Morgan Stanley(US:MS)2025-06-23 02:30Investment Rating - The report suggests a weakening demand for US equities, with a notable shift towards European stocks, but maintains that the narrative of foreign investors abandoning US stocks is overstated [10][19][67]. Core Insights - Demand for US equities is declining, benefiting European stocks, with nearly US$37 billion flowing into European equity funds year-to-date, significantly higher than previous years [8][48]. - Despite the decline in US equity demand, foreign investors have continued to net buy US stocks, indicating that the market is not experiencing a complete withdrawal of foreign capital [10][20]. - The report highlights that US investors have been reallocating from domestic equities, with net sales of approximately US$24 billion since Liberation Day, while foreign investors have added to US stocks during the same period [20][28]. Summary by Sections Equity Flows - Net flows to international funds have increased dramatically since the end of 2024, indicating a shift in investor preferences [3][60]. - Flows to US equities have slowed down since the start of the year, with approximately 40% of weeks experiencing net outflows [11][12]. Regional Focus - European equities have become the primary destination for equity fund flows, with record inflows observed [48][50]. - The report notes that while flows to US stocks have decreased, the overall allocation to US equities has followed benchmark weight changes, suggesting a more passive adjustment rather than an active reallocation [53][57]. Investor Behavior - The report emphasizes that the decline in US equity flows is not solely due to foreign selling but is largely driven by US investors reallocating their investments [20][28]. - High-quality data indicates a slowdown in foreign demand for US stocks, but net foreign buying remains positive, countering narratives of a significant withdrawal [31][35]. Future Outlook - The report anticipates that the trends of reduced demand for US equities and increased interest in European stocks are likely to persist, influenced by ongoing policy uncertainties and currency market dynamics [67][68].