Economy

Headline and aggregate-economy statistics such as GDP and income are no longer representative statistics for the living standards of the vast majority of the population. This <i>Special Report</i> discusses the implications for politics, economics and investment.

A global comparison suggests that China's capacity utilization does not appear particularly weak compared to other countries. The excess capacity problem is not unique to China, and therefore cannot be explained by China's investment-driven growth model. Chinese stocks have been unduly punished by the "overcapacity" stigma, which is unwarranted and will eventually correct.

The Fed's recent dovishness represents an acknowledgement of the feedback loop between Fed policy and financial conditions. Expect Fed hawkishness to ramp back up prior to the next rate hike, likely in June.

The Fed's recent dovishness represents an acknowledgement of the feedback loop between Fed policy and financial conditions. Expect Fed hawkishness to ramp back up prior to the next rate hike, likely in June.

The Fed's decision to scale back intended interest rate hikes reflects economic reality.

A dovish Fed bought the bounce a bit more time, but there is little incentive to add portfolio risk. Buy consumer finance, especially vs. banks, and expect communications equipment outperformance.

While the FOMC was more dovish than expected, rising inflation may cause the Fed to escalate hawkish rhetoric. The bounce in oil should help high-beta stocks. Underweight U.S. equities versus Europe, Japan and H-shares. We estimate U.S. equities will deliver returns of 4%, ann. over the next 10 years, <i>vis-à-vis</i>  9% for the euro area and Japan, and 14% for H-shares. Central banks have more options to combat any possible debt-deflation spiral in Europe/Japan/China than is often recognized.

A surprisingly dovish outcome from this week's FOMC meeting has led to broad-based weakness in the U.S. dollar. The monetary policy divergence supporting the dollar may have peaked.

Most of the economic arguments in favor of the U.K. leaving the EU do not carry much weight, as we discuss in this collaboration between BCA's <i>Geopolitical Strategy</i> and <i>European Investment Strategy</i>. However, the probability is a coin toss - much higher than investors tend to think. We review the geopolitical and investment implications of the "Leave" and "Remain" scenarios.

If the EM rally is sustained, the Fed will once again become resolute in its commitment to hiking interest rates. This in turn will spur another relapse in EM risk assets. Chinese policymakers are attempting to juggle contradictory objectives without a clear and realistic plan of action to resolve existing problems.