Wednesday, April 16, 2008

10 Investment Themes from Credit Suisse

Giles Keating head of the Credit Suisse Global Economics and Strategy Group (GESG) outlines 10 investment themes for 2008 in the Credit Suisse Magazine, namely:

One: Frontier Markets-underpinned by growth stories of undeveloped financial markets as the Indian subcontinent like Pakistan, Parts of Africa and smaller markets in Asia and Latin America.

Two: Asian Currencies- a play on relative undervaluation and expectations of continued economic outperformance

Three: US Presidential Elections- a punt on the cyclicality of the US Presidential elections and industries likely to benefit from the biases/preferences of the incoming President or of the political party behind the new president, e.g. broad health care

Four: Inflation-Linked Bonds-a wager on the possible impact of monetary policies, “inflation-linked bonds do well in an environment where real interest rates tend to go down because of economic weakness, and when inflation remains an issue”

Five: Chinese Brand Names-a position on the growth potentials of China’s consumers

Six: Climate Change-today’s highly compelling political and economic theme focusing on environmental preservation ranging from alternative energy to water issues

Seven: Commodities- a bet on the commodity cycle.

Eight: Community Investment- themes focusing on the concept of “charitable giving” or “socially responsible” investing as microfinancing

Nine: Cheap Distressed Assets-"value" investments from the recent turmoil

Ten: Quality Credits-fixed income investments which ensures cash flows from quality issues in a slowing economy

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