Aug 4 (Reuters) - The valuation of Asian shares surged to a
more than 10-1/2-year high in July, Refinitiv data showed, as
record-low interest rates and abundant government stimulus
helped offset worries over the economic impact of the COVID-19
pandemic.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares .MIAP00000PUS
rose 4.29% last month, recording its fourth straight monthly
gain. The index's 12-month forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio
was at 16.15, the highest since December 2009, the data showed.
Meanwhile, MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe
.MIWD00000PUS climbed 5.14% in July, lifting its P/E ratio to
19.65, the highest since at least June 2003.
Lower interest rates, stimulus support from regional
governments and retail investors' increased participation in
stock markets have bolstered the valuation of regional indexes
this year, analysts said.
Hopes that vaccines against the COVID-19 disease might be
ready by the end of the year also supported the risk-on trade in
regional markets. China's benchmark stock index .SSEC surged 10.9% in July,
recording its best monthly rise since February 2019, and topped
regional gains. Simona Gambarini, markets economist at Capital Economics,
said the higher P/E ratios of mainland China equities, which
have been driven higher by a government-sanctioned wave of
retail speculation, do not yet suggest signs of trouble.
"One reason why we wouldn't put too much emphasis on high
P/E ratios in general is that earnings are distorted by the
impact of the pandemic, which has been very large but will
probably also prove short lived," Gambarini said.
New Zealand, India and Malaysia shares were the most
expensive in the region, with P/E ratios of 32.93, 20.36 and
18.11, respectively.
Taiwan .TWII equities hit a record high of 13,031.7 in
July and gained about 9% last month, the biggest monthly rise
after China.
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Asia-Pacific equities performance in July 2020 https://tmsnrt.rs/33jTuMJ
Asia-Pacific equities performance in 2020 https://tmsnrt.rs/2BRo8So
Valuation of Asia-Pacific equities https://tmsnrt.rs/2XlN0ZX
MSCI Asia and World index PE https://tmsnrt.rs/33miyTs
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