Inflation unlikely to raise further: BofA



Almost three quarters of respondents believe inflation is only transitory, according to a Bank of America (BofA) survey, with the percentage of respondents expecting higher inflation down 19% from May.
According to the latest Bank of America Global Fund Manager survey, which surveyed 224 fund managers with $667 billion in assets under management, a net 64% of investors were expecting higher inflation in the next 12 months, down 19% from the previous month.
Some 72% said they believed inflation was only transitory compared to 23% who thought it would be permanent.
“Investors [are] bullishly positioned for permanent growth, transitory inflation and a peaceful Fed taper via longs in commodities, cyclicals and financials,” the report said.
However, the threat of rising inflation remained the number one tail risk for respondents, joint with the threat of a taper tantrum. Over half of respondents expected the US Federal Reserve to taper its asset purchases in August/September.
Regarding positioning, BofA said investors were “significantly overweight” cyclical stocks such as the Eurozone, banks, energy and materials and were underweight defensives. There was a 39% underweight by respondents to utilities, the largest since February 2017. Technology weightings had doubled from 11% to 22% over the month.
Investors said they expected value stocks would be the asset most likely to outperform over the next 12 months followed by technology stocks.
Cash was down from 4.1% in May to 3.9% in June which BofA said was an indicator to sell global equities.
Recommended for you
Regal chief investment officer Philip King will step down from listed investment company VGI Partners Global Investments after the LIC reported a loss of $17.6 million for FY25.
Real asset commentators have shared what advisers should be considering when conducting their due diligence on the assets and how they can mitigate illiquidity for retail clients.
GQG Partners has announced net flows were down 28 per cent in the first half of 2025, with redemption pressure particularly hitting Australia.
Betashares has launched a complex ETF focused on emerging market equities, helping advisers and investors to diversify beyond domestic and US exposure.