
Heidi Richardson
Heidi Richardson is a Global Investment Strategist for BlackRock. She is responsible for relating the Investment Strategy Team’s research and investment views to a wide variety of investors. She joined the firm in 2010 with twenty three years of active investment experience across both equities and fixed income. She writes about how to implement BlackRock’s best investment ideas.
Disclosure: The content Market Realist publishes should not be construed as investment advice, nor do the opinions expressed necessarily reflect the views of BlackRock.
More From Heidi Richardson
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhat Are Brazil’s Key Economic Indicators Insinuating?
Brazil’s GDP fell for the ninth consecutive quarter in 2Q16.
Macroeconomic AnalysisIs It Raining Gold for Brazil?
Brazil’s performance in the 2016 Rio Olympics and worldwide speculation about a Fed rate hike might have a role to play in the country’s stock market performance in fiscal 2016.
Macroeconomic AnalysisDoes Brazil’s Industrial Production Data and Selic Rate Ring a Bell?
First the good news: After two years of a deep recession, the economic fundamentals of Brazil are showing signs of bottoming out. Industrial production has started to turn, and so have sentiment indicators, with business confidence indexes leading the way (source: Bloomberg). Particularly encouraging are the improvements in the inflation trend. Prices have been easing […]
Macroeconomic AnalysisWill Brazil Investments Rise and Add Momentum to Valuations?
Now that Brazil’s political scenario has improved and commodity prices have become more stable, the country is expected to attract investors again.
Macroeconomic AnalysisCan Indian Corporate Earnings Take a Turn for the Best?
Are Indian corporate earnings likely to turn around? Earnings have been flat since late 2014.
Macroeconomic AnalysisIndia: Once One of the Fragile Five, Now One of the Bright Spots
Fragile Five is a term coined in August 2013 to represent emerging market economies, including India, that had become too dependent on foreign investments to finance their account deficits.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Investors Should Focus on High Quality Growth Companies
A portfolio with a focus on quality companies is likely to have lower volatility and could offer stable returns compared to a broader index.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Japanese Stocks Look Attractive as Valuations Drop
Japanese (EWJ) (SCJ) equities have become attractive thanks to relatively low valuations after a 20% fall from highs recorded in August last year.
Company & Industry OverviewsHow Short Duration Bonds Can Provide Stability
Short-term bonds can potentially offer stability to a portfolio given today’s historically low yields and impending rate hikes.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Greece Is Not a Big Concern for Europe
Heidi Richardson recently visited 10 European countries over four weeks, and observed many signs supporting a currency-hedged exposure to European stocks.
Macroeconomic AnalysisHow You Can Hedge Interest Rate Risk as Rates Rise
Investors can hedge interest rate risk by holding floating rate bonds. As interest rates rise, consider investing in long-dated Treasuries.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Japanese Stocks Could Falter
In recent years, Japan’s government spending has soared. The aggressive fiscal stimulus led to a debt level that is now more than two times that of Japan’s GDP.
Macroeconomic AnalysisStructural Reforms in Japan Could Support Stocks
Japan’s Prime Minister Abe has brought about changes in the labor market, and female labor force participation is now on the rise.
Macroeconomic AnalysisThe Depreciating Yen Has Improved Japanese Profitability
The profitability of Japanese stocks has improved since late 2012, from ~4% to above 8%. However, profitability hasn’t hit the highs of the pre-crisis period yet, and it is slightly lower than American stocks.
Macroeconomic AnalysisJapanese Stocks Are Inexpensive despite the Rally
Currently, Japanese stocks are trading at a discount of 50% over the S&P 500. Historically, the discount has been slightly less, at ~44%.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWill Japan’s Strong Performance Continue?
Japanese stocks are nowhere close to the levels seen in the late 1980s. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index peaked at ~40,000 in 1989, but since then it has been a painful ride for the Japanese.
Macroeconomic AnalysisShould Investors Be Concerned about a Grexit?
Grexit might not precipitate a financial contagion, but the possibility of a political contagion is very likely. Spain and Italy may decide to follow suit.
Macroeconomic AnalysisThe Seemingly Never-Ending Greek Debt Saga at a Tipping Point
The seemingly never-ending Greek debt (GREK) saga continues to play out, complete with twists, turns, and obstacles à la typical potboiler.
Macroeconomic AnalysisReceding Currency Headwinds Favor US Tech
Although the valuation multiples for the tech sector are higher than its historical averages, the prices are supported by robust earnings growth.
Macroeconomic AnalysisTech Strength: Strong Balance Sheets and Cash Positions
The primary reason for tech strength is the fact that most tech giants have effective currency hedging techniques in place.
Macroeconomic AnalysisHow a Rate Hike Could Affect High-Leverage Sectors
Industrials, utilities, and telecommunications have much higher leverage, as these sectors have massive capital needs.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhich Sectors Could Benefit as the Economy Improves?
Defensive sectors have steady earnings that usually grow slowly. Cyclical sectors have volatile earnings, but they can see high growth in earnings when the economy improves.
Macroeconomic AnalysisTech Stocks Would Benefit as the Economy Improves
An improving economy means that people have more money to spend on discretionary items like high-end electronics, fancy restaurants, and luxury cars.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhich Emerging Markets Have Underperformed in 2015?
In 2015, the tables have turned, and India and Indonesia are now lagging behind other emerging markets.
