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By Pruksa Iamthongthong, Investment Manager, Asia Dragon Trust plc
Sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments
As we begin a new year, those of us looking for a clean break from last year’s uncertainty may be disappointed: last year’s challenges have not disappeared overnight and look likely to linger for some time.
For example, Covid-19 will be around for many months to come; its dark clouds will continue to cast a shadow over global growth. The US presidential election has delivered a winner – Joe Biden. But control of Congress – and Biden’s ability to push through his progressive agenda - will be determined by the results of run-off elections in the US state of Georgia, underway at the time of writing.
Despite this uncertainty, with Asia Dragon Trust we have identified four big themes that investors should watch because they represent both opportunities and risks:
China’s desire for self-reliance is growing because of the external challenges it faced in 2020. The country’s vulnerabilities were exposed via supply insecurity during the initial stages of the pandemic; a trade war with the US; and the disruption from Huawei’s inability to access the global semiconductor supply chain, which is largely dependent on US technologies.
There are three areas of focus in China’s push for self-reliance: boosting domestic consumption; localisation of new technology, especially the advanced semiconductor technology that underpins 5G mobile networks; and the transition towards green energy.
China’s shift towards domestic consumption and services started a few years ago. But domestic consumption’s importance to the economy was highlighted this year as external demand became less dependable following the global pandemic.
Retail sales, one measure of domestic consumption, are not yet back to pre-pandemic levels despite rebounding following a steep drop. As in other parts of the world, online sales increased and continue to fly high, even though China emerged relatively early from the worst of the pandemic.
One of China’s goals is to be less dependent on fossil fuels. While it is an oil producer, it is also the world’s largest oil importer. This leaves the country vulnerable to supply disruptions from overseas. That’s why China has been at the forefront of investment and research into sustainable energy and other forms of green technology.
We have seen much soul searching over growing environmental concerns in many countries around the world. This could lead to concrete policies that will set economies along more sustainable development paths.
For example, China’s President Xi Jinping announced last September that the country would aim to be carbon neutral by 2060 – a goal that may require some US$15 trillion in investment. The imminent change in US administration could lead to a US$2 trillion package of environmentally-friendly investments.
This presents long-term investment opportunities in the renewables supply chain that supports industries such as wind power, solar power and electric vehicles. Many of the companies within this renewables value chain are located in China.
For example, China’s wind turbine-makers have some 26% of the global market; its battery-makers account for 78% of the world’s battery manufacturing capacity; the country is responsible for 91% of silicon wafer-production (used in harnessing solar energy). China reduces energy risk by having the renewables supply chain within its own borders.
Going green for China will mean decarbonisation, with the decline in fossil fuel usage coming mainly from transport and power. It has made big bets on electric vehicles (its transport solution) and renewable energy (its power solution). The country is globally competitive and self-reliant in both these industries.
The pandemic is still driving markets around the world and will continue to do so over the coming months. A new wave of Covid-19 cases in developed economies began injecting volatility back into equity markets towards the end of 2020. In some cases – such as in England, France and Spain – governments have responded with new national lockdowns or curfews.
The situation in Asia has been more encouraging. China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand – which together represent more than 85% of the benchmark MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan Index – look set to suffer less damage than many other economies because of their effective responses to the pandemic.
Many Asian economies battled the initial stages of Covid-19 with some success, and lockdown restrictions have been eased in many of these countries. However, we do see economic risks to countries such as India and Indonesia.
We need to remain vigilant for a resurgence of cases in places that seem to be controlling the spread of the pandemic. There will be no permanent solution for this virus, and the economic chaos that it causes, until mass vaccination programmes have been rolled out.
Asian policymakers have done a lot to boost their economies, employing both monetary and fiscal policy tools. Having said that, they have done so in moderation. For example, central banks have been measured with interest rate cuts, leaving room for further reductions should they be required.
Asian central banks have also been buying bonds as part of unconventional stimulus policies that are often referred to as quantitative easing (QE). Such QE programmes were a major feature of 2008’s global financial crisis. There is scope for further expansion of this type of stimulus.
Investors need to remember that countries within the region now tend to be much better financed and governed than during earlier crises. Most Asian countries now have stronger current accounts and healthier government debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers. Bank and corporate balance sheets are also more robust.
Looking outside of Asia, the unprecedented speed and magnitude of coordinated government support helped to mitigate the economic impact of lockdowns, throwing a vital lifeline to people whose livelihoods are under threat. However, this level of support is unsustainable and there is a risk that economies and markets will suffer when these policies are eventually withdrawn.
Restrictions to freedom of movement and business activity battered the earnings of Asian companies last year. While we hope there is an earnings growth revival in 2021, this would depend on whether the world manages to beat the virus.
However, Asia remains home to many good-quality companies, with clear earnings drivers, robust balance sheets and healthy cash levels. The region is still one of the fastest-growing, with structural growth trends that will continue to play out for years to come.
Investors must not lose sight of the six investment themes that make Asia special:
Important information
Risk factors you should consider prior to investing:
Other important information:
Issued by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Registered Office: 10 Queen’s Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1XL. Registered in Scotland No. 108419. An investment trust should be considered only as part of a balanced portfolio. Under no circumstances should this information be considered as an offer or solicitation to deal in investments.
Find out more at www.asiadragontrust.co.uk and register for updates here.
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