A total of 207 fund managers, managing a total of $589bn, participated in the global survey from March 5 to March 11. A total of 165 managers, managing $403bn, participated in the regional surveys.
The survey was conducted by BofA Merrill Lynch Research with the help of market research company TNS. Through its international network in more than 50 countries, TNS provides market information services in over 80 countries to national and multi-national organizations.
Reportedly, after weakened sentiment in February, investors have restored their faith in equities with a net 46% of asset allocators saying they are overweight the asset class, up from 33% the previous month. Cash positions have fallen with respondents at a net neutral cash allocation compared with a net 12% underweight in February.
However, asset allocators have retrenched from Europe. A net 21% are underweight European equities this month, up sharply from a net 2% overweight in January.
The change in favor of US equities has been similar. A net 19% of asset allocators are overweight US equities this month, up from just 1% in January.
Japan is also regaining popularity. A net 6% of allocators are overweight Japanese equities, the most bullish reading since August 2007, and up from a net 10% underweight in January.
Global investors believe that the corporate outlook is better away from Europe. A net 40% of the panel says the outlook for eurozone corporate profits is the least favorable of all regions.
Survey finds that against a backdrop of concerns over public sector deficits, investors are showing greater bearishness about the macroeconomic outlook, but greater bullishness about companies.
The net number of European fund managers predicting growth in their own economy over the coming 12 months has fallen to 45%, down from 72% in January, according to the Regional Fund Manager Survey.
While European sentiment might have been expected to weaken, a similar fall in optimism is also evident among US investors. A net 43% forecast growth in the American economy over the next 12 months, down from a net 76% in January.
Investors in both regions have stronger belief in earnings growth. A net 60% of European respondents predict improved earnings in the coming 12 months, an increase of 11% on February. Their colleagues in the US are more positive with a net 72% forecasting earnings growth, up from a net 52% in February.
US and European investors have significantly scaled back their cash allocations. A net 9% of the European panel is overweight cash this month, down from 26% in February. The corresponding numbers for US investors are a net 8% in March and 19% in February.
Inflation expectations have fallen further, and investors are seeing rate hikes as less likely. The net percentage of the global panel expecting inflation to increase in the next year has fallen to 34% from 46% in February and 61% in January.
European investors have sharply scaled back their expectations of a rate hike by the European Central Bank (ECB) before October 2010. An 85% of European respondents are ruling out a hike before the fourth quarter, up from only 45% in February.
Survey report said that the global panel views change in monetary policy as less of a threat to macroeconomic stability. Less than half of respondents (48%) describe monetary policy as an ‘above normal’ risk, compared with 55% in February. A net 58% of global investors expect long-term interest rates to increase, compared with a net 65% in February.
