Investing.com -- Deutsche Bank reported a significant rise in equity positioning last week, noting that it is now modestly underweight and resting in the 29th percentile.

The bank’s strategists, including Parag Thatte, attributed the upward movement to a sharp increase in discretionary investors’ positioning. For the first time since late March, discretionary investors are now overweight and in the 66th percentile. The strategists noted that this positioning aligns with the current steady pace of earnings and GDP growth.

Despite the recent U.S.-China trade agreement, Deutsche Bank strategists pointed out that there remains a 15 percentage point increase in effective U.S. tariff rates, from 2.4% to over 17%. Chinese tariffs have also increased significantly, now standing at a substantial 43%. These heightened tariffs are expected to affect economic growth.

The strategists also observed that systematic strategy positioning has been gradually increasing. However, it still has considerable room for further growth, as it currently stands only in the 16th percentile.

In terms of fund inflows, U.S. equity funds saw a strong rebound last week, with inflows totaling $19.8 billion. This follows four consecutive weeks of outflows. Other regions also saw continued inflows, with Europe receiving $2.7 billion, Japan $800 million, and broad-global funds $5.2 billion.

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