Active is: Investing with conviction

US elections: race is far tighter than expected – again

Résumé

While the results are not yet final, the 2020 US presidential race is much closer than the polls and betting markets predicted. Investors should expect some flight-to-safety response in areas like US Treasury bonds and the dollar, and technology may perform well if President Trump secures victory again.

Key takeaways

  • At this stage, the results of the US elections indicate that President Trump is more competitive in key swing states than markets or polling had indicated
  • While there may still be a path to victory for Democratic candidate Joe Biden, this would come through key swing states that may take days to count votes, like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin
  • Markets may continue to respond favourably to a potential second term for Mr Trump, focusing on his more business-friendly policies and lower tax regime overall; sectors like technology and financials may especially benefit
  • Investors have reasons to be optimistic heading into 2021: once a result is known, the backdrop of rising economic growth, low rates, and stimulus should be good for stocks and other risk assets

US voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election may prove historic, with more than 100 million early votes cast. Nonetheless, polls and betting sites may have misjudged the final result.

While there may still be a path to victory for Mr Biden, the race has been much tighter than the Democratic “blue wave” that dominated the headlines over the past few weeks. The election will ultimately come down to a handful of swing states that may take days to finalise their vote count, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Overnight, markets were jolted by the lack of a definitive outcome. Most notably, US 10-year Treasury yields experienced a near 10 basis-point reversal – reflecting a flight-to-safety response.

Meanwhile, it could take even longer to know who won key congressional races, which so far suggest the Democrats and Republicans may be heading for a tied Senate. Generally speaking, markets have performed best under divided government – when one party has only partial control of the House, Senate and presidency, although in this environment enacting a swift stimulus response would be a key priority.

Until the final outcome is known, we expect some flight-to-safety response, which will likely favour perceived safe havens, such as government bonds, the US dollar and gold. Investors may also look towards areas that may benefit under a potential win by President Trump, including technology and financial sectors. We may also see some volatility in Chinese and Asian equities as the outcome is decided. Nonetheless, investors may consider using any risk-off sentiment as a tactical opportunity to diversify or add to risk.

Ultimately, a president will be elected, and the policy platforms of the two candidates point to different potential implications for investors:

What a Biden victory may mean:
  • A Biden administration may roll back some financial services deregulations over time and reverse some of the 2017 tax cuts, affecting sectors that benefited most from these cuts, including large technology and healthcare firms with overseas operations – although tax hikes may not be an immediate priority for the new president
  • Mr Biden has promised a higher spend on fiscal stimulus, infrastructure and alternative energy – sectors such as industrials and manufacturing could benefit from this infrastructure spending
  • He also plans to invest heavily in renewable energy and climate protection, funded in part by the proceeds of any tax rises. His policy agenda calls for a USD 2 trillion investment in solar, wind and other clean-energy sources
What a Trump victory may mean:
  • Risk assets have broadly flourished for most of Mr Trump’s first term, and he would continue his commitment to market-friendly policies, seeing the stock markets as a bellwether for the success of his administration
  • Investors can also be reassured that a second term for Mr Trump would likely mean an environment of lower taxes and lower regulation overall, benefiting sectors like technology and financials
  • A key question for the next Trump administration would be where it plans to focus fiscal spending, if at all – he has left his spending policies open, although, like his Democratic rival, he has highlighted infrastructure as a priority
  • It is difficult to predict what Mr Trump may have in store for a second term, including his approach to US-China relations, now unconstrained by the need ever to seek re-election

Looking beyond the election

Once we have a definitive result, the path forward will be clearer for investors.

There are hopes 2021 could bring one or more viable vaccines and drug therapies to tackle Covid-19. If consumer activity around the globe improves as a result, financial markets could perform well – particularly against a backdrop of low rates and ongoing fiscal and monetary stimulus measures.

We suggest that investors keep a close watch on the flow of macroeconomic data such as jobs, wages and inflation. There have been mixed signals coming out of several regions – particularly Europe – as resurgent cases of the coronavirus take their toll on key economies. But if the US and other countries get a handle on this pandemic, it could provide a good backdrop for stocks and other risk assets:

  • In the US, the value-cyclical sectors of industrials, financials and energy have been hit hard this year, while growth sectors like technology and consumer discretionary have soared. This may shift somewhat in the next 12 months, regardless of which party wins the election.
  • Investors may want to consider allocations to select themes. Cyclicals (such as select industrials, energy and financials), emerging technology with long-term growth potential (such as 5G, AI and cybersecurity), infrastructure, US housing and clean energy may all be potential winners in a post-2020 US election era.
  • Globally, we may see US and non-US assets driving market performance. Over time, consider Europe for select areas of value and sustainable investments. In addition, emerging markets, China and North Asia could provide secular growth potential – supported by a softer US dollar and a return to global growth in 2021. Although be mindful of further escalation of US-China tensions if President Trump wins a second term.

In the case of another slowdown, markets would likely anticipate more fiscal and monetary stimulus – which could be supportive for risk assets as well. Either way, we may see a shift in which sectors are leading, and we expect market participation to broaden in the next 12 months – meaning different sectors of the market might begin to outperform.

1374796

Active is: Inventing new opportunities

AI and Cybersecurity – Ushering in a new era

AI and Cybersecurity – Ushering in a new era

Résumé

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computers, mobile devices, and other digital assets from malicious attacks. Over the last few decades, cyberattacks have become an evolving danger to both organisations and individuals. The growth of technology has led to more interconnectedness of organisations’ systems as well as a greater individual online presence.

