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Long term fundamentals remain healthy

Long term fundamentals remain healthy

  • July 2026
  • By OCBC
  • 10 mins

As we position for the second half of 2026, we believe that the outlook remains constructive despite ongoing uncertainties. Disciplined asset allocation is key in the current market environment. Investors should stay diversified and focus on long-term fundamentals amid continued market volatility.

Structured Investments

The fundamentals of the AI SuperTrend remain constructive, as compute demand took off in the first four months of the year 2026 and quadrupled. Semiconductor share prices continued to outperform other technology segments, supported by chip supply constraints and upward revisions in hyperscalers’ capital expenditure to new highs. Initial concerns that the US-Iran conflict could disrupt semiconductor production did not materialise. However, the strong momentum since April may indicate stretched positioning and suggests some caution on entry points, particularly as geopolitical uncertainty persists. That said, the cybersecurity space appears relatively more resilient, as AI could provide tailwinds and play a complementary role. High-performance enterprise technology companies, such as Arista Networks and Palo Alto Networks, stand to benefit from AI-driven enhancements to workflows and productivity.

Arista Networks is a technology leader in high-speed switching for enterprise networking. Arista’s software gives it a structural and durable competitive advantage over competitors in winning new customers, both in the cloud and in the enterprise. We believe Arista will see durably high growth from surging spending towards artificial intelligence. AI networks require the highest speeds available to train and infer upon models using many GPU clusters talking to each other. We believe that Arista’s strong position in high-speed switching will make it a meaningful beneficiary of AI spending.

Palo Alto Networks is a leader in cybersecurity, with platforms spanning network security, cloud security, and security operations. The firm stands to materially benefit from secular tailwinds across its three key end-markets – as cloud migrations, the shift to zero-trust security, and increased automation in cybersecurity, increase Palo Alto’s value proposition to its clients. The firm’s sticky platforms, combined with the broad range of its cybersecurity solutions, have helped Palo Alto build a wide economic moat around its business. The firm’s success in cross-selling to existing/new customers – its three security platforms spanning network, cloud, and security operations, is evidence of vendor consolidation - a trend that we think is likely to continue.

Bonds Research Highlights

Lenovo Group Ltd (USD)

This bond pays a coupon of 3.421% p.a. with maturity date on 2 November 2030. Lenovo is a leading global technology company and the world’s largest PC manufacturer. Established in 1984 in Beijing under the name “Legend,” the company transformed into a multinational industry leader following its acquisition of IBM’s Personal Computing Division in 2005. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), Lenovo accounted for approximately 25% of global PC shipments in 2025, maintaining its leading position ahead of HP and Dell, which held 19% and 16% market share, respectively.

Research summary:

  • Lenovo Group Ltd’s ongoing AI transformation is expected to support its US$100 billion revenue goal within two years, while also enhancing operating margins. These developments, coupled with continued financial discipline, are supportive of its credit profile. However, this is partly tempered by persistent memory shortages affecting PCs and smartphones, as well as elevated geopolitical risks.
  • The company enjoyed strong 4QFY2026, with overall core profitability before tax, depreciation and amortisation up 29.5% year-on-year, fuelled by record PC shipments and AI momentum. A material improvement in free cash flow returned Lenovo to a net cash position of US$242 million.
  • There is potential for further balance sheet improvement, as US$2.6 billion of convertible bonds, accounting for almost 60% of total debt, are currently deep-in-the-money and likely to be converted into equity. Management maintained an upbeat AI driven outlook, reiterating its goal to reach US$100 billion revenue within two years, implying a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) while preserving margins.
  • Key downside risks include tariffs, geopolitical tensions, supply chain volatility, and large cash outlays for major acquisitions.

Source: OCBC Group Research. The Information is provided to you as an “Accredited Investor” (defined under the Securities and Futures Act of Singapore and the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018). If you would like to access the full research report on this bond, please reach out to your Client Advisor.

