Latest from BCA Research

Investors see Europe as a museum: A continent stuck in the past, with no ability to innovate, much less generate profits. But is this view accurate? In this report we argue that the structural headwinds to European profitability are a thing of the past. Political change and improving sentiment are also a tailwind for Europe. Meanwhile, in the US, economic uncertainty brought about by Trump’s policies have reversed the surge in animal spirits that followed the election. All of this is happening within the context of weakening growth. We upgrade European equities from neutral to overweight and downgrade US equities from neutral to underweight.

Europe’s resilience to global liquidity deterioration isn’t a fluke—it signals a structural shift. Our latest report explains why the decline in precautionary money demand marks the end of Europe’s liquidity trap and what it means for investors.

The MacroQuant model is no longer bullish on stocks but is not yet prepared to turn underweight. Subjectively, the Global Investment Strategy team is more bearish on equities than the model.

This week, our three screeners cover equity plays in European Banks, US Financials, And US Stocks that are “Grave Diggers”.

The MacroQuant model is no longer bullish on stocks but is not yet prepared to turn underweight. Subjectively, the Global Investment Strategy team is more bearish on equities than the model.

The tariffs on Canada and Mexico will come into effect as scheduled while the tariffs on China will be doubled. In the Middle East, Iranian response to any attack will threaten Middle Eastern oil supply. Meanwhile, Chinese fiscal support will surprise to the upside at the Two Sessions. But Trump's China policy will cause volatility. Now that the stock market is cracking, reinitiate defensive trades, such as long treasuries versus US stocks and long global defensives versus cyclicals.

Core PCE inflation was tame this morning, but with large tariffs looming we anticipate loftier inflation readings in the months ahead.

Bank Credit Analyst

In Section II, Jonathan presents a checklist that investors can use to confirm whether AI’s purported productivity gains are real. The checklist does not currently suggest that artificial intelligence is meaningfully boosting productivity growth. US equity valuation reflects very significant optimism about AI, underscoring the profound risk facing equity investors if the narrative about AI shifts in a pessimistic direction.

Bank Credit Analyst

In Section I, Doug notes that the chaos of the new administration, including bellicose tariff threats and DOGE’s abrasive and indiscriminate approach, are sowing uncertainty and fortifying economic headwinds. Lowered guidance of prominent retailers, alongside weakening services PMIs, bode poorly for economic activity considering that improving manufacturing PMIs likely reflect tariff frontrunning. A recession remains our base case, suggesting that investors should be underweight stocks within multi-asset portfolios. In Section II, Jonathan presents a checklist that investors can use to confirm whether AI’s purported productivity gains are real. The checklist does not currently suggest that artificial intelligence is meaningfully boosting productivity growth. US equity valuation reflects very significant optimism about AI, underscoring the profound risk facing equity investors if the narrative about AI shifts in a pessimistic direction.

The US (and the UK) is staring down the barrel of a ‘mini-stagflation’ until a deflationary shock arrives to neutralise it. We describe a likely source for the deflationary shock and list three investment conclusions that are valid irrespective of how long it takes for the deflationary shock to arrive. Plus: RCI.B is deeply oversold and ripe for a rebound.