Slower, fragmented growth seen in 2024; ‘global GDP at 2.5%’

PHOTO

Global GDP growth is seen at 2.5% in 2024 and growth in developed markets (DM) will average 0.7% versus 3.6% in Emerging Markets (EM) amid the prospects of a slow and fragmented world economy. These are the predictions of Amundi, a leading European asset manager.

Amundi expects global growth gradually weakening while inflation tempers but remains above central banks’ targets, until the end of the year. Assuming the Middle East crisis remains contained, this weaker global economic outlook will be mainly driven by a slowdown in Developed Markets (DM).

“For 2025, we forecast global, DM, and EM real GDP growth at 2.7%, 1.5%, and 3.6% respectively,” Amundi says.

Quality sovereign & corporate bonds

Vincent Mortier, Group CIO of Amundi, said: “Investing in 2024 will be all about quality sovereign & corporate bonds, and seeking growth through Asian equities, as this region should benefit from better economic prospects than the others. Investors should also seek opportunities through companies positioned on promising long-term themes such as the energy transition or supply chain relocations. Nevertheless, investors will have to wait until the second half of the year to consider European stocks.”

Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, added: “Turning tides in growth, inflation, and monetary policy will generate opportunities for investors to add on risk assets during the year.”

Slowing and fragmented growth

The growth differential between Developed and Emerging Markets should reach a five-year high. The US will face a mild recession in the first half of 2024, while Eurozone growth will remain mildly positive and Japan should somewhat moderate. Emerging Markets remain more resilient but show higher fragmentation, with Asia standing out as a clear beneficiary of investment flows.

“We expect that the US will face a mild recession in the first half of 2024, as tight financial conditions begin to impact consumers and businesses. In H2, growth should stabilise below potential and inflation move closer to target. Our forecast is a 0.6% growth rate in 2024 and 1.6% in 2025.”

Growth in the Eurozone should remain low, with mixed dynamics across countries, as fiscal policy becomes more restrictive on top of already tight monetary policy. Amundi expects both the Eurozone and the UK to grow by 0.5% in 2024, and by 1.2% and 1.3% in 2025, respectively.

Emerging Markets downturn

Emerging Markets are heading towards a cyclical downturn amid weak global demand. In China, additional fiscal stimulus will not reverse the trend towards lower growth (3.9% in 2024 and 3.4% in 2025). India emerges as a new power offering bright economic prospects amid strong domestic demand and investments (6.0% growth in 2024 and 5.2% in 2025).

Finally, countries at the centre of new supply chain routes in Asia or rich in natural resources in Latin America should do better.

Central banks: assessing the time for a dovish turn

With weaker demand, inflation should converge towards Central Banks’ targets by the end of 2024. Risks for higher inflation remain in an era of disorderly energy transition and global realignment, that could drive a surge in energy and food prices. These risks could halt or reverse the process in place.

Amundi expects DM Central Banks to remain on a hawkish pause over H1, until inflation appears further under control. Inflation in the US will influence the Fed’s response, thus determining the depth of the recession. The asset manager expects the Fed and the ECB to bring interest rates down by an overall 150 and 125 basis points respectively in 2024. In Emerging Markets, disinflation is ongoing and Central Banks have some room to cut rates but little room for error in re-anchoring inflation.

Investment implications

In 2024, investors will need to navigate a fragmented economic outlook. The high disparity in valuations and the drying up of excess liquidity will lead to higher equity volatility. Lower growth and inflation may favour a return to a negative bond-equity correlation, which is good news for diversification and multi-asset portfolios.

Real and alternative assets (such as macro and fixed income hedge funds) may further add to traditional diversification. Gold can provide protection from geopolitical risk and some commodities can hedge against inflation.

Fixed income is king amid peaking rates: Quality bonds (sovereign or corporate) are the favoured asset class entering 2024. Gradually add duration and focus on investment grade credit, EM debt in hard currencies and Euro high yield short-term. Add more EM local currency debt after the Fed starts cutting rates and the US dollar weakens. US high yield may be pressured by high refinancing costs in H1 and could come back when financial conditions ease in H2.

Resilience in Equities: Entering 2024, stay defensive and focused on dividend sustainability, quality, and low volatility. Favour value in the US and Japan. When the Fed starts cutting rates, turn to more cyclical markets and sectors, such as Europe, Emerging Markets, and small caps. Themes to watch in equity will be the energy transition, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.

Emerging Markets are a key performance engine: At the start of the year, favour fixed income hard currency debt, then add local currency debt when the Fed pivots. EM Equity should benefit from a rebound in earnings, particularly in Asia. Throughout the year, look at long-term (India) and nearshoring stories, as well as winners in the energy transition (commodity exporters like Brazil) and technological advances (China).

Currency management will be a key factor in 2024, given expectations of a weaker US dollar.