Neuberger Berman Blog: Why We Believe China Matters for Markets

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Oct 20, 2022, 20:05 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the latest NB Blog, Conrad Saldanha, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Equity, explains that China's policy outlook may create attractive opportunities for both equity and fixed income investors.

As China's leaders look to wrap up the 20th Communist Party Congress this weekend, we thought it a good time to reflect on what world's second-largest economy could portend for investors.

While China's sheer size and growth potential make it too big to ignore, many investors have myopically shed Hong Kong and ADR listed shares.

I recently discussed various aspects of China's starring role on the global stage with my colleagues Peter Ru, China Fixed Income; Meng Ning, Emerging Market Equities; and Charles Nguyen, Managing Director, Public Equities ESG Investing.

The Macroeconomic Picture

Looser monetary policy and stimulus initiatives have helped China chart solid post-COVID-19 recovery with modest inflation. Going forward, we believe the containment of COVID, a mix of technological innovation and focus on social equality will continue to drive broad economic growth.

On Fixed Income

"We believe China's focus on 'higher-quality', sustainable economic growth will make the market more attractive in the long-run," says Ru. "We also believe China's interest rate is on a long-term downtrend, which could create attractive opportunities for fixed-income investors."

On China A-Shares

Despite China's efforts to make access to onshore markets more efficient, most global investors are underexposed: Though the Chinese economy represents approximately 18% of global GDP¹, the China A-share market only comprises 1% of the global MSCI ACWI index². Over time we expect China's weight in global portfolios to expand as the country's financial markets continue to develop. "While A-shares have declined, we believe valuations are attractive and they are poised for a rebound as Chinese growth recovers," says Ning. Efforts in seeking to achieve carbon neutrality and energy reform has the potential to create additional investment opportunities given China's leading position in wind and solar components and materials.

On the Climate Transition

"China is a global leader in the renewable power industry and has established clear policy commitment in support of climate transition and the protection of natural capital," says Nguyen. "Significant growth potential in the Chinese green bond market is encouraging, too."

On Portfolio Allocation

Overall, we believe China's massive economic influence (it's expected to contribute 30% of the world's growth next year), ongoing capital-market reforms, and lower correlation to other developed markets make it an ideal market for global investors to diversify their portfolios.

About NB Blog

NB Blog encompasses thoughts from our investment professionals on the evolving state of global markets and the macro economy.

About Neuberger Berman

Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategies—including equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge funds—on behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 26 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,600 professionals. For eight consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). Neuberger Berman is a PRI Leader, a designation, since last assessed, that was awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. In the 2021 PRI Assessment, the firm obtained the highest possible scoring for its overarching approach to ESG investment and stewardship, and integration across asset classes. The firm manages $408 billion in client assets as of September 30, 2022. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com.

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¹ World Bank, as of December 31, 2021
² MSCI, as of December 31, 2020

Media Contact: Alex Samuelson, 212 476 5392, [email protected]

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