LONDON (Reuters) - BofA said on Friday that its wealth management clients further increased allocation to equities in their portfolios last week, closing in on the record levels seen in March 2015, as they prepare for stronger returns in 2021.
Investors poured $18.1 billion into equity funds in the week to Wednesday, BofA's weekly flow data showed, taking inflows in the last six weeks to a record $140 billion as major vaccine breakthroughs raised hopes that economies could move closer to normality in 2021.
The risk-on sentiment is further supported by the accommodative policies at central banks, which have been purchasing assets at $1.3 billion per hour.
"Central banks have never been this dovish at this level of asset prices and valuation," BofA said, citing soaring valuation at MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe. At 25.3 times forward earnings, the index's valuation has been hovering close to March 2000 levels.
In the week to Wednesday, emerging market stocks attracted $3.9 billion, a fifth week of large inflows as investors prepare for "the year of vaccine", according to BofA's note to clients.
The U.S. investment bank said its clients with assets under management of $2.9 trillion had allocated 61.5% to equities, just short of the 62.5% record nearly six years back.
BofA said its closely watched 'Bull & Bear' indicator -- a gauge of market sentiment -- was fast approaching "extreme bullish" levels jumping to 6.6 from 4.7 in just two weeks. The indicator runs from zero, indicating extremely bearish and "buy", to 10, signalling extremely bullish and "sell".
Some $28 billion going into cash in the latest week was another sign of caution before Christmas break.
For a graphic on RSI levels at overbought territory:
https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/buzz/qzjpqdqolvx/Pasted%20image%201607347564147.png