By Gaurav Dogra and Patturaja Murugaboopathy
April 2 (Reuters) - Asian equities valuations dropped to
lowest since December 2018 at the end of March, following
accelerated selling of regional shares by global investors on
worries that extended factory shutdowns would lead to depressed
profits this year.
The 12-month forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, for
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares .MIAP00000PUS ,
fell to 11.79 at end-March, compared to 14.19 at the end of last
year, according to Refinitiv data.
By Wednesday's close, the index was 23.5% lower from its
January high of 175.13.
Many corporations are warning about a hit to their earnings
this year as the virus outbreak has disrupted supply chains and
business activities around the world. Price valuations of Indonesia, Philippines, India and
Vietnam shares have fallen sharply this year, the data showed.
At the end of March, South Korea, China and Vietnam shares
were the cheapest in the region, with P/E multiples of 8.89,
8.94 and 9.06, respectively.
On the other hand, New Zealand shares were the most
expensive, with a P/E ratio of 23.72.
Victor Carlström, chairman of investment firm Vinacossa
Enterprises, said he would wait for some more weeks before
buying Asian shares despite valuations being very attractive.
"If I had already sold, I would definitely not buy back
before we have the facts," Carlström said.
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MSCI Asia and World Index's PE IMAGE https://reut.rs/39uyv9C
Valuation of Asian equities IMAGE https://reut.rs/2X3U0eK
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