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HSBC Emerging Markets Sentiment Survey – No country for bears

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The last couple of months have been a proper resilience test for emerging markets (EM). The Middle East conflict and the associated surge in commodity prices – oil and gas in particular – added a fresh layer of uncertainty.

HSBC EM Sentiment Survey: ‘Cautious, not bearish’

Rising inflation risks, a sharp hawkish repricing of monetary policy, a broadly stronger US dollar and greater uncertainty around activity meant it was hardly business as usual. And yet, EM appears to have passed the test, based on the results of HSBC’s 24th EM Sentiment Survey, conducted by Survation between 5 May and 17 June (covering 101 investors from 101 institutions, and representing USD432bn of EM assets under management).

Bullish sentiment moderated to 60% from 68% in March, but, for a third consecutive survey, no respondent was bearish, leaving net sentiment at a still-elevated 60%. The details, however, are more cautious. Investors de-risked across all major EM asset classes.

HSBC GIR chart - Investors with a bullish view continue to rise

Equities remain the largest net overweight, but net positioning fell to 35% from 57%. Net positioning in EM FX more than halved to 24% from 63%, while external debt (EXD) dropped to 22% from 48%. Local currency debt (LCD) remained the weakest asset class, with net positioning deteriorating further to -32% from -21%.

Despite lighter positioning, investors did not build additional dry powder. Weighted average cash holdings edged down to 4.2% of assets under management from 4.7%, while the share of investors holding more than 10% in cash fell to zero from 15%. Looking ahead, however, intentions have turned more defensive as 37% plan to increase cash holdings, while only 18% expect to reduce them.

HSBC GIR chart - Cash holdings have dropped
In line with higher intention to hold cash, risk appetite also deteriorated sharply, with the weighted average score falling to 6.1 from 6.9. The main macro shift was a marked worsening in inflation expectations and a hawkish repricing of rates. More than 80% of respondents now expect inflation to be higher both in EM and DM over the next 12 months, while expectations for both policy rates have shifted decisively higher. No respondent expects rate cuts. In EM, 56% expect policy rates to rise over the next three months, reinforcing the view that there is very limited room for near-term easing.
HSBC GIR chart - Risk apetite has dropped
A stronger US dollar is now seen as the main downside risk to EM, cited by 29% of respondents, followed by geopolitics at 28%. On the upside, investors are increasingly focused on a narrower set of catalysts. Reallocation of capital out of the US remains the leading potential support, cited by 34%, followed by an easing of geopolitical tensions at 31%.
HSBC GIR chart - Biggest downside/upside risks
Regional preferences have also rotated. LatAm remains the only region with positive net sentiment across all asset classes. Asia is still the clear favourite for equities, while in fixed income, preferences are split: the Middle East leads for LCD, while Central and Eastern Europe stands out for EXD.
HSBC GIR chart - LatAm has positive net sentiment across all asset classes

Investors remain constructive on EM equities, with 67% expecting further gains. Confidence in relative performance has weakened, however: 52% now expect EM equities to outperform DM, down from 78%, while 27% anticipate underperformance. EM FX sentiment also softened sharply, with net appreciation expectations falling to 9% from 42%. Within fixed income, preferences have flipped decisively towards hard currency debt.

On sustainability, integration into investment decision-making continues to increase. However, investors still identify insufficient funding and a lack of clear planning as the main obstacles to achieving net zero.


HSBC GIR chart - Sustainability considerations

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