Investing like a recession is coming makes no sense: strategist

Investing like a recession is coming makes no sense: strategist

Time for a touch of optimism.

Recession concerns may be on the rise (see Google search trends below) thanks to soaring inflation, rising gas prices and an unpredictable conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but that doesn't mean building out an all defensive stock portfolio is the correct move, warns veteran JPMorgan market strategist Mislav Matejka.

"We think it is wrong to position for a recession given still extremely favorable financing conditions, very strong labour markets, under-leveraged consumer, strong corporate cash flows and banks’ strong balance sheets. The sector leadership remains risk-on, and it is not consistent with a continued slowdown," Matejka said in a new note to clients.