Investment Insights

 

New Zealand Equity Monthly (April 2025)

The upcoming New Zealand earnings reporting season is set against a backdrop of intricate global economic factors and trade tensions. Amidst the uncertainty, we assess New Zealand's exposure to the global trade tumult, highlighting potential challenges and supportive factors for the country's economy and companies.

New Zealand Fixed Income Monthly (April 2025)

In our view, New Zealand’s status as a safe haven during times of turbulence has often exceeded that of other markets. Although the New Zealand market is relatively small, it also offers a high degree of quality, and the country's bond and asset prices rarely see as much volatility as in the rest of the world.

Navigating Japan Equities: Monthly Insights From Tokyo (May 2025)

While the “tariff crisis” may have clouded Japan’s economic outlook, the prospects are certainly not opaque as it may look to reduce the role of US exports. Trade tensions have also prompted the Bank of Japan to hold monetary policy steady, but the central bank is still seen to be on course to hike interest rates in the longer term as it takes into account the continuous rise in domestic inflation.

Financing nature at scale

Nature-related risks and opportunities are rising fast on the global investment agenda. Yet for many investors, finding scalable, credible ways to finance biodiversity remains a challenge. Sovereign green bonds may offer one of the most effective channels to direct capital toward nature-positive outcomes—at scale, and with transparency.
One major “plotline” central to the recent series of tariff moves is the tense trade relationship between the US and China. In this issue, we will explore how Chinese bonds have historically offered defensive characteristics and their portfolio roles moving forward.
China’s focus on boosting domestic consumption as their top policy priority in 2025 sets a positive trajectory. The ability of individual countries to provide domestic stimulus is going to be crucial in limiting the impact of global growth slowdown brought on by US policy uncertainty.

Global Investment Committee review: scenarios for a less certain global outlook

The Global Investment Committee (GIC) held an extraordinary session to review the macroeconomic and market impact of tariffs announced by the US on 2 April, as well as subsequent actions and market reactions. The GIC’s verdict is that while the US may avoid a recession, risks of slower growth loom large.
The US markets have dominated global portfolio flows, but investors may seek alternative investment destinations if the ongoing change in trade dynamics results in an extended period of elevated US risk premiums. With US tariff policies setting in motion significant fundamental changes, Asia emerges as a potential destination for capital reallocation.

Chinese property developer bonds: reflecting on the sleeper rally and what lies ahead

Amid the challenges facing China's property market, work is well under way to restore confidence in the housing sector. It remains an uphill task for both Beijing and the country's property groups, but there are signs of renewed investor interest in the Chinese property bond market as the housing sector's outlook is expected to improve.
Against this more challenging but still benign macroeconomic backdrop, we expect Asian corporate and bank credit fundamentals to stay resilient, aside from a few sectors and specific credits which may be affected by tariff threats or geopolitical dynamics.