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FEBRUARY 2012




RBC Wealth Management Global Insight
                New central bank policies have calmed equity and fixed income markets.                  In this issue
                Does this mean all is quiet on the European front? (page 3)
                                                                                                          2 Financial Markets Commentary

                                                                                                          4 Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High
                In 2012, politics could have an even greater impact on markets than last                  8 Global Equities
                year. The stakes are high. (page 5)
                                                                                                        16 Global Fixed Income

                                                                                                        18 Commodities

                                                                                                        19 Currencies
                Stocks are relatively cheap in most markets, reflecting the challenges
                facing the global economy. Risks need to be acknowledged in portfolios.                 20 Key Forecasts
                (page 9)                                                                                23 Market Valuation & Equilibrium



                Within the fixed income sector, investment-grade corporates continue to
                offer attractive opportunities. (page 16)




                                                                                                        Priced as of January 31, 2012, unless otherwise stated.




                                                                                                        Global Insight is a monthly publication by
                                                                                                        the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee



                                                                                1 GLOBAL INSIGHT - JULY 2011
Global Overview
RBC’s Investment Stance                                                                                                                               Global Asset Class View
The lingering Eurozone risks, combined with their potential spillover effects in the U.S. and China, are primary reasons we maintain
                                                                                                                                                       Asset Class                                      View
our “Neutral” stance on global equities. To be clear, “Neutral” means including equities at a benchmark weighting in portfolios—
that is, a weighting up to but not more than the long-term target allocation. After all, Eurozone officials could surprise markets again               Equities                                           =
and announce new policies that would reduce the region’s vulnerabilities. A sufficiently constructive announcement could trigger                       Fixed Income                                       –
another worthwhile rally in equities.
                                                                                                                                                       Cash                                               +
Equally plausible, any of several tripwires (Greece, Portugal, politics, bank lending, etc.) could worsen the European and global
outlook, and induce more painful volatility episodes. “Invested but vigilant” sums up our stance.




                                                                                                                                                                                           Equity view: Overweight
                                                                                  Equity view: Neutral                                                                                     Nikkei: 8,802 (+4.1%)
        Equity view: Neutral                                                                                       Equity view: Underweight           Equity view: Neutral
                                                                                  FTSE 100: 5,681 (+2.0%)                                                                                  10-yr JGB: 0.97% (-2 bps)
        S&P/TSX: 12,452 (+4.2%)                                                                                    Stoxx Eur. 600: 254.41 (+4.0%)     Shanghai Comp: 2,292 (+4.2%)
                                                                                  Fixed Income view: Underweight                                                                           Economy: production back in
        Fixed Income view: Underweight                                                                             Fixed Income view: Underweight     10-yr Govt: 3.41% (-3.6 bps)
                                                                                  10-yr Gilts: 1.97% (+1 bps)                                                                              gear, needs a reacceleration
        10-yr Cdn: 1.89% (+5 bps)                                                                                  10-yr Bund: 1.79% (+4 bps)         Economy: within the 7%-9%
                                             Equity view: Neutral                 Economy: weak and under pres-
        Economy: domestic strength                                                                                 Economy: in recession, austerity   policy growth target and likely      in China
                                             S&P 500: 1,312 (+4.4%)               sure from the Eurozone
        sapped by weaker trade                                                                                     headwind blowing hard              to stay there
                                             Fixed Income view: Underweight
                                             10-yr Tsy: 1.80% (+8 bps)
                                             Economy: stuck in a 2% rut
                                                                                                                                                                                        Hang Seng: 20,390 (+10.6%)
                                                                                                                                                                                        10-yr Govt: 1.32% (-19 bps)
                                                                                                                                                                                        Economy: inflation stubborn,
                                                                                                                                                                                        global trade flow dominates

                                                                Bovespa: 63,072 (+11.1%)10-
                                                                9-yr Govt: 11.50% (+17 bps)
                                                                                                                                                          S&P/ASX 200: 4.262 (+5.08%)
                                                                Economy: 3%+ growth positive
                                                                                                                                                          10-yr Govt: 3.72% (+5 bps)
                                                                but below potential
                                                                                                                                                          Economy: headed for 3%+ growth,
                                                                                                                                                          capex leading the way
Equity index returns and fixed income change in basis points (bps) are for January 2012


2 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Financial Markets Commentary

>       The ECB has taken great strides to protect the                      Financial markets breathed a sigh of relief after the   concerns aside and focus primarily on market
                                                                            European Central Bank forcefully intervened to          fundamentals.
        global financial system from bank defaults,
                                                                            prevent cascading bank failures.                        But now is not the time to become complacent. All
        and another round of stimulus is in the offing.
                                                                            The new policy represents more than a massive           is not quiet on the European front:
>       Even so, the Eurozone must negotiate many                           liquidity injection or back-door quantitative
                                                                                                                                    ƒ Banks have a limited ability to support
        difficult hurdles in the coming months.                             easing. It indicates central bankers are unwilling
                                                                                                                                      sovereign debt markets. There have been
        Renewed global market volatility can’t be                           to stand idly by when weak institutions threaten
                                                                                                                                      media reports Eurozone banks could use
        ruled out. Now is not the time for investment                       to exacerbate a financial crisis à la the Lehman
                                                                                                                                      February LTRO proceeds to purchase sizeable
                                                                            Brothers collapse in 2008. The ECB signaled it
        complacency.                                                                                                                  amounts of Italian and Spanish debt (and
                                                                            stands behind the banking system and, in turn, the
                                                                                                                                      earn attractive returns in the process), thus
                                                                            global financial system.
                                                                                                                                      further stabilizing the sovereign debt market
                                                                            No wonder most debt markets stabilized and                and banking system. RBC Capital Markets’
                                                                            equity markets traded higher after the ECB                European bank analysts caution this is an
                                                                            unveiled its Long-Term Refinancing Operations             unrealistic expectation and “at the bottom of
                                                                            (LTRO) plan in early December. Continental                banks’ to-do list,” based on recent management
                                                                            European markets led the rally; the S&P 500               contacts. Sizeable purchases would make
Equity Market Scorecard                                                     recorded its best January performance since 1997.         banks even more vulnerable to any renewed
                                                                                                                                      sovereign debt stress or disorderly defaults. Our
                                                                            LTRO Round II
    Index (local currency)      Level        1 mo        6 mo       12 mo                                                             analysts believe banks’ first priority will be to
                                                                            Markets are now focused on the next LTRO
 S&P 500                      1,312.41      4.4%         1.6%        2.0%                                                             use LTRO cash to pre-fund their corporate bond
                                                                            liquidity injection in late February. Eurozone banks
 S&P/TSX Comp                12,452.15      4.2%        -3.8%       -8.1%                                                             redemptions.
                                                                            will once again have the opportunity to borrow
 FTSE 100                     5,681.61      2.0%        -2.3%       -3.1%                                                           ƒ Sovereign yields could trend back up once the
                                                                            funds at 1% over three years instead of the ECB’s
 Hang Seng                   20,390.49     10.6%        -9.1%      -13.0%   typical one-year program. This provides more time         LTRO impact fades. Italy, Spain, and others
 Dow (DJIA)                  12,632.91      3.4%        4.0%         6.2%
                                                                            to clean up balance sheets, recapitalize, and raise       are scheduled to sell significant debt during
                                                                            funds in the private debt market.                         the next few months. Positive sentiment about
 NASDAQ                       2,813.84      8.0%        2.1%         4.2%
                                                                            Market expectations are high, with some analysts          the LTRO program and abundant liquidity may
 Russell 2000                   792.82      7.0%       -0.5%         1.5%
                                                                            forecasting banks will borrow over €1 trillion—far        help keep rates at manageable levels near term,
 STOXX Europe 600               254.41      4.0%       -4.1%        -9.2%
                                                                            more than the €489 billion ($641 billion) in loans        but over time supply could overwhelm the
 German DAX                   6,458.91      9.5%       -9.8%        -8.7%
                                                                            issued during the first three-year LTRO tranche in        market and funding costs could rise again—
 Nikkei 225                   8,802.51      4.1%      -10.5%       -14.0%
                                                                            December.                                                 especially if countries miss their austerity and
 Straits Times                2,906.69      9.8%       -8.9%        -8.6%
                                                                                                                                      growth targets.
 Shanghai Comp                2,292.61      4.2%      -15.1%       -17.8%
                                                                            All Quiet on the European Front? Think Again.           ƒ Greece may request additional write-downs
 Brazil Bovespa              63,072.31     11.1%        7.2%        -5.3%
                                                                            It’s tempting to assume the ECB can solve most            or could succumb to a disorderly default even
Source: Bloomberg, equity index returns do not include dividends; data is   of the region’s woes with this unprecedented
through 1/31/12.                                                                                                                      if the country strikes a deal soon with private
                                                                            program. This rare, positive development feeds            creditors to forgive a portion of its debt. Its
                                                                            into the understandable desire to cast Eurozone           debt-to-GDP ratio will remain unsustainably
      3 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Financial Markets Commentary



       Central Bank Total Assets in U.S. dollars (bln)                  Another Wildcard                                       Market Scorecard
                                                                        The European economy is another wildcard for           Bond Yields               1/31/12        12/31/11      1/31/11 12 mo chg
  4000
                                                                        markets and earnings in 2012, and could weigh on       US 2-Yr Tsy              0.215%          0.239%       0.562%      -0.35%
  3500                                                                  North American and Asian growth. As Eurozone           US 10-Yr Tsy             1.797%          1.876%       3.370%      -1.57%
  3000
                                                                        banks shed assets to improve capital ratios, the       Canada 2-Yr              0.955%          0.956%       1.667%      -0.71%
                                                                        result may be reduced lending to the region’s          Canada 10-Yr             1.889%          1.941%       3.275%      -1.39%
  2500
                                                                        businesses and households, thereby increasing the      UK 2-Yr                  0.357%          0.327%       1.299%      -0.94%
                                                                                                                               UK 10-Yr                 1.970%          1.977%       3.656%      -1.69%
  2000                                                                  risk of a prolonged or deeper European recession.
                                                                                                                               Germany 2-Yr             0.158%          0.144%       1.372%      -1.21%
                                                                        We also anticipate Eurozone banks will continue
  1500                                                                                                                         Germany 10-Yr            1.787%          1.829%       3.155%      -1.37%
                                      European Central Bank             to reduce loans to emerging markets where they         Commodities (USD)        Price               1 mo         6 mo      12 mo
  1000                                Federal Reserve                   fund a meaningful share of private-sector debt.        Gold (spot $/oz)       1,737.60            11.1%         6.7%      30.4%
    500                                                                                                                        Silv er (spot $/oz)      33.18             19.2%      -16.8%       18.2%
                                                                        Even though U.S. economic momentum has
      2008            2009          2010           2011          2012                                                          Copper ($/ton)         8,299.50             9.3%      -15.4%      -15.0%
                                                                        improved recently and China seems headed for a
                                                                                                                               Oil (WTI spot/bbl)       98.48             -0.4%         2.9%       6.8%
Source: Bloomberg; data through 1/31/12                                 soft landing, neither region can completely side-      Oil (Brent spot/bbl)    111.62              2.7%        -4.7%      12.3%
Note: ECB total assets converted into U.S. dollars using spot EUR/USD
                                                                        step these headwinds. Many large multinational         Natural Gas ($/mlnBtu)   2.52             -15.4%      -40.8%      -43.1%
exchange rates
                                                                        companies are already beginning to see signs of        Agriculture Index       434.46              0.0%        -8.5%     -19.7%
                                                                        sluggish European demand, and Asian export             Currencies               Rate                1 mo         6 mo      12 mo
    high as long as the public sector (ECB,                             growth is relatively weak.                             US Dollar Index          79.29             -1.1%         7.3%       2.0%
    Eurozone central banks) is unwilling to take                                                                               CAD/USD                  1.00               1.9%        -4.7%      -0.2%
                                                                        RBC’s Investment Stance                                USD/CAD                  1.00              -1.8%         5.0%       0.2%
    steep losses on its debt. The country is mired
                                                                                                                               EUR/USD                  1.31               1.0%        -9.1%      -4.5%
    in a deep recession or worse. Its austerity plans                   The lingering Eurozone risks, combined with their      GBP/USD                  1.58               1.4%        -4.1%      -1.6%
    have missed the mark on multiple occasions.                         potential spillover effects in the U.S. and China,     AUD/USD                  1.06               4.0%        -3.4%       6.5%
    There’s no guarantee the next government—                           are primary reasons we maintain our “Neutral”          USD/CHF                  0.92              -1.9%       17.1%       -2.5%
    elections are tentatively scheduled for April—                      stance on global equities. To be clear, “Neutral”      USD/JPY                  76.27             -0.8%        -0.6%      -7.0%
                                                                                                                               EUR/JPY                  99.78              0.1%        -9.7%     -11.2%
    will honor previous austerity agreements.                           means including equities at a benchmark
                                                                                                                               EUR/GBP                  0.83              -0.4%        -5.3%      -2.9%
                                                                        weighting in portfolios—that is, a weighting up to     EUR/CHF                  1.20              -1.1%         6.4%      -6.9%
ƒ Portugal could slide deeper into a debt trap.
                                                                        but not more than the long-term target allocation.     USD/SGD                  1.26              -3.0%         4.5%      -1.7%
  Its short- and long-term sovereign yields have
                                                                        After all, Eurozone officials could surprise markets   USD/CNY                  6.31               0.2%        -2.0%      -4.3%
  soared despite the new LTRO program. Its                                                                                     USD/BRL                  1.75              -6.4%       12.7%        4.8%
                                                                        again and announce new policies that would
  credit default swaps are signaling a 70% chance
                                                                        reduce the region’s vulnerabilities. A sufficiently    Source: Bloomberg, RBC Wealth Management; data through 1/31/12. Bond
  of default. RBC Global Asset Management’s
                                                                        constructive announcement could trigger another        yields in local currencies. U.S. Dollar Index measures USD vs. six major cur-
  Chief Economist Eric Lascelles anticipates                                                                                   rencies. Currency rates reflect market convention (CAD/USD is the exception).
                                                                        worthwhile rally in equities.
  Portugal will ultimately need to negotiate a                                                                                 Currency returns quoted in terms of the first currency in each pairing.
  debt writedown. We doubt global markets fully                         Equally plausible, any of the tripwires noted above    Examples of how to interpret currency data: CAD/USD 1.00 means 1 Canadian
  reflect this possibility.                                             (Greece, Portugal, politics, bank lending, etc.)       dollar will buy 1 U.S. dollar. CAD/USD -0.2% return means the Canadian dollar
                                                                        could worsen the European and global outlook,          has fallen 0.2% vs. the U.S. dollar in the past 12 months. USD/JPY 76.27
                                                                                                                               means 1 U.S. dollar will buy 76.27 yen. USD/JPY -7.0% return means the U.S.
                                                                        and induce more painful volatility episodes.           dollar has fallen 7.0% vs. the yen in the past 12 months.
                                                                        “Invested but vigilant” sums up our stance.

4 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High

 2011 was a year of significant political change—scheduled and unscheduled—that
 contributed to volatility across global markets. In 2012, politics could play an even
 greater role because more is at stake. Power shifts could …
  > take place in 5 of the 10 largest global economies,
  > affect 4 of the 5 permanent members of the U.N. Security Council,
  > involve nearly half of the world’s population, and
  > directly impact countries that produce more than 40% of the world’s GDP.
                                                                                                                                            Russian Presidential Election
                                                                                                                                            - March 15th




                                                                                   French Presidential Election                                       China - 18th National
                                                                                   - first round (22 Apr), second                                     Congress of the Communist
                                                                                   round (6 May)                                                      Party - Oct
                                                                                                     Greek Presidential
                            U.S. Presidential Election                                               Election - Apr (TBD)
                            - Nov 6th                                             Egypt Parliamentary                       India Presidential Election
                                                                                    Election - Jul 1st                      - July

                               Mexico Presidential                                                                                            Taiwan Presidential
                                Election - Jul 1st                                                                                               Election - Jan




Major Political Timeline
                                                           Throughout 2012, RBC Wealth Management will discuss key election issues with an emphasis on
                                                           how they could potentially affect financial markets and investment portfolios.
      Other Political
         Events                                            In this article, the first in the series, we provide an overview of the French and U.S. elections and
                                                           China’s power transition.




5 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High

Country         Election                          Date               In an environment fraught with contentious             First, France is under market pressure to adopt
                                                                     economic and fiscal policy issues, the 2012            more austere economic and social policies to
Taiwan          Presidential                      January 14, 2012   election cycle will soon catch investors’ attention.   reduce its national debt—not ideal issues to
Taiwan          Legislative                       January 14, 2012   Election outcomes in France, the United States,        discuss with voters during an election. The
                                                                     and Greece, and China’s power transition               imposition of austerity measures in response
Finland         Presidential First Round          January 22, 2012
                                                                     could have a considerable effect on investment         to the crisis have proved highly unpopular.
Egypt           Legislative Stage One             January 29, 2012   portfolios around the world.                           Opposition parties will push strongly for a change
Finland         Presidential Second Round         February 5, 2012   > Many of the Eurozone’s challenges remain             in policies.
Syria           Legislative (Tentative)           February 2012        unresolved, particularly the way the region will     Second, if the main opposition candidate,
                                                                       forge a closer fiscal union. The French election     François Hollande, were to be elected, it could
Russia          Presidential                      March 4, 2012
                                                                       in May should help determine whether Europe          create uncertainty about the relationship between
Iran            Parliamentary                     March 29, 2012       becomes more or less integrated and if it takes      France and Germany—the two countries most
Egypt           Presidential                      March 2012           on a German or French bent. It may also end up       active in resolving the Eurozone crisis.
                                                                       influencing whether the Eurozone as we know it
France          Presidential First Round          April 22, 2012                                                            Even though German Chancellor Angela Merkel
                                                                       today exists in the years ahead.
                                                                                                                            and Sarkozy—dubbed “Merkozy” in the press—
Greece          Parliamentary (Tentative/ Snap)   April 2012         > In the U.S., voters will choose between two          have disagreed on many occasions, the two
South Korea     Parliamentary                     April 2012           very different economic recovery plans and           managed to hammer out important compromises
Palestine       Presidential                      May 4, 2012
                                                                       approaches to tackle the federal deficit and         in an attempt to stabilize the crisis. Sarkozy’s
                                                                       debt. The election will lay the groundwork for       campaign is likely to lean heavily on his ability
Palestine       Parliamentary                     May 4, 2012          the 2013 legislative agenda, which should be         to influence key European leaders. Further, he
France          Presidential Second Round         May 6, 2012          one of the busiest in years. More importantly, it    advocates using Germany as an economic model
                                                                       could establish the course for the world’s largest   and suggests some reforms to increase France’s
France          Legislative First Round           June 10, 2012
                                                                       economy during the next decade.                      productivity.
France          Legislative Second Round          June 17, 2012
                                                                     > A major transition in Chinese leadership will        A change atop France could not only alter the
Iceland         Presidential                      June 30, 2012        begin this year. Any significant policy shift        German-French relationship, it would possibly
Mexico          Presidential                      July 1, 2012         would take some time to surface. But one thing       require previous Eurozone agreements to be
                                                                       is certain—a new generation of leaders will          reviewed and changed—if Hollande’s rhetoric is
Mexico          Legislative                       July 1, 2012
                                                                       eventually make its mark on the world’s second-      to be believed. He has been critical of Merkel’s
Kenya           Presidential First Round          August 14, 2012      largest economy and the global balance of            demands for changes to European Union treaties
Kenya           Parliamentary                     August 14, 2012      power.                                               to allow disciplinary actions against overspending
                                                                                                                            Eurozone governments and has expressed a desire
Hong Kong       Legislative                       September 2012     France – April/May                                     to renegotiate agreements from 2011. This would
United States Presidential                        November 6, 2012   President Nicolas Sarkozy will likely face Socialist
                                                                                                                            likely further delay any lasting solutions as well
                                                                     Party candidate François Hollande in his bid for
United States Legislative (Congress)              November 6 2012                                                           as create market volatility. Hollande also seeks to
                                                                     reelection.
                                                                                                                            raise taxes on affluent French citizens.
Romania         Parliamentary                     November 2012
                                                                     The Most Important Election in Decades
                                                                                                                            The uncertainty created by the French election
South Korea     Presidential                      December 2012      For France, the Eurozone, and global markets, this     calendar and outcome could test German
                                                                     election is critically important.                      leadership. Merkel will be faced with a re-election
        6 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High
bid in 2013, which will require increased focus on    up for election, they would win control of this                        S&P 500 Returns in Presidential Election Years
domestic issues in 2012 and provide an incentive      100-member upper chamber—a real possibility.                              Conditional on Political Party Changes
to stabilize the Eurozone crisis prior to her         At this stage, opinion polls indicate the House of                                        Election Outcomes
                                                                                                                                                                              17.2%
election campaign.                                    Representatives, the lower chamber, could remain                         14.7%
                                                                                                                                             13.2%




