- Co-Head of Investment Strategy
Skip to main content
- Funds
- Insights
- Capabilities
- About Us
- My Account
The views expressed are those of the author at the time of writing. Other teams may hold different views and make different investment decisions. The value of your investment may become worth more or less than at the time of original investment. While any third-party data used is considered reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed. For professional, institutional, or accredited investors only.
This is an excerpt from our 2023 Investment Outlook, in which specialists from across our investment platform share insights on the economic and market forces that we expect to influence portfolios in the year to come. This is a chapter in the Investment Strategy Outlook section.
iStrat is the investment strategy and solutions group within Wellington. We are allocators and investors, like our clients. So, where do we think the investment focus should be in the coming year? I’ll highlight three areas that are top of mind:
Over the last few decades, the negative correlation between equities and bonds has provided an excellent balance to many allocations. This last year saw both markets decline, and this positive correlation turned the equity/bond relationship from risk-mitigating to risk-additive.
As our team explained in a recent article, the shift in correlation was driven by the evolving economic environment. Over the past decade, markets came to assume that central banks would respond to any deterioration in macro conditions by cutting interest rates and doing, as former ECB President Mario Draghi once put it, “whatever it takes”. This helped maintain the negative correlation: a struggling economy is negative for equities but positive for duration when the response is lower rates. But now central banks face higher inflation, setting up the potential for a difficult choice: loosen monetary policy if the economic outlook worsens or hike rates to stem inflation. Bonds will struggle in this environment and especially if central banks are perceived to be behind the curve in the inflation fight.
We think inflation will remain a challenge (even if it’s not at current 40-year highs) and central banks and governments will be forced to wrestle with this growth/inflation trade-off. While bonds may still play an important role in portfolios given their potential for income, liquidity and total return enhancement, this high-inflation regime may limit their diversification and downside protection roles. To prepare, allocators may want to consider strategies that can complement the protective role of bonds, including:
In the new economic reality described above, where central banks can no longer focus exclusively on maintaining stable growth, our macro strategist team has argued that we will see a return to a traditional economic cycle with distinct and possibly more frequent moves from one phase to the next. We also expect more cyclical divergence between countries as policymakers make different decisions about the growth/inflation trade-off and as globalization is unwound. Cyclical volatility will likely translate to increased volatility in macro-driven assets, including rates and currencies. This may create challenges but also opportunities to consider:
We believe that we are in the midst of regime change — that is, the economic shifts we’re witnessing are likely structural rather than cyclical (hear more on the subject from Macro Strategist John Butler). With this in mind, we think 2023 will be a year for allocators to ensure they are positioned for the change.
Expert
READ NEXT
Related Insights
The AI effect: Time to rethink your technology exposure?
Will AI fulfill the market's high expectations? Will it continue to drive market concentration? Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger and Global Industry Analyst Brian Barbetta, co-head of our Technology team, discuss the outlook and the asset allocation implications.
Come on in, the water’s fine! Ready for a surplus summer
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance and Portfolio Manager, explains why he continues to see reserve fixed income as the sweet spot for insurers and why there may be upside for equities.
Thematic investing focus: how exactly will AI transform the world?
We are on the brink of a technological revolution that has major implications for all sectors, companies, labour, and regulators. How can a thematic lens help investors separate hype from reality?
Breaking concentration: big picture thinking with small-cap equities
How to overcome the risks associated with today's concentrated market? Investment Director John Mullins explores why small-cap equities could be part of the answer.
All-time highs and CPIs: What comes next?
Global fundamentals have kept markets content so far this year, but will politics sour the mood? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their views on the second half of 2024, including on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Ideas for navigating a new era
Explore our latest views on risks and opportunities across the global capital markets.
Learn why we believe FHLB loans provide compelling potential for insurers to add alpha or increase yield by borrowing at low rates and benefitting from possible favorable treatment by ratings agencies. In addition, explore examples of customized investment solutions that have the potential to capitalize on these advantages.
Asset Allocation Outlook
How can you evolve your portfolio to align with current market conditions? Explore our Multi-Asset Team's latest Asset Allocation Outlook for a differentiated perspective. For professional, institutional or accredited investors only. Capital at risk.
Investing in “3D”: Forces shaping alternatives opportunities in 2024
Multi-Asset Strategists Adam Berger and Nick Samouilhan offer six ideas from the hedge fund and liquid alternatives investment space, from global macro to multi-strategy approaches.
URL References
Related Insights
Equity Market Outlook
In our Equity Market Outlook, we offer a range of fundamental, factor, and sector insights.
Multiple authors