Five Themes Set to Dominate the Year Ahead - and How to Prepare

THEME 1: Global trade wars – can China avoid a crisis?

The trade conflict between the US and China has been escalating – and it might get worse before it gets better if the two sides continue to play a game in which neither side is willing to yield first.

A deterioration in the relationship between the world’s two superpowers might have far reaching consequences, such as a weaker yuan and stronger US dollar, rising geopolitical tensions and slowing global economic growth. A less visible but potentially greater risk is the impact on US inflation – higher prices caused by tariffs could lead to an upside surprise in inflation data and a subsequent sell-off in US rates and equities.

Although the direct impact of a trade war on the US economy could be marginal, China’s economic growth could lose nearly 2% in the next two years, according to the International Monetary Fund, creating a serious drag on the global economy. China has been considered a major risk for years and, with imbalances building, this could finally materialise – indeed, trade tensions have already sent the Chinese stock market plunging in 2018. After the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, China was the economic locomotive that helped to pull the rest of the world out of recession; it might lack the necessary power to do so again next time.

If the trade conflict is resolved, however, Chinese assets could offer a buying opportunity at bargain prices.

THEME 2: Fixed income – a bias towards rising bond yields?

Since the 2008 credit crisis, government bond yields have declined significantly, partly due to quantitative easing (QE) and partly due to subdued expectations about future short-term rates, inflation and economic growth. These expectations are reflected in the flat yield curve. With the tapering of QE and the beginning of the hiking cycle, we are now at a turning point, which could have significant consequences for bonds as well as all major asset classes.

The key risk is a surprising jump in inflation, leading to a realisation that central banks are behind the curve and raising expectations of faster tightening. In this scenario, a correction in both equities and bonds could occur. This would be problematic for portfolios relying on a negative equity/bond correlation for diversification. Higher US yields could also mean a strong US dollar, providing some protection to clients exposed to US assets.

Tightening is dependent on continued economic strength; but if the economy slows, bonds may have another good year and could outperform equities.

THEME 3: Emerging markets – risk or opportunity?

Higher US interest rates may attract capital flows away from emerging markets (EM) as the opportunity cost of being in safer US assets decreases. In addition, a combination of higher US rates with stable non-US rates should strengthen the US dollar, making it more difficult for EM countries to repay dollar-denominated debt, while there is also the potential for intensifying protectionism and global trade wars.

Each of these factors by themselves, or even in combination, may not necessarily lead to an EM crisis; however, the weight of some idiosyncratic country-level problems, such as those we have seen in Argentina, Turkey or Brazil, could lead to contagion, which in turn could be amplified by indiscriminate selling from ETF investors.

Overall, however, the fundamentals of many EM countries are sound. The valuations of EM equity and bond markets look attractive after lagging their developed markets counterparts in 2018, particularly US equities. If an EM crisis doesn’t materialise, it may be a buying opportunity.

THEME 4: Global stock markets – another year in the long bull cycle?

President Trump will do everything he can to keep the US economy strong because the success of his presidency relies on it, although his hands might be somewhat tied following the US midterm elections. While the current economic cycle has become one of the longest in history, we see no immediate warning signs that it is likely to end soon. As such, unless unforeseen significant risks materialise to derail the US economy, we may have another strong year for equity markets despite concerns over valuations. The policy of ‘America first’ with respect to trade negotiations may help push the value of American assets higher.

But there is a risk here. America still relies on the rest of the world as much as the rest of the world relies on America – attempting to reset the terms of global trade too hard in America’s favour might derail the economies of other countries.

THEME 5: Europe – can it push through harder tests to come?

The European Union (EU) faces a number of challenges in 2019, including the ongoing Brexit process, further tensions with the Italian government and the continued rise of populism, anti-immigration, anti-establishment and separatism movements. A weakening European economy (real GDP has decelerated in 2018) could exacerbate the issues.

On the other hand, any favourable resolutions could lead to economic acceleration and a relief rally. In addition, European earnings growth has lagged European economic growth – a recovery in earnings may provide a boost to European equities.

More on Disruptive Forces

The T. Rowe Price Global Market Outlook for 2019, Navigating Global Disruption, is released in December. The report provides a global perspective on the range of disruptive forces set to impact markets and economies in 2019. Featuring key insights from our Global CIOs, it’s an essential resource as you prepare your investment strategy for the year ahead.