                                                                                                            Annual Returns
A Runoff is Likely                                    in Republican hands, although their advantage
The French presidential election is based on          could shrink.
securing a majority of the popular vote. If after                                                                                                              -2.7%
                                                      Pocketbook Issues to Drive the Debate
the first round of voting (April 22, 2012) a single   In addition to economic recovery and
candidate has received over 50% of the vote, the      employment issues, many voters will consider
                                                                                                                             Democrat to   Democrat to     Republican to   Republican to
election is over and (s)he is declared the winner.    candidates’ spending and austerity proposals                            Democrat     Republican       Democrat        Republican
If no one secures a majority, there is a runoff       due to the high federal deficit (8.7% of GDP) and
between the top two candidates that would occur       mounting federal debt (99% of GDP).                   Source: National Research Correspondent; election years 1926 to present
May 6, 2012. This ensures that one of the top two
                                                      Eric Lascelles, chief economist for RBC Global
candidates wins a majority in the second round,                                                             candidate who accumulates at least 1,144 of 2,286
                                                      Asset Management, estimates austerity measures
and that winner becomes the next president.                                                                 total delegates will become the nominee.
                                                      already in place could reduce annual U.S. GDP
There are 15 candidates for the first round, three    growth by 1.0%-2.5% in 2013 and beyond,               The campaign for president will begin in earnest
of which are attracting some 70% of voter support;    depending on which policies are actually              when one of the Republican candidates has a
President Nicolas Sarkozy (Union for a Popular        implemented or allowed to expire. New austerity       plausible, mathematical pathway to winning a
Movement; centre-right), François Hollande            measures could add additional economic                majority of delegates. The race will shift into full
(Socialist Party; centre-left), and Marine Le Pen     headwinds.                                            gear by early September, when the Democratic
(National Front Party; extreme-right nationalist).                                                          Party holds its convention and officially re-
                                                      Tax policy almost always plays a big part in
                                                                                                            nominates President Obama.
A poll published January 23 for the first round       American elections; this election should be no
suggests Hollande (31%) leads President Sarkozy       different. Both parties favor overhauling the tax     The U.S. does not elect its president by popular,
(25%), while Le Pen gathers 17% of the votes. Polls   code for individuals and corporations, and there      national vote. Instead, an “electoral college” process
for the second round, focusing on Hollande (60%)      is a predictably wide gap in the way they would       allocates “electoral votes” to be cast for candidates
and Sarkozy (40%), suggest the former is leading      approach it. Regardless of who wins the presidency,   to all 50 states and Washington D.C., proportional
the race to become the next president.                Congress will play a key role in shaping the tax      to their populations. The overwhelming majority
                                                      reform debate in 2013. Budget constraints could       of states award all of their electoral votes to the
U.S. – November                                       force a revenue-neutral plan. With a lot at stake,    candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.
President Barack Obama will likely face               the race to control the Senate and House becomes      The candidate who can amass at least 270 of the
Republican Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich in            crucial.                                              total 538 electoral votes wins the presidential
his race for a second term. A high-profile, third-                                                          election. As a result, races in “swing states” or
                                                      It’s a Unique, State-by-State Process
party candidate could also surface and alter the                                                            “battleground states” where votes for each
                                                      Republicans are currently selecting their
electoral arithmetic.                                                                                       candidate could be closely divided (such as Florida,
                                                      presidential nominee through a series of state-
                                                                                                            Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico, and
The national congressional elections should play      wide primary elections and caucuses that award
                                                                                                            others) will attract more of candidates’ time and
a pivotal role in shaping U.S. economic policies.     “delegates” to the Party’s national convention in
                                                                                                            attention compared to states where the electorate
The Senate, currently controlled by Obama’s           late August. One candidate could begin to pull
                                                                                                            tends to be highly skewed toward one party.
Democratic Party, is in play. If Republicans          ahead in the primary race in February or March,
achieve a net gain of four seats among the 33 seats   and most states will have voted by early June. The

7 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High
China – Late 2012 and Beyond                           widespread dissatisfaction with the availability                         agreements, plans to step down. Eurozone and
                                                       and affordability of housing.                                            IMF officials have repeatedly sought out and
Chinese politics have long been dominated by the
                                                                                                                                received written pledges from all Greek political
Politburo Standing Committee (PSC). Although the       One might reasonably expect the mainland
                                                                                                                                party leaders that they will adhere to previously
National People’s Congress is formally the ultimate    Chinese stock market, which is dominated by
                                                                                                                                negotiated bailout and austerity agreements.
decision-making body in China, in reality it is the    state-owned enterprises with the government as
                                                                                                                                Even so, there remains great uncertainty about
PSC that holds the power.                              the majority shareholder, to exhibit less volatility
                                                                                                                                whether the new Greek government will honor
Due to the PSC’s informal rules on retirement age—     this year. It is also unlikely investors will witness
                                                                                                                                its commitments. As a practical matter, this
leaders over 68 years should retire—2012-2013          any dramatic moves in the value of the Chinese
                                                                                                                                may be impossible considering the country’s
will likely see a generational shift in leadership.    currency in 2012, in our view.
                                                                                                                                extreme debt load and severe economic
The country’s top two leaders will most likely         Most importantly, after a political transition                           condition. The new government may ultimately
relinquish their positions. In total, seven of nine    occurs, major policy initiatives are typically                           determine whether Greece exits the Eurozone.
PSC members may step down.                             introduced. That could make 2013 a particularly                          Antonis Samaras, head of the conservative New
Currently, Hu Jintao is president and Wen Jiabao       interesting year. Chinese/U.S. policy issues will be                     Democracy Party, currently leads in the opinion
is prime minister. The two politicians widely          in focus, with potential leadership changes in both                      polls but would likely need to form a coalition
expected to take over are, respectively, Xi Jinping    countries. Clearly any Chinese policy changes are                        government to become prime minister.
(Xi is pronounced like “see”) and Li Keqiang           likely to produce important domestic and global
                                                                                                                              > It seems inevitable Russian leadership will
(Keqiang is pronounced like “kur-chiang”). They        outcomes.
                                                                                                                                officially shift back to Vladimir Putin in March—
will likely assume the top PSC positions in the                                                                                 although in practical terms his power and
fourth quarter of 2012 and take over the presidency                Contribution to Global GDP Growth (%)
                                                                                                                                influence have been dominant for years. At this
and the premiership in March 2013 at the National        1.6%                                                                   stage its unclear if there will be major changes
                                                                        1996-2005
People’s Congress. According to the informal rule        1.4%           2006-2011                                               in economic or foreign policies. Russia’s
on retirement age, they would be the only two                           2011                                                    economy is too small to have much impact on
                                                         1.2%
continuing PSC members.                                                 2012                                                    global growth, but its energy policy can impact
                                                         1.0%                                                                   Europe. Further, the anti-Kremlin protest
Major Changes Could Occur in 2013
Leadership changes to the PSC have occurred a            0.8%                                                                   movement will be monitored by investors to
number of times before. What makes it different          0.6%
                                                                                                                                assess stability.
this time is the extent of change within the PSC and     0.4%                                                                 > While India, the world’s largest democracy, will
the position China now holds on the global stage.                                                                               also elect a president, the position is largely
                                                         0.2%
From an investment perspective, Chinese                                                     0.0%
                                                                                                                                ceremonial. The country is governed primarily
                                                         0.0%                                                                   by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was
government policy typically has a conservative                         U.S.          EU-15           China            India
tendency during the transition year. It should be                                                                               reelected to his second five-year term in 2009. As
                                                       Source: The Conference Board; 2011-2012 data are projections             finance minister in the 1990s, he implemented
no surprise, then, that stable monetary and fiscal
policy were set forth as two key themes for 2012 at                                                                             important reforms to open up the Indian
the annual Central Economic Work Conference that       Other Elections                                                          economy. He remains a respected leader, but
ended last December.                                   > Greek parliamentary elections, tentatively                             as prime minister he has been less effective in
                                                         scheduled for April, will choose a new prime                           advancing additional reforms and large-scale
Curbs on China’s private housing market will likely                                                                             infrastructure projects than investors had
                                                         minister. Current Prime Minister Lucas
continue in 2012 while the government brings to                                                                                 hoped.
                                                         Papademos, leader of the caretaker coalition
market large volumes of low-cost units to quell
                                                         government that negotiated recent bailout                            > Presidential elections will take place in Mexico,
                                                                                                                                Finland, Egypt (TBD), and South Korea.
8 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Equities

Global Asset Class View                            Attractive Valuations Overshadowed by Lingering Risks
 Asset Class                            View       A coordinated central bank move to ease banking system liquidity in Europe, together with an
                                                   unexpected reserve requirement cut for Chinese banks, accompanied by better manufacturing and
 Equities                                =         holiday spending data out of the U.S. allowed most markets to gain their footing in December and post
 Fixed Income                            –         worthwhile gains in January.
                                                   The successful inauguration of the European Central Bank’s LTRO facility giving the region’s banks access
 Cash                                    +
                                                   to low-cost funding for at least three years removed the immediate threat of a banking system meltdown
                                                   and put a welcome bid into the market for French, Italian, and Spanish bonds.
Regional Equity View                               That in turn allowed equity investors to switch their focus back onto market fundamentals (improving)
                                                   and valuations (cheap).
 Region                   Weighting                Because most major stock markets are still very attractively valued while bonds offer unacceptably
 U.S.                     Neutral              =   low coupon returns as well as price risk, we would like to be able to recommend an “Overweight“
                                                   commitment to equities. However, we find ourselves constrained by the recognition the Eurozone crisis
 Canada                   Neutral              =
                                                   could still deteriorate in a way that could jolt North America from slow growth into recession and prolong
 Continental Europe       Underweight          –   China’s economic slowdown.
 U.K.                     Neutral              =   Were that to happen, earnings would come under
                                                                                                                Global Equities are Cheap on a Historical Basis
 Asia (ex Japan)          Neutral              =   pressure, today’s price/earnings ratios would
                                                   no longer look so attractive, and stocks would          35
 Japan                    Overweight           +
                                                   likely be vulnerable to an additional period of
                                                                                                           30
                                                   retrenchment.
                                                                                                           25
                                                   While that is not our forecast, we rate the
                                                   probability of it occurring at about 30%, high          20                                        Average: 19.0
                                                   enough that it needs to be acknowledged.
                                                                                                           15
                                                   We recommend a “Neutral” exposure to stocks—
                                                                                                           10
                                                   that is, portfolios should contain up to but not                                                         Last Plot: 12.9
                                                   more than their long-term target allocation to           5
                                                                                                            1994       1997      2000      2003      2006      2009    2012
                                                   equities. We also counsel vigilance since we expect
                                                   many present uncertainties will be resolved over
                                                                                                         Source: Datastream; World Index P/E data through 1/31/12
                                                   the next six months in a way that forces us off our
                                                   “Neutral” stance in one direction or the other.



Jim Allworth – Vancouver, Canada
jim.allworth@rbc.com



9 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Equities: United States



Neutral (=)                                                    Market Developments                                  Portfolio Recommendations
                                                               ƒ The S&P 500 has rallied 19.4% from its October     ƒ Stick with high-quality, dividend-paying stocks;
>    The S&P 500 is trading at a compelling
                                                                 low due to improved economic data and the            can better withstand periods of earnings
     valuation, as the chart on page 23 llustrates.              ECB’s LTRO policy. Employment growth picked          erosion.
     This lays the foundation for attractive returns             up, manufacturing activity expanded, and           ƒ Among cyclicals, favor Industrials (upgraded to
     over the long term.                                         some housing indicators began to stabilize           “Overweight” from “Neutral”) and Technology.
>    However, in the near term the market must                   during the period.                                   Industrial earnings revisions should rebound
     contend with lingering Eurozone risks,                    ƒ Because market expectations were set rather          due to improved manufacturing activity.
     economic headwinds, and potentially slower                  low last fall, it didn’t take much for data to       Technology valuations are cheap; company
     earnings growth. These factors argue for                    surprise to the upside. The U.S. Economic            balance sheets sturdy.
     “Neutral” or benchmark exposure to U.S.                     Surprise Index, which measures whether             ƒ Financials are somewhat more attractive
                                                                 the flow of economic data is exceeding
     stocks for the time being.                                                                                       (upgraded to “Neutral” from “Underweight”).
                                                                 or undershooting forecasts, began to rise            Bank earnings indicate U.S. financial system is
>    The consensus S&P 500 earnings forecast for                 meaningfully in October. By early January it         finally beginning to heal.
     2012 has pulled back to $106 per share but                  reached its second-highest level since 2004.
                                                                                                                    ƒ Decrease exposure to Utilities (downgraded to
     remains above our $101 forecast.                            This also provided a catalyst for stock prices.
                                                                                                                      “Underweight”). Sector is expensive; trades at
                                                               ƒ History suggests the Surprise Index will             the high-end of its 30-year range.
                                                                 eventually retreat as expectations become
 Sector View                                                                                                        ƒ Limit exposure to Health Care (downgraded to
                                                                 overly optimistic. It doesn’t necessarily follow
 Consumer Staples             +   Health Care              =                                                          “Neutral”). Earnings and revenue trends less
                                                                 that the stock market has to come down, too.
                                                                                                                      attractive vs. 2011.
 Information Technology       +   Consumer Discretionary   –     But the record says it is unlikely the market
                                                                 will run away dramatically to the upside with
 Industrials                  +   Materials                –                                                                U.S. Economic Surprise Index and S&P 500
                                                                 expectations already so full.
 Energy                       = Telecommunications         –                                                          100                                                                1500
                                                               ƒ We also anticipate actual economic activity will
                                                                 moderate soon. GDP growth should pull back                                                                              1400
 Financials                   = Utilities                  –                                                           50
                                                                 from its 2.8% fourth-quarter pace. We forecast                                                                          1300
Source: RBC Capital Markets
                                                                 2.0% growth for all of 2012.                                                                                            1200
                                                                                                                        0
                                                                                                                                                                                         1100
                                                               ƒ Almost 40% of S&P 500 revenues come
                                                                 from outside the U.S., so a worsening global                                                                            1000
                                                                                                                      -50
                                                                 economic outlook combined with slow U.S.                                                                                900
                                                                 growth calls for subdued earnings expectations.     -100                                                                800
Kelly Bogdanov – San Francisco, United States                    S&P 500 earnings are near a record high as a                                  Economic Surprise Index (left axis)       700
kelly.bogdanov@rbc.com                                                                                                                         S&P 500 (right axis)
                                                                 share of GDP at a time when more sectors are        -150                                                                600
Janet Engels – New York, United States                           experiencing profit margin contraction than             2008           2009            2010           2011
janet.engels@rbc.com
                                                                 expansion. We forecast S&P earnings will grow
                                                                                                                    Source: Bloomberg; Citigroup Surprise Index data through 1/30/2012
                                                                 by only 4% this year, down from 13% in 2011.
10 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Equities: Canada



Neutral (=)                                                    Market Developments                                   Portfolio Implications
>     We remain “Neutral” for Canada, on a global              ƒ The TSX closed up in January, following a string    ƒ We believe gold stocks offer a compelling
                                                                 of 9 out of 10 months of lower closes.                opportunity at the present time. Shares of gold
      asset allocation perspective. While we
                                                                                                                       producers continue to discount a much lower
      remain concerned about the risks of a global             ƒ RBC Capital Markets recently reduced its 2012
                                                                                                                       gold price than is prevailing in the market,
      slowdown, we believe current monetary                      EPS estimate for the S&P/TSX to $885. The
                                                                                                                       while global reserve additions continue to run
      policy, especially in the U.S. and Europe,                 sharp reduction in estimates is primarily the
                                                                                                                       at less than half of annual production.
      should be supportive of the Canadian                       result of weakness in commodity prices and
                                                                 a stagnant U.S. economy, Canada’s largest           ƒ We have increased our recommended
      market for some months to come, given its
                                                                 trading partner.                                      weighting on Industrials to “Overweight” from
      significant resource exposure.                                                                                   “Underweight” to reflect a more positive overall
                                                               ƒ At current levels, the TSX is now trading at ~14x
                                                                                                                       view on the macro backdrop. We also note that
                                                                 2012 estimates, which is roughly in line with its
 Sector View                                                     long-term average.
                                                                                                                       Canadian industrials have significant exposure
                                                                                                                       to mining and energy where capex levels are
 Consumer Staples             +   Health Care              =
                                                               ƒ Shares of bank stocks have recovered                  expected to remain high.
 Financials                   +   Materials                =     significantly over the past few months as fears
                                                                                                                     ƒ We have reduced our recommended weighting
 Industrials                  +   Energy                   –
                                                                 over Europe have somewhat abated. While still
                                                                                                                       in Utilities to “Underweight”. While the sector
                                                                 below its 15-year average, the valuation gap
 Telecommunications           +   Information Technology   –                                                           offers attractive dividend yields, we believe
                                                                 has narrowed significantly since Q411 earnings
                                                                                                                       valuations are rich and are at risk should the
 Consumer Discretionary       =   Utilities                –     were reported in early December.
                                                                                                                       macro backdrop further improve.
Source: RBC Capital Markets                                    ƒ We note that Canadian banks have limited
                                                                 direct exposure to Southern Europe; however,
                                                                 as with most global banks, concerns over
                                                                 Europe are still likely to weigh on valuations
                                                                 from time to time.
                                                               ƒ A “soft landing” for China would be longer-
                                                                 term positive for Canadian stocks because of
                                                                 the high commodity weighting in the S&P/TSX
                                                                 Index.




