Are Stocks Overvalued?
Cases of COVID-19 are declining and economies are re-opening. It won’t be long before the only thing that isn’t normal is interest rates. It’s widely expected that the first interest rate hike will be in late 2022 or early 2023, and it will probably take another two to three years for rates to rise back to pre-COVID-19 levels. Until then, economies will be in a growing phase with central banks holding your hands. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
Time for a market correction?
We have read concerns that stock markets, the U.S. in particular, are due for a correction. The main reasons being above normal valuations and recent strong performance. We respect the opinions, but we are more constructive.
Strong past performance has come from improving economies and asset inflation driven by money supply growth. Unlike other recessions, aggregate household savings and wealth have grown during this pandemic. Consumers are eager to spend, which will support corporate earnings growth. In fact, corporate earnings for the first quarter of this year have already surpassed the quarter prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
S&P 500 Index earnings: Q4 2019
$35.53
Q1 2021
$45.95
Source: S&P Global
We are confident the global economy will continue to perform exceptionally well in 2021 and 2022. The recent market rally is simply a reflection of expected earnings growth.
When valuations are overvalued
The real question is – are markets ahead of the fundamentals? In other words, are they overvalued? Looking at price versus current earnings, the S&P 500 Index does look expensive – its price-to-earnings ratio is currently 24x compared to a historical average of 16-18x.
So, how do we bring market valuations that are above average… back to average? Will it be a sharp market correction as others have called for? Probably not. With a large pool of excess capital due to money printing and a lack of alternatives (as bonds offer little yield), investors will continue to favour equity.
In addition, due to a scarcity of assets that deliver growth (compared to the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield at 1.3%), fair value is probably at the top of its historical range. Therefore, we expect earnings growth (not a dramatic price drop) will gradually drive valuations down from 24x to 18x over the next three to five years. As we said at the beginning, central banks are holding investors’ hands by lending support whenever they need it.
What does this mean for your portfolios?
In our portfolios, we remain overweight equity and underweight bonds. We believe global economies are in the early innings of multi-year economic growth. The returns from equity through dividends and earnings growth will surpass bond yields even with some valuation compression. We’ve also allocated our assets globally, as valuations are much friendlier outside of the U.S. From time-to-time the markets will be bumpy, but it doesn’t mean they’re unsafe.
By Alfred Lam, CFA, Senior Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer
Marchello Holditch, CFA, CAIA, Vice-President and Portfolio Manager, CI GAM | Multi-Asset Management
This document is intended solely for information purposes. It is not a sales prospectus, nor should it be construed as an offer or an invitation to take part in an offer. This report may contain forward-looking statements about one or more funds, future performance, strategies or prospects, and possible future fund action. These statements reflect the portfolio managers’ current beliefs and are based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including economic, political and market changes and other developments. CI Assante Wealth Management and its dealer subsidiaries, Assante Capital Management Ltd. and Assante Financial Management Ltd. (collectively “Assante”) are affiliates of CI GAM | Multi-Asset Management, which is a division of CI Global Asset Management. Evolution Private Managed Accounts are managed by CI Global Asset Management under the United Financial brand and are available exclusively through your Assante advisor. Neither CI Global Asset Management nor its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees or advisors are responsible in any way for damages or losses of any kind whatsoever in respect of the use of this report. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with investments in mutual funds and the use of the Asset Management Service. Any performance data shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions or dividends and does not take into account sales, redemption or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the fund prospectus and consult your advisor before investing. CI Assante Wealth Management is a registered business name of Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. CI Global Asset Management is a registered business name of CI Investments Inc. This report may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner whatsoever, without prior written permission of CI Assante Wealth Management. Copyright © 2021 CI Assante Wealth Management. All rights reserved.
Cases of COVID-19 are declining and economies are re-opening. It won’t be long before the only thing that isn’t normal is interest rates. It’s widely expected that the first interest rate hike will be in late 2022 or early 2023, and it will probably take another two to three years for rates to rise back to pre-COVID-19 levels. Until then, economies will be in a growing phase with central banks holding your hands. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
Time for a market correction?
We have read concerns that stock markets, the U.S. in particular, are due for a correction. The main reasons being above normal valuations and recent strong performance. We respect the opinions, but we are more constructive.
Strong past performance has come from improving economies and asset inflation driven by money supply growth. Unlike other recessions, aggregate household savings and wealth have grown during this pandemic. Consumers are eager to spend, which will support corporate earnings growth. In fact, corporate earnings for the first quarter of this year have already surpassed the quarter prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
|
S&P 500 Index earnings: Q4 2019 |
$35.53 |
|
Q1 2021 |
$45.95 |
Source: S&P Global
We are confident the global economy will continue to perform exceptionally well in 2021 and 2022. The recent market rally is simply a reflection of expected earnings growth.
When valuations are overvalued
The real question is – are markets ahead of the fundamentals? In other words, are they overvalued? Looking at price versus current earnings, the S&P 500 Index does look expensive – its price-to-earnings ratio is currently 24x compared to a historical average of 16-18x.
So, how do we bring market valuations that are above average… back to average? Will it be a sharp market correction as others have called for? Probably not. With a large pool of excess capital due to money printing and a lack of alternatives (as bonds offer little yield), investors will continue to favour equity.
In addition, due to a scarcity of assets that deliver growth (compared to the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield at 1.3%), fair value is probably at the top of its historical range. Therefore, we expect earnings growth (not a dramatic price drop) will gradually drive valuations down from 24x to 18x over the next three to five years. As we said at the beginning, central banks are holding investors’ hands by lending support whenever they need it.
What does this mean for your portfolios?
In our portfolios, we remain overweight equity and underweight bonds. We believe global economies are in the early innings of multi-year economic growth. The returns from equity through dividends and earnings growth will surpass bond yields even with some valuation compression. We’ve also allocated our assets globally, as valuations are much friendlier outside of the U.S. From time-to-time the markets will be bumpy, but it doesn’t mean they’re unsafe.
By Alfred Lam, CFA, Senior Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer
Marchello Holditch, CFA, CAIA, Vice-President and Portfolio Manager, CI GAM | Multi-Asset Management
This document is intended solely for information purposes. It is not a sales prospectus, nor should it be construed as an offer or an invitation to take part in an offer. This report may contain forward-looking statements about one or more funds, future performance, strategies or prospects, and possible future fund action. These statements reflect the portfolio managers’ current beliefs and are based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including economic, political and market changes and other developments. CI Assante Wealth Management and its dealer subsidiaries, Assante Capital Management Ltd. and Assante Financial Management Ltd. (collectively “Assante”) are affiliates of CI GAM | Multi-Asset Management, which is a division of CI Global Asset Management. Evolution Private Managed Accounts are managed by CI Global Asset Management under the United Financial brand and are available exclusively through your Assante advisor. Neither CI Global Asset Management nor its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees or advisors are responsible in any way for damages or losses of any kind whatsoever in respect of the use of this report. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with investments in mutual funds and the use of the Asset Management Service. Any performance data shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions or dividends and does not take into account sales, redemption or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the fund prospectus and consult your advisor before investing. CI Assante Wealth Management is a registered business name of Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. CI Global Asset Management is a registered business name of CI Investments Inc. This report may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner whatsoever, without prior written permission of CI Assante Wealth Management. Copyright © 2021 CI Assante Wealth Management. All rights reserved.