EquitiesFirst and Institutional Investor Launch New Regional Reports Providing Equity Markets Outlooks for Asia Pacific, Europe and North America

Revealing divergent expectations across regional institutional investors with stark divide in anticipated volatility between the East and West

• 82% of institutional investors in North America and Europe foresee volatility increase, compared to only 54% in Asia Pacific
• Investors in Asia Pacific much more concerned about trade relations, tariffs and geopolitical tensions than elsewhere 
• Energy worries far more prominent among investors in Europe, while North American investors are more preoccupied with cyber-attacks

HONG KONG, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A collection of newly released regional reports from EquitiesFirst, the global equities-based financing specialist, in partnership with business-to-business publisher Institutional Investor, reveals key differences in the expectations and strategies of equity investors focused on Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. The reports, produced as part of EquitiesFirst's 20^th anniversary research program, mark the latest milestone in a research partnership which previously published a landmark global study on the outlook for equity markets in May 2023.

Though there is scant divergence in the mean return expectations of equity investors across Asia Pacific (6%), Europe (5.7%) and North America (5.9%), the regional reports revealed a stark divide in anticipated market volatility between East and West. In North America and Europe, 82% of investors expect volatility will increase either somewhat or substantially over the next year-and-a-half, compared to only 54% in Asia Pacific. Moreover, a significantly higher share in Europe (36%) anticipated a substantial increase than in North America (21%).

The reports contain several other valuable market-focused insights, derived by applying EquitiesFirst's thought leadership in financial innovation and the extensive research capabilities of Institutional Investor's Custom Research Lab to capture and distil the views of more than 300 CIOs, portfolio managers and other investment decision-makers at global financial institutions.

Key regional variations and nuance that should help inform investment decisions were highlighted in the reports. Among these are notable differences in where the biggest expected risks to equity markets in each region lie.

Key findings include:

• Trade and geopolitical tensions weigh on Asia Pacific: Investors focused on Asia Pacific (60%) are much more likely to see trade relations and tariffs as having a major impact on equity markets over the next 18 months than those in North America and Europe. They are also much more concerned about cross-strait relations, while those in Europe are preoccupied with war in Ukraine. Those in Europe are preoccupied with war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, in North America, cyber-attacks on governments and companies by rogue actors are a bigger concern than elsewhere.
• Energy concerns high on European investors' minds: Investors in Europe are far and away the most anxious about energy cost and availability. Just 6% of investors in Asia Pacific and 3% in North America ranked this as a macroeconomic factor likely to have the greatest impact on equity markets, compared to over 70% in Europe. Those concerns are linked to uncertainty about how the war in Ukraine will affect access to natural gas and other hydrocarbons across the continent.
• Strong preference for smart beta strategies in North America: Investors in North America showed the greatest preference for smart beta strategies based on well-known, transparent quantitative factors, with 74% picking them as one of two groups of strategies likely to be most effective in delivering high returns for equity allocations over the next two years. In Europe and Asia Pacific, 70% and 60% of investors, respectively, said the same.

"Our work with EquitiesFirst reveals important distinctions in institutional investors' views around the world," said Mr Sam Knox, Managing Director of Institutional Investor's Custom Research Lab. "Investors focused on various regions diverge in their assessment of the geopolitical and other factors that will drive equities in their market of focus. However, regardless of their markets, all investors tend to call for active strategies in inefficient emerging and small-cap markets and smart-beta strategies in efficient, highly liquid developed markets." 

"One thing that was consistent across Asia and other regions was the near universal belief of global diversification. Armed with the insights in these reports, we hope investors will be better able to assess the diverging opportunities and risks across regions. Once they have decided on a course of action, equities-based financing can provide them with a flexible, cost-effective and stable form of capital to move quickly into new positions and diversify portfolios," said Mr Gordon Crosbie-Walsh, EquitiesFirst's Chief Executive Officer, Asia.

"Investors in Australia and everywhere remain concerned about the trajectory and timing of tighter monetary policy led by the US and other developed markets. Liquidity is at a premium in light of high interest rates and prevailing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties. At times like these, we continue to help numerous clients manage their capital requirements as the value of their portfolio changes," said Mr Mitchell Hopwood, EquitiesFirst's Chief Executive Officer, Australia.

"Given widespread expectations of increased volatility not only in Europe but across all other regions globally, equities-based financing can provide investors a powerful tool to monetize their long-term shareholdings and put a floor under valuations. It is a low-cost, flexible funding to help investors pursue new opportunities while maintaining the upside potential from their underlying holdings," said Mr James Mungovan, EquitiesFirst's Chief Executive Officer, Europe. 

The regional reports for Asia Pacific, Europe and North America are now available on EquitiesFirst's website.

About Equities First Holdings

Founded in 2002, EquitiesFirst is a global investor specializing in long-term equities-based financing. EquitiesFirst's approach overcomes traditional limitations and redefines the financing experience through providing efficient access to capital for listed companies, entrepreneurs and investors against publicly traded securities. The total value of loans transacted is more than US$4.5 billion as of January 2023.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, USA, EquitiesFirst maintains an international footprint of twelve offices in eight countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, China (Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing), South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Australia (Sydney, Perth and Melbourne). EquitiesFirst is licensed and/or registered in all jurisdictions where required.

EquitiesFirst is the pioneer of Progressive Capital – a partnership approach to investment, rooted in respect, mutual interest and understanding. EquitiesFirst delivers liquidity solutions that are vital, transformative and move partners forward.

For more information, please visit www.equitiesfirst.com/.

About Institutional Investor

For more than 50 years, Institutional Investor has consistently distinguished itself as the world's foremost financial publication and event producer for global institutional investors. By leveraging Institutional Investor, exclusive memberships, forums, industry benchmarks, award-winning content, and custom research, Institutional Investor is the essential hub for the world's financial decision-makers. 

Institutional Investor's Custom Research Lab works with clients in the asset management, professional services, and technology industries to develop insightful primary research on asset markets, portfolio management, and investment decision making.

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