Matt Barasch – Toronto , Canada
matt.barasch@rbc.com



11 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Equities: Continental Europe



Underweight (–)                                      Market Developments                                  ƒ With an onerous sovereign funding
                                                                                                            programme—Eurozone governments need to
>     With the euro area entering recession and      ƒ The recent ECB’s LTRO of €489bn served
                                                                                                            raise some €219bn in new bonds in the first
                                                       as a lifeline to Eurozone banks. Prior to the
      inflation being tamed, the European Central                                                           quarter—risk remains. The biggest near-term
                                                       intervention, they faced severe liquidity stress
      Bank (ECB), headed by the pragmatic Mario                                                             danger is Greece, which is still negotiating an
                                                       and the prospect of a series of cascading
      Draghi, should continue to provide support       bank failures. With its intervention, the ECB
                                                                                                            agreement on losses that private bond holders
      through liquidity provisions and monetary                                                             should bear on its government bonds. Even
                                                       is effectively underwriting bank re-financing
      policy. Another three-year Long-Term                                                                  a 50% “haircut” on private debt would leave
                                                       requirements for at least the next two years.
                                                                                                            the country with an uncomfortably high and
      Refinancing Operation (LTRO) is taking place     Unlike the Fed balance sheet expansion in
                                                                                                            unsustainable 120% debt-to-GDP ratio by 2020.
      at the end of February.                          2008/09 that dealt with the cause of the crisis—
                                                                                                            A much bigger haircut or a disorderly default
                                                       the financial system—the ECB’s LTRO does not
>     The weak macroeconomic backdrop                                                                       could shock investors.
                                                       address the root of the problem—namely, the
      continues, though there are signs some euro      sovereign debt crisis. It merely gives the banks
      area countries are stabilising.                                                                     Portfolio Recommendations
                                                       breathing space to recapitalize.
                                                                                                          ƒ We continue to recommend investing in
>     The Eurozone crisis is not over, and the       ƒ An abrupt market rotation occurred in January        resilient companies with a solid market
      region still faces an arduous road ahead. We     when the immediate risk of a financial system        position, a high proportion of recurring sales,
      remain “Underweight” the region.                 collapse was averted. The discrepancy between        exposure to growing regions or industries,
                                                       the highly valued defensives and lowly valued        and a healthy balance sheet. Such companies
                                                       cyclicals was partially restored. Cyclical and       should be well equipped to weather challenges
                                                       value stocks outperformed while defensives           in upcoming months.
                                                       lagged.
                                                                                                               European Central Bank’s Total Assets (€ billion)
                                                     ƒ The “flash” Purchasing Managers’ Index
                                                       readings rose for the third-straight month           2750
                                                       in January, indicating stabilisation in euro-                  Assets have grown almost 40%, to
                                                                                                            2600      €2.7 trillion, in the past year as efforts
                                                       area economic activity. The surveys suggest                    continue to maintain liquidity during the
                                                       that although business conditions remain             2450      region's debt crisis.
                                                       challenging, economic headwinds may no
                                                                                                            2300
                                                       longer be quite so intense. The pick-up in
                                                       U.S. growth, the weaker euro, and the ECB            2150
                                                       policy stimulus are providing some relief for        2000
                                                       the economy. But with fiscal austerity set to
                                                                                                            1850
                                                       intensify this year, the economy is expected to
                                                                                                               Jan-11 Mar-11 May-11 Jul-11             Sep-11 Nov-11 Jan-12
                                                       remain very fragile.
Frédérique Carrier – London, United Kingdom
frederique.carrier@rbc.com                                                                                Source: Bloomberg




12 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Equities: United Kingdom



Neutral (=)                                         Market Developments                                   Portfolio Recommendations
>    The U.K. economy continues to suffer from      ƒ Following the ECB’s LTRO operation and              ƒ We have been favouring companies with a
                                                      with global leading indicators improving,             relatively high exposure to North American
     the pressures of austerity. Tight credit
                                                      the FTSE 100 gained in January. The FTSE              customers and relatively low exposure to
     conditions, eroded real disposable income,                                                             Europe, in particular Energy, Health Care, and
                                                      250 outperformed as small- and medium-
     and unemployment all crimp consumption.          cap stocks rallied. Greater risk appetite was         Utilities.
     Growth in exports has been disappointing         also evident in the sector performance, with
                                                                                                          ƒ The recent outperformance of these stocks led
     and unable to offset the malaise in the          Financials and Basic Materials leading while
                                                                                                            to higher valuations, and further meaningful
     domestic economy. RBC Capital Markets            Utilities, Health Care, Consumer Goods, and
                                                                                                            outperformance may be harder to come by in
     expects weak, but not necessarily                Energy lagged.
                                                                                                            the short term.
     disappointing, growth.                         ƒ Encouragingly, the manufacturing, services,
>    With fears concerning the Eurozone and its       and construction PMIs have all surprised on
                                                      the upside, although still consistent with a                         U.K. Inflation Peaked in 2011
     banks receding somewhat in January and
     global leading indicators improving, the         weak economy.
                                                                                                                           UK Retail Price Index YoY % Change
     U.K. stock market gained during the month.     ƒ U.K. CPI inflation declined to 4.2% y/y in           6%
     Further expansion of the Bank of England’s       December. The deceleration in prices reflects        5%
     quantitative easing programme expected in        base effects with transport and utility prices       4%
     February should help support markets.            rising sharply in December 2010. These are now       3%
                                                      falling out of the annual comparison, and RBC        2%
>    Recession risks continue to linger for 2012.     Capital Markets expects this to take inflation       1%
     These could weigh on corporate earnings          down to below 3% by April.                           0%
     and equity prices. A disorderly outcome
                                                    ƒ Unemployment increased to 8.4% in                   -1%
     to the European sovereign and Financial          November, a little higher than expected, though     -2%
     sector crisis remains the key risk, though       the pace of the rise in unemployment seems             2006       2007      2008       2009         2010   2011   2012

     we continue to expect this risk will not         to have moderated. Confidence remains weak,         Source: Bloomberg, data through December 2011
     crystallise.                                     and real income growth is set to stay in negative
                                                      territory throughout 1H12. However, slightly
                                                      easing credit conditions for households, less
                                                      real wages erosion as inflation becomes less
                                                      punitive, and no marked deterioration of the
                                                      unemployment picture should all help to
                                                      attenuate headwinds later in the year.

Frédérique Carrier – London, United Kingdom
frederique.carrier@rbc.com


13 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Equities: Asia (ex Japan)



Neutral (=)                                         Market Developments                                        Fitch had already adjusted its rating in December
                                                                                                               2011, and S&P may do the same in the next few
                                                    ƒ For January, the Hang Seng Index rose 10.6%;
>    Asia ex-Japan equity performance continues       the Singapore Straits Times Index 9.8%; the
                                                                                                               months.
     to be capped by a slowdown in Chinese            Nikkei 4.1%, South Korea’s KOSPI 7.1%, Shanghai      Portfolio Recommendations
     growth, slower global growth affecting           A-Share Index 4.2%, and Australia 5.1%. Equity
                                                      performance was strong in January despite the        ƒ General: We prefer a “Neutral” benchmark
     demand for Asian exports, and negative                                                                  weighting but recognize regional economic
                                                      Chinese New Year, which is usually a quiet period
     investor sentiment from the European             for markets.                                           leading indicators may be bottoming. There may
     sovereign debt crisis. We maintain our                                                                  be an opportunity to consider an “Overweight”
                                                    ƒ Central banks in the region are no longer              position later in the first half of the year if
     “Neutral” stance on regional equity markets.     tightening. They are either on hold, as in             the stabilization in the regional economy is
>    However, we do note that leading indicators      Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and China,        confirmed.
                                                      or loosening policy, such as in Indonesia and,
     in the region may be in the process of           more recently, Thailand. Many central bank           ƒ Countries: We prefer Japan—lowest valuation in
     bottoming, and equity performance at the         statements have referenced the weak global             Asia on book value (see next page); Indonesia—
                                                                                                             strong domestic consumption theme; Australia—
     start of 2012 has been more encouraging.         growth environment as an impediment to
                                                      domestic growth.                                       high dividend yield.
     Asian equity performance was particularly
                                                    ƒ President Ma Yingjiu was elected to a second four-   ƒ Sectors: We prefer defensive, non-cyclical sectors
     weak in the second half of 2011.                                                                        but would selectively add to cyclical stocks in
                                                      year term as Taiwan’s president, with nearly 52%
>    While the Chinese economy faces numerous         of the vote. Taiwan has enjoyed closer ties with       portfolios as the economic data stabilizes.
     challenges, the base case still calls for a      China under the rule of Ma’s Kuomintang Party.       ƒ Style: We prefer large-cap names, with supportive
     soft landing. We forecast 2012 Chinese GDP     ƒ Chinese GDP data continues to indicate the             dividends.
     growth of 8.4% and moderate appreciation         economy is going through a soft landing. Fourth-
                                                      quarter GDP was up 8.9%, slightly more than          Leading Economic Indicators for Select Asian Economies
     in the Chinese currency.                         expected. The economy grew 9.1% in 2011. China’s                  (January - December 2011)
>    Central banks are either staying on hold or      CPI continued to moderate to 4.1% in December.
                                                                                                            60
     selectively easing, while inflation is also      We expect inflation to moderate further and the
                                                      Chinese economy to grow 8.4% in 2012.                 55
     moderating. Equity valuations are low.
                                                    ƒ South Korea’s fourth-quarter GDP grew at the          50
     Equity performance over a 12-month time          slowest level in two years, rising 0.4% over the
     horizon has historically been favourable at      third quarter and 3.4% over a year ago. This was      45
     these valuation levels once central banks        slightly below expectations and was the third-        40
     have started easing.                             consecutive quarter of slower growth. Given that
                                                                                                                 JAN       MAR   MAY      JUL     SEP     NOV
                                                      exports account for approximately half of South
                                                      Korea’s GDP, the slowdown is reflective of the               Taiwan HSBC Manufacturing PMI
                                                      broader global slowdown over that period.                    Nomura/JMMA Seasonal PMI
Jay Roberts – Hong Kong, China                                                                                     South Korea HSBC PMI
jay.roberts@rbc.com                                 ƒ Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous
                                                                                                                   China Manufacturing PMI
                                                      country, had its sovereign credit rating raised
Yang Yufei – Hong Kong, China                                                                                      Singapore Purchasing Manager Index Manufacturing
yufei.yang@rbc.com
                                                      by Moody’s for the first time in 10 years to
                                                      investment grade, Baa3, with a stable outlook.       Source: Bloomberg


14 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Equities: Japan



Overweight (+)                                       Market Developments                                          auto demand, improved U.S. market share
                                                                                                                  and demand, and strong sales growth in China
                                                     ƒ As we head into Japanese earnings season the
>    The “Overweight” call on Japanese stocks                                                                     after a weak 2011. Toyota, the largest Japanese
                                                       Nikkei 225 index has risen 4.6% since the start
     is largely a function of valuations—with          of 2012.
                                                                                                                  manufacturer, also raised its 2012 sales
     Japan trading at the lowest price/book value                                                                 forecasts, although this was on the back of a
     multiple in Asia—as well as an expected         ƒ Japan’s core CPI fell for the third consecutive            particularly weak 2011.
                                                       year in 2011, down 0.3%. Core prices declined
     economic rebound in 2012 following the            by 0.1% in December. One of the reasons                Portfolio Recommendations
     devastating effects of the tsunami in March       deflation remains in Japan has been the                ƒ Japanese cyclical sectors, such as real estate and
     2011.                                             continued strength of the yen in 2011. RBC               transportation equipment, that underperformed
>    Japanese stocks are trading at significant        Capital Markets forecasts the yen to appreciate          in 2011 have been the outperformers thus far
                                                       to USD/JPY 70.0 by the middle of the 2012                in 2012. However, this may just be a short-
     discounts to historical valuations. The
                                                       before falling back to 75.0 by the end of the            term market reaction to the imminent threat
     Nikkei 225 Index is trading at a forward          year.                                                    of a European credit crunch dissipating over
     price/earnings ratio of 11.7x, compared                                                                    Christmas. We continue to favour large-
                                                     ƒ Japan posted a trade deficit in 2011, its first such
     to the 5-year average forward valuation of                                                                 cap, dividend-paying names as we wait for
                                                       deficit since 1980. However, this is likely not the
     16.4x. The trailing price/book ratio is 0.9x,     start of a new trend of deficits for the world’s
                                                                                                                confirmation the regional economic data in
     compared to the 5-year average valuation of                                                                Asia is stabilizing. We would selectively add to
                                                       third-largest economy because a number of
     1.3x. Negativity prevails: Japanese stocks                                                                 cyclical stocks in portfolios as the data improves.
                                                       unusual factors hurt exports in 2011 and helped
     are priced for a 5% earnings decline in           to contribute to the deficit. These include: the       ƒ We also favor companies likely to benefit from
     2012.                                             March tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster            civil infrastructure projects and reconstruction
                                                       that impacted the domestic supply chain; severe          work resulting from the March 2011 earthquake
                                                       flooding in Thailand that impacted the regional          and tsunami.
                                                       supply chain; and the European sovereign debt
                                                       crisis that dampened demand from that region.
                                                       However, the strong yen—also a headwind—will            Japanese Headline and Core CPI (Jan 2009-Dec 2011)
                                                       likely persist in 2012.
                                                                                                                  0.5
                                                     ƒ The Bank of Japan (BoJ) lowered its growth                 0.0
                                                       forecasts for fiscal-year 2012, which begins in
                                                                                                                 -0.5
                                                       April, to 2% from 2.2%. For the 2011 fiscal year,
                                                                                                                 -1.0
                                                       the BoJ forecasts a contraction of 0.4%, slightly
                                                       higher than the previous forecast of 0.3%. The            -1.5
                                                       BoJ cites the European sovereign debt crisis as           -2.0                             Headline (JNCPIYOY Index)
Jay Roberts – Hong Kong, China                         the biggest risk to domestic Japanese growth.             -2.5                             Core (JNCPIXFF Index)
jay.roberts@rbc.com
                                                                                                                 -3.0
Yang Yufei – Hong Kong, China                        ƒ Mr. Takanobu Ito, the President of Honda,
                                                                                                                    Jan-09    Jul-09   Jan-10   Jul-10   Jan-11   Jul-11
yufei.yang@rbc.com                                     Japan’s third-largest car manufacturer, forecast
                                                       earnings for the company will be the best in           Source: Bloomberg
                                                       at least five years on a rebound in domestic
15 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Fixed Income

Global Asset Class View                                                     Pockets of Opportunity Exist within the Ultra-Low Rate Landscape
                                                                            High-grade government yields moved higher for a few days in early December as investors digested the
 Asset Class                                          View
                                                                            implications of the coordinated central bank move to head off a banking liquidity crisis and concluded an
 Equities                                              =                    important systemic risk had been neutralized—at least for the time being. However, it was not long before
                                                                            those yields began to drift lower once again—in most cases getting back to or below their November lows.
 Fixed Income                                          –
                                                                            This rapid yield retreat seemed to be in response to several factors:
 Cash                                                  +
                                                                            ƒ Recognition the sovereign debt crisis was unresolved and just as potentially dangerous as ever;
                                                                            ƒ Acknowledgement the Eurozone was in recession, a development likely to complicate and worsen the
        Corporate Bond Spreads (in basis points)                              crisis;

                                                      581 552               ƒ Confirmation inflation rates everywhere looked to have peaked and were falling, perhaps quickly,
    6 months ago
                                                                              allaying investor fears about just how far safe-haven yields would back up if a crisis resolution arrived
    3 months ago
                                                427                           unexpectedly; and
    Current (Jan 31, 2012)
                                                                            ƒ The revelation that Fed-think was focused on far-away late 2014 as the likely date of the first rate hike.
                                                                              At the same time, the FOMC continued to suggest QE3 was still on the table, and the Bank of England
          159 151               150 156
                                                                              looked increasingly likely to enlarge its own quantitative easing efforts.
     99
                           73                                               Yield-hungry investors, for their part, have had little choice but to search for pockets of acceptable
                                                                            coupon or dividend return while wrestling with just how much extra risk they can prudently rationalize
                                                                            away.
      Europe      U.S. Investment  U.S. High-Yield
 Investment Grade Grade Corporate Corporate Spread                          In our view, investment-grade corporate bonds still offer the best value in what has become a well-
 Corporate Spread     Spread
                                                                            ploughed field, acknowledging the risk/return trade-off available today is not as attractive as it was a year
                                                                            ago—or even several months ago. But we continue to remind ourselves any Eurozone crisis resolution
Source: Bloomberg; month-end data of Citigroup BIG and high-yield indices
Note: European spread vs. German Bund; U.S. spreads vs. U.S. Treasury       that permitted safe-haven government yields to move back above the rate of inflation would also
                                                                            substantially narrow the spread advantage on offer in the corporate sector today.
                                                                            The high-yield sector presents investors with much the same choice as equity markets. Yields are high
                                                                            and attracting a lot of investor interest. Default rates have remained low and probably will continue to
                                                                            do so if the Eurozone downturn is mild and short lived. However, if the crisis were to worsen, pushing the
                                                                            U.S. into recession and exacerbating the Chinese slowdown, history suggests default rates would move
                                                                            appreciably higher as would yields. There continues to be relative value in this sector with spreads still
                                                                            above historical averages, but only for investors who can accept substantially higher risks.


Jim Allworth – Vancouver, Canada
jim.allworth@rbc.com



16 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Global Fixed Income: Focus on U.S.


