Value-based investing back on the cards
Market evidence is mounting, with indicators showing that economies have reached an ‘inflection point' characterised by the weakening of growth stocks which could see the return of value-based investing, according to Perennial Value.
Perennial Value managing director, John Murray, said that value investment had dropped out of favour in recent years, even with evidence of strong relative long-term performance and the weakening of growth and defensive stocks.
"Defensive and growth stocks are currently looking expensive," he said.
"Some argue it is always a good time to invest in value companies, we see ample evidence of an inflection point now in terms of value swinging back in favour."
In the face of strong investment headwinds, Murray was confident that record low global interest rates, low growth and slow earnings growth had driven investors to defensive stock positions, now to be called ‘expensive defensives'.
"Australia has among the most expensive defensive stock ‘darlings' in the world, with potentially a lot more downside in those stocks to come," he said.
"Investors may simply exit these largely expensive defensive stocks and we believe the swing back to value is very much on the cards."
Recommended for you
There is one specific risk that is a significantly higher concern for financial services directors compared to companies overall and is impacting their risk appetite, according to the AICD.
Global fund managers are shunning bonds, with the asset class seeing the largest drop in allocations in more than 20 years.
Australian Ethical has seen its funds under management reach $10 billion, driven by organic customer growth and superannuation contributions.
Financial advisers will have access to private equity investments run by WTW for the first time as it launches a pooled fund to provide savers with access to traditionally institutional assets.