Developed Countries

Stocks remain well bid despite the questionable fundamental rationale for price gains. The run to new highs has been driven by renewed valuation expansion a dubious trend given the lack of profit growth, the likelihood that the Fed will resume hiking interest rates this autumn and the potential for the U.S. dollar to climb anew. Still, abundant liquidity expectations are trumping earnings risks in the near run. Nominal GDP growth remains above long-term Treasury yields, a simple yet reliable measure of excess liquidity. Meanwhile, money growth is accelerating relative to output growth. When this occurs, history shows that defensive sectors outperform the broad market (top panel). Deep cyclicals underperform until after economic activity picks up enough to drain excess liquidity from the market (deep cyclicals are inversely correlated with our liquidity gauge, bottom panel). Consequently, we continue to emphasize non-cyclical sectors and groups in our portfolio strategy, with a splash of beta coming from the interest rate-sensitive consumer discretionary sector.

Eventually the easing of financial conditions will strengthen the Fed's resolve to lift rates. Rate hike probabilities will rise and risk assets will struggle to cope with higher Treasury yields.

Government bond markets have likely overestimated the degree of policy dovishness that is likely to be delivered by the major central banks in the next few months.

The GAA DM Equity Country Allocation model is updated as of July 29, 2016. The non-U.S. (level 2) model made some changes by increasing the overweight in Sweden and Italy while reducing the overweight in Netherland and Germany such that now Germany is in underweight position.

The odds of an inflation "mini-scare" are rising, although deflationary tail risks from abroad cannot be dismissed.

It is dangerous to equate recent equity strength with economic vitality, as history shows that liquidity-fueled equity advances favor non-cyclicals over deep cyclicals. Take profits in gold, buy rails and sell industrial machinery.

In July, the model outperformed both global equities and the S&P 500 in local-currency terms, while underperforming in U.S. dollar terms. For the monthly of August, the model made no changes to overall risk exposure.

The U.S. and the global economies are improving. A synchronized upswing normally trumps the Fed in determining the path for the dollar. U.S. inflation expectations are likely to rise relative to the rest of the world, weighing on the dollar. The risks for EUR/USD have risen. We are hedging our long EUR/USD position by shorting the euro on some crosses. Buy CHF/JPY.

The contours of a deal to solve Italy's banking problems are starting to emerge. This is good news for European risk assets. Nevertheless, reviving Italian growth will require even more ECB easing. The appetite for radical measures is low at present, but this will change if euro area growth remains lackluster and efforts by Japan to introduce helicopter money policies prove successful.

The recent rally in risk assets is walking a very fine line. If the Fed turns more hawkish, or U.S. growth slows, it could fall over.