Crisis rhymes but no repeat: equity markets left finely balanced

The 22 March 2023 decision by the Federal Reserve to raise its policy rate only 25 bps sets the scene for a much-anticipated rate hike pause later in the year. After three weeks of US banking sector stumbles the Fed’s room to hike is now limited and Fed chairman Powell’s relatively dovish post-meeting comments reflect that. We don’t believe this is a repeat of the crisis of 2008, with policymakers acting much faster to address stability issues, but volatility is here to stay as the global economy continues to adjust to a higher inflation, higher interest rate environment.

Within this environment we believe there are excellent opportunities for long-term equity investors but that doesn’t include just buying and holding the index. The strange juxtaposition of headlines about US authorities considering how to insure all US bank deposits¹, with ‘Biggest Fear for Trillion-Dollar Funds Is Missing Next Rally’² shows that this is an uncertain and potentially treacherous time where active strategies will prevail over passive.

Inflation is still elevated but dollar spigot turned on

Recent data points from around the world show inflation still isn’t dampening down enough to allow policymakers to turn decisively dovish. Inflation data has surprised on the upside recently, notably in the UK, Switzerland and Singapore, while in Europe the ECB remains hawkish³ with eurozone CPI inflation sticky around 8.5%. The trend in the US is more helpful with producer prices falling 0.1% month on month in February, helping firm projections that a peak policy rate level is in sight. In addition, in conjunction with other central banks the Fed has eased dollar liquidity considerably⁴ to take pressure off the banking sector, partially reversing its quantitative tightening program. These indications and actions are now supporting equity markets.

Increasing dollar liquidity will only work if it more than offsets the tightening of financial conditions caused by bouts of deposit flight, and reduced inter-bank trust. Stress in the commercial real estate market⁵ is also likely to complicate efforts to move beyond the current scrutiny of US banks. As a result, based on the experience of 2008, the Fed is likely to remain generous in its liquidity provision until sentiment is normalized. In addition, if the problem at mid-size banks is due to concentrated long treasuries exposure as at SVB, then declining yields will help solve that. Either way, a more accomodative monetary environment is likely to manifest itself through the year to try and stop credit being squeezed which will offer some support for equities, even if the economy slows.

Developed market economic data belie recession fears

Macro indicators are still proving resilient in developed markets despite the difficult environment and ongoing pessimism from some analysts. That Europe survived the winter without energy-related disruption has helped, and kept Germany in positive growth, while eurozone PMI surprised on the upside in March coming in at 54.1. In the US retail sales weakened in February after strong data in December and January, and weekly unemployment claims are still showing the labor market is relatively tight. Japan is also set up for growth in 2023 with recent inflation data encouraging the belief that the BoJ will finally exit its zero interest rate policy.

Nevertheless, emerging markets remain much better placed than developed markets

Despite a rather tepid market reaction to China’s conservative GDP growth forecast of 5%, data is moving in the right direction with consumption and fixed asset investment both looking good in January and February. Add a weakening US dollar and the ingredients for EM outperformance are in place. The banking crisis manifesting in the US and Switzerland has seen Chinese equities, led by the financial sector, rally, supporting this thesis. The more general macroeconomic positive for EM is that inflation just hasn’t embedded itself in the same way as in the developed world. Some of the largest emerging economies like Brazil and India are at a different stage in the credit cycle, and are benefiting from some one-off deflationary anchors, including cheap Russian oil in India’s case. All this will add up to faster growth for EM compared to DM.

Quality focus will capture upside when it comes

Economic data is resilient and monetary policy will turn supportive, but there is still a coalesence of different risks to equities, including still high inflation, ongoing recession fears, banking troubles, and signs of stress in the commercial real estate market. Quality names have outperformed in early 2023 after lagging in 2022, and we believe focusing on quality in an equity portfolio is the best way to navigate this turbulence.

By quality, Robeco means a high return on invested capital (ROIC) with clear reinvestment opportunities, high free cash flow generation and a discount to intrinsic value. Screening for companies that offer a macro shield in downturns, but will also capture upside when it comes, enables us to stay invested.