Cybercriminals are capitalising on this change as there are more opportunities to access or destroy sensitive data. As a result, effective cybersecurity is becoming a necessity for organisations of all types and sizes. 1

Key takeaways

  • As more of our life goes digital, cybersecurity is becoming criticial to protect our data and assets.
  • AI is ideally suited to solve some of the most harmful cyber threats, as this environment rapidly evolves.
  • Governments and new legislation are expected to enforce a high priority on cybersecurity spending by corporations.
  • Investing involves risk. The value of an investment and the income from it will fluctuate and investors may not get back the principal invested. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This is a marketing communication. It is for informational purposes only. This document does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security and shall not be deemed an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

    The views and opinions expressed herein, which are subject to change without notice, are those of the issuer or its affiliated companies at the time of publication. Certain data used are derived from various sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of the data is not guaranteed and no liability is assumed for any direct or consequential losses arising from their use. The duplication, publication, extraction or transmission of the contents, irrespective of the form, is not permitted.

    This material has not been reviewed by any regulatory authorities. In mainland China, it is used only as supporting material to the offshore investment products offered by commercial banks under the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors scheme pursuant to applicable rules and regulations. This document does not constitute a public offer by virtue of Act Number 26.831 of the Argentine Republic and General Resolution No. 622/2013 of the NSC. This communication's sole purpose is to inform and does not under any circumstance constitute promotion or publicity of Allianz Global Investors products and/or services in Colombia or to Colombian residents pursuant to part 4 of Decree 2555 of 2010. This communication does not in any way aim to directly or indirectly initiate the purchase of a product or the provision of a service offered by Allianz Global Investors. Via reception of his document, each resident in Colombia acknowledges and accepts to have contacted Allianz Global Investors via their own initiative and that the communication under no circumstances does not arise from any promotional or marketing activities carried out by Allianz Global Investors. Colombian residents accept that accessing any type of social network page of Allianz Global Investors is done under their own responsibility and initiative and are aware that they may access specific information on the products and services of Allianz Global Investors. This communication is strictly private and confidential and may not be reproduced. This communication does not constitute a public offer of securities in Colombia pursuant to the public offer regulation set forth in Decree 2555 of 2010. This communication and the information provided herein should not be considered a solicitation or an offer by Allianz Global Investors or its affiliates to provide any financial products in Brazil, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay. In Australia, this material is presented by Allianz Global Investors Asia Pacific Limited (“AllianzGI AP”) and is intended for the use of investment consultants and other institutional/professional investors only, and is not directed to the public or individual retail investors. AllianzGI AP is not licensed to provide financial services to retail clients in Australia. AllianzGI AP (Australian Registered Body Number 160 464 200) is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian Foreign Financial Service License under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) pursuant to ASIC Class Order (CO 03/1103) with respect to the provision of financial services to wholesale clients only. AllianzGI AP is licensed and regulated by Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission under Hong Kong laws, which differ from Australian laws.

    This document is being distributed by the following Allianz Global Investors companies: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC, distributor registered with FINRA, is affiliated with Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC; Allianz Global Investors GmbH, an investment company in Germany, authorized by the German Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin); Allianz Global Investors (Schweiz) AG; Allianz Global Investors Asia Pacific Ltd., licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission; Allianz Global Investors Singapore Ltd., regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore [Company Registration No. 199907169Z]; Allianz Global Investors Japan Co., Ltd., registered in Japan as a Financial Instruments Business Operator [Registered No. The Director of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Financial Instruments Business Operator), No. 424, Member of Japan Investment Advisers Association and Investment Trust Association, Japan]; and Allianz Global Investors Taiwan Ltd., licensed by Financial Supervisory Commission in Taiwan.

Allianz Global Investors

Vous quittez le site Allianz Global Investors pour aller sur

Bienvenue sur le site d’ALLIANZ GLOBAL INVESTORS dédié à la succursale belge

Sélection du profil
  • Investisseur privé
  • Investisseur professionnel
  • Vous vous connectez à ce site en tant que Professionnel au sens de la directive MIF. Vous devez avoir l’expérience et la connaissance requise en matière d’investissement notamment quant aux risques encourus pour accéder à ce site.

    Si vous n’êtes pas «professionnel», vous êtes invité à quitter cette page et à vous reconnecter sur la page «particuliers» du site ALLIANZ GLOBAL INVESTORS

    US Persons : les informations figurant sur ce site ne s’adressent pas aux ressortissants et citoyens des Etats-Unis d’Amérique ou aux US persons tels que définis par la « Regulation S » de la Securities and Exchange Commission en vertu de la Security Act de 1933. Ce site a uniquement pour objet de fournir des informations sur ALLIANZ GLOBAL INVESTORS et les produits autorisés à la commercialisation en France. Les informations présentes sur ce site ne constituent pas une offre de vente ou de souscription d’un instrument financier. Les informations, avis et opinions exprimés sur ce site sont susceptibles d’évoluer et d’être modifiés à tout moment et sans préavis.

    Votre accès est soumis à la règlementation belge en vigueur et aux mentions légales et conditions générales d’accès à ce site.

    En choisissant d’accéder à notre site, vous reconnaissez avoir pris connaissance de ces Conditions et les avoir acceptées. Nous vous conseillons, dans votre intérêt, de les lire attentivement.

Veuillez cocher la case pour accepter les conditions générales.