July 10 (Reuters) - Citigroup on Monday downgraded U.S. stocks in anticipation of a pullback in growth stocks and a recession in the fourth quarter of the year, while betting on beaten-down counterparts in Europe with an upgrade.
The brokerage cut its rating on U.S. stocks to "neutral" from "overweight", following a strong rally in the first half of the year.
It warned that growth stocks were set for a pullback as the "euphoria" around artificial intelligence enters a more "digestive" phase.
Strategists at the brokerage downgraded UK stocks on a lack of exposure to growth stocks and a stronger pound .
Emerging market (EM) stocks, upgraded to an "overweight" rating, replaced the UK stocks in Citigroup's asset allocation.
Persons:
Subhadeep Chakravarty, Shilpi Majumdar
Organizations:
Citigroup, Nasdaq, Thomson
Locations:
Europe, China