          U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Comparison                                U.S. Treasuries                                        ƒ Even with continued sluggish economic growth in
                                                                                                                                       North America, default risk remains low, which is
 5%
                                                                              ƒ Yields have remained volatile due to ongoing
                                                                                                                                       positive for the high-yield sector.
                                                                                sovereign risks and economic uncertainties.
 4%                                                                                                                                  ƒ High yield spreads tightened significantly in
                                                                              ƒ The Federal Reserve announcement that current
                                                                                                                                       January, but they remain above historic averages.
                                                                                policy may remain in place until the end of 2014,
 3%                                                                                                                                    We believe the asset class continues to provide
                                                                                coupled with the central bank’s ongoing purchase
                                                                                                                                       opportunities for risk-oriented accounts.
 2%                                                           4/1/2011          of longer-dated securities, is supportive of a
                                                              12/30/2011        “lower for longer” rate environment and a flatter    Municipals
 1%                                                                             yield curve.
                                                              1/31/2012                                                              ƒ Yields have continued to pull back as municipal
 0%
                                                                              ƒ In this low-rate, benign inflation environment we      bonds have extended their rally that began late
       Yr 1     Yr 5   Yr 9   Yr 13    Yr 17     Yr 21     Yr 25      Yr 29     continue to prefer credit-sensitive sectors over       last year. Strong institutional demand coupled
                                                                                Treasuries.                                            with tight supply resulted in a “crowding out”
                                                                                                                                       effect for retail investors who had already begun
              Asset Class Yield Curve Comparison
                                                                              Agencies                                                 to balk at the lower yields.
                                                                              ƒ Yields of Agencies (GSE bonds) compared to
  8%                                                                                                                                 ƒ At current levels, short- to intermediate-muni
                                                                                Treasuries, or spreads, remain tight by historical
  7%                                                                                                                                   bonds seem overvalued. A back-off in prices
                                                                                standards.
  6%                                                                                                                                   would provide a better entry point as we remain
  5%
                                                                              ƒ Nevertheless, agencies provide an opportunity to       positive on this sector.
                                                                                pick up higher yields and have minimal risk.
  4%                                                                                                                                 ƒ Supply constraints will likely diminish somewhat
  3%                                                                          ƒ While the Federal Reserve has yet to announce          because low absolute yield levels should be
  2%
                                                                                official plans for mortgage-backed securities          supportive of refunding activity on the part of
                              Investment Grade           High Yield             purchases through QE3, it has signaled these           municipalities. We expect muni bond issuance to
  1%
                              Munis                      Treasuries             securities would play a role in future long-term       increase in 2012.
  0%
                                                                                securities purchases. This should continue to
       Yr 1     Yr 5   Yr 9    Yr 13   Yr 17     Yr 21     Yr 25      Yr 29                                                          ƒ Municipals continue to be subject to headline
                                                                                support the mortgage-backed securities market.
                                                                                                                                       risk as a result of ongoing financial stress at the
Chart Sources: Bloomberg
                                                                              Corporates                                               state and local levels, especially as Washington
                                                                                                                                       continues to debate deficit reduction proposals.
                                                                              ƒ Corporate bonds were the best-performing fixed         Nonetheless, demand from both traditional as
                                                                                income sector in January, and the difference in        well as “cross-over” buyers should remain strong.
                                                                                yield (the spread) between corporate credit and
                                                                                Treasuries tightened significantly. High-yield       ƒ The consensus among analysts is that any serious
                                                                                bonds exhibited particularly strong performance.       debate about tax-code changes that could impact
                                                                                                                                       munis will likely occur in 2013, after the U.S.
                                                                              ƒ Due to the low interest rate environment,              elections.
                                                                                corporations are expected to reduce their debt
                                                                                loads, which could cause credit spreads to narrow    ƒ Investors continue to look for ways to increase
                                                                                further.                                               yield. In the muni market, this means moving
                                                                                                                                       down the credit scale, with lower investment-
   Craig Bishop – Minneapolis, United States                                  ƒ We believe corporate debt will continue to             grade health care issues as the main beneficiaries.
   craig.bishop@rbc.com                                                         outperform government bonds over the short             Extension swaps and “kicker bonds” with 5-10
                                                                                and medium term as global policy efforts remain        year calls also offer value.
                                                                                supportive of riskier assets.
   17 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Commodities

>     Recent improvements in global                                       Gold                                                         sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program, and
                                                                                                                                       European Union countries have decided to ban
      manufacturing Purchasing Managers’                                  ƒ The month of December saw gold bullion trade
                                                                                                                                       Iranian oil imports starting July 1, 2012. Iran has
      Indices have been encouraging for                                     down 10% towards the bottom of its multi-year
                                                                                                                                       responded by threatening to prevent shipping
                                                                            trend channel. Fundamental supports remain
      economically sensitive commodities.                                                                                              through the Straight of Hormuz, through which
                                                                            unchanged, and the price has since rebounded.
                                                                                                                                       the bulk of the region’s oil passes.
>     Over the longer term, sustained growth                              ƒ The price remains supported by:
                                                                                                                                    ƒ The supply and demand balance for natural gas
      in commodity-intensive economies—like                                 › low real interest rates,                                continues to deteriorate, with the commodity now
      China and India—together with constrained                             › the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis,                     trading under $3.00/Mcf. Continued growth in
      supplies, would suggest constructive                                  › longer-term U.S. debt and deficit concerns,             industry-wide production in the U.S. combined
      market conditions.                                                    › emerging market demand driven by inflation              with warm weather have led to U.S. storage levels
                                                                              and growing household wealth,                           rising to 3.1 Bcf, which is well above the 5-year
>     In the near term, the risk of a European                              › central bank demand, and                                average of 2.6 Bcf.
      banking crisis or disorderly sovereign                                › speculative buying.
                                                                                                                                    Copper and Industrial Metals
      default could lead to significant declines in                       ƒ Gold ETF demand continues to rise, with 2011 up
                                                                                                                                    ƒ Copper prices are well above their cost floor as
      all risky assets.                                                     7% following growth of 20% in 2010.
                                                                                                                                      demand from emerging markets, led by China, has
                                                                          ƒ Central Bank buying advanced considerably                 remained robust.
                                                                            in 2011 with an estimated 430 tonnes of net
 Commodity Forecast                      2012E             2013E                                                                    ƒ China is the world’s largest consumer of copper,
                                                                            purchases.
                                                                                                                                      and the latest economic data, including 4Q11 GDP
 Oil (WTI $/Bbl)                         100.00            106.00                                                                     growth of 8.9%, are consistent with a moderation
                                                                          Energy
 Natural Gas ($/mmbtu)                     4.00              4.75                                                                     of growth into 2012, but not a hard landing.
                                                                          ƒ Oil demand remains dominated by emerging
 Gold ($/oz)                            1,800.00          1,800.00          markets, with RBC Capital Markets forecasting           ƒ The global supply/demand balance for copper
                                                                            2012 global demand to increase by 0.7 million             has been in deficit for two years; however, this is
 Copper ($/ton)                            3.75              4.00                                                                     expected to shift to a mild surplus for 2012 when
                                                                            barrels per day (mbpd), of which China makes up
 Corn (US$/bu)                             6.51              5.98           60% (0.4 mbpd).                                           several large mine expansions come on-stream.

 Wheat (US$/bu)                            6.83              7.20         ƒ Supply conditions are expected to remain tight          Corn and Agricultural Commodities
                                                                            with the return of exports from Libya providing
Source: RBC Capital Markets forecasts (oil, natural gas, gold, copper),                                                             ƒ For potash, economic uncertainty has led
Bloomberg consensus forecasts (wheat, corn)                                 some relief. Libya is estimated to produce oil at
                                                                                                                                      buyers to be cautious. Producers were piling up
                                                                            approximately two-thirds of its pre-war level and
                                                                                                                                      inventories in late 2011, with potash inventories
                                                                            may see full production by mid-year. OPEC spare
                                                                                                                                      at two major producers up 20% in December from
                                                                            capacity is expected to remain a relatively tight
                                                                                                                                      the prior month and 13% over the 5-year average.
                                                                            3.6 mmbpd in 2012, per RBC Capital Markets.
                                                                                                                                      The near-term weakness has been met with potash
                                                                          ƒ In December, OPEC set a new production ceiling            volume curtailment by Potash Corp. and Uralkali.
                                                                            for the first time in three years, allowing the limit
                                                                                                                                    ƒ Corn and soybean prices increased in January
                                                                            to increase to 30 mpbd, reflecting concerns that
                                                                                                                                      on heat and drought concerns in South America.
                                                                            $100 oil may lead to demand destruction.
Mark Allen – Toronto, Canada                                                                                                          Argentina, the world’s second-largest exporter of
mark.d.allen@rbc.com                                                      ƒ The wild card for supply is now Iran, which               corn, has dramatically lowered its corn production
                                                                            represents ~4% of global production and exports           forecast. The drop represents 4.8% of the global
                                                                            2.5 mbpd. The U.S. has imposed new financial              corn export market.
18 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Currencies

>     The global interest rate cycle has turned down                        U.S. Dollar (USD)                                        ƒ This has stabilized the European financial system,
      again. Central banks are generally cutting                                                                                       but the surge in liquidity pushed the Euro even
                                                                            ƒ The Dollar’s strengthening trend in December
                                                                                                                                       lower as traders saw the ECB’s plan as a way to
      policy rates or keeping them near record                                continued into the New Year before giving up
                                                                                                                                       inflate away the debt. However, the market already
      lows. With interest rate differentials between                          some gains near the end of January. The driver
                                                                                                                                       appears to be very short on the Euro, so we believe
                                                                              of this strength was generally improving U.S.
      developed economies converging towards zero,                                                                                     a rapid decline is now unlikely. Instead, we expect
                                                                              economic data and a realization the economy,
      this removes one of the main tools currency                             while sub-par, was still looking healthier than
                                                                                                                                       only a slow, grinding weakness in the currency
      forecasters use, that of relative monetary policy.                                                                               until a long-term fiscal solution is found.
                                                                              many of its developed country peers.
>     In this environment we believe currencies are                         ƒ However, the January 25th Fed announcement             U.K. Sterling (GBP)
      trading close to their longer-term fair values.                         that interest rates would likely remain low through    ƒ The direction of the pound continues to be
                                                                              the end of 2014 underscored the headwinds
      Our targets reflect this backdrop, with most of                         facing the economy and, by association, the U.S.
                                                                                                                                       driven by a trade-off between the weakness of
      our long-term forecasts unchanged since the                                                                                      the U.K. economy and the safe-haven aspect of
                                                                              dollar. The political divisions leading up to the        the currency in comparison to the euro. As 2012
      end of 2011, suggesting only small potential                            presidential election this year will likely heighten     progresses, we expect the pound to be driven by
      movements are likely over our forecast horizon.                         the policy gridlock and add risk to the dollar.          the relative performance of the U.K. economy. That
                                                                                                                                       is, we expect it to strengthen against the currencies
                                                                            Canadian Dollar (CAD)
        Currency            Current as of            Forecast to                                                                       of countries with slower GDP growth (e.g., the
        Forecast            Jan 31, 2012            Dec 31, 2012            ƒ The CAD traded narrowly on the weak side of              euro), but to weaken against the U.S. dollar.
                                                                              parity with the US. dollar through the end of 2011
     CAD/USD                      1.00                    1.00                as traders struggled to find a reason to push it       Japanese Yen (JPY)
                                                                              higher. The BoC’s interest rate policy remains on      ƒ Even though Japan hasn’t fully recovered from
     USD/CAD                      1.00                    1.00                hold, and the rapid accumulation of new debt by          the global recession, we still have the somewhat
     EUR/USD                      1.31                    1.27                households taking advantage of these low rates           contrarian view the yen will continue to appreciate
                                                                              makes us doubt further cuts are imminent.                against major currencies. The only natural seller
     GBP/USD                      1.58                    1.59
                                                                            ƒ This is in contrast to other commodity-focused           of yen is Japanese companies investing their funds
     AUD/USD                      1.06                    1.01                countries, such as Australia, where rates continue       overseas. In the current global low interest rate
                                                                              to fall. With this backdrop, we expect the loonie        environment, these companies are able to hedge
     USD/CHF                      0.92                    0.99                                                                         these flows very cheaply and, therefore, reduce the
                                                                              to outperform its commodity currency peers this
     USD/JPY                     76.27                   75.00                year as the preferred proxy for a reflation trade.       selling pressure on the yen.

     EUR/JPY                     99.78                   95.25              Eurozone Euro (EUR)                                      Chinese Yuan (CNY)
     EUR/GBP                      0.83                    0.80              ƒ The Euro was the worst-performing major                ƒ China’s move to lower its bank reserve requirement
                                                                              currency at the end of 2011—and for good reason.         from 21.5% to 21% in December was the first cut
     EUR/CHF                      1.20                    1.26                The slow policy response to the peripheral               in three years. We expect this rate to fall by another
     USD/CNY                      6.31                    6.10                debt crisis, even as growth declined, made the           2.5% in the first quarter if inflation continues to
                                                                              fiscal situation even worse. Just as confidence          fall. However, this should not weaken the yuan
    Source: Bloomberg, RBC Capital Markets
    Example of how to interpret currency data: CAD/USD 1.00 means 1 Cana-     in the banking sector looked to be approaching           against the dollar, since political considerations
    dian dollar will buy 1 U.S. dollar.                                       a crisis point, the ECB launched its Long-Term           suggest the yuan will be allowed to float higher in
                                                                              Refinancing Operation (LTRO). This provided a            order to avoid an escalation in trade tensions.
    Alan Robinson – Seattle, United States                                    huge liquidity injection with banks able to offer
    alan.robinson@rbc.com
                                                                              their sovereign bonds as collateral.
    19 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Key Forecasts

U.S.                                     GDP                        ƒ Real disposable income fell year /over year         Central Bank Rate           ƒ FOMC committed to no rate hike
                                                                      in Q4. Modest spending growth in second          Today           1-year Out       before late 2014. Fed continues
                                  2.9%           1.9%        2.0%     half was fueled by savings draw-down.                                             to hint at new asset purchase
                                                                      Confidence dampened by weak housing,                                              program (QE3) targeted at
                                                                      anemic jobs growth, global uncertainty.                                           mortgage-backed securities.
                     -2.6%                                            Inflation set to recede; may give consumer a
                                                                                                                       0.25%              0.25%       ƒ Flight-to-safety has repeatedly
                      2009        2010           2011       2012E     break in 2012.
                                                                                                                                                        driven 10yr Treasury yields below
                                                                    ƒ Fiscal drag to become more pronounced,                                            2%. A Eurozone solution and a
                                                                      even more if payroll tax cut not extended.                                        rebound in global economies
                                      Inflation                                                                                10-year Rate
                                                                                                                                                        could at some point push them
                                                                    ƒ Business capital investment was a bright         Today             1-year Out
                                                                                                                                                        back up to 3%+, but fast falling
                                                    3.0%              spot all last year, but leading indicators
                        3.8%                                                                                                                            inflation and the likely rapid
                                                             1.8%     of capex are mixed. Tax incentives were
                                             1.6%
                                                                                                                                                        deployment of QE3 would limit the
                                                                      extended for 2012 but cut in half.
                                                                                                                                           3.00%        upside.
                                -0.3%
                                                                    ƒ Muddle through at 2% GDP growth, but             1.80%
                    2008       2009      2010       2011E   2012E     slow growth makes economy vulnerable to
                                                                      external shocks from Europe, oil, geopolitics,
                                                                      etc. Recession not our forecast but can’t be
                                                                      entirely ruled out.



Canada                                   GDP                        ƒ After adding to employment in 20 of 24              Central Bank Rate           ƒ The Bank of Canada lowered
                                                                      months, Canada lost jobs in 3 of the last 5.     Today           1-year Out       its growth forecasts out to and
                                 3.2%           2.3%        2.0%                                                                                        including 2013, citing substantial
                                                                      Flagging employment growth may start to
                                                                      weigh on confidence. Inflation forecast to                                        global headwinds including
                                                                      ebb; wage growth reasonable. Longer term,                                         a longer, deeper European
                    -2.5%                                             substantial build-up of household debt has       1.00%              1.00%
                                                                                                                                                        downturn. Expectations for a rate
                    2009         2010           2011E       2012E     left consumer too exposed to future rate                                          hike mid-2012 have come off the
                                                                      increases.                                                                        table. Possibility of a rate cut if the
                                                                                                                                                        inflation threat wanes and global
                                      Inflation                     ƒ Weak U.S. growth and a longer-than-                      10-year Rate             growth falters.
                                                                      expected slowdown in China should make for       Today             1-year Out
                                                                      a mixed export performance.                                                     ƒ An end to the flight-to-safety
                       2.4%           1.8%                  2.0%
                                                  2.7%                                                                                                  bid would drive Canada bond
                                                                    ƒ Government stimulus all but gone;                                                 yields sharply higher with no
                                                                      substantial cuts coming this year and next.                         3.00%         contemplated Bank of Canada QE
                       0.3%                                                                                            1.90%
                                                                    ƒ Capex heavily skewed toward energy. Cross-                                        program to provide an offset.
                   2008       2009      2010     2011E      2012E
                                                                      border pipeline politics and weak natural gas
                                                                      prices could be a drag.


Source: RBC Investment Strategy Committee and RBC Capital Markets

 20 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Key Forecasts

Eurozone                                GDP                         ƒ Promise of deep austerity cuts to come, and        Central Bank Rate            ƒ The ECB surprised with two 25 bps
                                                                      inability to end the crisis sent consumer       Today           1-year Out        rate cuts at President Draghi’s first
                                 1.0%         1.5%                    and business confidence plummeting in                                             two meetings. Inflation receded in
                                                           0.0%
                                                                      the second half. Spending weak; capex                                             December, with more expected early
                                                                      intentions uncertain. Region already in                                           in the New Year, making other cut(s)
                    -4.1%                                             recession.                                       1.00%                            feasible in Q1.
                                                                                                                                          0.50%
                    2009         2010         2011E       2012E     ƒ Rate cuts welcome but won’t have traction                                       ƒ December move to give banks
                                                                      before second half and not then if banks                                          3-year access to ECB funding has
                                                                      raise capital by shrinking loan books.                                            removed risk of area banks slipping
                                     Inflation                                                                                 10-year Rate
                                                                                                                                                        inadvertently into a funding crisis. It
                                                                    ƒ Weak currency should help core countries;       Today              1-year Out
                                                                                                                                                        has bought time and substantially
                       3.3%                                           peripheral outlook grim.
                                                                                                                                                        narrowed Spanish, Italian, and
                                     1.6%                  1.5%
                                                 2.5%                                                                                      3.00%        French 10-year spreads over bunds.
                                                                                                                       1.80%             (Germany)
                       0.3%                                                                                          (Germany)                        ƒ Big loser from “closer fiscal union” or
                   2008       2009     2010     2011E    2012E                                                                                          “Eurobond” solution would be bunds.




U.K.                                    GDP                         ƒ U.K. economy continues to slowly weaken.           Central Bank Rate            ƒ The BoE, unconcerned by inflation
                                                                      GDP contracted in Q4. Consumer badly            Today           1-year Out        data distorted by one-time factors.
                                 1.3%         1.0%         1.0%       squeezed by inflation awaiting some                                               Will continue balancing ultra-tight,
                                                                      reprieve as 2012 unfolds.                                                         austerity-driven fiscal policy with
                                                                                                                                                        a very accommodative monetary
                                                                    ƒ Exports more than 30% of GDP and half are
                    -5.0%                                                                                                                               stance. No rate change before
                                                                      bound for the Eurozone. At risk as Europe        0.50%              0.50%
                     2009        2010         2011E       2012E                                                                                         2013. New round of QE approved in
                                                                      slips into recession. Heavily exposed
                                                                                                                                                        October has since been increased.
                                                                      to Ireland in both trade and finance.
                                                                                                                                                        We expect another enlargement
                                                                      Recession hard to avoid if Europe downturn
                                     Inflation                                                                                 10-year Rate             approved in the spring.
                                                                      worsens.
                                                                                                                      Today              1-year Out
                                                                                                                                                      ƒ Gilts benefitting from flight-to-safety
                                                 4.3%               ƒ Inflation fell sharply to 4.2% in December
                       3.8%          3.3%                                                                                                               bid and the Bank of England’s
                                                                      (from 5.2% in September). More to come
                                                                                                                                                        extended and enlarged QE program.
                                                          2.5%        as VAT increase and utility rate increases
                          2.1%                                                                                                             2.75%        An end to both would herald a steep
                                                                      eventually fall out of the calculation. Bank     1.95%
                                                                                                                                                        back-up in yields.
                   2008       2009     2010     2011E     2012E       of England forecasts a below 2% reading by
                                                                      year end.




