                                             Slo
   (meaningful spread
                                                               ion                              wd                               been top performers
   compression) followed                                    ans                                   ow
                                                           p                                        n
                                                         Ex
   by equities

          17.6

  12.3             11.9

                          7.5               7.8
                                                                                                                                                                     7.4
                                                                                      5.5                            5.2                               5.0
                                                                                             4.5             4.2                       4.0
                                  2.4                       2.9
                                                   1.7                                               1.9
                                                                           -2.1                                                               -2.0
                                                                   -1.3                                                                      C on
                    y                                                                                                         -6.2                  tr
                 er                                                                                                                                   ac
          c ov                                                                                                                                             tio
     Re                                                                                                                                                          n
                                            Equities: top performer                   Convergence of returns
                                            through earnings growth                   amongst asset classes
                                            Credit: Harvesting income                 Government bonds have
                                            over gov’t bonds, limited                 led in risk-adjusted terms
                                            spread compression

  Source: Invesco Investment Solutions’ proprietary global business cycle framework and Bloomberg L.P. Index return information includes back-tested data.
  Returns, whether actual or back-tested, are no guarantee of future performance. Annualized monthly returns of the defined risk premia from January 1973
  – October 2020, or since asset class inception if at later date. Asset classes excess returns defined as follows: Equities = MSCI ACWI - US T-bills 3-Month, High
  Yield = Bloomberg Barclays HY - US T-bills 3-Month, Bank loans = Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index – US T-bills 3-Month, Investment Grade = Bloomberg
  Barclays US Corporate - US T-bills 3-Month, Government bonds = US Treasuries 7-10y - US T-bills 3-Month. For illustrative purposes only. Past performance is
  not a guarantee of future results. An investment cannot be made in an index.

                                                                                                                     2021 Investment Outlook                               16
Invesco Investment Solutions – Tactical Asset Allocation
Investing within the business cycle
Base case:

• Equities expected to outperform fixed income as growth moves above trend, the global earnings cycle recovers, and risky
  assets are supported by ample money supply growth. Gradual re-opening of face-to-face sectors to favor cyclicals, value
  and small/mid cap stocks, also supported by attractive valuations and rising bond yields. Improving risk appetite and a
  depreciating US dollar to drive outperformance in EM equities over developed markets. Currency and local market valuations
  favoring DM ex-US over US equities, also supported by cyclical outperformance in 2021, and a rotation away from growth
  into value sectors and regions.

• In fixed income, credit markets have room for additional spread compression and may offer attractive risk-adjusted returns.
  Global yield curves may steepen with gradually rising bond yields but remain well-anchored by asset purchase programs and
  low inflation expectations. Real assets are expected to do well with low and stable inflation.

  Figure 11
  Relative Tactical Asset Allocation Positioning: Three Scenarios                          Upside   Base        Downside

     Below avg model                                                             Neutral               Above avg model
         portfolio risk                                                                                portfolio risk

          Fixed Income                                                                                 Equities
                         US                                                                            DM ex-US
                         DM                                                                            EM
              Defensives                                                                               Cyclicals
                   Growth                                                                              Value
               Large cap                                                                               Small cap
           Government                                                                                  Credit
         Quality credit                                                                                Risky credit
        Short duration                                                                                 Long duration
         US Treasuries                                                                                 DM ex-US govt*
                US dollar                                                                              Non-USD FX

  *Hedged
  Source: Invesco Investment Solutions, September 2020. For illustrative purposes only.

17           2021 Investment Outlook
Invesco Investment Solutions
– Tactical Asset Allocation

Investing in Fixed Income*
                                         Figure 12A
• For our base and upside scenarios,     Absolute Tactical Asset Allocation       Upside          Base       Downside
  we anticipate that continued           Positioning: Three Scenarios
  economic expansion, positive
  fundamentals and accommodative                           Underweight              Neutral                 Overweight
  policies will continue to generate
  positive credit conditions over the
  next year, though returns may be         Investment Grade
  limited by continued tight spreads.
                                                      High Yield
• In the downside double-dip
  economic scenario, tight valuations       Emerging Market
  would contribute to negative
  outcomes, particularly for lower                   Municipals
  quality credit and EM due to a
  related uptick in default losses.                 Bank Loans

                                         *Source: Invesco Fixed Income

Investing in Equities**
                                         Figure 12B
• Across scenarios, our sector           Absolute Tactical Asset Allocation       Upside          Base       Downside
  allocations are a by-product of our    Positioning: Three Scenarios
  factor/style allocations.
                                                            Underweight              Neutral                Overweight
• In our base case scenario, we
  expect a rotation in favor of
  traditional cyclical sectors, which
                                                    Industrials
  should benefit from a gradual
  re-opening of face-to-face sectors,                 Materials
  attractive valuations and rising
  bond yields.                                           Energy

