Core Insights - The sentiment among fund managers is extremely optimistic, with a significant shift in macroeconomic expectations from "recession" to "prosperity" [1][2] - Global growth expectations have risen to 38%, an increase of 20 percentage points, marking the highest level since July 2021, while the probability of recession has dropped to 9%, the lowest since January 2022 [1] - Profit expectations are also high, with a net 44% of managers optimistic about EPS over the next 12 months, the highest since July 2021 [2] - Concerns about stagflation have decreased from 58% to 39%, with 34% anticipating a "prosperity" scenario and 18% a "golden age" [3] - Inflation expectations driven by tariffs have significantly declined, with a net 3% believing CPI will decrease [4] Asset Allocation - There is a strong preference for equities and commodities, while bonds are being abandoned [5] - Stock allocation is at a net overweight of 48%, the highest since December 2024, and commodity allocation is at 26%, the highest since June 2022, while bond allocation is at a net underweight of 35%, the highest since September 2022 [12] - The banking sector has become the most overweight industry, while consumer staples are at their largest underweight since February 2014 [12] - High-yield bonds are expected to outperform investment-grade bonds for the first time [12] - The most crowded trade is long gold, with 51% of managers favoring it, surpassing the "Seven Sisters" trade at 27% [12] Risk Landscape - The primary risks identified are geopolitical tensions and the potential for an AI bubble, with geopolitical conflict cited by 28% of respondents and AI bubble concerns by 27% [5][6] - Credit events are anticipated to be triggered by private equity/private credit (39%) and large-scale capital expenditures in AI (35%) [6] - Political expectations for the 2026 midterm elections are nearly evenly split between "red wave" and "blue wave" scenarios [7] - There is a notable division regarding AI stocks, with 55% believing they are "not in a bubble" [8] Market Sentiment - The bull-bear indicator stands at 9.4, indicating a deep "sell" zone, with cash levels at 3.2%, a historical low [11] - A record 48% of respondents are "zero hedged" against market downturns, the highest since January 2018 [11] - Risk appetite is above normal by 16%, the highest in four years, with 49% of managers expecting an "impossible landing" scenario for the global economy [11] Strategic Insights - Michael Hartnett warns that in a world filled with good news, low hedging may seem harmless, but any unexpected negative turn could amplify impacts, highlighting current market fragility [9]