Stock price when the opinion was issued
An Asian pure-play in insurance. The overall Asian market was down last year. They achieved all their growth goals in the past year, though. They will benefit from long-term secular trends in Asia. He expects good penetration rates in China where the middle is growing, so PRU is well-positioned. Today, he heard that Sun-Life is taking a trip to China to learn about that market.
Currently there has been a ratcheting higher of expectations for a rate increase, which would be positive for financials. People think a higher rate will push the yield curve on the short end higher, which should reflect higher inflation expectations in the out years, lifting the long end of the curve. There is a feeling that everyone is currently dramatically underweight on financials. There is probably some short term life to financials. Doesn’t feel rates are going to go high quickly. He holds a neutral to bearish views on financials.