Macroeconomic AnalysisEmerging Market Stocks Are Gaining Momentum
While developed market stocks (EFA) are being supported by quantitative easing programs, emerging market stocks could see some organic growth going forward.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Investors Should Look to the Eurozone for Value
Investors should look to the Eurozone for value. European equities (FEZ) have been benefiting from the recent $1.1-trillion stimulus.
Macroeconomic AnalysisPoints to Remember When Investing in Europe
This article discusses three key points to remember when investing in Europe (VGK) (EZU).
Macroeconomic AnalysisHow a Stronger Dollar Affects Your Investments
Most analysts feel the dollar could strengthen further. You may consider currency-hedged ETFs while investing internationally.
Macroeconomic AnalysisHow a Weaker Euro Helps European Stocks
European stocks have benefited from the weak euro. Not only do exports look attractive to Americans, large-cap European companies also gain from currency translation.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhere to Find Yield in Today’s Low-Yield World
While the risk-averse investors are resorting to US Treasuries, which provide higher yields, others are looking at stocks that pay high dividends for yield.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Some European Bond Yields Have Turned Negative
Yields have been dropping in this period, leading investors to prefer government bonds over stock, especially the safer ones, including the German Bunds.
Macroeconomic AnalysisMature Tech Stocks Are Likely to Be a Good Value Play
Mature tech stocks are likely to be a good value play this year as the US economy strengthens and both consumer and business spending receives a boost.
Macroeconomic AnalysisStrong Earnings Growth Helps Keep NASDAQ Valuations Attractive
The promise of technology stocks has translated into solid deliverables with strong earnings growth.
Macroeconomic AnalysisFacebook Has Proven to be a Game-Changer for the NASDAQ
Facebook has proven to be a game-changer by introducing the world to the concept of social networking, something quite unheard of in the Y2K era.
Macroeconomic AnalysisNASDAQ’s Dominant Players Have Changed the Index’s Dynamics
The NADAQ’s dominant players have changed drastically in 15 years. The top ten stocks today have only three stocks in common with the NASDAQ of 2000.
Macroeconomic AnalysisNot another Bubble: Why the NASDAQ is a Different Index Now
The better-diversified NASDAQ is less prone to risk than the NASDAQ of 2000. The NASDAQ is a different index now.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy the NASDAQ’s 5,000 Level Is Not Like the Dot Com Bubble
The NASDAQ hit the all-important 5,000 level on March 2, 2015, for the first time after the dot com bubble burst of 2000.
Company & Industry OverviewsRelatively Low Leverage Gives Tech Companies Flexibility
The debt-to-equity ratios of several top tech companies suggest that the broader markets are much more leveraged than tech stocks.
Macroeconomic AnalysisA Strong Balance Sheet Could Lead to Better Returns
With a strong balance sheet, a mature tech company can afford to pay a higher dividend, buy back shares, or invest in capital expenditure.
Macroeconomic AnalysisTech Companies Likely to Benefit from an Improving Economy
The main assets of the technology sector are human resources. So, capital expenditure for tech companies could involve money spent on innovation and R&D.
Macroeconomic AnalysisHow You Can Own Mature Tech Stocks
Mega- and large-cap tech stocks make up ~79% of the iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW), giving you great exposure to mature tech stocks.
Company & Industry OverviewsMature Tech Companies Report Robust Earnings
Mature tech companies have a lot of cash in their coffers. Companies such as Apple reported 4Q14 net income of ~$18 billion—its best ever.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Tech Stocks Have Run Up for the Last Six Years
Despite the fact that tech stocks have run up these last six years, they still look cheap compared to some of the defensive sector stocks.
Macroeconomic AnalysisBurgeoning Debt In Japan Is A Major Cause For Concern
Burgeoning debt in Japan could lead to an even weaker yen.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Japanese Stock Valuations Could Be Justified
Japan looks cheap compared to other developed markets. Japanese stock valuations can be justified if the “three arrows” are used prudently.
Macroeconomic AnalysisThe Japanese Economy Grew In 4Q14, Mainly Due To Exports
The worst is over for the Japanese economy in the near term, economists say. But Abe still faces a difficult hurdle of wage growth along with inflation.
Macroeconomic AnalysisShinzo Abe Wins Japan’s Snap Elections By A Landslide
Heidi Richardson takes a closer look at Abenomics in light of the election. Shinzo Abe won Japan’s snap election.
Company & Industry OverviewsAnalyzing A Way For Investors To Play The Tech Sector
When to invest? We think US tech valuations look reasonable now. You can also look to market pullbacks for other attractive entry points.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Cyclical Momentum Favors The Tech Sector
Cyclical momentum favors the tech sector. Economic growth favors cyclical stocks like technology. The tech sector invests in a lot of R&D.
FinancialsInvesting in Japan: Learn to play in the land of the rising sun
If you’re looking for a simple way to invest in Japan, we suggest keeping it simple with a low cost ETF. The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) provides diversified access to large- and mid-cap Japanese stocks.
Financials Japanese corporates’ increased share buybacks could support markets
Japanese companies are more shareholder-friendly, as the government pushes to strengthen corporate governance. Stock buybacks have reached their highest level in six years in an effort to boost return on equity.
Financials Why earnings momentum is likely to support Japanese equities
Earnings momentum – Worries about the impact of a new consumption tax led many Japanese companies to lower their earnings guidance for the year. Since then, a better-than-expected outcome has set the market scrambling to reprice.