KKR Releases “Europe: Complexity Rules” by Henry H. McVey

New Macro Report Reviews Potential Investment Opportunities and Risks in the Region

NEW YORK--()--KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the release of Europe: Complexity Rules, a new macro Insights piece by Henry H. McVey, KKR’s Head of Global Macro and Asset Allocation (“GMAA”).

“Given the recent political uncertainty in Europe, our most recent macro deep-dive underscored the significant cross-currents that investors must consider when allocating capital to the region,” Henry McVey said. “On the one hand, we are likely more optimistic than the consensus on GDP growth in the near term, reflecting the reality that heightened political uncertainty has not yet derailed the region’s surprisingly strong economic recovery. On the other, our macroeconomic framework raises some perplexing questions about the EU under its current construct, including substantial structural strains created by the existing monetary union as well as swelling populist concerns about immigration. With these macro factors in mind, our asset allocation recommendation is for moderate pacing, embracing complexity, and regional diversification.”

In his latest report, Henry McVey outlines several investment conclusions from his trip:

1. Despite significant political uncertainty – and almost in spite of itself – European GDP continues to chug along at a steady clip.

2. Investors should continue to think about a European macro environment where consumption, particularly around experiences, remains compelling relative to overall trend growth.

3. Europe continues to barrel down the path of a two-tiered economy. Specifically, there is a large and growing dichotomy between Germany, with its strong growth, and the rest of Europe, Italy in particular.

4. Our discussions surrounding the banking sector lead us to remain constructive on both bank stocks and the assets banks are selling.

5. We believe that the underlying performance of European equities is potentially misunderstood by market participants.

Links to access this note as well as an archive of Henry McVey's previous publications follow:

About Henry McVey

Henry H. McVey joined KKR in 2011 and is Head of the Global Macro and Asset Allocation team. Mr. McVey also serves as Chief Investment Officer for the Firm’s Balance Sheet and is Head of the Private Market and Balance Sheet Risk team. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. McVey was a managing director, lead portfolio manager and head of global macro and asset allocation at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM). Prior to that, he was a portfolio manager at Fortress Investment Group and chief U.S. investment strategist for Morgan Stanley. While at Morgan Stanley, Mr. McVey was also a member of the asset allocation committee, and the top ranked asset management and brokerage analyst by Institutional Investor for four consecutive years before becoming the firm's strategist. He earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. McVey serves as co-chair of the TEAK Fellowship board of trustees and is a member of the Pritzker Foundation Investment Committee. He is also a member of the national advisory board for the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations Corporate Leader Program.

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 and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

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. It does not represent valuation judgments with respect to any financial instrument, issuer, security or sector that may be described or referenced herein and does not represent a formal or official view of KKR. It 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. References to a target portfolio and allocations are hypothetical allocation of assets and not reflect an actual portfolio. The views expressed herein and discussion of any target portfolio or allocations 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. It should not be assumed that Mr. McVey has made or will make investment recommendations in the future that are consistent with the views expressed herein, or use any or all of the techniques or methods of analysis described herein in managing client or proprietary accounts. This release may contain projections or other forward‐looking statements. Neither KKR nor Mr. McVey assumes any duty to update such statements.

Contacts

Media:
U.S.
Kristi Huller or Cara Kleiman
212.750.8300
media@kkr.com
or
U.K.
Finsbury
Victor Mallet, +44(0)20 7251 3801
victor.mallet@finsbury.com

Contacts

Media:
U.S.
Kristi Huller or Cara Kleiman
212.750.8300
media@kkr.com
or
U.K.
Finsbury
Victor Mallet, +44(0)20 7251 3801
victor.mallet@finsbury.com