Asian Indices Heavily Sold Down ( 6 Oct 2008 )

Asian indices plunged today, anywhere from over 3% (Australia, New Zealand) to 10% (Indonesia). As of 1615h, Singapore and Hong Kong sank by over 4% each. Despite the approval of the US$700b Troubled Asset Recovery Plan package (“TARP”, which I dub “Trashed Assets Rollover Plan”), market players sense that the US (and the world for that matter) needs to do a lot more than drip-feed to the Sick Man of the World.

The Fed may consider an aggressive rate cut (50bp?), ECB is also considering rate cuts, but those may not solve the problem of the current deleveraging. You could tell the level of distrust among banks by the sharp spikes in LIBOR spreads, in any currency, you name it. Tight credit conditions also affecting borrowers – businesses and individuals. From Elm Street to Wall Street to Main Street, Halloween 2007 could continue with the next sequel this year, and across to Europe.

The US Elections, on 4-Nov-2008, is just another month away. I hear (American, of course) opinions that try to talk up the US market for a rebound circa “Super Tuesday”. The situation in the US is still serious, so that bounce could be short-lived.

Last Friday, investment legend, Bill Miller, who runs Legg Mason Value Trust that has beaten S&P 500 for 15 years straight until the fund was humbled since 2006, repeatedly said that US equities are good value. To an audience of 500, Legg Mason emphasized market recovery. During a small group lunch last Friday, I told Bill that he may be too early with his call, given the on-going deleveraging. He countered that he was “too late to go defensive”. Legg Mason expects recovery within the year, or best case within 6 months. Keep your monthly RSP rolling.

Is the Oracle of Omaha a harbinger of recovery in equities? Warren Buffet is the only non–Arab-, non–Mandarin-speaking savior of two American icons. From his war chest of US$38b, the investment guru bought preferred shares of Goldman Sachs (US$5b) and GE (US$3b). Even Anthony Bolton, a top Fidelity fund manager, also invested his own money in equities. I expect another <15% more downside.

China could be one of the first equity markets to recover. Three stockbroking reports alluded to more (aggressive) rate cuts by Chinese government which could be equity-friendly. But the possible deluge of shares held under moratorium and tainted milk scandal could restrain market exuberance.

Several pundits expect up to one-third of the world’s10,000 hedge funds to collapse. Year-to-date, 350 shut down, against 563 in the whole of 2007. The stronger ones could be cannibalizing the weaker ones. Even if this is not the case, the more able ones stand to gain market share (and that goes for banks, too).

Some US$600b of the US$1.8t global fund under management sought safety in cash (US$100b in money market funds). Several private bankers have been advicing their high networth clients to switch to gold. Hedge fund strategies that continue to work well include managed futures and macro. Our hedge fund partners are still in good shape; we have been communicating with them more frequently these days. Best is to employ multi-strategy funds, with capital guaranteed notes providing peace of mind. Even in hedge funds, you should plan to invest in a diversified portfolio, if possible.

While paper redemption continues to pressure gold value (or some could be switching to physical?), ordinary folks have been gobbling the physical. The US ran out of Buffaloes, Eagles and Kruggerands. In Singapore, a local bank ran out of 1-ounce gold coins, although smaller coins/ wafers are still available. While fears of global recession pressures crude oil (US$90), the value of gold appears to be holding steady above US$800. As the US and Europe inject hundreds of billions of dollars & euros, fears of fiat money to feed the gold-buying frenzy. Buy physical gold, in tranches, for hedge against disaster, and not for making obscene returns. A bounce in equities could trounce gold value; buy another tranche.

And speaking of cash, even if you plan to overweight cash, then are your banks safe? Hong Kong almost suffered a run on one of its banks until an influential investor sang a comforting lullaby. Singapore government sang its tune, too. Diversify, diversify, diversify. Investment is not about seeing positive return in all your investment instruments each time you look at the statement. Market conditions are extreme this time, we need time to see a return of confidence in the market.

From the Investment Desk
Eddy Tan
Head, Analytics & Asset Allocation
IPP Financial Advisers Pte Ltd