We still believe that equity and credit markets will re-couple further from here. However it is now more likely that credit spreads tighten rather than equity sells off sharply as recent Fed actions are more positive for credit than equity, in our view. The key points in the attached Strategy Expresso! note are:
Credit clouds clearing
We still believe that equity and credit markets will re-couple from here, but it is more likely that credit spreads tighten as opposed to equity selling off. Within the banks sector, we would be overweight credit and underweight equities. There is a strong case now to increase exposure to Bank credit. Greater liquidity should help, but equity holders may still suffer from credit losses leading to the need to raise capital.
Credit likely to move tighter but above fair value
The rally that began in credit markets yesterday (March 18) is the start of a trend that should continue over the next few months, in our view. While we do not expect spreads to approach our fair value estimate of 65-70 bp for iTraxx Main near term, we think they will compress to 100 bp from 130 bp currently.
We expect equities to remain in a 'fat and flat' range
The downside risks have been reduced by the Fed actions and attractive valuation. However, ongoing losses and de-leveraging in the bank sector coupled with a deterioration in the growth and inflation mix are likely to limit substantial upside, in our view.