Robert Leary sees room for stock rally

Robert Leary, who oversees $854 billion as chief executive officer of TIAA Global Asset Management, said he expects US stocks to rebound, based on the enduring strength of the world's largest economy, at a time where bonds offer a less attractive alternative.

"The US economy is more strong and more robust than it's been given credit for, so we do think we're going to see, in the second half of this year, a bit of a pickup" in stocks, Leary said in a televised interview on Thursday. "We actually think we could go back above the S&P highs that we have reached before, and maybe be up five to 10 per cent in the S&P this year."

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is trading below its 2014 closing level amid slowing growth in China and a slump in commodity prices. Leary said the US is well positioned to withstand those pressures.

"Some people I know, they think there's a recession ahead," he said. "But overall, we think that there is fundamental strength in the economy and we do think that there's a lot of room for the equity markets to grow."

Leary cited employment gains and wage growth as potential catalysts for stocks. Filings for initial jobless claims in the US have been less than 300,000 for 55 weeks, the longest stretch since 1973 and a level economists say is consistent with a healthy labour market.

'Other options?'
TIAA provides retirement services and insurance to teachers and customers who work for academic, research and other non-profit organisations. The company, led by former Federal Reserve Vice-Chairman Roger Ferguson, also manages funds for institutional clients and invests in assets such as agriculture and real estate.

Leary said TIAA tends to invest based on a company's prospects in a period of two-to-five years. He was asked whether European lenders such as Deutsche Bank AG and Credit Suisse Group AG will rebound from their slump in that time.

"I think it depends on what happens in the overall economy," he said. "It's a tough slog for the European banks right now, and it will be."

Leary also expressed concerns about emerging markets including Brazil and South Africa. He said his optimism for US stocks is based partly on their prospects compared with other securities.

"What are people's other options?" he asked. "To be in the fixed-income markets and, in particular, things like money markets, there's not much there for investors."