Funds

Multi-asset Funds

Lion-Bank of Singapore CIO Supertrends Multi Asset Fund

The Lion-BOS CIO Supertrends Multi Asset Fund is a multi-asset strategy that aims to provide income and long-term capital growth by investing in a diversified portfolio of asset classes including global equities, ETFs, global bonds, the writing of equity covered call options and other collective investment schemes. Guided by research from Bank of Singapore’s award-winning Chief Investment Office, the fund takes a rigorous research-based approach to identify quality companies within equities and fixed income with resilient business models and robust fundamentals. The fund also has distribution share classes for investors looking for dividend income.

Schroder ISF Multi-Asset Growth and Income Fund

The Schroder ISF Multi-Asset Growth and Income Fund aims to provide capital growth and income over a three-to-five-year period after fees have been deducted by investing in a diversified range of assets and markets worldwide. The fund has distribution share classes for investors looking for a combination of capital growth and income.

PIMCO Balanced Income & Growth Fund

The PIMCO Balanced Income & Growth Fund is a global multi-sector strategy that seeks to combine PIMCO’s total return investment process and philosophy with income maximisation. The portfolio construction is founded on the principle of diversification across a broad range of equity and global fixed income securities. The fund has a historical annualised dividend yield of 6.83% p.a.

Note: Past performance figures do not reflect future performance. Dividend figures are from Bloomberg, as of 30 June 2026.

Bond Funds

Amundi Funds Asia Bond Income Responsible

The Amundi Funds Asia Bond Income Responsible is an Asian fixed income fund that seeks to increase the value of investors’ investment (through income and capital growth), and outperform the benchmark, over the recommended holding period, while achieving an ESG score greater than that of its investment universe.

PIMCO GIS Income Fund

The PIMCO GIS Income Fund is designed for investors who seek steady income with a secondary goal of capital appreciation. It takes a broad-based approach to investing in income-generating bonds. The fund aims to achieve this by employing PIMCO’s best income-generating ideas across global fixed income sectors. The fund has a historical annualised dividend yield of 6.78% p.a.

Note: Past performance figures do not reflect future performance. Dividend figures are from Bloomberg, as of 30 June 2026.

M&G (Lux) Optimal Income

The M&G (Lux) Optimal Income Fund is a global bond fund that aims to provide a combination of capital growth and income to deliver a return based on exposure to optimal income streams in investment markets, while applying environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The fund has a historical annualised dividend yield of 5.66% p.a.

Note: Past performance figures do not reflect future performance. Dividend figures are from Bloomberg, as of 30 June 2026.

Equity Funds

M&G (Lux) Asian Fund

The M&G (Lux) Asian Fund is an Asian equity fund that aims to provide combined income and capital growth that is higher than that of the Asia (ex Japan) stock market (as measured by the MSCI All Country Asia Pacific ex Japan Net Return Index) over any five-year period, while applying environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.

Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund

The Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund is a global equity fund that aims to achieve income combined with long-term capital growth. It invests at least two-thirds of its assets in equities and equity-related securities of companies. To increase the overall level of income generated, a small portion of investments are held for short periods of time to capture regular dividends that are paid along with one-off or special dividends from companies.

Currencies

Rising hawkish Fed risks have led us to shift our outlook from a rangebound US Dollar (USD) to one of modest appreciation. At the same time, strong AI-driven equity performance is attracting capital back into US markets. We now forecast 2%–3% USD appreciation by end-2026, revising our end-2026 EURUSD target to 1.11 (from 1.18) and USDJPY to 163 (from 155).

The Singapore Dollar (SGD) should continue to outperform many regional peers, supported by its lower-beta characteristics and the MAS's relatively tighter policy stance. That said, it is not insulated from broader USD strength, rising US Treasury yields, or weaker regional risk sentiment. As such, there may be scope for USDSGD to move higher in the near term if the USD remains firm and US yields continue to rise.