Be Globally Diversified
In an interconnected world, global diversification is your shield against geopolitical uncertainties. Spread your investments wisely to safeguard your portfolio.
Investing insights from Chief Investment Officer Mike Miller for Community Foundations, Endowments, and other not-for-profit fiduciaries, leaders, and stakeholders.
We believe that the best investments are made based on firsthand knowledge. Being on the ground allows us to read between the lines of market trends to see what local investors are seeing.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and into the Asian arena provided us with a valuable outside perspective beyond the headlines. Fresh insights and diverse viewpoints enrich our fundamental understanding.
Networking in this dynamic environment has opened doors to invaluable partnerships and collaborations, giving us a competitive edge in navigating these markets.
The challenge is sifting through the noise.
Despite the complexity of US/China relations and the capital flight experienced since the pandemic, questions on whether the country/region is “investable” quickly lose merit once on the ground. Many of those who left Hong Kong are coming back, attracted by its robust infrastructure, business-friendly policies, and a well-regulated financial sector.
Chinese markets are struggling as explosive growth slows partly due to the sheer size of the country—slower growth being ultimately inevitable—and partly due to the strict regulatory regime imposed by the Chinese government. However, certain signs suggest a potential regulatory easing on the horizon; this could breathe new life into investment opportunities, as growth appears to remain the country’s top priority.
Asia is no longer a monolith; each country has its own role. It's a mosaic of diverse economies, each with its own unique potential. Having insightful, aligned partners at their doorstep is key to gaining early and transparent access.
In the midst of this diversity, many assets in Asia remain attractively priced, providing a promising entry point for astute investors.
The playbook from the boom years is not likely to work anytime soon. Investors who rode the wave of past game changers—JD.com, Tencent, Alibaba, etc.—may not have the toolkit, mindset, strategy, or capital base to succeed in the new era.
Plenty of opportunity still exists—for example, buying relatively inexpensive Chinese businesses that exhibit the following:
Such names can generate very compelling returns over time, both in absolute terms and relative to US/global cap-weighted indices, which rely on the “greater fool” theory for valuation.
Of course, geopolitical risks are a reality that cannot be ignored. It's imperative to acknowledge their presence and incorporate strategies to mitigate their impact on your investments.
However, for example, while China has and will continue to exert increasing control in Hong Kong, the government also wants the region to remain a bridge to the rest of the world; the fact that the country is in the midst of a massive airport expansion is a clear and direct sign of how the country views Hong Kong.
Nevertheless, we believe it is important to be clear-eyed when assessing these potential pitfalls:
In an interconnected world, global diversification is your shield against geopolitical uncertainties. Spread your investments wisely to safeguard your portfolio.
Carefully assess the size of your exposures to regions and industries vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. A prudent approach can minimize risks without sacrificing potential returns.
Understanding a nation's long-term priorities can provide valuable insights. Align your investments with countries whose policies beneficially align with invested industries, and avoid or mitigate exposure to the opposite.
Ultimately, knowledge is the key to success, especially knowledge gained from embedded local players that intimately understand their markets and areas of expertise. Coupling this with an approach grounded on the fundamental laws of finance, prioritizing diversification alongside attractively priced and out-of-favor securities, allows for smart investments able to generate outsized returns in otherwise complex regions.
Based on our recent investigation of Hong Kong and Japan, we believe the opportunities available from these two regions hold immense promise and return potential for savvy, responsible investors.
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Crewcial Partners LLC is a Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment advisor. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed here.