Summary of J.P. Morgan's Global Markets Strategy Conference Call Industry Overview - **Focus**: Asian equity markets, particularly China, Korea, and India - **Outlook for 2026**: Bullish on Asian equities with expectations of moderate to exceptional gains driven by policy support and liquidity [2][41][42] Key Points 1. Market Valuations and Positioning - Equity market valuations are currently high, with positioning in regional equities above the 80th percentile since July [2][41] - Despite high valuations, the expectation is for Asian equities to deliver gains due to supportive policies and liquidity [2][41] 2. China Market Recovery - China is in the early stages of recovery from a ~4-year downcycle, with acceptable valuations and light positioning [5][42][88] - Multiple support factors for China include: - AI adoption and power generation advantages - Innovations in robotics, biotech, semiconductors, and fintech - Consumption and property support measures - Rising shareholder returns and domestic liquidity reallocation [5][42][88][89] 3. AI Sector Insights - AI-heavy stocks (~35% of MXASJ) present a mixed risk-reward scenario, with concerns about monetization and potential commoditization [5][41] - The balance of risk and reward suggests limited incentive to increase exposure to AI stocks at this time [5][41] 4. Sector and Country Allocations - **Overweight (OW)**: Korea, Hong Kong/China, India, Consumer Staples, Materials, Financials [5][41][46] - **Neutral**: Taiwan, Technology, Industrials, Real Estate [5][41][46] - **Underweight (UW)**: ASEAN, Utilities, Energy, Healthcare [5][41][46] 5. Earnings Growth and Sector Contributions - Approximately 70% of the EPS consensus growth forecast for 2026 is driven by sectors in Korea, Taiwan, China, and India [14] - A synchronized acceleration of year-on-year growth across markets is anticipated for the first time since 2021 [14] 6. Policy Environment - Global easing policies are expected to support earnings and inflate equity valuations beyond normal levels [57][60] - The US has shifted from austerity to expansionary fiscal policies, which is expected to have a positive impact on Asian markets [58][68] 7. Long-term Themes - Key long-term themes expected to gain traction in 2026 include: - Governance improvements driving re-rating - Localization of Asian equity markets - Stablecoins as a new financial frontier [5][46] 8. Market Index Targets - End-2026 index targets for MXASJ are set at 1025 (base case), 1200 (bull case), and 800 (bear case) [7][54] 9. Risk Considerations - The potential for large gains in 2026 is viewed as substantially higher than the risk of large losses, particularly in the context of China's recovery [5][42][88] Additional Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring governance reforms in Korea and the ongoing developments in China as critical factors influencing market performance [5][41][42] - The strategic case for allocation to Asia is strengthened by recent improvements in long-term headwinds such as margins and valuations [14][41] This summary encapsulates the key insights and recommendations from J.P. Morgan's conference call, focusing on the outlook for Asian equity markets and the specific dynamics affecting China, Korea, and India.