Skip to main content
Weekly Outlook

Weekly Outlook 28 March 2022 – 03 April 2022

Weekly Commentary: 28 March 2022 – 03 April 2022

All the major indices reported positive returns for two consecutive weeks. Growth stocks as loosely represented by the NASDAQ Composite (+1.99%) had the best return, followed by the S&P 500 (+1.81%) and the DJIA (+0.31%). All the S&P 500 sectors also saw positive returns, with the exception of Healthcare (-0.09%). Real Estate (+0.90%) and Industrials (+0.98%) also lagged and formed the bottom three sectors. In the other hand, Energy (+3.50%), Materials (+3.24%), and Communication Services (+2.83%) had outperformed. This is mostly due to the surging commodity prices and a continued tech rebound. Closer to home, the STI (+2.49%) edged out the Hang Seng (-0.03%) last week.

Market sentiment still revolves around rate inflation, rate hike expectations, and the lack of positive developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The Consumer Price Index published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that the U.S. inflation rate by the end of February had increased by 0.9% MoM to reach 7.9%. This is the highest we have seen since 1982’s 8.4% and is expected to remain in the high range due to the high energy prices. Strong consumer demand, shortages of supplies such as semiconductors, and supply-chain constraints caused by the sporadic pandemic outbreaks had also elevated inflation for the past year. The high inflation has been the main driver for an increase in interest rate, which was suppressed to stimulate economic growth during the pandemic. Two weeks ago, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, ending the near-zero rates of the pandemic era and starting a hiking cycle set to last well into 2023. The size and scope of future hikes remain unclear however. The possible hawkish stance from the Fed in the next rate hike means slower economic growth and present the possibility of a recession if the rate is increased too far.

The yield-curve flattened as the 10Y-2Y US Treasury yield spread further fell to 0.20%. Both the U.S. 2-year and 10-year Treasury yields had increased by 39 bp to reach 2.33% and by 35 bp to reach 2.50% respectively. The stock market sentiment is improving but remained volatile as the global HY-IG spread further contracted by 23 bp to 2.20% while the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) fell by 306 bp to 20.81%.

As can be seen below, weekly performance from the global REIT markets were mostly positive with exception of Malaysia, Canada, and Germany. The overall 12-month yield spreads are also mostly positive and favorable towards REIT’s forward total return. Back at home, the iEdge S-REIT Index (+1.26%) and all of the S-REIT sectors mostly reported positive returns overall. The two S-REIT sectors that had performed the best were Hospitality (+7.78%) and Diversified(+1.40%). The lagging sectors in the other hand, were Healthcare (-0.17%) and Office (+0.99%).

Hospitality outperformance came after the new changes to Singapore’s COVID-19 measures were announced last week. The changes eased off most of the current restrictions and most importantly, all fully vaccinated travellers are able to enter Singapore unrestricted from March 31. There will be no entry approval and quota on the number of daily arrivals moving forward. The 7-day moving average of total COVID-19 cases further fell to around 9 thousand cases, from 11 thousand the previous week. Overall, this is a positive development and the new measures are definitely a step in the right direction. However, we need to observe closely how the situation unfolds in the new few weeks as Hong Kong had already shown us how quickly the situation will turn with an ill-prepared healthcare system, even with its zero-COVID approach.

Important Information

This material is provided by Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (“PCM”) for general information only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to invest in any of the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) or the unit trust (“Products”) mentioned herein. It does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You should read the Prospectus and the accompanying Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) for key features, key risks and other important information of the Products and obtain advice from a financial adviser (“FA“) before making a commitment to invest in the Products. In the event that you choose not to obtain advice from a FA, you should assess whether the Products are suitable for you before proceeding to invest. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS are available from PCM, any of its Participating Dealers (“PDs“) for the ETF, or any of its authorised distributors for the unit trust managed by PCM.

An ETF is not like a typical unit trust as the units of the ETF (the “Units“) are to be listed and traded like any share on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Listing on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units which may be traded at prices above or below its NAV or may be suspended or delisted. Investors may buy or sell the Units on SGX-ST when it is listed. Investors cannot create or redeem Units directly with PCM and have no rights to request PCM to redeem or purchase their Units. Creation and redemption of Units are through PDs if investors are clients of the PDs, who have no obligation to agree to create or redeem Units on behalf of any investor and may impose terms and conditions in connection with such creation or redemption orders. Please refer to the Prospectus of the ETF for more details.

Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested, and are not obligations of, deposits in, guaranteed or insured by PCM or any of its subsidiaries, associates, affiliates or PDs. The value of the units and the income accruing to the units may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of the Products. There can be no assurance that investment objectives will be achieved. Any use of financial derivative instruments will be for hedging and/or for efficient portfolio management. PCM reserves the discretion to determine if currency exposure should be hedged actively, passively or not at all, in the best interest of the Products. The regular dividend distributions, out of either income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to PCM’s discretion. Past payout yields and payments do not represent future payout yields and payments. Such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Products. Please refer to <www.phillipfunds.com> for more information in relation to the dividend distributions.

The information provided herein may be obtained or compiled from public and/or third party sources that PCM has no reason to believe are unreliable. Any opinion or view herein is an expression of belief of the individual author or the indicated source (as applicable) only. PCM makes no representation or warranty that such information is accurate, complete, verified or should be relied upon as such. The information does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.

The information herein are not for any person in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or availability for use would contravene any applicable law or regulation or would subject PCM to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction or country. The Products is not offered to U.S. Persons. PhillipCapital Group of Companies, including PCM, their affiliates and/or their officers, directors and/or employees may own or have positions in the Products. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Leave a Reply