Agility counts in a year of disruption and divergence

Going into 2022, investors will want to prepare their portfolios for bouts of volatility and lingering inflation, likely by diversifying more broadly across asset classes, styles and regions. But they should also take this opportunity to factor in the disruptive structural trends that are driving – and even upending – our expectations of the future.

Economic growth seems likely to decelerate after the “base effect” rebound we saw in 2021. Covid-related uncertainty and supply bottlenecks will likely prove to be a drag on growth, as well as a continued source of price volatility. There should also be a divergence in growth figures and central bank support in various parts of the world, and the markets will likely react quickly to any positive or negative macroeconomic data. All the while, inflation seems likely to stay higher than many market-watchers expect.

So what does this mean for investors’ portfolios?

We invite you to explore three structural themes that are likely to play a key role in the coming year.

Navigating Rates

Investors need to watch the speed of interest rate adjustments, fluctuating exchange rates and shifting inflation expectations. We think central banks and many investors underestimate the probability that consumer price inflation may turn out higher than expected – and last longer than is currently priced into financial markets. While some central banks have already imposed rate hikes, and others are close behind, they are also likely to remain “behind the curve” in responding to inflationary pressures. So while inflation may creep up, we don’t expect to see an end to the decades-long era of overall low rates – which means investors must find new ways to protect purchasing power and search for yield.

Appreciating China

The world’s second-largest economy is in the midst of an unparalleled strategic transformation, and it’s important not to lose sight of that even as economic growth slows and regulatory clampdowns impact certain sectors. Volatility will continue to be a hallmark of investing in China, but we remain convinced of the long-term investment case. Those who understand China’s wider political context and strategy – and navigate its markets actively – may be best-placed to avoid bumps in the road along the way.

Achieving Sustainability

With the global effort to reach “net-zero” emissions within a few decades, how can investors use their portfolios to have a positive impact? Investor demand, fast-evolving regulations and a deluge of data will raise the bar on what impact investors can achieve – and how they can achieve it. It’s a highly complex topic, involving disparate stakeholders at different stages of their net-zero journeys. We expect sustainability to be a disruptor for the older economy, as citizens around the world look to have a smaller ecological footprint while having a broader environmental and social “handprint”.

2022 perspectives from our experts

 

MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) is an unmanaged index designed to represent performance of large- and mid-cap stocks across 23 developed and 24 emerging markets. MSCI China Index is an unmanaged index that captures large- and mid-cap representation across approximately 85% of the China equity universe. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

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