Market Update

Applied philosophy - Rising yields and sector selection

March 4, 2021
Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson
Global Head of Asset Allocation Research
Andras Vig
András Vig
Multi-Asset Strategist
Rising yields and sector selection

The rotation from growth into value seems to have intensified this week as sovereign yields rose. Investors appear to be positioning for an acceleration in the recovery, which may come with higher inflation. This could potentially lead to the withdrawal of generous monetary and fiscal stimulus efforts. We believe there is scope for global sovereign yields to rise further and have analysed how global equity sectors have behaved in similar periods.

We think the rally in risk assets since March 2020 was mainly driven by generous fiscal and monetary support, which allowed markets to look through the pandemic-induced economic slump. However, this risk-on move has hit speedbumps this year. We suspect investors have started to process what the levelling off and withdrawal of that support would mean for their portfolios.

If current trends of falling Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths are maintained, it would allow for a re-opening of more economies. Also, as vaccination programmes reach more people around the world, this will reduce the severity and spread of the virus in the future. In our view, it will be a while before humanity has enough protection against the virus to restore pre-pandemic normality, but we do not expect stimulus efforts to be extended much further.

Read the full article

  • The value of investments and any income will fluctuate (this may partly be the result of exchange rate fluctuations) and investors may not get back the full amount invested.

  • All data is as at 25 February 2021 unless otherwise stated.

    This document is marketing material and is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class, security or strategy. Regulatory requirements that require impartiality of investment/investment strategy recommendations are therefore not applicable nor are any prohibitions to trade before publication. The information provided is for illustrative purposes only, it should not be relied upon as recommendations to buy or sell securities.

    Where individuals or the business have expressed opinions, they are based on current market conditions, they may differ from those of other investment professionals, they are subject to change without notice and are not to be construed as investment advice.