Core Viewpoint - Standard Chartered Bank's report emphasizes a positive outlook on global equities while being cautious about the US dollar's strength, suggesting a shift towards risk assets due to expected dollar weakness [2][3]. Global Stock Outlook - The bank continues to favor global stocks, particularly increasing the allocation to Asian equities (excluding Japan) due to the anticipated weakening of the dollar, which is expected to attract more capital into emerging markets [3][11]. - The chief investment officer for North Asia at Standard Chartered highlights the ongoing uncertainty in the global investment environment, with a structural risk of "de-dollarization" gaining attention [4]. Fixed Income Strategy - Standard Chartered expects the dollar's decline to enhance the appeal of emerging market local currency bonds, maintaining an overweight position in these assets [7]. - The bank views global bonds as a core portfolio component, favoring emerging market local currency government bonds while underweighting developed market investment-grade corporate bonds due to high valuations and economic uncertainty [9]. Currency Perspective - The bank predicts that cyclical factors will lead to a weaker dollar over the next 6-12 months, with the euro and yen likely benefiting from this trend [13]. - Despite the dollar's ongoing dominance, there are signs of a gradual erosion of its position due to changing trade flows and structural debt concerns [14][15]. Gold and Diversification - The report notes that gold is becoming increasingly attractive as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, with central banks, especially in emerging markets, increasing their gold purchases [18][19]. - According to a survey by the World Gold Council, 76% of central banks believe that gold's share in global reserves will rise over the next five years, up from 69% in the previous year [18].

Macro Outlook - Standard Chartered Bank's Wealth Solutions Division released the "Global Market Outlook for the Second Half of 2025," indicating that global central bank easing, a potential soft landing for the U.S. economy, and a weaker dollar are favorable for risk assets, maintaining a positive outlook on global equities [1] - The bank expects a weaker dollar to benefit the euro, pound, yen, and 5-7 year U.S. dollar bonds, while upgrading emerging market local currency debt to overweight [1] Investment Strategy - The Chief Investment Officer for North Asia at Standard Chartered, Zheng Zifeng, highlighted the current uncertain global investment environment, emphasizing the structural risks of "de-dollarization" and the influx of funds into emerging markets due to a weaker dollar [1] - The bank suggests that investors should diversify not only across asset classes but also geographically to maintain long-term superior returns [1] Fixed Income - Standard Chartered views the bond market as a core investment allocation, overweighting emerging market local currency government bonds while underweighting developed market investment-grade corporate bonds due to high valuations and risks associated with U.S. economic growth uncertainty [2] - The bank remains positive on emerging market Asian local currency bonds, UK government bonds (unhedged), and U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities [2] Equities - The bank continues to overweight global equities, citing easing trade tensions and robust earnings growth, despite the impact of tariffs [2] - Asian (excluding Japan) equities have been upgraded to overweight, driven by a weaker dollar attracting more funds into emerging markets [2] Currency Outlook - Standard Chartered anticipates a weaker dollar over the next 6 to 12 months, with the euro and yen likely benefiting from this trend, while the pound shows resilience [2] Commodities - In the gold market, if Middle Eastern tensions are controlled, short-term upside for gold may be limited, but it remains an important strategic hedge [3] - The bank raised its 3-month gold price forecast to $3,400 while maintaining a 12-month forecast of $3,500 [3] - For oil, Standard Chartered expects prices to stabilize around $65 per barrel in the next 3 to 12 months, with geopolitical risks potentially causing short-term spikes [3]