Frank Benzimra

"It's a diversifier... today is not only the low beta to the global market, but it is also what you see in the technology sector, especially this localization of the supply chain." With global markets experiencing high volatility and sell-offs due to oil shocks, Chinese equities are acting as a stable haven. Their low foreign ownership, stable currency, and domestic policy support make them an attractive portfolio diversifier that is insulated from Western macro shocks. LONG. Chinese equities offer a rare uncorrelated return stream and downside protection during the current geopolitical and energy-driven market turbulence. Renewed US-China trade tensions (tariffs) or a deeper domestic property sector contraction.

Japan is a bullish call because of strong earnings growth and a diversified market structure that is not overly concentrated in cyclical names. The banking sector and other sectors are well represented, offering a more stable play compared to highly concentrated markets like Korea.

"What we see today is a recovery which is being delayed with the price of oil putting some pressure on the currency and foreign outflow to continue." India is a massive net importer of crude oil. Sustained high energy prices will widen its current account deficit, pressure the Rupee, and stoke imported inflation, leading to near-term underperformance and foreign capital flight from Indian equities. SHORT. The macro environment for oil-importing emerging markets is highly toxic right now, making Indian equities vulnerable to a significant correction. Oil prices collapse quickly, or the Indian central bank successfully defends the currency while maintaining strong domestic growth.