Interview with Xavier Hannaerts
It is in a particular environment that Xavier Hannaerts, Head of Investments at Spuerkeess Asset Management, speaks about developments in the context in which…
In Europe, Germany’s automotive industry and exports are affected but the country remains very well placed to withstand the headwinds. Its employment market is in good health and its public finances are sound. In Italy, political uncertainty has led to a lack of visibility, resulting in a fall in consumption and private investment.
In China, the economy is slowing down, but this must be viewed in relative terms: the government is forecasting growth of 6 to 6.5% for 2019, at a time when the Chinese authorities are transitioning towards a service economy, and is doing whatever it can to stimulate demand in areas where it is weak
In terms of fixed income investments, the economic slowdown, the fall in inflationary pressures in Europe and the uncertain outcome of Brexit would seem to be the principal sources of concern for investors. Our positioning is neutral both on European sovereign securities and those of peripheral countries.
European credit has been in demand but we think that demand will dry up and have reaffirmed our negative stance towards that market. In the United States, the yield curve has led us to adopt a neutral stance: 2019 is a new start, with the Fed changing its tone by showing itself to be less restrictive than in previous publications, and with no inflationary pressure. As for the US credit market, we are favouring a prudent approach and increasing the quality of the securities we select.
In the area of equity investments, the markets in developed and emerging countries recovered spectacularly after the holiday season. The conciliatory language used by the Fed, progress in the trade negotiations between the United States and China, the end of the government shutdown and the publication of good results reassured investors.
As such, we have opted for a more defensive positioning by reducing our exposure to equities, since the current environment is less favourable than in 2018. There were some exceptional performances that led to us taking profits at a time when we expected increased volatility, which reached a very low level despite the tensions in the political world.