Global Balanced portfolio positioning intra-quarter update as of 11/12/2021

Continued to shift equity exposure from Asian emerging markets toward developed markets as economic cycle evolves

November 12, 2021

Actions and Overview:

Reduced Emerging Asia equity exposure

  • Eliminated an Emerging Asia-focused ETF position

Increased developed market exposure in Asia and Europe

  • Added to an existing developed Asia-focused ETF holding
  • Added to an existing developed Europe ETF holding

Full Portfolio Rebalance

The global economic recovery continues to progress and, building on recent portfolio shifts, we continue to position portfolios for a transition from the very strong recovery phase to a more trend-like expansionary phase. As such, we are further decreasing overall emerging markets (EM) exposure, specifically reducing our EM Asia equity allocation, and adding to international developed markets in Asia and Europe due to a combination of macro and fundamental factors.

We typically have seen EM perform well during the early recovery stage of economic cycles, while developed markets have generally performed well during the mid-phase of economic cycles. Current fundamentals, in our view, suggest this relationship will hold in the current cycle. We also see potential that is particular to this cycle for elevated economic growth in Europe and Japan, where activity is poised to benefit from rising vaccination rates and re-opening trends following multiple waves of COVID-19 disruptions. In addition, developed markets should be supported by the higher level of fiscal and monetary policy accommodation implemented during the pandemic as compared to emerging markets. Meanwhile, in addition to the evolving economic cycle, we see various factors related to China, including regulation and expanded debt, as increasing risks for EM Asian equities.

UPDATE DETAIL

Eliminated Emerging Asia-focused ETF position:

  • As the global economic recovery shifts to expansion, we anticipate EM Asia economies, and particularly China, are likely to see growth decelerate even as certain developed economies likely see improved growth in coming quarters.
  • We view less accommodative monetary & credit conditions, broad-based regulatory changes in China, peaking growth in goods demand, and “no tolerance” Covid-19 policies as headwinds to near-term economic growth in EM Asia.
  • We believe Chinese earnings estimates for 2022 and 2023 are exposed to downward revisions, while Chinese valuation multiples represent a premium compared to prior periods of slowing activity (e.g., 2015/2016 and 2019).
  • The portfolio is now materially underweight EM Asia.

Added to existing developed Asia-focused ETF holding:

  • We see potential for continued re-opening to drive economic acceleration in Japan, the largest developed Asia economy, where the COVID-19 vaccination rate has nearly tripled to almost 75% in the last four months.
  • We see upside to current high-single-digit earnings growth estimates in 2022 and 2023 for international developed markets, particularly in Japan, yet Japanese valuations are currently near a historic low vs. global markets.
  • The portfolio now has an increased overweight of developed Asia and, in particular, Japan.

Added to existing developed Europe ETF holding:

  • While COVID-19 infections in Europe remain elevated, we see potential for the region’s economic growth to sustain a healthy pace in coming quarters, driven by improving demand after multiple waves of COVID-19 disruption.
  • European valuations are mixed compared to global markets: Europe ex-UK equities are trading at a discount similar to pre-COVID levels, while relative valuations on UK equities are below any point in the last cycle.
  • Despite added exposure, we remain underweight Europe.

The most recent complete presentation can be viewed here.

Any portfolio characteristics, including position sizes and sector allocations among others, are generally averages and are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the investments of an actual portfolio unless otherwise noted. The investment guidelines of an actual portfolio may permit or restrict investments that are materially different in size, nature and risk from those shown. The investment processes, research processes or risk processes shown herein are for informational purposes to demonstrate an overview of the process. Such processes may differ by product, client mandate or market conditions. Portfolios that are concentrated in a specific sector or industry may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than a portfolio whose investments are more diversified.

Holdings, Sector Weightings and Portfolio Characteristics were current as of the date specified in this presentation. The listing of particular securities should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell these securities. While these securities were among WestEnd Advisors’ Global Balanced holdings at the time this material was assembled, holdings will change over time. There can be no assurance that the securities remain in the portfolio or that other securities have not been purchased. It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the securities presently in the portfolio. Individual clients’ portfolios may vary.

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