Some Big Predictions From UBS As Bank's Global Roadshow Rocks On

Tom King

17 January 2014

While there were celebrities and plenty of razzmatazz to wow the audience here in Singapore, some stark predictions from economists proved to be some of the most eye-catching moments at the latest leg of a global UBS roadshow.

Set in the sumptuous ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel, more than 1,000 ultra high net worth clients of the Swiss banking giant were pampered, informed and then well nourished. This was part of the Singapore segment of the bank’s Wealth Insights tour.

Earlier this week, in China, split the UBS experts who see the yen falling to ¥110 vs the dollar (it is currently around Y104); the panellists at the event think a weaker yen is great for internationally-exposed Japanese firms but not so positive for the domestic economy. With the sales tax increase due in Japan in April, this new levy could drag on government ambitions for faster growth.

Overall the refrain that was consistently beat by each speaker was that the time was now right for Asian investors to diversify investment portfolios outside of Asia and not to be afraid of the US and Europe. Then it was time for one of the largest and best prepared buffets Singapore will see this year.