KKR Releases New Macro Report Discussing the “Shifting Landscape” in China and Japan Back to Press Releases

KKR Releases New Macro Report Discussing the “Shifting Landscape” in China and Japan

October 12, 2015

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR today released Thoughts from the Road: A Shifting Landscape, a new report analyzing key investment-related issues in China and Japan.

“Looking at the big picture, our key conclusion from the trip is that the slowdown we are seeing in China is secular, not cyclical,” Henry McVey, Head of Global Macro and Asset Allocation, said. “Given that China is expected to account for at least one-third of global GDP growth this year, this insight has important implications for global trade, monetary policy, and inflation expectations. It also means that the recent surge in consumer and corporate credit across many emerging market countries could — ultimately — act as the primary catalyst for the next global economic downturn.”

In the piece, Henry McVey and his team cite several key takeaways:

  • China is in structural slowdown mode, as excess debt and capacity now weigh on profits, not just GDP. Slowing Chinese GDP data seems to garner all the headlines these days, but after our most recent trip, we think the focus should be on trends in corporate profits.
  • Japan is no longer just a macro story; focus on the micro too. The positive macro story in Japan is – on the margin – waning. As such, we think primarily just those companies that are actively shedding assets and/or returning cash to shareholders will outperform handily from current levels.
  • Overall, Asia is in somewhat of a funk. Our trip reconfirmed our thesis that many EM Asia countries recently redirected their economies — potentially at just the wrong time — to take advantage of what they thought would be ongoing strength in China’s economy. However, with China’s growth now stalling amid lower commodity prices and weak inbound trade, many EM countries are now enduring weaker than expected growth, bigger deficits, and heightened political tensions.

Links to access the full report as well as an archive of our previous publications follow:

  • To read the latest Thoughts from the Road, visit KKR’s web site.
  • Click the following link to download a PDF version.
  • Click the following link for an archive of previous publications.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world‐class people, and driving growth and value creation at the asset level. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners’ capital and brings opportunities to others through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com on Twitter @KKR_Co.

The views expressed herein are the personal views of Henry McVey of KKR and do not necessarily reflect the views of KKR. This information is not research and should not be treated as research. References to a target portfolio and allocations of such a portfolio refer to a hypothetical allocation of assets and not an actual portfolio. Such views and discussion of any target portfolio or allocation do not represent valuation judgments with respect to any financial instrument, issuer, security or sector that may be described or referenced herein, do not represent a formal or official view of KKR, and may not be reflected in the strategies and products that KKR offers or invests, including strategies and products to which Mr. McVey provides investment advice to or on behalf of KKR. Such information is being provided merely to provide a framework to assist in the implementation of an investor’s own analysis and an investor’s own views on the topic discussed herein. There can be no assurance that an investment strategy will be successful. Historic market trends are not reliable indicators of actual future market behavior or future performance of any particular investment which may differ materially, and should not be relied upon as such. This information should not be viewed as a current or past recommendation or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements. Neither Mr. McVey nor KKR assumes any duty to update such statements.

Media
KKR
Kristi Huller, +1 212-230-9722
Kristi.huller@kkr.com

Source: KKR & Co. L.P.



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