THE WEEK AHEAD

As we head into mid-year, we update some of our Long-Term Capital Market Assumptions that feed into the CONQUEST and Dynamic Strategies TACTICAL portfolios.

WCA PORTFOLIO INSIGHT

Long-Term View

We start our analysis by observing what returns are available in markets. An investment in a 90-day U.S. Treasury bill today will earn an annualized return of 1.9%, for example. A year ago, this same Treasury bill offered a return of 1%. The increase is due to the Federal Reserve’s(Fed) deliberate effort to raise policy rates. While not a historically high rate by any measure, the direction is clearly up, and this is lifting our forecasted return on cash and other short-term, high-quality assets.

Cash

At their June 13 meeting, the Federal Reserve hiked rates for the seventh time in three years. The committee views the economy as growing faster than long-run potential, suggesting resource tightness ahead. The Fed also expects growth near 2.8% this year, well above their long-run forecast of 1.8%. Expected inflation is near 2.1% this year, somewhat higher than the Fed’s 2% target. Unemployment is also below the committee’s long-run forecast for “full employment.” All of this leads us to expect the Fed to continue to gradually raise rates toward our 3% long-run expectation. Consequently, we think cash returns will average 2.7% over the long-run (10 year) forecast horizon.

Bonds

At the same time, we would expect 30-year U.S. Treasury bond yields to gradually move toward 4%. This would align well, in our view, with an economy growing near 2.4% in real terms with inflation running close to 2%. If yields do gradually rise toward 4% over time, long-term Treasury bond returns will suffer. Our ten year return assumption for the 30-year U.S. Treasury is just 2.4%, slightly lower than our cash return.

Stocks

As for the stock market, we assume a below-average 6% return given our growth expectation, income return, and adjustments for valuations and profitability. Base case return drivers include real economic growth (2.4% assumption), inflation (2.1% assumption), imported excess revenue growth from faster growing overseas operations (0.6%), and a cash return from dividends and buybacks (3.4% assumed, respectively). However, we note that today’s S&P 500 forward-looking market multiple of 16.1x is 12% higher than the 10-year historic average, and profit margins are roughly 15% higher than the historic average. We reduce expected stock returns by roughly 2.5% to account for future “mean reversion” adjustments to valuations and profitability. Hence, our forward looking return for stocks is for a below average 6% return.

Economy

The most important driver to returns is the economy. Currently, we anticipate 3.8% real global growth and 2.4% domestic growth over the long-term. We increased these figures in anticipation of positive effects from the recently enacted U.S. tax cuts last year. We are still assessing potential impacts from ongoing trade negotiations. Our base case long-run real domestic growth assumption relies on long-term labor force growth near 0.9%, with productivity and investment contributing the remaining 1.5%.

Near-Term View

The outlook above is our long-run base case assumption. Over shorter periods, results are likely to be determined by evolving market and economic conditions. Stocks are likely to perform better during periods of growth and healthy market risk appetite. Growing economic uncertainty, periodic shocks and crisis, and falling risk appetite are thought to favor bonds over stocks.

To that end, we regularly monitor a wide range of indicators through the lens of our WCA Fundamental Conditions Barometer. When conditions show sustained improvement across a wide array of indicators, the barometer tends to rise above 50. Forecast readings over 50 lead us to overweight stocks versus bonds. Conversely, sustained slippage will tend to push the barometer below 50, and lead us to underweight stocks versus bonds. Readings near 50 are thought to be “average” or “normal”, calling for a “neutral” weighting to stocks versus bonds.

As of June 30, 2018

After a strong performance in 2017, our “barometer” peaked in January and has drifted lower since. Equity allocations have been cut from overweight to slightly underweight as this played out. A pickup in volatility, rising interest rates, and talk of trade disputes may have all contributed to a more mixed outlook than at the start of the year.

As we enter the second half of the year, portfolios are positioned with a tactical style tilt toward value over growth, a tactical global tilt toward developed over emerging markets, and a slight preference toward REITs relative to gold. The near-term direction for the dollar is expected to be biased upward given solid domestic growth, a move toward tighter monetary policy, and increasing fiscal accommodation due to tax cuts and anticipated spending.

TACTICAL CALLS

Tactical Satellite (Based on 3-6 Month Outlook)

1. Overweight Bonds vs. Stocks

Kevin Caron, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager
Chad Morganlander, Senior Portfolio Manager
Matthew Battipaglia, Portfolio Manager
Suzanne Ashley, Analyst

(973) 549-4168

www.washingtoncrossingadvisors.com

www.stifel.com

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Disclosures

WCA Fundamental Conditions Barometer Description: We regularly assess changes in fundamental conditions to help guide near-term asset allocation decisions. The analysis incorporates approximately 30 forward-looking indicators in categories ranging from Credit and Capital Markets to U.S. Economic Conditions and Foreign Conditions. From each category of data, we create three diffusion-style sub-indices that measure the trends in the underlying data. Sustained improvement that is spread across a wide variety of observations will produce index readings above 50 (potentially favoring stocks), while readings below 50 would indicate potential deterioration (potentially favoring bonds). The WCA Fundamental Conditions Index combines the three underlying categories into a single summary measure. This measure can be thought of as a “barometer” for changes in fundamental conditions.

The information contained herein has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed by us and is not a complete summary or statement of all available data, nor is it considered an offer to buy or sell any securities referred to herein. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and do not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual investors. There is no guarantee that the figures or opinions forecasted in this report will be realized or achieved. Employees of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated or its affiliates may, at times, release written or oral commentary, technical analysis, or trading strategies that differ from the opinions expressed within. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged, and you cannot invest directly in an index.

Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit and may not protect against loss. There are special considerations associated with international investing, including the risk of currency fluctuations and political and economic events. Investing in emerging markets may involve greater risk and volatility than investing in more developed countries. Due to their narrow focus, sector-based investments typically exhibit greater volatility. Small company stocks are typically more volatile and carry additional risks, since smaller companies generally are not as well established as larger companies. Property values can fall due to environmental, economic, or other reasons, and changes in interest rates can negatively impact the performance of real estate companies. When investing in bonds, it is important to note that as interest rates rise, bond prices will fall. High-yield bonds have greater credit risk than higher-quality bonds. The risk of loss in trading commodities and futures can be substantial. You should therefore carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. The high degree of leverage that is often obtainable in commodity trading can work against you as well as for you. The use of leverage can lead to large losses as well as gains.

All investments involve risk, including loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met. It is important to review your investment objectives, risk tolerance and liquidity needs before choosing an investment style or manager. Equity investments are subject generally to market, market sector, market liquidity, issuer, and investment style risks, among other factors to varying degrees. Fixed Income investments are subject to market, market liquidity, issuer, investment style, interest rate, credit quality, and call risks, among other factors to varying degrees.

This commentary often expresses opinions about the direction of market, investment sector and other trends. The opinions should not be considered predictions of future results. The information contained in this report is based on sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed and not necessarily complete.

The securities discussed in this material were selected due to recent changes in the strategies. This selection criteria is not based on any measurement of performance of the underlying security.

Washington Crossing Advisors LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary and affiliated SEC Registered Investment Adviser of Stifel Financial Corp (NYSE: SF).