Tactical Shift
Although the economy is faring better than expected this year, we see a mixed bag of signals. Forexample, while popular market-capitalization weighted stock indices are up for the year, the average stock is essentially flat. Moreover, the outlook for corporate profits and capital spending are flattening out, suggesting muted growth in the private sector ahead. Similarly, monetary and fiscal policies have diverged. Monetary policy is restrictive (higher interest rates), while fiscal policy is expansive (rising deficits). Cross currents such as these lead to a neutral read of incoming data, suggesting we keep portfolio risk exposure very close to benchmarks.
As we pointed out in our Viewpoint 2023, the air of gloom that hung over markets at the start of the year was extreme. Instead, we saw improving fundamentals and opportunity for the situation to play out better than expected. So far, the economy and markets have proven resilient in 2023 with equity markets and the economy turning in better-than-expected performance. While the economy rolls along, however, there are some crosscurrents in the data leading us to avoid large tactical bets at the moment. Conquest Portfolios
Surging inflation and interest rate expectations undermined stock and bond markets last year. There are nascent signs these trends may be reversing. Accordingly, stocks and bonds have rallied so far in 2023, despite the emergence of concerns in the banking sector. After a period of being slightly underweight equities, we have aligned tactical portfolio risk exposure close to benchmarks to reflect improvement in our WCA Barometer, coupled with a wide band of uncertainty around the forecast. Conquest portfolios
Central Bank all in to fight inflation Markets signal inflation to fade Rates to push higher still Policymaker credibility key to fight Valuations more attractive. We remain cautious based on incoming data and enter the final quarter underweight risk assets.However, policy priorities seem to be having some positive effect on expected inflation, despiteupsetting financial markets. This is a difficult and complex environment, and we continue to followour tactical discipline in navigating a very unusual year. While we are not out of the woods yet,valuations are becoming better as are longer-run expectations for returns.
Set against a backdrop of rising inflation and interest rates, calls for a “technical recession” are growing. Our check of the data leads us to maintain our near-term, tactical “underweight” to stocks. However, the correction in stock prices contains a silver lining as valuations have become better, boosting long-run return expectations.
A sharp rise in interest rates catches the bond market by surprise and creates a challenge for the bull case for stocks. This week, we look at how rising rates are shaping the outlook.
After an initial strong run, signs of stress may now be emerging in the global recovery. Moreover, we note that financial markets appear priced for strong growth, record profits, and limited financial stress among corporate issuers. Given this backdrop, we now tactically reduce equity exposure to neutral following fourteen months of significantly overweight equity exposure.
As the economy reopens, we believe growth is set to surge. The United States is well along the path on vaccination, which is unleashing months of pent-up demand. Meanwhile, other parts of the world are lagging in vaccinations and confronted with potential challenges, including a stronger dollar. Given continued signs of progress and growth in the United States, we refocus tactically around domestic and high-quality assets. We also maintain a tactical overweight to equity over bonds, given incoming data as we enter the third quarter.
Key Points: Vaccines Spur Growth Rebound U.S. Profits Recover to Pre-Pandemic Levels High U.S. Savings to Fuel Growth Stronger Dollar Favors Domestic Tilt Valuations, Rates, and Taxes are Risks Much has changed in the past quarter. A new administration and new congressional leadership has emerged in Washington. Meanwhile, a COVID-19 vaccination rollout is accelerating throughout the United States and some other parts of the world. Speculative fervor has rippled through some parts of equity markets while bond investors fret about rising interest rates. This quarter we address how these changes are shaping the environment, creating challenges and opportunities for tactical…
While risk-taking remains in fashion and more stimulus is on the way, we are trimming back some equity exposure. We now forecast some tempering in the outlook ahead (Chart A, below) after a long stretch of improving conditions. As a result, we reduced stock exposure to 67% from 80% and increased bond exposure to 33% from 20%. CONQUEST tactical asset portfolios remain overweight stocks versus bonds, only less so. Chart A WCA Fundamental Conditions Barometer High Hopes Since the governments and central banks around the world went “all-in” to save the economy from the pandemic last spring, wealth has exploded….
Many are expecting vaccinations to lead to a robust recovery this year. Return to normal and restart of the in-person economy should encourage growth and be celebrated. At the same time, the return to growth could also weaken the case for continued fiscal and monetary ease. And once restarted, the globe faces challenges. The tensions and ailments that existed before the pandemic are still with us. The path appears to be forward but it will not likely be a straight line. Last year’s pandemic-induced downturn was out-and-out different from recessions past. For this reason, we should see recovery as a…
Even though stocks should rise over time, we think the pace of the market rally is set to slow because extraordinary government supports for the economy are set to fade, and valuations have run ahead of fundamentals. Changing Tack It is hard to bet against stocks for the long-term. Since the 1920s, stocks have produced a positive return every 20 years based on S&P 500 annual returns. Stocks tend to beat bonds and cash over time, supporting the idea that markets tend to reward risk. But this fact obscures the reality that stock investing also involves periodic drops. Not everyone…
Quarterly Report
Principles
Dividend Investing
