Credit Suisse to clients: Hold investments on stocks

Bloomberg

Credit Suisse Group AG, the world’s sixth-largest wealth manager, is advising clients to take a pause from investing in stocks. “We think that now is a good time to review equity portfolios, lock in some gains and protect investments,” Nannette Hechler-Fayd’herbe, the bank’s director of investment strategy and research, said in Zurich, adding that she isn’t telling clients to sell. “Generally it’s hard to predict political risks—we don’t know what it’s going to be.”
Credit Suisse’s recommendation to wealthy investors to consider portfolio allocations came ahead of a slide in stocks triggered by mounting concerns about US policy and after terrorists struck a crowded tourist street in Barcelona, killing 13 people. The worries are worsening the mood for traders after last week’s escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Credit Suisse is keeping a neutral stance on equities but voicing some concerns over its valuations: stocks should continue to rise, the bank said in a separate monthly investment letter, but “valuations seem full.” Low volatility could present an opportunity for investors to protect realised gains making use of option strategies, it said.
Volatility indices spiked recently but are still bouncing around historically low levels.