Edmund Shing, Global Chief Investment Officer of BNP Paribas Wealth Management unveils his convictions for April 2025:
Massive US tariff hike: this represents one of the biggest tariff increases in the history of the US. It will probably take the effective tariff rate from around 2.5% pre-Trump 2.0 to 22% currently. This is highest level since 1910. The announced tariffs are significantly larger than either we or the market had anticipated.
Greater risk of a stagflation scenario for the US economy. The upcoming Q1 earnings season as well as business and consumer surveys will be important to monitor in view of the risks for employment and investments. This suggest a more cautious approach to asset allocation in the coming months.
Elevated uncertainty supports US Treasury bond demand: the trend towards lower yields in the US is likely to persist. Investors will seek refuge in safe-haven assets. We are tactically turning Positive on US Treasuries and have revised our 3-month target for the US 10-year yield to 4%.
More caution on stocks warranted: the result of yesterday’s tariff announcement is clearly negative for growth on a global basis and even carries the risk of stagflation for the US economy. We downgrade our Equities view from Overweight to Neutral.
Pressure on US corporate earnings: the effects from the tariff announcements should have negative impacts on consumption while driving up companies’ input costs, pressuring profit margins. We downgrade our view on the US equity market from Neutral to Underweight.
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