‘Serious Rally’ in Chinese Stocks Possible, Says Eurizon’s Jen

Sep 29, 2024 at 8:34 AM

Seizing the Opportunity: Navigating China's Resurgence in Global Markets

As the global economy navigates a complex landscape, investors are closely watching the developments in China, a powerhouse that has captured the attention of financial markets worldwide. According to Stephen Jen of Eurizon SLJ Capital, the time is ripe for investors to capitalize on the recent stimulus-fueled gains in Chinese equities and the yuan, as well as the decline in the country's bonds.

Unlocking the Potential of China's Undervalued Markets

Underweight and Undervalued

Jen, the London-based chief executive officer of Eurizon SLJ, believes that investors are significantly underweight in their exposure to Chinese assets, presenting a unique opportunity for those willing to take a closer look. He argues that Chinese equities are "extremely undervalued," suggesting that a "serious rally is entirely possible" as investors seek to rebalance their portfolios.This sentiment echoes the views of other prominent investors, such as billionaire David Tepper, who have expressed bullishness on China following the government's introduction of sweeping stimulus measures. These policy actions have already lifted the CSI 300 index to its biggest gain since 2008, yet a significant portion of global fund managers remain skeptical, with 19% of respondents to Bank of America Corp.'s September survey identifying "shorting Chinese stocks" as one of the most popular trades.

Riding the Wave of Policy Easing

Jen's optimism is fueled by the confluence of factors that he believes will drive the performance of risk assets. As China steps up its policy easing efforts, coinciding with the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, and with oil prices remaining low, Jen sees a perfect storm brewing for a powerful rally in global equities, particularly as the US election cycle comes to a close.The "dollar smile" theory, which Jen himself created, posits that the US dollar tends to rise when the economy is either booming or in a deep slump. Applying this framework, Jen expects the greenback to trade lower against the euro, yen, and yuan, as US inflation slows toward zero and the world's largest economy experiences a "soft landing."

Positioning for a Resurgent China

Jen's analysis suggests that investors should take a closer look at Chinese assets, particularly equities and the yuan, as they offer compelling opportunities in the current market environment. The combination of undervaluation, policy support, and a potential shift in the US dollar's trajectory presents a compelling case for those willing to embrace the potential of China's resurgence.As the global economy navigates a period of uncertainty, Jen's insights provide a roadmap for investors seeking to capitalize on the shifting dynamics in the world's second-largest economy. By understanding the underlying drivers and positioning their portfolios accordingly, investors may be able to ride the wave of China's resurgence and potentially reap the rewards of this emerging opportunity.