Investing.com-- Fund managers in Asia are showing renewed optimism on the region’s markets, with sentiment on China improving and allocations to Japan remaining at record highs, according to Bank of America’s (BofA) latest Asia Fund Manager Survey.
The survey found that 84% of participants expect Asia-Pacific equities, excluding Japan, to gain over the next 12 months, up from previous months.
While investors remain cautious about China’s economy, BofA analysts noted a shift in sentiment, with allocations to Chinese equities reaching a two-year high.
A third of respondents signaled plans to increase exposure to China on signs of policy easing.
Japan remained the top market choice, with strong expectations for economic growth and corporate earnings, according to BofA.
Taiwan ranked as the second-most favored market, while support for Indian equities fell to a two-year low, analysts said.
“While investors are essentially unmoved in their reservations about China’s economy, they are slowly embracing risks with the preference for AI/Semis theme shooting up to a survey-high” BofA analysts wrote.
In sector preferences, technology and telecom stocks saw increased interest, while real estate and materials lagged, analysts said.
Among key themes, artificial intelligence and semiconductors led in China, while infrastructure and consumption remained priorities in India.
The survey, conducted from Feb. 7-13, polled 205 fund managers overseeing $482 billion in assets.