Euro Area

For the month of June, the model performed in line with both global equities and the S&P 500. For the month of July, the model is increasing its risk exposure.

The Brexit vote will either usher in the complete dissolution of the euro area, or it will prove to be a blessing in disguise. Our bet is the latter, but the next few months are still likely to see heightened political uncertainty and elevated financial volatility, warranting a cautious stance towards risk assets. Investors have become too complacent about the prospect of Fed hikes over the coming years. Even a slight upward move in rate expectations could cause the dollar to surge. Underweight U.S. stocks in currency-hedged terms.

Global uncertainty is elevated, but markets know this. Brexit could prove extremely negative for the global economy if it prompts a questioning of the EU's integrity. The cyclical outlook for the pound remains poor, but a short-term opportunity to buy GBP/JPY has emerged. We still like the SEK and commodity currencies. The SNB will continue to intervene, but the peg is increasingly dangerous.

Post-Brexit uncertainty will continue for some time. But we were already cautiously positioned, and would not go any more defensive.

Even if commodity markets are not yet pricing a higher probability of fiscal stimulus following the U.K.'s Brexit vote, we believe they will begin doing so in very short order.

The Brexit drama has moved from the realms of psephology into the realms of game theory. How will the game play out? And how will the economy and financial markets react?

The Brexit vote has ended the reflation trade, but does not represent a "Lehman moment" either. Stick close to benchmark in terms of broad asset allocation, and watch European bank CDS for signs that another financial crisis is brewing.

The Brexit vote has ended the reflation trade, but does not represent a "Lehman moment" either. Stick close to benchmark in terms of broad asset allocation, and watch European bank CDS for signs that another financial crisis is brewing.

Government bond yields will remain at depressed levels as investors stay in safe haven assets given the lack of clarity on the next steps in the Brexit saga.

The U.K. vote is a major blow to the cause of European integration. Fears that "others are next" are likely to put upward pressure on peripheral European bond yields, potentially setting the stage for a self-fulfilling debt crisis. Risk assets are likely to recover some of today's losses over the coming trading days, but the risk to equity prices is now to the downside. Investors should assume a more cautious stance.