Just another bear market rally
We expect the market to fade this rally, but think it unlikely that we will break the February lows, before staging a more sustained recovery supported by fundamental improvements in activity and banksâ balance sheets later in the year. Longer-term, we think that attractive valuation levels should lead to strong real returns for shareholders.
Recent rally has paid for risk/reward improvement
We remain very focused on data and policy developments, but believe the recent rally has paid for the near-term risk/reward improvement. Catalysts that have the potential to drive the market down near-term: next week, we will get the ISM and March unemployment report, news surrounding the G20 and banksâ stress tests, and first quarter earnings.
"Inflection Detection" update
We have updated our four signposts that we are watching to indicate a sustainable turn:
(1) valuation looks attractive, even after the rally;
(2) economic data has turned slightly better, but one month isnât a trend. We would rather be late and have the trough confirmed as we think the risks of being early are significant;
(3) given the amount of data that will come through over the next few weeks, we worry how the market will interpret it, especially after the rally;
(4) the credit market has tightened, especially in IG, but economic and credit concerns may drive credit wider.