Latest from BCA Research

The semiconductor industry is at the epicenter of the AI frenzy, which even with all the hallmarks of a bubble, may last for months. There are also early signs of a turnaround in demand for more conventional chips. As such, it no longer pays to be underweight in the sector. But the sector is too expansive to shift our positioning to an overweight. This is not a trade to “be a hero” - we upgrade the sector positioning to neutral.

Expectations for oil demand growth through 2023-24 are way too optimistic. Until these expectations fall to -0.5-1 percent, the oil price has further downside. Plus: collapsed complexity confirms that AI is in a mania, while basic materials stocks and ZAR/EUR are rebound candidates.

Special Report

The aerospace and defense industry faces several short-term headwinds such as the defense budget standoff, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages. But most of these will clear in the near term, and a relief rally is likely. Ensuing global geopolitical risks and rivalry will remain a long-term tailwind, bolstering the industry over a long-term horizon. Remain overweight.

Special Report

Now that the French pension reforms have been passed, President Macron’s focus will be on the international stage. Where are the risks and opportunities for French assets created by this pivot?

President Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party emerged as the winner of the Turkish general election which was concluded yesterday. This victory means that their expansive policies of the past decade will continue, and Turkish assets will suffer. Across the Aegean, the Greeks voted to reelect the New Democrats under the leadership of Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Their fiscal prudence and structural reforms will be continued as voters had rewarded them with another term in office. Go long Greek versus Turkish equities.

In this Month-In-Review report, we go over the latest G10 data releases and rank currencies’ fundamental standing based on our updated macroeconomic model.

The latest selloff in US Treasuries has left yields at attractive levels from a risk/reward perspective. We are therefore raising our recommended duration stance in the US from neutral to overweight.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiked rates this week to 5.5%. There are many reasons to expect that to be the last rate hike for this cycle – a development that is positive for New Zealand bonds but bearish for the New Zealand dollar.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiked rates this week to 5.5%. There are many reasons to expect that to be the last rate hike for this cycle – a development that is positive for New Zealand bonds but bearish for the New Zealand dollar.

US bond investors should increase portfolio duration from “at benchmark” to “above benchmark” on a cyclical (6-12 month) investment horizon. We also recommend exiting Treasury curve flatteners and closing short positions in the February 2024 fed funds futures contract.