KKR Releases Report on U.S. Equities by Henry McVey

NEW YORK--()--KKR today released a new Insights piece titled U.S. Equities: Begin the Process of “Leaning In.” The report, authored by Henry McVey, Member & Head of Global Macro and Asset Allocation (GMAA), details changes he is making to the KKR GMAA Target Asset Allocation. Specifically, McVey adds two percent to the U.S. Equity position, lifting the weighting to 22% from 20% and a benchmark of 20%. This increase takes the overall Global Equity allocation to above benchmark, with a notable overweight to developed markets (DM) relative to an underweight in emerging markets (EM). He funds this increase in U.S. Equities by reducing the cash balance built up in January 2015 (see January 2015 piece Getting Closer to Home).

From a cyclical perspective, negative sentiment, decent – albeit unspectacular – EPS growth, and reasonable valuations are signals to “Lean In” to certain parts of the U.S. market.

Maybe more importantly, McVey believes that five large-scale investment opportunities may garner an increasing proportion of capital flows and investor attention of the coming years:

1. U.S. household formation is breaking out, and key sectors that may prosper include housing, multi-family rental and home repair, among others.

2. Though there may not be a major shift in consumer preferences towards higher-end products, McVey expects more consumer spending in areas including recreation, beauty, and wellness.

3. U.S. non-cyclical, growth stocks, particularly in Healthcare and Technology, are expected to continue appreciating.

4. U.S. Financial stocks are expected to perform well, too. Indicators suggest that domestic banks, insurance companies, and card companies should benefit from better credit conditions, loan growth, and lower legal costs.

5. A “value” idea for the U.S. equity market centers on the Energy sector, which is suffering from an overhang of excess capacity and capital.

Importantly, his overall allocation message is not “All In.” Rather, he suggests “Leaning In” towards specific pockets of strengths, as he still thinks that there are some important macro crosscurrents unfolding around the globe that are worthy of investor attention. In particular, he thinks we remain stuck in an asynchronous recovery, with lack of global demand from the developed markets weighing on the virtuous “cycle” that defined the economic recoveries of the 1990s and 2000s. Key to his thinking is that global trade as a percentage of GDP has peaked at a time when DM savings are up and EM exports as a percentage of GDP are falling. As such, weakened EM currencies are not helping exports; rather, they are only denting imports, further pressuring global trade.

Links to access the full report as well as an archive of our previous publications follow:

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation at the asset level. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners' capital and brings opportunities to others through its capital markets business. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com.

The views expressed herein are the personal views of Henry McVey of KKR and do not necessarily reflect the views of KKR. This information is not research and should not be treated as research. References to a target portfolio and allocations of such a portfolio refer to a hypothetical allocation of assets and not an actual portfolio. Such views and discussion of any target portfolio or allocation do not represent valuation judgments with respect to any financial instrument, issuer, security or sector that may be described or referenced herein, do not represent a formal or official view of KKR, and may not be reflected in the strategies and products that KKR offers or invests, including strategies and products to which Mr. McVey provides investment advice to or on behalf of KKR. Such information is being provided merely to provide a framework to assist in the implementation of an investor's own analysis and an investor's own views on the topic discussed herein. There can be no assurance that an investment strategy will be successful. Historic market trends are not reliable indicators of actual future market behavior or future performance of any particular investment which may differ materially, and should not be relied upon as such. This information should not be viewed as a current or past recommendation or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements. Neither Mr. McVey nor KKR assumes any duty to update such statements.

Contacts

Media
KKR
Kristi Huller, +1-212-230-9722
Kristi.Huller@kkr.com

Release Summary

KKR Releases Report on U.S. Equities by Henry McVey

Contacts

Media
KKR
Kristi Huller, +1-212-230-9722
Kristi.Huller@kkr.com