Survey Finds Risk Appetite at Highest Point Since April 2006

Double-Dip Recession Fears Fade; Investors See Brighter Corporate Profits on Horizon - Shift from Cash to Equities

NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 14 -- Investors' risk appetite has reached its highest point in more than three years amid continued optimism about the prospects for a global economic recovery and rising corporate profits, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Survey of Fund Managers for October.

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Investors are increasingly confident that the threat of a double-dip recession is waning. A net 65 percent of respondents believe a global recession is unlikely in the next 12 months, up from 47 percent a month earlier. A net 72 percent of respondents believe the outlook for corporate profits will improve in the next year, up from 68 percent a month earlier.

The survey also shows asset allocators shifting out of cash and into equities as risk appetite grows. Their cash positions are at their lowest level since January 2004. A net 7 percent of respondents are underweight cash in October, compared to a net 10 percent overweight a month earlier. A net 38 percent of panelists are overweight equities, up from 27 percent in September. Technology, Energy, Materials and Industrials are the favored sectors for asset allocators in October with investors still shying away from financial stocks.

"Equities remain in a sweet spot: fears of a double-dip have receded, while worries about inflation and monetary tightening are not imminent enough to prevent an October surge in risk appetite," said Michael Hartnett, chief global equity strategist at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research.

Investors seeing value in Europe hits eight-year high

Asset allocators are showing a growing conviction that global corporate profits will post double digit earnings growth, the survey shows. A net 39 percent of panelists think profits will rise by at least 10 percent in the next 12 months, up from just 25 percent in September.

Optimism about Europe is pronounced in the October survey. A net 30 percent of global portfolio managers see eurozone equities as undervalued relative to other regions, the highest reading since April 2001. A net 9 percent of panelists want to overweight the region in the next 12 months, up from 7 percent last month. This contrasts with Japan, which a net 20 percent of investors regard as the least attractive region a year ahead.

The change in sentiment coincides with a shift in investors' appetite for European financials. Investors are overweight European banks for the first time since June 2007, courtesy of greater confidence in bank balance sheets and profitability trends.

"Europe is emerging phoenix-like from the ashes as confidence in its banks boosts overall confidence in European equities," said Gary Baker, head of European equity strategy at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research.

Chinese confidence rebounds: U.S. dollar confidence sinks

Confidence in the prospects for the Chinese economy and emerging markets in general remains robust. A net 49 percent of respondents think China's economy will strengthen in the next 12 months, up from 35 percent in September. A net 36 percent of respondents also said they would most like to overweight emerging markets in the next year.

Continuing weakness in the U.S. dollar has resulted in a growing number of respondents who believe the dollar is undervalued. A net 20 percent of panelists regard the currency as undervalued, compared to one percent a month earlier. Japan's economic outlook is marked by a growing number of asset allocators who view the yen as overvalued. A net 34 percent of respondents believe it is overvalued, compared to just 21 percent last month.

"Confidence in Chinese growth has rebounded but worries over a U.S. dollar crisis are on the rise. The dollar is seen as undervalued and the yen as very overvalued, suggesting that central bank intervention in currency markets in coming months could soon prove successful," said Michael Hartnett.

A total of 229 fund managers, managing a total of US$616 billion, participated in the global survey from 2 October to 8 October. A total of 195 managers, managing US$384 billion, participated in the regional surveys. The survey was conducted by BofA Merrill Lynch Global 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. It is ranked as the fourth-largest market information group in the world.

Source: Bank of America