Macroeconomic headlines dominate in 2016
Macro and top-down events are dominating markets like never before in 2016. Rising uncertainty is to be expected when you combine the fact that we are eight years into the second longest bull market in history, in a US election year, and in an environment where so many of the pillars of past return are evolving. The result of the UK referendum on European Union (EU) membership has added to the list of macroeconomic and political risks facing markets.
Realistically, the Brexit result will impact the UK economy as companies hold back investment in the face of uncertainty surrounding the UK’s relationship with Europe. Continental Europe may suffer a similar fate, an unwelcome outcome for a region that is growing slowly and still at the beginning of its economic recovery. Ongoing stimulus from the European Central Bank to support the European economy is highly likely and affirms the view that interest rates are likely to remain low for a prolonged period of time.
This adds to investor concerns over an equity bull market, which has become increasingly more complex. This complexity centres on the question of whether global corporates can deliver better earnings in a more modest growth world. As further bottom-up improvement has been called into question, top-down factors—including the outlook for China, concerns over Europe, and volatility in energy and commodity prices—have taken centre stage in driving stock prices.
On the other hand, those fearful of an aggressive US Federal Reserve tightening cycle may at least have their concerns allayed given rate increases are now likely to be more measured based on Brexit and global growth concerns. Regardless, macroeconomic concerns will persist in the near term, as investors put more weight on these issues rather than the underlying fundamentals of individual companies.
Earnings improvement presents opportunity
While the economic picture remains confusing for many, one comforting factor is that we continue to find numerous companies displaying better fundamentals, even in a modest-growth world. In addition, this perspective is set against a starting point where valuations remain reasonable, especially when considering free cash flow based metrics. The broadening out of the perspective to include cash-based metrics is important because changes in cash flow trends will help us judge the evolution of the equity cycle over the near and medium terms. It will also help support the return of capital to investors in the form of share buybacks and dividends.
With monetary policy remaining accommodative and inflation still low (although with the potential to turn upward), we believe this is a solid starting point to generate attractive returns from global equities. In particular, it will support stocks with compelling and unrecognized growth characteristics, given the ongoing scarcity of broad based macroeconomic growth trends.
When considering the equity cycle, however, the absence of profit delivery over the past few years remains a legitimate concern. That is important for us when we invest, that we continue to ask ourselves whether we can see clear signs that stocks will begin to deliver on profits after a period of distinctly narrow growth signals
Potential pockets of growth
Although earnings have been poor at an aggregate level, there remain very interesting pockets of growth. We have identified many stocks that have earnings improvement potential in the next stage of the economic cycle. Within the emerging world, there is still huge potential for change and market share gains in particular. Elsewhere, while the developed world growth outlook is subdued, building exposure to select contrarian and cyclical segments of the market, when the opportunity is afforded, can be a sensible approach in our view.
Valuations are reasonable but will not drive future returns
With global equities (including emerging market equities) trading around 15-times 2017 earnings[1], the days of extremely cheap valuations are clearly over, but valuations remain reasonable in the context of the economic cycle and especially given alternative avenues for capital.
While valuations will not drive aggregate returns moving forward to the extent that they did in the early part of this equity cycle, at the same time, they should not be a barrier. Importantly, the lack of bullishness in the world has continued to keep broad-based bubbles at bay, and valuations have, therefore, remained at sensible levels.
The environment for equity investing, however, is more nuanced than in previous years. Investors have been cautious of stocks with cyclical characteristics through much of this equity cycle, while continuing to treasure stocks with defensive qualities and lower-volatility profiles. However, as markets have been shaken by growth concerns, a key opportunity has arisen: the chance to buy high-quality growth and improvement stocks on weakness.
Where do we go from here?
Challenging data points will continue to lie ahead for the global economy, but this will inevitably lead to opportunities in certain areas. The major cycle-ending risks are always hard to call, and we should acknowledge that cycles rarely come to an end due to mirror images of previous crises. In short, the world evolves, and so should an investor’s perspective.
Rising political tensions and the impact on economic growth, a prospective deterioration in the credit cycle stemming from lower oil prices, and the likelihood of corporate defaults in China stand out as the most prevalent risks. However, further rate increases are now less likely, and monetary policy around the world remains generally accommodative. Bull markets usually end with a broad-based recession or due to valuation bubbles bursting—we see no signs of either.
Given these factors, we remain constructive, but market returns are likely to be more modest. As we have witnessed during the past few years, sentiment is likely to ebb and flow. This will provide opportunities to invest through periods of stock-specific volatility. But while the outlook is more stock-specific and complex than it has been for some time, patient investors should continue to be rewarded over the long term.
Click here to find out more
[1] Source: Factset as of 30 September, 2016
Important Information
This information is not intended to be a recommendation to take any particular investment action and is subject to change. No assumptions should be made that the securities identified and discussed above were or will be profitable. This material, including any statements, information, data and content contained within it and any materials, information, images, links, graphics or recording provided in conjunction with this material are being furnished by T. Rowe Price for general informational purposes only. The material is not intended for use by persons in jurisdictions which prohibit or restrict the distribution of the material and in certain countries the material is provided upon specific request. It is not intended for distribution to retail investors in any jurisdiction. Under no circumstances should the material, in whole or in part, be copied or redistributed without consent from T. Rowe Price. The material does not constitute a distribution, an offer, an invitation, recommendation or solicitation to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction. The material has not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction. The material does not constitute advice of any nature and prospective investors are recommended to seek independent legal, financial and tax advice before making any investment decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may get back less than the amount invested.
The views contained herein are as of November 2016 and may have changed since that time.
Australia—Issued in Australia by T. Rowe Price International Ltd. (ABN 84 104 852 191), Level 50, Governor Phillip Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Suite 50B, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. T. Rowe Price International Ltd. is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence in respect of the financial services it provides in Australia. T. Rowe Price International Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority under UK laws, which differ from Australian laws. For Wholesale Clients only.
T. ROWE PRICE, INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE and the Bighorn Sheep design are, collectively and/or apart, trademarks or registered trademarks of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. in the United States, European Union, and other countries. This material is intended for use only in select countries.
2016-GL-5103 11/16