Source: RBC Investment Strategy Committee and RBC Capital Markets


 21 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Key Forecasts

China                                     GDP                              ƒ Economy slowing, mostly because of weaker           Central Bank Rate           ƒ Reserve requirements at 21.5%
                                                                             exports, especially into Europe. Export growth   Today           1-year Out       and base lending rate at 6.56%
                     9.3%          10.5%         9.3%                        down from 25% to 13%.                                                             produced a credit crunch and
                                                             8.3%                                                             6.56%*             6.56%*
                                                                                                                                                               brought money supply growth
                                                                           ƒ Credit crunch and tough home purchase
                                                                                                                                                               down to just 13%. Bank lending
                                                                             regulations taking a toll on small-to-medium
                                                                                                                                                               growth continues to slow. Inflation
                                                                             manufacturers and property developers. Real
                     2009          2010        2011E         2012E
                                                                                                                                                               has fallen for 4 months running.
                                                                             estate markets cooling off nationwide.
                                                                                                                                                             ƒ Reserve requirements were
                                                                           ƒ Gov’t housing construction picking up the
                                                                                                                                                               lowered by 50 bps in December
                                      Inflation                              slack. Consumer spending up by double-digit              10-year Rate
                                                                                                                                                               and another 200+ basis points
                                                                             rates. Infrastructure investment a priority.     Today             1-year Out
                                                                                                                                                               was widely expected to arrive in
                                                  5.7%
                        5.9%
                                      3.3%                                 ƒ Inflation now down to 4.1% led by food price                                      Q1. However, the government has
                                                             4.5%            moderation.                                                                       recently given plenty of indications
                                                                                                                              3.45%                n/a
                                                                           ƒ Policy tightening over. Easing on the way.                                        easing will be more deliberate in
                           -0.7%                                                                                                                               pace. Interest rate cuts unlikely
                                                                             However, policymakers may allow GDP
                    2008       2009     2010      2011E     2012E
                                                                             growth to moderate further rather than risk                                       until inflation rate falls below one-
                                                                             rekindling price pressures by reversing course                                    year deposit rate (3.50%).
                                                                             too quickly.
                                                                           ƒ Our forecast is a “soft landing,” but any
                                                                             reacceleration is some ways off.


Japan                                      GDP                              ƒ Reconstruction and restart of the auto sector      Central Bank Rate           ƒ Bank of Japan provided plenty
                                                                              produced the promised V-shaped recovery         Today           1-year Out       of liquidity during the Tsunami
                                   2.6%                       2.2%            from the earthquake-induced downturn, but                                        crisis and has now embarked on
                                                                              industrial production has faded following                                        expanded QE program (55 trillion
                                                 -0.5%                        the summer spurt. Currency strength a drag                                       yen) buying JGBs. It cited European
                     -5.3%                                                    on trade.                                                                        concerns and the strength of the
                                                                                                                              0.10%              0.10%         yen. It also lowered its growth and
                      2009         2010         2011E        2012E          ƒ Growth in first half likely to be respectable
                                                                                                                                                               inflation forecasts for 2012 and
                                                                              against easy comps, although supply
                                                                                                                                                               2013.
                                                                              disruptions from Thai flooding a wildcard.
                                      Inflation                                                                                       10-year Rate
                                                                              Second half will need stronger demand from
                                                                                                                              Today             1-year Out
                                                                              China.
                        1.4%
                                                             0.2%
                                                  -0.2%                     ƒ Retail trade and machinery orders both
                                                                              ticked higher in Q4. However, moribund
                                            -0.7%
                           -1.4%                                              domestic demand together with a more                                1.50%
                                                                                                                              0.95%
                    2008       2009     2010      2011E 2012E
                                                                              challenging export environment in 2012
                                                                              suggest growth will quickly subside into the
                                                                              2% +/- .5% range. Inflation not a factor.
Source: RBC Investment Strategy Committee and RBC Capital Markets
*1-yr base lending rate for working capital, People’s Bank of China; Source: Consensus Economics

 22 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Market Valuation & Equilibrium Levels

> The RBC Global Asset Management Fair Value          Equity Charts
  calculation looks at the returns on equity                                S&P 500 Equilibrium                                          S&P/ TSX Composite Equilibrium
  earned by the companies comprising the
  relevant market index back more than 50 years       3311                                                                22387
  and relates them to the interest rates and          2026
                                                               Jan. '12 Range: 1155 - 1938 (Mid: 1547)
                                                                                                                          14307
                                                                                                                                    Jan. '12 Range: 10490 - 15664 (Mid: 13077)
                                                               Jan. '13 Range: 1259 - 2113 (Mid: 1686)                              Jan. '13 Range: 10198 - 15229 (Mid: 12713)
  inflation expectations prevailing at the time to    1240     Current (31-January-12): 1312                              9143
                                                                                                                                    Current (31-January-12): 12452

  get a “normalized ROE” for a given combination       759                                                                5843
  of rates and inflation. Using today’s interest       464                                                                3734
  rates and inflation, it calculates how the           284                                                                2387
  market has typically valued the corresponding        174                                                                1525

  “normalized earnings” to get “fair value,”           106                                                                 975

  which would lie at the mid-point of the band on       65                                                                 623

  the adjacent charts. The edges of the band lie        40                                                                 398
                                                         1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015         1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
  one standard deviation either side of fair value.



> The RBC Global Asset Management equilibrium         Fixed Income Charts
  valuation for bonds looks at how much of an                        U.S. 10-year Treasury Bond Yield                                       Canada 10-year Bond Yield
  interest-rate premium investors have typically
  demanded over and above the expected rate of          16                                                                 18
  inflation. Using today’s inflation expectations,      14
                                                                                                                                           Last Plot: 2.28%
                                                                                                                           16
  it calculates which bond yield would provide          12
                                                                                                                                           Current Range: 3.34% - 5.02% (Mid: 4.18%)
                                                                                                                           14
  that premium (the mid-point of the band). The         10                                                                 12
  band resides one standard deviation on either
                                                         8
                                                      %




                                                                                                                          %
                                                                                                                           10
  side of the mid-point.
                                                         6                                                                    8
                                                         4                                                                    6
                                                                    Last Plot: 2.14%
                                                         2                                                                    4
                                                                    Current Range: 2.77% - 4.66% (Mid: 3.72%)
                                                         0                                                                    2
                                                             1980    1985   1990       1995   2000   2005   2010   2015           1980   1985   1990    1995    2000    2005     2010   2015



                                                      Chart Sources: RBC Global Asset Management



23 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
Research Resources and Important Information
Research Resources
This document is produced by the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee within RBC Wealth Management’s Portfolio Advisory Group. The RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group provides support related
to asset allocation and portfolio construction for the firm’s Investment Advisors / Financial Advisors who are engaged in assembling portfolios incorporating individual marketable securities.
The Committee leverages the broad market outlook as developed by the RBC Investment Strategy Committee, providing additional tactical and thematic support utilizing research from the RBC
Investment Strategy Committee, RBC Capital Markets, and third party resources.
Global Portfolio Advisory Committee members:
Janet Engels – Co-chair; Head of U.S. Equities, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group                                               Jim Allworth – Co-chair; Portfolio Strategist, RBC Dominion Securities
Maarten Jansen – Head of RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group                                                                      Mark Allen – Portfolio Advisor, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group
Rajan Bansi – Head of Canadian Fixed Income Strategies, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group                                       Matt Barasch – Head of Canadian Equities, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group
Craig Bishop – Head of U.S. Fixed Income Strategies, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group                                          Kelly Bogdanov – Portfolio Analyst, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group
Frédérique Carrier – Director, European Equities, RBC Investment Management (UK) Ltd                                          George King – Head of Portfolio Strategy, RBC Investment Management (UK) Ltd.
Tracy Maeter – Head of Investments, British Isles, RBC Investment Management (UK) Ltd.                                        René Morgenthaler – Head of Investments (Suisse), RBC WM International
Jay Roberts – Head of Asian Equities, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group                                                         Alan Robinson – Portfolio Advisor, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group
The RBC Investment Strategy Committee (RISC), consists of senior investment professionals drawn from individual, client-focused business units within RBC, including the Portfolio Advisory Group.
The RBC Investment Strategy Committee builds a broad global investment outlook and develops specific guidelines that can be used to manage portfolios. RISC is chaired by Daniel Chornous, CFA,
Chief Investment Officer of RBC Global Asset Management.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this report has been compiled by Royal Bank of Canada and/or its affiliates from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied is made to its accuracy, completeness or correctness.
All opinions and estimates contained in this report are judgments as of the date of this report, are subject to change without notice and are provided in good faith but without legal responsibility. This report is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of
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 24 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012

