(Reuters) - Valuations of Asian equities dropped to a 21-month low at the end of January, as expectations of aggressive policy tightening by the Federal Reserve and a surge in U.S. bond yields hit the regional stocks. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index's forward 12-month P/E ratio stood at 13.49 at the end of last month, which was its lowest since April 2020, Refinitiv data showed.
That compares with the MSCI World index's P/E ratio of 17.24.
GRAPHIC - MSCI Asia-Pacific and World index's PE
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Last month, a rise in U.S. yields prompted money outflows from the region, which led to significant declines in regional shares. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index shed 4.4% in January, its worst start to a year in six years. China's Shanghai Composite Index declined 7.6% last month, which pulled down its forward P/E ratio to 10.18, the lowest in Asia.
GRAPHIC - Valuation of Asia-Pacific equities
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Shares of tech companies in South Korea and Taiwan also faced significant losses due to a spike in bond yields, and their forward 12-month P/E stood at 10.34 and 13.33, respectively.
On the other hand, Indian shares were the most expensive in the region, with a forward P/E of 20.42.
However, some analysts said Asian equities look attractive at these levels.
Suresh Tantia, a senior investment strategist at Credit Suisse (SIX: CSGN), said the valuation of Asian stocks has become less expensive, and they have been trading at a discount to global equities.
"With an outlook of over 9% EPS growth this year supported by another year of above trend GDP growth, we still expect positive returns over the medium term," he said.
Anthony Raza, head of the multi-asset strategy at UOB Asset Management, said the exports in Asia have been solid, with the economic flows making Asian equities more attractive.
"We have been underweight or neutral on Asia for the past three quarters, but are now back to overweight Asia. We think they are set to catch up given their previous underperformance."
GRAPHIC - Breakdown by sector for Asia-Pacific equities' valuations.
