Equity fund flows positive for fifth month, market broadening expected – Barclays By Investing.com

Barclays strategists said Wednesday that equity fund flows have remained positive for the fifth consecutive month in March amid sustained cash deployment and increased retail investor activity.

The strategists note that the low volatility in the markets, along with a trend-driven approach, has further attracted systematic investors toward equities. According to their analysis, these investors’ positions in the market are now appearing to be quite saturated.

On the other hand, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) have slightly reduced their previously elevated equity positions while discretionary investors, including Long/Short Hedge Funds and Mutual Funds, continue to maintain lighter equity positions than typically observed.

Meanwhile, cash continues to be the frontrunner with the highest year-to-date inflows, but its momentum appears to be slowing, Barclays noted.

“With central banks apparently itching to cut, rotation to risk assets is under way,” strategists said.

“Rate cuts help bonds, and QT taper is coming, but bond issuance is likely to stay high, and we believe a shallow cutting cycle owing to resilient growth means bonds’ attractiveness will be limited,” they added.

However, in the near term, bonds might be favored over equities due to quarter-end rebalancing.

On the equity front, the bank’s team is optimistic.

Resilient earnings fundamentals, combined with the anticipated easing cycle by central banks, are expected to rejuvenate equity flows and broaden performance across sectors.

They also suggest that a shift in market leadership away from U.S. technology and quality stocks “could provide a healthy broadening outward and may even give the bull market legs,” strategists said.

Barclays strategists said Wednesday that equity fund flows have remained positive for the fifth consecutive month in March amid sustained cash deployment and increased retail investor activity.

The strategists note that the low volatility in the markets, along with a trend-driven approach, has further attracted systematic investors toward equities. According to their analysis, these investors’ positions in the market are now appearing to be quite saturated.

On the other hand, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) have slightly reduced their previously elevated equity positions while discretionary investors, including Long/Short Hedge Funds and Mutual Funds, continue to maintain lighter equity positions than typically observed.

Meanwhile, cash continues to be the frontrunner with the highest year-to-date inflows, but its momentum appears to be slowing, Barclays noted.

“With central banks apparently itching to cut, rotation to risk assets is under way,” strategists said.

“Rate cuts help bonds, and QT taper is coming, but bond issuance is likely to stay high, and we believe a shallow cutting cycle owing to resilient growth means bonds’ attractiveness will be limited,” they added.

However, in the near term, bonds might be favored over equities due to quarter-end rebalancing.

On the equity front, the bank’s team is optimistic.

Resilient earnings fundamentals, combined with the anticipated easing cycle by central banks, are expected to rejuvenate equity flows and broaden performance across sectors.

They also suggest that a shift in market leadership away from U.S. technology and quality stocks “could provide a healthy broadening outward and may even give the bull market legs,” strategists said.