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Global Insights Feb 2012

  • 1. FEBRUARY 2012 RBC Wealth Management Global Insight New central bank policies have calmed equity and fixed income markets. In this issue Does this mean all is quiet on the European front? (page 3) 2 Financial Markets Commentary 4 Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High In 2012, politics could have an even greater impact on markets than last 8 Global Equities year. The stakes are high. (page 5) 16 Global Fixed Income 18 Commodities 19 Currencies Stocks are relatively cheap in most markets, reflecting the challenges facing the global economy. Risks need to be acknowledged in portfolios. 20 Key Forecasts (page 9) 23 Market Valuation & Equilibrium Within the fixed income sector, investment-grade corporates continue to offer attractive opportunities. (page 16) Priced as of January 31, 2012, unless otherwise stated. Global Insight is a monthly publication by the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee 1 GLOBAL INSIGHT - JULY 2011
  • 2. Global Overview RBC’s Investment Stance Global Asset Class View The lingering Eurozone risks, combined with their potential spillover effects in the U.S. and China, are primary reasons we maintain Asset Class View our “Neutral” stance on global equities. To be clear, “Neutral” means including equities at a benchmark weighting in portfolios— that is, a weighting up to but not more than the long-term target allocation. After all, Eurozone officials could surprise markets again Equities = and announce new policies that would reduce the region’s vulnerabilities. A sufficiently constructive announcement could trigger Fixed Income – another worthwhile rally in equities. Cash + Equally plausible, any of several tripwires (Greece, Portugal, politics, bank lending, etc.) could worsen the European and global outlook, and induce more painful volatility episodes. “Invested but vigilant” sums up our stance. Equity view: Overweight Equity view: Neutral Nikkei: 8,802 (+4.1%) Equity view: Neutral Equity view: Underweight Equity view: Neutral FTSE 100: 5,681 (+2.0%) 10-yr JGB: 0.97% (-2 bps) S&P/TSX: 12,452 (+4.2%) Stoxx Eur. 600: 254.41 (+4.0%) Shanghai Comp: 2,292 (+4.2%) Fixed Income view: Underweight Economy: production back in Fixed Income view: Underweight Fixed Income view: Underweight 10-yr Govt: 3.41% (-3.6 bps) 10-yr Gilts: 1.97% (+1 bps) gear, needs a reacceleration 10-yr Cdn: 1.89% (+5 bps) 10-yr Bund: 1.79% (+4 bps) Economy: within the 7%-9% Equity view: Neutral Economy: weak and under pres- Economy: domestic strength Economy: in recession, austerity policy growth target and likely in China S&P 500: 1,312 (+4.4%) sure from the Eurozone sapped by weaker trade headwind blowing hard to stay there Fixed Income view: Underweight 10-yr Tsy: 1.80% (+8 bps) Economy: stuck in a 2% rut Hang Seng: 20,390 (+10.6%) 10-yr Govt: 1.32% (-19 bps) Economy: inflation stubborn, global trade flow dominates Bovespa: 63,072 (+11.1%)10- 9-yr Govt: 11.50% (+17 bps) S&P/ASX 200: 4.262 (+5.08%) Economy: 3%+ growth positive 10-yr Govt: 3.72% (+5 bps) but below potential Economy: headed for 3%+ growth, capex leading the way Equity index returns and fixed income change in basis points (bps) are for January 2012 2 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 3. Financial Markets Commentary > The ECB has taken great strides to protect the Financial markets breathed a sigh of relief after the concerns aside and focus primarily on market European Central Bank forcefully intervened to fundamentals. global financial system from bank defaults, prevent cascading bank failures. But now is not the time to become complacent. All and another round of stimulus is in the offing. The new policy represents more than a massive is not quiet on the European front: > Even so, the Eurozone must negotiate many liquidity injection or back-door quantitative ƒ Banks have a limited ability to support difficult hurdles in the coming months. easing. It indicates central bankers are unwilling sovereign debt markets. There have been Renewed global market volatility can’t be to stand idly by when weak institutions threaten media reports Eurozone banks could use ruled out. Now is not the time for investment to exacerbate a financial crisis à la the Lehman February LTRO proceeds to purchase sizeable Brothers collapse in 2008. The ECB signaled it complacency. amounts of Italian and Spanish debt (and stands behind the banking system and, in turn, the earn attractive returns in the process), thus global financial system. further stabilizing the sovereign debt market No wonder most debt markets stabilized and and banking system. RBC Capital Markets’ equity markets traded higher after the ECB European bank analysts caution this is an unveiled its Long-Term Refinancing Operations unrealistic expectation and “at the bottom of (LTRO) plan in early December. Continental banks’ to-do list,” based on recent management European markets led the rally; the S&P 500 contacts. Sizeable purchases would make Equity Market Scorecard recorded its best January performance since 1997. banks even more vulnerable to any renewed sovereign debt stress or disorderly defaults. Our LTRO Round II Index (local currency) Level 1 mo 6 mo 12 mo analysts believe banks’ first priority will be to Markets are now focused on the next LTRO S&P 500 1,312.41 4.4% 1.6% 2.0% use LTRO cash to pre-fund their corporate bond liquidity injection in late February. Eurozone banks S&P/TSX Comp 12,452.15 4.2% -3.8% -8.1% redemptions. will once again have the opportunity to borrow FTSE 100 5,681.61 2.0% -2.3% -3.1% ƒ Sovereign yields could trend back up once the funds at 1% over three years instead of the ECB’s Hang Seng 20,390.49 10.6% -9.1% -13.0% typical one-year program. This provides more time LTRO impact fades. Italy, Spain, and others Dow (DJIA) 12,632.91 3.4% 4.0% 6.2% to clean up balance sheets, recapitalize, and raise are scheduled to sell significant debt during funds in the private debt market. the next few months. Positive sentiment about NASDAQ 2,813.84 8.0% 2.1% 4.2% Market expectations are high, with some analysts the LTRO program and abundant liquidity may Russell 2000 792.82 7.0% -0.5% 1.5% forecasting banks will borrow over €1 trillion—far help keep rates at manageable levels near term, STOXX Europe 600 254.41 4.0% -4.1% -9.2% more than the €489 billion ($641 billion) in loans but over time supply could overwhelm the German DAX 6,458.91 9.5% -9.8% -8.7% issued during the first three-year LTRO tranche in market and funding costs could rise again— Nikkei 225 8,802.51 4.1% -10.5% -14.0% December. especially if countries miss their austerity and Straits Times 2,906.69 9.8% -8.9% -8.6% growth targets. Shanghai Comp 2,292.61 4.2% -15.1% -17.8% All Quiet on the European Front? Think Again. ƒ Greece may request additional write-downs Brazil Bovespa 63,072.31 11.1% 7.2% -5.3% It’s tempting to assume the ECB can solve most or could succumb to a disorderly default even Source: Bloomberg, equity index returns do not include dividends; data is of the region’s woes with this unprecedented through 1/31/12. if the country strikes a deal soon with private program. This rare, positive development feeds creditors to forgive a portion of its debt. Its into the understandable desire to cast Eurozone debt-to-GDP ratio will remain unsustainably 3 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 4. Financial Markets Commentary Central Bank Total Assets in U.S. dollars (bln) Another Wildcard Market Scorecard The European economy is another wildcard for Bond Yields 1/31/12 12/31/11 1/31/11 12 mo chg 4000 markets and earnings in 2012, and could weigh on US 2-Yr Tsy 0.215% 0.239% 0.562% -0.35% 3500 North American and Asian growth. As Eurozone US 10-Yr Tsy 1.797% 1.876% 3.370% -1.57% 3000 banks shed assets to improve capital ratios, the Canada 2-Yr 0.955% 0.956% 1.667% -0.71% result may be reduced lending to the region’s Canada 10-Yr 1.889% 1.941% 3.275% -1.39% 2500 businesses and households, thereby increasing the UK 2-Yr 0.357% 0.327% 1.299% -0.94% UK 10-Yr 1.970% 1.977% 3.656% -1.69% 2000 risk of a prolonged or deeper European recession. Germany 2-Yr 0.158% 0.144% 1.372% -1.21% We also anticipate Eurozone banks will continue 1500 Germany 10-Yr 1.787% 1.829% 3.155% -1.37% European Central Bank to reduce loans to emerging markets where they Commodities (USD) Price 1 mo 6 mo 12 mo 1000 Federal Reserve fund a meaningful share of private-sector debt. Gold (spot $/oz) 1,737.60 11.1% 6.7% 30.4% 500 Silv er (spot $/oz) 33.18 19.2% -16.8% 18.2% Even though U.S. economic momentum has 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Copper ($/ton) 8,299.50 9.3% -15.4% -15.0% improved recently and China seems headed for a Oil (WTI spot/bbl) 98.48 -0.4% 2.9% 6.8% Source: Bloomberg; data through 1/31/12 soft landing, neither region can completely side- Oil (Brent spot/bbl) 111.62 2.7% -4.7% 12.3% Note: ECB total assets converted into U.S. dollars using spot EUR/USD step these headwinds. Many large multinational Natural Gas ($/mlnBtu) 2.52 -15.4% -40.8% -43.1% exchange rates companies are already beginning to see signs of Agriculture Index 434.46 0.0% -8.5% -19.7% sluggish European demand, and Asian export Currencies Rate 1 mo 6 mo 12 mo high as long as the public sector (ECB, growth is relatively weak. US Dollar Index 79.29 -1.1% 7.3% 2.0% Eurozone central banks) is unwilling to take CAD/USD 1.00 1.9% -4.7% -0.2% RBC’s Investment Stance USD/CAD 1.00 -1.8% 5.0% 0.2% steep losses on its debt. The country is mired EUR/USD 1.31 1.0% -9.1% -4.5% in a deep recession or worse. Its austerity plans The lingering Eurozone risks, combined with their GBP/USD 1.58 1.4% -4.1% -1.6% have missed the mark on multiple occasions. potential spillover effects in the U.S. and China, AUD/USD 1.06 4.0% -3.4% 6.5% There’s no guarantee the next government— are primary reasons we maintain our “Neutral” USD/CHF 0.92 -1.9% 17.1% -2.5% elections are tentatively scheduled for April— stance on global equities. To be clear, “Neutral” USD/JPY 76.27 -0.8% -0.6% -7.0% EUR/JPY 99.78 0.1% -9.7% -11.2% will honor previous austerity agreements. means including equities at a benchmark EUR/GBP 0.83 -0.4% -5.3% -2.9% weighting in portfolios—that is, a weighting up to EUR/CHF 1.20 -1.1% 6.4% -6.9% ƒ Portugal could slide deeper into a debt trap. but not more than the long-term target allocation. USD/SGD 1.26 -3.0% 4.5% -1.7% Its short- and long-term sovereign yields have After all, Eurozone officials could surprise markets USD/CNY 6.31 0.2% -2.0% -4.3% soared despite the new LTRO program. Its USD/BRL 1.75 -6.4% 12.7% 4.8% again and announce new policies that would credit default swaps are signaling a 70% chance reduce the region’s vulnerabilities. A sufficiently Source: Bloomberg, RBC Wealth Management; data through 1/31/12. Bond of default. RBC Global Asset Management’s constructive announcement could trigger another yields in local currencies. U.S. Dollar Index measures USD vs. six major cur- Chief Economist Eric Lascelles anticipates rencies. Currency rates reflect market convention (CAD/USD is the exception). worthwhile rally in equities. Portugal will ultimately need to negotiate a Currency returns quoted in terms of the first currency in each pairing. debt writedown. We doubt global markets fully Equally plausible, any of the tripwires noted above Examples of how to interpret currency data: CAD/USD 1.00 means 1 Canadian reflect this possibility. (Greece, Portugal, politics, bank lending, etc.) dollar will buy 1 U.S. dollar. CAD/USD -0.2% return means the Canadian dollar could worsen the European and global outlook, has fallen 0.2% vs. the U.S. dollar in the past 12 months. USD/JPY 76.27 means 1 U.S. dollar will buy 76.27 yen. USD/JPY -7.0% return means the U.S. and induce more painful volatility episodes. dollar has fallen 7.0% vs. the yen in the past 12 months. “Invested but vigilant” sums up our stance. 4 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 5. Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High 2011 was a year of significant political change—scheduled and unscheduled—that contributed to volatility across global markets. In 2012, politics could play an even greater role because more is at stake. Power shifts could … > take place in 5 of the 10 largest global economies, > affect 4 of the 5 permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, > involve nearly half of the world’s population, and > directly impact countries that produce more than 40% of the world’s GDP. Russian Presidential Election - March 15th French Presidential Election China - 18th National - first round (22 Apr), second Congress of the Communist round (6 May) Party - Oct Greek Presidential U.S. Presidential Election Election - Apr (TBD) - Nov 6th Egypt Parliamentary India Presidential Election Election - Jul 1st - July Mexico Presidential Taiwan Presidential Election - Jul 1st Election - Jan Major Political Timeline Throughout 2012, RBC Wealth Management will discuss key election issues with an emphasis on how they could potentially affect financial markets and investment portfolios. Other Political Events In this article, the first in the series, we provide an overview of the French and U.S. elections and China’s power transition. 5 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 6. Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High Country Election Date In an environment fraught with contentious First, France is under market pressure to adopt economic and fiscal policy issues, the 2012 more austere economic and social policies to Taiwan Presidential January 14, 2012 election cycle will soon catch investors’ attention. reduce its national debt—not ideal issues to Taiwan Legislative January 14, 2012 Election outcomes in France, the United States, discuss with voters during an election. The and Greece, and China’s power transition imposition of austerity measures in response Finland Presidential First Round January 22, 2012 could have a considerable effect on investment to the crisis have proved highly unpopular. Egypt Legislative Stage One January 29, 2012 portfolios around the world. Opposition parties will push strongly for a change Finland Presidential Second Round February 5, 2012 > Many of the Eurozone’s challenges remain in policies. Syria Legislative (Tentative) February 2012 unresolved, particularly the way the region will Second, if the main opposition candidate, forge a closer fiscal union. The French election François Hollande, were to be elected, it could Russia Presidential March 4, 2012 in May should help determine whether Europe create uncertainty about the relationship between Iran Parliamentary March 29, 2012 becomes more or less integrated and if it takes France and Germany—the two countries most Egypt Presidential March 2012 on a German or French bent. It may also end up active in resolving the Eurozone crisis. influencing whether the Eurozone as we know it France Presidential First Round April 22, 2012 Even though German Chancellor Angela Merkel today exists in the years ahead. and Sarkozy—dubbed “Merkozy” in the press— Greece Parliamentary (Tentative/ Snap) April 2012 > In the U.S., voters will choose between two have disagreed on many occasions, the two South Korea Parliamentary April 2012 very different economic recovery plans and managed to hammer out important compromises Palestine Presidential May 4, 2012 approaches to tackle the federal deficit and in an attempt to stabilize the crisis. Sarkozy’s debt. The election will lay the groundwork for campaign is likely to lean heavily on his ability Palestine Parliamentary May 4, 2012 the 2013 legislative agenda, which should be to influence key European leaders. Further, he France Presidential Second Round May 6, 2012 one of the busiest in years. More importantly, it advocates using Germany as an economic model could establish the course for the world’s largest and suggests some reforms to increase France’s France Legislative First Round June 10, 2012 economy during the next decade. productivity. France Legislative Second Round June 17, 2012 > A major transition in Chinese leadership will A change atop France could not only alter the Iceland Presidential June 30, 2012 begin this year. Any significant policy shift German-French relationship, it would possibly Mexico Presidential July 1, 2012 would take some time to surface. But one thing require previous Eurozone agreements to be is certain—a new generation of leaders will reviewed and changed—if Hollande’s rhetoric is Mexico Legislative July 1, 2012 eventually make its mark on the world’s second- to be believed. He has been critical of Merkel’s Kenya Presidential First Round August 14, 2012 largest economy and the global balance of demands for changes to European Union treaties Kenya Parliamentary August 14, 2012 power. to allow disciplinary actions against overspending Eurozone governments and has expressed a desire Hong Kong Legislative September 2012 France – April/May to renegotiate agreements from 2011. This would United States Presidential November 6, 2012 President Nicolas Sarkozy will likely face Socialist likely further delay any lasting solutions as well Party candidate François Hollande in his bid for United States Legislative (Congress) November 6 2012 as create market volatility. Hollande also seeks to reelection. raise taxes on affluent French citizens. Romania Parliamentary November 2012 The Most Important Election in Decades The uncertainty created by the French election South Korea Presidential December 2012 For France, the Eurozone, and global markets, this calendar and outcome could test German election is critically important. leadership. Merkel will be faced with a re-election 6 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 7. Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High bid in 2013, which will require increased focus on up for election, they would win control of this S&P 500 Returns in Presidential Election Years domestic issues in 2012 and provide an incentive 100-member upper chamber—a real possibility. Conditional on Political Party Changes to stabilize the Eurozone crisis prior to her At this stage, opinion polls indicate the House of Election Outcomes 17.2% election campaign. Representatives, the lower chamber, could remain 14.7% 13.2% Annual Returns A Runoff is Likely in Republican hands, although their advantage The French presidential election is based on could shrink. securing a majority of the popular vote. If after -2.7% Pocketbook Issues to Drive the Debate the first round of voting (April 22, 2012) a single In addition to economic recovery and candidate has received over 50% of the vote, the employment issues, many voters will consider Democrat to Democrat to Republican to Republican to election is over and (s)he is declared the winner. candidates’ spending and austerity proposals Democrat Republican Democrat Republican If no one secures a majority, there is a runoff due to the high federal deficit (8.7% of GDP) and between the top two candidates that would occur mounting federal debt (99% of GDP). Source: National Research Correspondent; election years 1926 to present May 6, 2012. This ensures that one of the top two Eric Lascelles, chief economist for RBC Global candidates wins a majority in the second round, candidate who accumulates at least 1,144 of 2,286 Asset Management, estimates austerity measures and that winner becomes the next president. total delegates will become the nominee. already in place could reduce annual U.S. GDP There are 15 candidates for the first round, three growth by 1.0%-2.5% in 2013 and beyond, The campaign for president will begin in earnest of which are attracting some 70% of voter support; depending on which policies are actually when one of the Republican candidates has a President Nicolas Sarkozy (Union for a Popular implemented or allowed to expire. New austerity plausible, mathematical pathway to winning a Movement; centre-right), François Hollande measures could add additional economic majority of delegates. The race will shift into full (Socialist Party; centre-left), and Marine Le Pen headwinds. gear by early September, when the Democratic (National Front Party; extreme-right nationalist). Party holds its convention and officially re- Tax policy almost always plays a big part in nominates President Obama. A poll published January 23 for the first round American elections; this election should be no suggests Hollande (31%) leads President Sarkozy different. Both parties favor overhauling the tax The U.S. does not elect its president by popular, (25%), while Le Pen gathers 17% of the votes. Polls code for individuals and corporations, and there national vote. Instead, an “electoral college” process for the second round, focusing on Hollande (60%) is a predictably wide gap in the way they would allocates “electoral votes” to be cast for candidates and Sarkozy (40%), suggest the former is leading approach it. Regardless of who wins the presidency, to all 50 states and Washington D.C., proportional the race to become the next president. Congress will play a key role in shaping the tax to their populations. The overwhelming majority reform debate in 2013. Budget constraints could of states award all of their electoral votes to the U.S. – November force a revenue-neutral plan. With a lot at stake, candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. President Barack Obama will likely face the race to control the Senate and House becomes The candidate who can amass at least 270 of the Republican Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich in crucial. total 538 electoral votes wins the presidential his race for a second term. A high-profile, third- election. As a result, races in “swing states” or It’s a Unique, State-by-State Process party candidate could also surface and alter the “battleground states” where votes for each Republicans are currently selecting their electoral arithmetic. candidate could be closely divided (such as Florida, presidential nominee through a series of state- Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico, and The national congressional elections should play wide primary elections and caucuses that award others) will attract more of candidates’ time and a pivotal role in shaping U.S. economic policies. “delegates” to the Party’s national convention in attention compared to states where the electorate The Senate, currently controlled by Obama’s late August. One candidate could begin to pull tends to be highly skewed toward one party. Democratic Party, is in play. If Republicans ahead in the primary race in February or March, achieve a net gain of four seats among the 33 seats and most states will have voted by early June. The 7 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 8. Politics in 2012: The Stakes are High China – Late 2012 and Beyond widespread dissatisfaction with the availability agreements, plans to step down. Eurozone and and affordability of housing. IMF officials have repeatedly sought out and Chinese politics have long been dominated by the received written pledges from all Greek political Politburo Standing Committee (PSC). Although the One might reasonably expect the mainland party leaders that they will adhere to previously National People’s Congress is formally the ultimate Chinese stock market, which is dominated by negotiated bailout and austerity agreements. decision-making body in China, in reality it is the state-owned enterprises with the government as Even so, there remains great uncertainty about PSC that holds the power. the majority shareholder, to exhibit less volatility whether the new Greek government will honor Due to the PSC’s informal rules on retirement age— this year. It is also unlikely investors will witness its commitments. As a practical matter, this leaders over 68 years should retire—2012-2013 any dramatic moves in the value of the Chinese may be impossible considering the country’s will likely see a generational shift in leadership. currency in 2012, in our view. extreme debt load and severe economic The country’s top two leaders will most likely Most importantly, after a political transition condition. The new government may ultimately relinquish their positions. In total, seven of nine occurs, major policy initiatives are typically determine whether Greece exits the Eurozone. PSC members may step down. introduced. That could make 2013 a particularly Antonis Samaras, head of the conservative New Currently, Hu Jintao is president and Wen Jiabao interesting year. Chinese/U.S. policy issues will be Democracy Party, currently leads in the opinion is prime minister. The two politicians widely in focus, with potential leadership changes in both polls but would likely need to form a coalition expected to take over are, respectively, Xi Jinping countries. Clearly any Chinese policy changes are government to become prime minister. (Xi is pronounced like “see”) and Li Keqiang likely to produce important domestic and global > It seems inevitable Russian leadership will (Keqiang is pronounced like “kur-chiang”). They outcomes. officially shift back to Vladimir Putin in March— will likely assume the top PSC positions in the although in practical terms his power and fourth quarter of 2012 and take over the presidency Contribution to Global GDP Growth (%) influence have been dominant for years. At this and the premiership in March 2013 at the National 1.6% stage its unclear if there will be major changes 1996-2005 People’s Congress. According to the informal rule 1.4% 2006-2011 in economic or foreign policies. Russia’s on retirement age, they would be the only two 2011 economy is too small to have much impact on 1.2% continuing PSC members. 