Standard Chartered: Overweight Technology and Communication Services, Underweight Consumer Staples in H2

Odaily Planet Daily News Standard Chartered Bank has released its Global Market Outlook for the second half of 2026. In China, given the potential for overall market valuation re-rating, Standard Chartered has shifted to a more risk-on stance. Regarding allocation recommendations, the Technology and Communication Services sector remains overweight, primarily benefiting from an increased domestic rate of chip self-sufficiency and the continued advancement of AI commercialization. The Healthcare sector has been downgraded to neutral due to limited earnings visibility. Consumer Staples has been downgraded to underweight for similar reasons. The Utilities sector has been upgraded to neutral, benefiting from improved electricity demand and policy support.

Globally, in the second half of 2026, investors will have to navigate a shifting landscape involving energy prices, equity supply, investor positioning, and central bank policies. Standard Chartered anticipates that risk assets will continue to find support in a soft-landing macroeconomic environment. (21st Century Business Herald)