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Multi-asset portfolio allocation

Multi-asset portfolio allocation

03 April 2023

Author name: Julien Lafargue, CFA, London UK, Chief Market Strategist

Barclays Private Bank discusses asset allocation views within the context of a multi-asset class portfolio. Our views elsewhere in the publication are absolute and within the context of each asset class.

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Cash and short duration bonds

  • Given the heightened level of uncertainty in financial markets, and to manage portfolio risks, we still prefer higher-quality and liquid opportunities.

Fixed income

  • We see increasing opportunities in fixed income
  • We maintain a preference for developed market government bonds as a hedge against any macro volatility
  • In credit, the higher-quality segment is preferred, while remaining selective elsewhere
  • In high yield, where selection is key, our exposure is relatively low, as spreads have room to widen further in an adverse scenario
  • We are cautious on the emerging markets segment.

Equities

  • We believe that equities still seem relatively more appealing than bonds for long-term investors
  • Yet, we are highly selective in our allocation
  • In line with our long-term investment philosophy, portfolios remain geared towards high-quality, cash-generative and conservatively-capitalised businesses
  • As a function of a bottom-up selection, more opportunities are seen in developed market equities compared to their emerging market peers.

Alternative trading strategies (ATS)

  • There are a limited number of opportunities in the ATS space, as the cost/benefit trade-off can be challenging
  • Our focus is on strategies offering diversification benefits due to their low correlation to equity markets.

Commodities

  • As a risk-mitigating asset, gold remains the only direct commodity exposure held in portfolios
  • From a portfolio management perspective, we believe that our risk budget is better spent outside of the asset class.
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Market Perspectives April 2023

Welcome to our April edition of “Market Perspectives”, the monthly investment strategy update from Barclays Private Bank.