2012 global growth, but its energy policy can impact 1.0% Europe. Further, the anti-Kremlin protest Major Changes Could Occur in 2013 Leadership changes to the PSC have occurred a 0.8% movement will be monitored by investors to number of times before. What makes it different 0.6% assess stability. this time is the extent of change within the PSC and 0.4% > While India, the world’s largest democracy, will the position China now holds on the global stage. also elect a president, the position is largely 0.2% From an investment perspective, Chinese 0.0% ceremonial. The country is governed primarily 0.0% by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was government policy typically has a conservative U.S. EU-15 China India tendency during the transition year. It should be reelected to his second five-year term in 2009. As Source: The Conference Board; 2011-2012 data are projections finance minister in the 1990s, he implemented no surprise, then, that stable monetary and fiscal policy were set forth as two key themes for 2012 at important reforms to open up the Indian the annual Central Economic Work Conference that Other Elections economy. He remains a respected leader, but ended last December. > Greek parliamentary elections, tentatively as prime minister he has been less effective in scheduled for April, will choose a new prime advancing additional reforms and large-scale Curbs on China’s private housing market will likely infrastructure projects than investors had minister. Current Prime Minister Lucas continue in 2012 while the government brings to hoped. Papademos, leader of the caretaker coalition market large volumes of low-cost units to quell government that negotiated recent bailout > Presidential elections will take place in Mexico, Finland, Egypt (TBD), and South Korea. 8 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 9. Global Equities Global Asset Class View Attractive Valuations Overshadowed by Lingering Risks Asset Class View A coordinated central bank move to ease banking system liquidity in Europe, together with an unexpected reserve requirement cut for Chinese banks, accompanied by better manufacturing and Equities = holiday spending data out of the U.S. allowed most markets to gain their footing in December and post Fixed Income – worthwhile gains in January. The successful inauguration of the European Central Bank’s LTRO facility giving the region’s banks access Cash + to low-cost funding for at least three years removed the immediate threat of a banking system meltdown and put a welcome bid into the market for French, Italian, and Spanish bonds. Regional Equity View That in turn allowed equity investors to switch their focus back onto market fundamentals (improving) and valuations (cheap). Region Weighting Because most major stock markets are still very attractively valued while bonds offer unacceptably U.S. Neutral = low coupon returns as well as price risk, we would like to be able to recommend an “Overweight“ commitment to equities. However, we find ourselves constrained by the recognition the Eurozone crisis Canada Neutral = could still deteriorate in a way that could jolt North America from slow growth into recession and prolong Continental Europe Underweight – China’s economic slowdown. U.K. Neutral = Were that to happen, earnings would come under Global Equities are Cheap on a Historical Basis Asia (ex Japan) Neutral = pressure, today’s price/earnings ratios would no longer look so attractive, and stocks would 35 Japan Overweight + likely be vulnerable to an additional period of 30 retrenchment. 25 While that is not our forecast, we rate the probability of it occurring at about 30%, high 20 Average: 19.0 enough that it needs to be acknowledged. 15 We recommend a “Neutral” exposure to stocks— 10 that is, portfolios should contain up to but not Last Plot: 12.9 more than their long-term target allocation to 5 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 equities. We also counsel vigilance since we expect many present uncertainties will be resolved over Source: Datastream; World Index P/E data through 1/31/12 the next six months in a way that forces us off our “Neutral” stance in one direction or the other. Jim Allworth – Vancouver, Canada jim.allworth@rbc.com 9 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 10. Global Equities: United States Neutral (=) Market Developments Portfolio Recommendations ƒ The S&P 500 has rallied 19.4% from its October ƒ Stick with high-quality, dividend-paying stocks; > The S&P 500 is trading at a compelling low due to improved economic data and the can better withstand periods of earnings valuation, as the chart on page 23 llustrates. ECB’s LTRO policy. Employment growth picked erosion. This lays the foundation for attractive returns up, manufacturing activity expanded, and ƒ Among cyclicals, favor Industrials (upgraded to over the long term. some housing indicators began to stabilize “Overweight” from “Neutral”) and Technology. > However, in the near term the market must during the period. Industrial earnings revisions should rebound contend with lingering Eurozone risks, ƒ Because market expectations were set rather due to improved manufacturing activity. economic headwinds, and potentially slower low last fall, it didn’t take much for data to Technology valuations are cheap; company earnings growth. These factors argue for surprise to the upside. The U.S. Economic balance sheets sturdy. “Neutral” or benchmark exposure to U.S. Surprise Index, which measures whether ƒ Financials are somewhat more attractive the flow of economic data is exceeding stocks for the time being. (upgraded to “Neutral” from “Underweight”). or undershooting forecasts, began to rise Bank earnings indicate U.S. financial system is > The consensus S&P 500 earnings forecast for meaningfully in October. By early January it finally beginning to heal. 2012 has pulled back to $106 per share but reached its second-highest level since 2004. ƒ Decrease exposure to Utilities (downgraded to remains above our $101 forecast. This also provided a catalyst for stock prices. “Underweight”). Sector is expensive; trades at ƒ History suggests the Surprise Index will the high-end of its 30-year range. eventually retreat as expectations become Sector View ƒ Limit exposure to Health Care (downgraded to overly optimistic. It doesn’t necessarily follow Consumer Staples + Health Care = “Neutral”). Earnings and revenue trends less that the stock market has to come down, too. attractive vs. 2011. Information Technology + Consumer Discretionary – But the record says it is unlikely the market will run away dramatically to the upside with Industrials + Materials – U.S. Economic Surprise Index and S&P 500 expectations already so full. Energy = Telecommunications – 100 1500 ƒ We also anticipate actual economic activity will moderate soon. GDP growth should pull back 1400 Financials = Utilities – 50 from its 2.8% fourth-quarter pace. We forecast 1300 Source: RBC Capital Markets 2.0% growth for all of 2012. 1200 0 1100 ƒ Almost 40% of S&P 500 revenues come from outside the U.S., so a worsening global 1000 -50 economic outlook combined with slow U.S. 900 growth calls for subdued earnings expectations. -100 800 Kelly Bogdanov – San Francisco, United States S&P 500 earnings are near a record high as a Economic Surprise Index (left axis) 700 kelly.bogdanov@rbc.com S&P 500 (right axis) share of GDP at a time when more sectors are -150 600 Janet Engels – New York, United States experiencing profit margin contraction than 2008 2009 2010 2011 janet.engels@rbc.com expansion. We forecast S&P earnings will grow Source: Bloomberg; Citigroup Surprise Index data through 1/30/2012 by only 4% this year, down from 13% in 2011. 10 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 11. Global Equities: Canada Neutral (=) Market Developments Portfolio Implications > We remain “Neutral” for Canada, on a global ƒ The TSX closed up in January, following a string ƒ We believe gold stocks offer a compelling of 9 out of 10 months of lower closes. opportunity at the present time. Shares of gold asset allocation perspective. While we producers continue to discount a much lower remain concerned about the risks of a global ƒ RBC Capital Markets recently reduced its 2012 gold price than is prevailing in the market, slowdown, we believe current monetary EPS estimate for the S&P/TSX to $885. The while global reserve additions continue to run policy, especially in the U.S. and Europe, sharp reduction in estimates is primarily the at less than half of annual production. should be supportive of the Canadian result of weakness in commodity prices and a stagnant U.S. economy, Canada’s largest ƒ We have increased our recommended market for some months to come, given its trading partner. weighting on Industrials to “Overweight” from significant resource exposure. “Underweight” to reflect a more positive overall ƒ At current levels, the TSX is now trading at ~14x view on the macro backdrop. We also note that 2012 estimates, which is roughly in line with its Sector View long-term average. Canadian industrials have significant exposure to mining and energy where capex levels are Consumer Staples + Health Care = ƒ Shares of bank stocks have recovered expected to remain high. Financials + Materials = significantly over the past few months as fears ƒ We have reduced our recommended weighting Industrials + Energy – over Europe have somewhat abated. While still in Utilities to “Underweight”. While the sector below its 15-year average, the valuation gap Telecommunications + Information Technology – offers attractive dividend yields, we believe has narrowed significantly since Q411 earnings valuations are rich and are at risk should the Consumer Discretionary = Utilities – were reported in early December. macro backdrop further improve. Source: RBC Capital Markets ƒ We note that Canadian banks have limited direct exposure to Southern Europe; however, as with most global banks, concerns over Europe are still likely to weigh on valuations from time to time. ƒ A “soft landing” for China would be longer- term positive for Canadian stocks because of the high commodity weighting in the S&P/TSX Index. Matt Barasch – Toronto , Canada matt.barasch@rbc.com 11 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 12. Global Equities: Continental Europe Underweight (–) Market Developments ƒ With an onerous sovereign funding programme—Eurozone governments need to > With the euro area entering recession and ƒ The recent ECB’s LTRO of €489bn served raise some €219bn in new bonds in the first as a lifeline to Eurozone banks. Prior to the inflation being tamed, the European Central quarter—risk remains. The biggest near-term intervention, they faced severe liquidity stress Bank (ECB), headed by the pragmatic Mario danger is Greece, which is still negotiating an and the prospect of a series of cascading Draghi, should continue to provide support bank failures. With its intervention, the ECB agreement on losses that private bond holders through liquidity provisions and monetary should bear on its government bonds. Even is effectively underwriting bank re-financing policy. Another three-year Long-Term a 50% “haircut” on private debt would leave requirements for at least the next two years. the country with an uncomfortably high and Refinancing Operation (LTRO) is taking place Unlike the Fed balance sheet expansion in unsustainable 120% debt-to-GDP ratio by 2020. at the end of February. 2008/09 that dealt with the cause of the crisis— A much bigger haircut or a disorderly default the financial system—the ECB’s LTRO does not > The weak macroeconomic backdrop could shock investors. address the root of the problem—namely, the continues, though there are signs some euro sovereign debt crisis. It merely gives the banks area countries are stabilising. Portfolio Recommendations breathing space to recapitalize. ƒ We continue to recommend investing in > The Eurozone crisis is not over, and the ƒ An abrupt market rotation occurred in January resilient companies with a solid market region still faces an arduous road ahead. We when the immediate risk of a financial system position, a high proportion of recurring sales, remain “Underweight” the region. collapse was averted. The discrepancy between exposure to growing regions or industries, the highly valued defensives and lowly valued and a healthy balance sheet. Such companies cyclicals was partially restored. Cyclical and should be well equipped to weather challenges value stocks outperformed while defensives in upcoming months. lagged. European Central Bank’s Total Assets (€ billion) ƒ The “flash” Purchasing Managers’ Index readings rose for the third-straight month 2750 in January, indicating stabilisation in euro- Assets have grown almost 40%, to 2600 €2.7 trillion, in the past year as efforts area economic activity. The surveys suggest continue to maintain liquidity during the that although business conditions remain 2450 region's debt crisis. challenging, economic headwinds may no 2300 longer be quite so intense. The pick-up in U.S. growth, the weaker euro, and the ECB 2150 policy stimulus are providing some relief for 2000 the economy. But with fiscal austerity set to 1850 intensify this year, the economy is expected to Jan-11 Mar-11 May-11 Jul-11 Sep-11 Nov-11 Jan-12 remain very fragile. Frédérique Carrier – London, United Kingdom frederique.carrier@rbc.com Source: Bloomberg 12 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 13. Global Equities: United Kingdom Neutral (=) Market Developments Portfolio Recommendations > The U.K. economy continues to suffer from ƒ Following the ECB’s LTRO operation and ƒ We have been favouring companies with a with global leading indicators improving, relatively high exposure to North American the pressures of austerity. Tight credit the FTSE 100 gained in January. The FTSE customers and relatively low exposure to conditions, eroded real disposable income, Europe, in particular Energy, Health Care, and 250 outperformed as small- and medium- and unemployment all crimp consumption. cap stocks rallied. Greater risk appetite was Utilities. Growth in exports has been disappointing also evident in the sector performance, with ƒ The recent outperformance of these stocks led and unable to offset the malaise in the Financials and Basic Materials leading while to higher valuations, and further meaningful domestic economy. RBC Capital Markets Utilities, Health Care, Consumer Goods, and outperformance may be harder to come by in expects weak, but not necessarily Energy lagged. the short term. disappointing, growth. ƒ Encouragingly, the manufacturing, services, > With fears concerning the Eurozone and its and construction PMIs have all surprised on the upside, although still consistent with a U.K. Inflation Peaked in 2011 banks receding somewhat in January and global leading indicators improving, the weak economy. UK Retail Price Index YoY % Change U.K. stock market gained during the month. ƒ U.K. CPI inflation declined to 4.2% y/y in 6% Further expansion of the Bank of England’s December. The deceleration in prices reflects 5% quantitative easing programme expected in base effects with transport and utility prices 4% February should help support markets. rising sharply in December 2010. These are now 3% falling out of the annual comparison, and RBC 2% > Recession risks continue to linger for 2012. Capital Markets expects this to take inflation 1% These could weigh on corporate earnings down to below 3% by April. 0% and equity prices. A disorderly outcome ƒ Unemployment increased to 8.4% in -1% to the European sovereign and Financial November, a little higher than expected, though -2% sector crisis remains the key risk, though the pace of the rise in unemployment seems 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 we continue to expect this risk will not to have moderated. Confidence remains weak, Source: Bloomberg, data through December 2011 crystallise. and real income growth is set to stay in negative territory throughout 1H12. However, slightly easing credit conditions for households, less real wages erosion as inflation becomes less punitive, and no marked deterioration of the unemployment picture should all help to attenuate headwinds later in the year. Frédérique Carrier – London, United Kingdom frederique.carrier@rbc.com 13 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 14. Global Equities: Asia (ex Japan) Neutral (=) Market Developments Fitch had already adjusted its rating in December 2011, and S&P may do the same in the next few ƒ For January, the Hang Seng Index rose 10.6%; > Asia ex-Japan equity performance continues the Singapore Straits Times Index 9.8%; the months. to be capped by a slowdown in Chinese Nikkei 4.1%, South Korea’s KOSPI 7.1%, Shanghai Portfolio Recommendations growth, slower global growth affecting A-Share Index 4.2%, and Australia 5.1%. Equity performance was strong in January despite the ƒ General: We prefer a “Neutral” benchmark demand for Asian exports, and negative weighting but recognize regional economic Chinese New Year, which is usually a quiet period investor sentiment from the European for markets. leading indicators may be bottoming. There may sovereign debt crisis. We maintain our be an opportunity to consider an “Overweight” ƒ Central banks in the region are no longer position later in the first half of the year if “Neutral” stance on regional equity markets. tightening. They are either on hold, as in the stabilization in the regional economy is > However, we do note that leading indicators Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and China, confirmed. or loosening policy, such as in Indonesia and, in the region may be in the process of more recently, Thailand. Many central bank ƒ Countries: We prefer Japan—lowest valuation in bottoming, and equity performance at the statements have referenced the weak global Asia on book value (see next page); Indonesia— strong domestic consumption theme; Australia— start of 2012 has been more encouraging. growth environment as an impediment to domestic growth. high dividend yield. Asian equity performance was particularly ƒ President Ma Yingjiu was elected to a second four- ƒ Sectors: We prefer defensive, non-cyclical sectors weak in the second half of 2011. but would selectively add to cyclical stocks in year term as Taiwan’s president, with nearly 52% > While the Chinese economy faces numerous of the vote. Taiwan has enjoyed closer ties with portfolios as the economic data stabilizes. challenges, the base case still calls for a China under the rule of Ma’s Kuomintang Party. ƒ Style: We prefer large-cap names, with supportive soft landing. We forecast 2012 Chinese GDP ƒ Chinese GDP data continues to indicate the dividends. growth of 8.4% and moderate appreciation economy is going through a soft landing. Fourth- quarter GDP was up 8.9%, slightly more than Leading Economic Indicators for Select Asian Economies in the Chinese currency. expected. The economy grew 9.1% in 2011. China’s (January - December 2011) > Central banks are either staying on hold or CPI continued to moderate to 4.1% in December. 60 selectively easing, while inflation is also We expect inflation to moderate further and the Chinese economy to grow 8.4% in 2012. 55 moderating. Equity valuations are low. ƒ South Korea’s fourth-quarter GDP grew at the 50 Equity performance over a 12-month time slowest level in two years, rising 0.4% over the horizon has historically been favourable at third quarter and 3.4% over a year ago. This was 45 these valuation levels once central banks slightly below expectations and was the third- 40 have started easing. consecutive quarter of slower growth. Given that JAN MAR MAY JUL SEP NOV exports account for approximately half of South Korea’s GDP, the slowdown is reflective of the Taiwan HSBC Manufacturing PMI broader global slowdown over that period. Nomura/JMMA Seasonal PMI Jay Roberts – Hong Kong, China South Korea HSBC PMI jay.roberts@rbc.com ƒ Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous China Manufacturing PMI country, had its sovereign credit rating raised Yang Yufei – Hong Kong, China Singapore Purchasing Manager Index Manufacturing yufei.yang@rbc.com by Moody’s for the first time in 10 years to investment grade, Baa3, with a stable outlook. Source: Bloomberg 14 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 15. Global Equities: Japan Overweight (+) Market Developments auto demand, improved U.S. market share and demand, and strong sales growth in China ƒ As we head into Japanese earnings season the > The “Overweight” call on Japanese stocks after a weak 2011. Toyota, the largest Japanese Nikkei 225 index has risen 4.6% since the start is largely a function of valuations—with of 2012. manufacturer, also raised its 2012 sales Japan trading at the lowest price/book value forecasts, although this was on the back of a multiple in Asia—as well as an expected ƒ Japan’s core CPI fell for the third consecutive particularly weak 2011. year in 2011, down 0.3%. Core prices declined economic rebound in 2012 following the by 0.1% in December. One of the reasons Portfolio Recommendations devastating effects of the tsunami in March deflation remains in Japan has been the ƒ Japanese cyclical sectors, such as real estate and 2011. continued strength of the yen in 2011. RBC transportation equipment, that underperformed > Japanese stocks are trading at significant Capital Markets forecasts the yen to appreciate in 2011 have been the outperformers thus far to USD/JPY 70.0 by the middle of the 2012 in 2012. However, this may just be a short- discounts to historical valuations. The before falling back to 75.0 by the end of the term market reaction to the imminent threat Nikkei 225 Index is trading at a forward year. of a European credit crunch dissipating over price/earnings ratio of 11.7x, compared Christmas. We continue to favour large- ƒ Japan posted a trade deficit in 2011, its first such to the 5-year average forward valuation of cap, dividend-paying names as we wait for deficit since 1980. However, this is likely not the 16.4x. The trailing price/book ratio is 0.9x, start of a new trend of deficits for the world’s confirmation the regional economic data in compared to the 5-year average valuation of Asia is stabilizing. We would selectively add to third-largest economy because a number of 1.3x. Negativity prevails: Japanese stocks cyclical stocks in portfolios as the data improves. unusual factors hurt exports in 2011 and helped are priced for a 5% earnings decline in to contribute to the deficit. These include: the ƒ We also favor companies likely to benefit from 2012. March tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster civil infrastructure projects and reconstruction that impacted the domestic supply chain; severe work resulting from the March 2011 earthquake flooding in Thailand that impacted the regional and tsunami. supply chain; and the European sovereign debt crisis that dampened demand from that region. However, the strong yen—also a headwind—will Japanese Headline and Core CPI (Jan 2009-Dec 2011) likely persist in 2012. 0.5 ƒ The Bank of Japan (BoJ) lowered its growth 0.0 forecasts for fiscal-year 2012, which begins in -0.5 April, to 2% from 2.2%. For the 2011 fiscal year, -1.0 the BoJ forecasts a contraction of 0.4%, slightly higher than the previous forecast of 0.3%. The -1.5 BoJ cites the European sovereign debt crisis as -2.0 Headline (JNCPIYOY Index) Jay Roberts – Hong Kong, China the biggest risk to domestic Japanese growth. -2.5 Core (JNCPIXFF Index) jay.roberts@rbc.com -3.0 Yang Yufei – Hong Kong, China ƒ Mr. Takanobu Ito, the President of Honda, Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 yufei.yang@rbc.com Japan’s third-largest car manufacturer, forecast earnings for the company will be the best in Source: Bloomberg at least five years on a rebound in domestic 15 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 16. Global Fixed Income Global Asset Class View Pockets of Opportunity Exist within the Ultra-Low Rate Landscape High-grade government yields moved higher for a few days in early December as investors digested the Asset Class View implications of the coordinated central bank move to head off a banking liquidity crisis and concluded an Equities = important systemic risk had been neutralized—at least for the time being. However, it was not long before those yields began to drift lower once again—in most cases getting back to or below their November lows. Fixed Income – This rapid yield retreat seemed to be in response to several factors: Cash + ƒ Recognition the sovereign debt crisis was unresolved and just as potentially dangerous as ever; ƒ Acknowledgement the Eurozone was in recession, a development likely to complicate and worsen the Corporate Bond Spreads (in basis points) crisis; 581 552 ƒ Confirmation inflation rates everywhere looked to have peaked and were falling, perhaps quickly, 6 months ago allaying investor fears about just how far safe-haven yields would back up if a crisis resolution arrived 3 months ago 427 unexpectedly; and Current (Jan 31, 2012) ƒ The revelation that Fed-think was focused on far-away late 2014 as the likely date of the first rate hike. At the same time, the FOMC continued to suggest QE3 was still on the table, and the Bank of England 159 151 150 156 looked increasingly likely to enlarge its own quantitative easing efforts. 99 73 Yield-hungry investors, for their part, have had little choice but to search for pockets of acceptable coupon or dividend return while wrestling with just how much extra risk they can prudently rationalize away. Europe U.S. Investment U.S. High-Yield Investment Grade Grade Corporate Corporate Spread In our view, investment-grade corporate bonds still offer the best value in what has become a well- Corporate Spread Spread ploughed field, acknowledging the risk/return trade-off available today is not as attractive as it was a year ago—or even several months ago. But we continue to remind ourselves any Eurozone crisis resolution Source: Bloomberg; month-end data of Citigroup BIG and high-yield indices Note: European spread vs. German Bund; U.S. spreads vs. U.S. Treasury that permitted safe-haven government yields to move back above the rate of inflation would also substantially narrow the spread advantage on offer in the corporate sector today. The high-yield sector presents investors with much the same choice as equity markets. Yields are high and attracting a lot of investor interest. Default rates have remained low and probably will continue to do so if the Eurozone downturn is mild and short lived. However, if the crisis were to worsen, pushing the U.S. into recession and exacerbating the Chinese slowdown, history suggests default rates would move appreciably higher as would yields. There continues to be relative value in this sector with spreads still above historical averages, but only for investors who can accept substantially higher risks. Jim Allworth – Vancouver, Canada jim.allworth@rbc.com 16 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 17. Global Fixed Income: Focus on U.S. U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Comparison U.S. Treasuries ƒ Even with continued sluggish economic growth in North America, default risk remains low, which is 5% ƒ Yields have remained volatile due to ongoing positive for the high-yield sector. sovereign risks and economic uncertainties. 