• In the upside scenario, the cyclical             Consumer
  theme would be further boosted                Discretionary
  by additional infrastructure
  spending. In the downside                        Information
  scenario, a return to technology,                 Technology
  healthcare and communication               Communication
  services is likely to prevail.                  Services

                                                    Healthcare

                                         Consumer Staples

                                                     Financials

                                                   Real Estate

                                                        Utilities

                                         **Source: Invesco Investment Solutions

                                                                                           2021 Investment Outlook       18
Invesco Investment Solutions
– Tactical Asset Allocation

Investing in Commodities*
                                       Figure 13A
• Precious metals should benefit       Absolute Tactical Asset Allocation                         Upside                Base              Downside
  from anticipated continued low       Positioning: Three Scenarios
  real yields and the potential for
  inflation and dollar weakness. The                     Underweight                                  Neutral                          Overweight
  tightening supply/demand balance
  for Industrial metals should
  continue into 2021.                      Precious Metals
• Energy markets still face               Industrial Metals
  substantial excess inventory but
  suppliers have already reduced                        Energy
  capex substantially. Agricultural
  markets should benefit from likely              Agriculture
  increases in Chinese demand and
  potential weather challenges.        *Source: Invesco Systemic & Factor Investing team

Investing in Alternatives**
                                       Figure 13B
• In our base and upside scenarios     Absolute Tactical Asset Allocation                         Upside                Base              Downside
  we are constructive on               Positioning: Three Scenarios
  opportunistic strategies poised
  to take advantage of recent                            Underweight                                  Neutral                           Overweight
  dislocations, including distressed
  credit and value add real estate.
                                          Private Equity
• In our downside scenario, we favor        Large Buyout
  credit strategies that are more
  senior in the capital structure as    Growth/Venture
  well as hedge fund strategies with
  low correlations to the overall         Private Credit
  market.
                                           Direct Lending
• Growth and venture categories
  are expected to continue to                    Distressed
  outperform across a range of
  macroeconomic scenarios.                    Real Estate
                                                         Core
                                            Value Add /
                                           Opportunistic
                                          Infrastructure
                                               Core/Core+
                                           Hedge Funds
                                       **Source: Invesco Investment Solutions. Alternatives tactical asset valuations represent our view of which asset
                                       classes are likely poised to outperform over an approximate 3-5-year timeframe.

19        2021 Investment Outlook
Important Information

This document is intended only for Institutional             This document may contain statements that are not
Investors. It is not intended for and should not be          purely historical in nature but are “forward-looking
distributed to, or relied upon, by the public.               statements.” These include, among other things,
                                                             projections, forecasts and estimates. These forward-
This document is marketing material and is not intended      looking statements are based upon certain assumptions,
as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset        some of which are described herein. Actual events are
class, security or strategy. Regulatory requirements that    difficult to predict and may substantially differ from
require impartiality of investment/investment strategy       those assumed. All forward-looking statements included
recommendations are therefore not applicable nor             herein are based on information available on the date
are any prohibitions to trade before publication. The        hereof and Invesco assumes no duty to update any
information provided is for illustrative purposes only, it   forward-looking statement. Accordingly, there can be no
should not be relied upon as recommendations to buy or       assurance that estimates or projections can be realized,
sell securities. The opinions expressed are those of the     that forward-looking statements will materialize or that
author, are based upon current market conditions, may        actual returns or results will not be materially lower than
differ from those of other investment professionals, are     those presented.
subject to change without notice and are not to be
construed as investment advice.                              This document is not an invitation to subscribe for shares
                                                             in a fund nor is it to be construed as an offer to buy or
This document contains general information only and          sell any financial instruments. As with all investments,
does not take into account individual objectives, taxation   there are associated inherent risks. This document is by
position or financial needs. This should not be              way of information only.
considered a recommendation to purchase any
investment product. This does not constitute a               Asset management services are provided by Invesco
recommendation of any investment strategy for a              in accordance with appropriate local legislation and
particular investor. Investors should consult a financial    regulations.
professional before making any investment decisions if
they are uncertain whether an investment is suitable for     By accepting this document, you consent to
them. Please obtain and review all financial material        communicate with us in English, unless you inform us
carefully before investing. By accepting this document,      otherwise.
you consent to communicate with us in English, unless
you inform us otherwise. Neither Invesco Ltd. nor any of     Investment strategies involve numerous risks. The
its member companies guarantee the return of capital,        calculations and charts set out herein are indicative only,
distribution of income or the performance of any fund or     make certain assumptions and no guarantee is given that
strategy.                                                    future performance or results will reflect the information
                                                             herein. Past performance is not a guarantee of future
                                                             performance.

        II-OUTLOOK21-COM-1-E
        II-                  11                    GL1062/NA12317
You can also read