Where to Invest in 2008?

Consider this - the US economy has slowed down from a quarterly annualized growth rate of 3-4% to about 1% in Q4 2007. With all my due respects to Larry Kudlow & company, I would bet safely that we are clearly facing the start of a period of economic slowdown in the US. If markets behave the way they usually do, here's my prognosis for 2008:

1. The US housing market would face prolonged slowdown atleast till end of Q3 2008. With more ARMs resetting over the next few quarters, subsequent delinquencies and further write-downs of bank Level 3/sub-prime assets as home prices continue to fall, there's enough negative momentum left for another 2-3 quarters.
2. Negative fall-out from the housing market will impact consumer spending in a bigger way in Q1 and Q2 2008. Consumer spending (accounts for 2/3rd of Gross GDP) slowdown will eventually affect corporate spending and capex, and the job market by Q2 2008. We should expect to see job market contraction around late Q1-mid Q2 2008.
3. Despite the magnified effect of the housing market on th eeconomy, global economic factors (continued growth in Europe, Asia & Japan) would help the US to avoid a recession next year. This would mean sustained 1-2% growth numbers for most of 2008.
4. Emerging markets, primarily India & China, would face significant stock market corrections around Q3 2008. Slow down in US growth will eventually affect certain sectors in these economies, forcing corrections in market valuations. Market PE in India, for example, would drop from ~22s to ~18-19 in the medium term.

What does this all mean - where to invest & where NOT to invest in 2008? [Stocks, Bonds, Real Estate....]

US STOCKS

• Contrary to perception, the US financial services sector will infact MODERATELY OUTPERFORM the market in 2008. Most of the negative news has already been factored in, and any positive news would create significant upsides. Stocks to watch for significant gains: Citigroup (C - far more resilient due to global presence. Sub-prime write-down impact has been over-played by the market. Expect Vikram Pandit to take some drastic steps to address operational efficiency issues), E*Trade (ETFC - Inherent strength of the original business model will help hold customers. It's fire-sale of high-risk assets to Citadel will cushion earnings impact for the next 2-3 quarters and help ride over the current crisis). However, in this sector, you need to have a 6-12 month time horizon for Q1 investments!
• Oil, Heavy Engineering, Automobile stocks will face significant pressure as the slow-down spreads to the broader economy. Avoid CAT, XOM.
• Technology stocks including darlings like AAPL, MSFT will face pressure by Q2 2008 due to broader economy slow down - their continued strength in Q4 2007 is more due to lag effects associated with a slow down than anything else!
• Commodity stocks (notable - Goldcorp:GG) MIGHT see significant gains over the next 4-8 quarters. However, the recent bull run in these segments will force near-term corrections. So, get in only after a significant correction - and only if you thrive in volatility!
• As in any slowdown scenario, staple-consumer and pharma stocks will hold strong. Notables - JNJ, BMY, KO, PG.

OTHER INVESTMENTS

• As you would have figured by now, stay OUT of the US housing market (from an investment perspective) till end of Q3 2008. We should see the bottom by late 2008, though it will be a slow climb up from there!
• Avoid increased exposure to emerging market stocks and funds. As mentioned above, these markets would be negative-to-neutral on an annual basis in 2008, and will face significant medium term corrections. An interesting pick - Indian offshore providers (INFY, WIT, CTSH) will have positive momentum as rupee appreciation is contained in 2008 (~5%) and US economic slowdown pushes more offshoring to India and China.
• The real estate sector correction in US & ripple effects on the global economy will force corrections to real estate market in emerging market economies (India being a notable example). However, we will see continued growth in Tier II/III business centers in these economies, as businesses relocate and overall demand remains stable/upward.
• As the US economy slows down and its ripple effect on the global economy starts felt by Q3-Q4 2008, there will be a continued flight of money to safer quasi-sovereign investments. Expect to see abnormal returns on high-grade bond investments (treasuries, high-grade munis, AAA corporate etc) over the second half of 2008 and extending well in to 2009, as even emerging market and European economies are forced to cut benchmark rates to push continued growth. Try parking some money in income funds with a heavy focus on high-grade paper.

"As in everything, investing is an art & we learn more as we know more."

More to follow....stay with me to track markets as we step in to a brand new year!