4% ƒ High yield spreads tightened significantly in ƒ The Federal Reserve announcement that current January, but they remain above historic averages. policy may remain in place until the end of 2014, 3% We believe the asset class continues to provide coupled with the central bank’s ongoing purchase opportunities for risk-oriented accounts. 2% 4/1/2011 of longer-dated securities, is supportive of a 12/30/2011 “lower for longer” rate environment and a flatter Municipals 1% yield curve. 1/31/2012 ƒ Yields have continued to pull back as municipal 0% ƒ In this low-rate, benign inflation environment we bonds have extended their rally that began late Yr 1 Yr 5 Yr 9 Yr 13 Yr 17 Yr 21 Yr 25 Yr 29 continue to prefer credit-sensitive sectors over last year. Strong institutional demand coupled Treasuries. with tight supply resulted in a “crowding out” effect for retail investors who had already begun Asset Class Yield Curve Comparison Agencies to balk at the lower yields. ƒ Yields of Agencies (GSE bonds) compared to 8% ƒ At current levels, short- to intermediate-muni Treasuries, or spreads, remain tight by historical 7% bonds seem overvalued. A back-off in prices standards. 6% would provide a better entry point as we remain 5% ƒ Nevertheless, agencies provide an opportunity to positive on this sector. pick up higher yields and have minimal risk. 4% ƒ Supply constraints will likely diminish somewhat 3% ƒ While the Federal Reserve has yet to announce because low absolute yield levels should be 2% official plans for mortgage-backed securities supportive of refunding activity on the part of Investment Grade High Yield purchases through QE3, it has signaled these municipalities. We expect muni bond issuance to 1% Munis Treasuries securities would play a role in future long-term increase in 2012. 0% securities purchases. This should continue to Yr 1 Yr 5 Yr 9 Yr 13 Yr 17 Yr 21 Yr 25 Yr 29 ƒ Municipals continue to be subject to headline support the mortgage-backed securities market. risk as a result of ongoing financial stress at the Chart Sources: Bloomberg Corporates state and local levels, especially as Washington continues to debate deficit reduction proposals. ƒ Corporate bonds were the best-performing fixed Nonetheless, demand from both traditional as income sector in January, and the difference in well as “cross-over” buyers should remain strong. yield (the spread) between corporate credit and Treasuries tightened significantly. High-yield ƒ The consensus among analysts is that any serious bonds exhibited particularly strong performance. debate about tax-code changes that could impact munis will likely occur in 2013, after the U.S. ƒ Due to the low interest rate environment, elections. corporations are expected to reduce their debt loads, which could cause credit spreads to narrow ƒ Investors continue to look for ways to increase further. yield. In the muni market, this means moving down the credit scale, with lower investment- Craig Bishop – Minneapolis, United States ƒ We believe corporate debt will continue to grade health care issues as the main beneficiaries. craig.bishop@rbc.com outperform government bonds over the short Extension swaps and “kicker bonds” with 5-10 and medium term as global policy efforts remain year calls also offer value. supportive of riskier assets. 17 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 18. Commodities > Recent improvements in global Gold sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program, and European Union countries have decided to ban manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ ƒ The month of December saw gold bullion trade Iranian oil imports starting July 1, 2012. Iran has Indices have been encouraging for down 10% towards the bottom of its multi-year responded by threatening to prevent shipping trend channel. Fundamental supports remain economically sensitive commodities. through the Straight of Hormuz, through which unchanged, and the price has since rebounded. the bulk of the region’s oil passes. > Over the longer term, sustained growth ƒ The price remains supported by: ƒ The supply and demand balance for natural gas in commodity-intensive economies—like › low real interest rates, continues to deteriorate, with the commodity now China and India—together with constrained › the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, trading under $3.00/Mcf. Continued growth in supplies, would suggest constructive › longer-term U.S. debt and deficit concerns, industry-wide production in the U.S. combined market conditions. › emerging market demand driven by inflation with warm weather have led to U.S. storage levels and growing household wealth, rising to 3.1 Bcf, which is well above the 5-year > In the near term, the risk of a European › central bank demand, and average of 2.6 Bcf. banking crisis or disorderly sovereign › speculative buying. Copper and Industrial Metals default could lead to significant declines in ƒ Gold ETF demand continues to rise, with 2011 up ƒ Copper prices are well above their cost floor as all risky assets. 7% following growth of 20% in 2010. demand from emerging markets, led by China, has ƒ Central Bank buying advanced considerably remained robust. in 2011 with an estimated 430 tonnes of net Commodity Forecast 2012E 2013E ƒ China is the world’s largest consumer of copper, purchases. and the latest economic data, including 4Q11 GDP Oil (WTI $/Bbl) 100.00 106.00 growth of 8.9%, are consistent with a moderation Energy Natural Gas ($/mmbtu) 4.00 4.75 of growth into 2012, but not a hard landing. ƒ Oil demand remains dominated by emerging Gold ($/oz) 1,800.00 1,800.00 markets, with RBC Capital Markets forecasting ƒ The global supply/demand balance for copper 2012 global demand to increase by 0.7 million has been in deficit for two years; however, this is Copper ($/ton) 3.75 4.00 expected to shift to a mild surplus for 2012 when barrels per day (mbpd), of which China makes up Corn (US$/bu) 6.51 5.98 60% (0.4 mbpd). several large mine expansions come on-stream. Wheat (US$/bu) 6.83 7.20 ƒ Supply conditions are expected to remain tight Corn and Agricultural Commodities with the return of exports from Libya providing Source: RBC Capital Markets forecasts (oil, natural gas, gold, copper), ƒ For potash, economic uncertainty has led Bloomberg consensus forecasts (wheat, corn) some relief. Libya is estimated to produce oil at buyers to be cautious. Producers were piling up approximately two-thirds of its pre-war level and inventories in late 2011, with potash inventories may see full production by mid-year. OPEC spare at two major producers up 20% in December from capacity is expected to remain a relatively tight the prior month and 13% over the 5-year average. 3.6 mmbpd in 2012, per RBC Capital Markets. The near-term weakness has been met with potash ƒ In December, OPEC set a new production ceiling volume curtailment by Potash Corp. and Uralkali. for the first time in three years, allowing the limit ƒ Corn and soybean prices increased in January to increase to 30 mpbd, reflecting concerns that on heat and drought concerns in South America. $100 oil may lead to demand destruction. Mark Allen – Toronto, Canada Argentina, the world’s second-largest exporter of mark.d.allen@rbc.com ƒ The wild card for supply is now Iran, which corn, has dramatically lowered its corn production represents ~4% of global production and exports forecast. The drop represents 4.8% of the global 2.5 mbpd. The U.S. has imposed new financial corn export market. 18 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 19. Currencies > The global interest rate cycle has turned down U.S. Dollar (USD) ƒ This has stabilized the European financial system, again. Central banks are generally cutting but the surge in liquidity pushed the Euro even ƒ The Dollar’s strengthening trend in December lower as traders saw the ECB’s plan as a way to policy rates or keeping them near record continued into the New Year before giving up inflate away the debt. However, the market already lows. With interest rate differentials between some gains near the end of January. The driver appears to be very short on the Euro, so we believe of this strength was generally improving U.S. developed economies converging towards zero, a rapid decline is now unlikely. Instead, we expect economic data and a realization the economy, this removes one of the main tools currency while sub-par, was still looking healthier than only a slow, grinding weakness in the currency forecasters use, that of relative monetary policy. until a long-term fiscal solution is found. many of its developed country peers. > In this environment we believe currencies are ƒ However, the January 25th Fed announcement U.K. Sterling (GBP) trading close to their longer-term fair values. that interest rates would likely remain low through ƒ The direction of the pound continues to be the end of 2014 underscored the headwinds Our targets reflect this backdrop, with most of facing the economy and, by association, the U.S. driven by a trade-off between the weakness of our long-term forecasts unchanged since the the U.K. economy and the safe-haven aspect of dollar. The political divisions leading up to the the currency in comparison to the euro. As 2012 end of 2011, suggesting only small potential presidential election this year will likely heighten progresses, we expect the pound to be driven by movements are likely over our forecast horizon. the policy gridlock and add risk to the dollar. the relative performance of the U.K. economy. That is, we expect it to strengthen against the currencies Canadian Dollar (CAD) Currency Current as of Forecast to of countries with slower GDP growth (e.g., the Forecast Jan 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2012 ƒ The CAD traded narrowly on the weak side of euro), but to weaken against the U.S. dollar. parity with the US. dollar through the end of 2011 CAD/USD 1.00 1.00 as traders struggled to find a reason to push it Japanese Yen (JPY) higher. The BoC’s interest rate policy remains on ƒ Even though Japan hasn’t fully recovered from USD/CAD 1.00 1.00 hold, and the rapid accumulation of new debt by the global recession, we still have the somewhat EUR/USD 1.31 1.27 households taking advantage of these low rates contrarian view the yen will continue to appreciate makes us doubt further cuts are imminent. against major currencies. The only natural seller GBP/USD 1.58 1.59 ƒ This is in contrast to other commodity-focused of yen is Japanese companies investing their funds AUD/USD 1.06 1.01 countries, such as Australia, where rates continue overseas. In the current global low interest rate to fall. With this backdrop, we expect the loonie environment, these companies are able to hedge USD/CHF 0.92 0.99 these flows very cheaply and, therefore, reduce the to outperform its commodity currency peers this USD/JPY 76.27 75.00 year as the preferred proxy for a reflation trade. selling pressure on the yen. EUR/JPY 99.78 95.25 Eurozone Euro (EUR) Chinese Yuan (CNY) EUR/GBP 0.83 0.80 ƒ The Euro was the worst-performing major ƒ China’s move to lower its bank reserve requirement currency at the end of 2011—and for good reason. from 21.5% to 21% in December was the first cut EUR/CHF 1.20 1.26 The slow policy response to the peripheral in three years. We expect this rate to fall by another USD/CNY 6.31 6.10 debt crisis, even as growth declined, made the 2.5% in the first quarter if inflation continues to fiscal situation even worse. Just as confidence fall. However, this should not weaken the yuan Source: Bloomberg, RBC Capital Markets Example of how to interpret currency data: CAD/USD 1.00 means 1 Cana- in the banking sector looked to be approaching against the dollar, since political considerations dian dollar will buy 1 U.S. dollar. a crisis point, the ECB launched its Long-Term suggest the yuan will be allowed to float higher in Refinancing Operation (LTRO). This provided a order to avoid an escalation in trade tensions. Alan Robinson – Seattle, United States huge liquidity injection with banks able to offer alan.robinson@rbc.com their sovereign bonds as collateral. 19 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 20. Key Forecasts U.S. GDP ƒ Real disposable income fell year /over year Central Bank Rate ƒ FOMC committed to no rate hike in Q4. Modest spending growth in second Today 1-year Out before late 2014. Fed continues 2.9% 1.9% 2.0% half was fueled by savings draw-down. to hint at new asset purchase Confidence dampened by weak housing, program (QE3) targeted at anemic jobs growth, global uncertainty. mortgage-backed securities. -2.6% Inflation set to recede; may give consumer a 0.25% 0.25% ƒ Flight-to-safety has repeatedly 2009 2010 2011 2012E break in 2012. driven 10yr Treasury yields below ƒ Fiscal drag to become more pronounced, 2%. A Eurozone solution and a even more if payroll tax cut not extended. rebound in global economies Inflation 10-year Rate could at some point push them ƒ Business capital investment was a bright Today 1-year Out back up to 3%+, but fast falling 3.0% spot all last year, but leading indicators 3.8% inflation and the likely rapid 1.8% of capex are mixed. Tax incentives were 1.6% deployment of QE3 would limit the extended for 2012 but cut in half. 3.00% upside. -0.3% ƒ Muddle through at 2% GDP growth, but 1.80% 2008 2009 2010 2011E 2012E slow growth makes economy vulnerable to external shocks from Europe, oil, geopolitics, etc. Recession not our forecast but can’t be entirely ruled out. Canada GDP ƒ After adding to employment in 20 of 24 Central Bank Rate ƒ The Bank of Canada lowered months, Canada lost jobs in 3 of the last 5. Today 1-year Out its growth forecasts out to and 3.2% 2.3% 2.0% including 2013, citing substantial Flagging employment growth may start to weigh on confidence. Inflation forecast to global headwinds including ebb; wage growth reasonable. Longer term, a longer, deeper European -2.5% substantial build-up of household debt has 1.00% 1.00% downturn. Expectations for a rate 2009 2010 2011E 2012E left consumer too exposed to future rate hike mid-2012 have come off the increases. table. Possibility of a rate cut if the inflation threat wanes and global Inflation ƒ Weak U.S. growth and a longer-than- 10-year Rate growth falters. expected slowdown in China should make for Today 1-year Out a mixed export performance. ƒ An end to the flight-to-safety 2.4% 1.8% 2.0% 2.7% bid would drive Canada bond ƒ Government stimulus all but gone; yields sharply higher with no substantial cuts coming this year and next. 3.00% contemplated Bank of Canada QE 0.3% 1.90% ƒ Capex heavily skewed toward energy. Cross- program to provide an offset. 2008 2009 2010 2011E 2012E border pipeline politics and weak natural gas prices could be a drag. Source: RBC Investment Strategy Committee and RBC Capital Markets 20 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 21. Key Forecasts Eurozone GDP ƒ Promise of deep austerity cuts to come, and Central Bank Rate ƒ The ECB surprised with two 25 bps inability to end the crisis sent consumer Today 1-year Out rate cuts at President Draghi’s first 1.0% 1.5% and business confidence plummeting in two meetings. Inflation receded in 0.0% the second half. Spending weak; capex December, with more expected early intentions uncertain. Region already in in the New Year, making other cut(s) -4.1% recession. 1.00% feasible in Q1. 0.50% 2009 2010 2011E 2012E ƒ Rate cuts welcome but won’t have traction ƒ December move to give banks before second half and not then if banks 3-year access to ECB funding has raise capital by shrinking loan books. removed risk of area banks slipping Inflation 10-year Rate inadvertently into a funding crisis. It ƒ Weak currency should help core countries; Today 1-year Out has bought time and substantially 3.3% peripheral outlook grim. narrowed Spanish, Italian, and 1.6% 1.5% 2.5% 3.00% French 10-year spreads over bunds. 1.80% (Germany) 0.3% (Germany) ƒ Big loser from “closer fiscal union” or 2008 2009 2010 2011E 2012E “Eurobond” solution would be bunds. U.K. GDP ƒ U.K. economy continues to slowly weaken. Central Bank Rate ƒ The BoE, unconcerned by inflation GDP contracted in Q4. Consumer badly Today 1-year Out data distorted by one-time factors. 1.3% 1.0% 1.0% squeezed by inflation awaiting some Will continue balancing ultra-tight, reprieve as 2012 unfolds. austerity-driven fiscal policy with a very accommodative monetary ƒ Exports more than 30% of GDP and half are -5.0% stance. No rate change before bound for the Eurozone. At risk as Europe 0.50% 0.50% 2009 2010 2011E 2012E 2013. New round of QE approved in slips into recession. Heavily exposed October has since been increased. to Ireland in both trade and finance. We expect another enlargement Recession hard to avoid if Europe downturn Inflation 10-year Rate approved in the spring. worsens. Today 1-year Out ƒ Gilts benefitting from flight-to-safety 4.3% ƒ Inflation fell sharply to 4.2% in December 3.8% 3.3% bid and the Bank of England’s (from 5.2% in September). More to come extended and enlarged QE program. 2.5% as VAT increase and utility rate increases 2.1% 2.75% An end to both would herald a steep eventually fall out of the calculation. Bank 1.95% back-up in yields. 2008 2009 2010 2011E 2012E of England forecasts a below 2% reading by year end. Source: RBC Investment Strategy Committee and RBC Capital Markets 21 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 22. Key Forecasts China GDP ƒ Economy slowing, mostly because of weaker Central Bank Rate ƒ Reserve requirements at 21.5% exports, especially into Europe. Export growth Today 1-year Out and base lending rate at 6.56% 9.3% 10.5% 9.3% down from 25% to 13%. produced a credit crunch and 8.3% 6.56%* 6.56%* brought money supply growth ƒ Credit crunch and tough home purchase down to just 13%. Bank lending regulations taking a toll on small-to-medium growth continues to slow. Inflation manufacturers and property developers. Real 2009 2010 2011E 2012E has fallen for 4 months running. estate markets cooling off nationwide. ƒ Reserve requirements were ƒ Gov’t housing construction picking up the lowered by 50 bps in December Inflation slack. Consumer spending up by double-digit 10-year Rate and another 200+ basis points rates. Infrastructure investment a priority. Today 1-year Out was widely expected to arrive in 5.7% 5.9% 3.3% ƒ Inflation now down to 4.1% led by food price Q1. However, the government has 4.5% moderation. recently given plenty of indications 3.45% n/a ƒ Policy tightening over. Easing on the way. easing will be more deliberate in -0.7% pace. Interest rate cuts unlikely However, policymakers may allow GDP 2008 2009 2010 2011E 2012E growth to moderate further rather than risk until inflation rate falls below one- rekindling price pressures by reversing course year deposit rate (3.50%). too quickly. ƒ Our forecast is a “soft landing,” but any reacceleration is some ways off. Japan GDP ƒ Reconstruction and restart of the auto sector Central Bank Rate ƒ Bank of Japan provided plenty produced the promised V-shaped recovery Today 1-year Out of liquidity during the Tsunami 2.6% 2.2% from the earthquake-induced downturn, but crisis and has now embarked on industrial production has faded following expanded QE program (55 trillion -0.5% the summer spurt. Currency strength a drag yen) buying JGBs. It cited European -5.3% on trade. concerns and the strength of the 0.10% 0.10% yen. It also lowered its growth and 2009 2010 2011E 2012E ƒ Growth in first half likely to be respectable inflation forecasts for 2012 and against easy comps, although supply 2013. disruptions from Thai flooding a wildcard. Inflation 10-year Rate Second half will need stronger demand from Today 1-year Out China. 1.4% 0.2% -0.2% ƒ Retail trade and machinery orders both ticked higher in Q4. However, moribund -0.7% -1.4% domestic demand together with a more 1.50% 0.95% 2008 2009 2010 2011E 2012E challenging export environment in 2012 suggest growth will quickly subside into the 2% +/- .5% range. Inflation not a factor. Source: RBC Investment Strategy Committee and RBC Capital Markets *1-yr base lending rate for working capital, People’s Bank of China; Source: Consensus Economics 22 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 23. Market Valuation & Equilibrium Levels > The RBC Global Asset Management Fair Value Equity Charts calculation looks at the returns on equity S&P 500 Equilibrium S&P/ TSX Composite Equilibrium earned by the companies comprising the relevant market index back more than 50 years 3311 22387 and relates them to the interest rates and 2026 Jan. '12 Range: 1155 - 1938 (Mid: 1547) 14307 Jan. '12 Range: 10490 - 15664 (Mid: 13077) Jan. '13 Range: 1259 - 2113 (Mid: 1686) Jan. '13 Range: 10198 - 15229 (Mid: 12713) inflation expectations prevailing at the time to 1240 Current (31-January-12): 1312 9143 Current (31-January-12): 12452 get a “normalized ROE” for a given combination 759 5843 of rates and inflation. Using today’s interest 464 3734 rates and inflation, it calculates how the 284 2387 market has typically valued the corresponding 174 1525 “normalized earnings” to get “fair value,” 106 975 which would lie at the mid-point of the band on 65 623 the adjacent charts. The edges of the band lie 40 398 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 one standard deviation either side of fair value. > The RBC Global Asset Management equilibrium Fixed Income Charts valuation for bonds looks at how much of an U.S. 10-year Treasury Bond Yield Canada 10-year Bond Yield interest-rate premium investors have typically demanded over and above the expected rate of 16 18 inflation. Using today’s inflation expectations, 14 Last Plot: 2.28% 16 it calculates which bond yield would provide 12 Current Range: 3.34% - 5.02% (Mid: 4.18%) 14 that premium (the mid-point of the band). The 10 12 band resides one standard deviation on either 8 % % 10 side of the mid-point. 6 8 4 6 Last Plot: 2.14% 2 4 Current Range: 2.77% - 4.66% (Mid: 3.72%) 0 2 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Chart Sources: RBC Global Asset Management 23 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012
  • 24. Research Resources and Important Information Research Resources This document is produced by the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee within RBC Wealth Management’s Portfolio Advisory Group. The RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group provides support related to asset allocation and portfolio construction for the firm’s Investment Advisors / Financial Advisors who are engaged in assembling portfolios incorporating individual marketable securities. The Committee leverages the broad market outlook as developed by the RBC Investment Strategy Committee, providing additional tactical and thematic support utilizing research from the RBC Investment Strategy Committee, RBC Capital Markets, and third party resources. Global Portfolio Advisory Committee members: Janet Engels – Co-chair; Head of U.S. Equities, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Jim Allworth – Co-chair; Portfolio Strategist, RBC Dominion Securities Maarten Jansen – Head of RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Mark Allen – Portfolio Advisor, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Rajan Bansi – Head of Canadian Fixed Income Strategies, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Matt Barasch – Head of Canadian Equities, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Craig Bishop – Head of U.S. Fixed Income Strategies, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Kelly Bogdanov – Portfolio Analyst, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Frédérique Carrier – Director, European Equities, RBC Investment Management (UK) Ltd George King – Head of Portfolio Strategy, RBC Investment Management (UK) Ltd. Tracy Maeter – Head of Investments, British Isles, RBC Investment Management (UK) Ltd. René Morgenthaler – Head of Investments (Suisse), RBC WM International Jay Roberts – Head of Asian Equities, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group Alan Robinson – Portfolio Advisor, RBC WM Portfolio Advisory Group The RBC Investment Strategy Committee (RISC), consists of senior investment professionals drawn from individual, client-focused business units within RBC, including the Portfolio Advisory Group. The RBC Investment Strategy Committee builds a broad global investment outlook and develops specific guidelines that can be used to manage portfolios. RISC is chaired by Daniel Chornous, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of RBC Global Asset Management. Disclaimer The information contained in this report has been compiled by Royal Bank of Canada and/or its affiliates from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied is made to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. 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To Singapore Residents: This publication is distributed in Singapore by RBC (Singapore Branch) and RBC (Asia) Limited, registered entities granted offshore bank status by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This material has been prepared for general circulation and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any recipient. You are advised to seek independent advice from a financial adviser before purchasing any product. If you do not obtain independent advice, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Copyright © RBC Capital Markets, LLC 2012 - Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC Copyright © RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 2012 - Member CIPF Copyright © RBC Europe Limited 2012 Copyright © Royal Bank of Canada 2012 All rights reserved 24 GLOBAL INSIGHT | FEBRUARY 2012