Equities

We downgrade Growth and upgrade Value based on our view that rates will remain elevated for a while longer.

Bulls and bears have capitulated, and the majority of the clients surveyed expect a rangebound market in the near term. Our fair value PE NTM indicates that the S&P 500 is only modestly overvalued. The continued outperformance of the Magnificent Seven faces multiple hurdles. Meanwhile, fiscal spending is unlikely to create an impetus for another leg up in equity performance.

Special Report

While we are sympathetic to the view that the Fed could temporarily achieve a soft landing, we are skeptical that it could stick that landing for very long. Stocks could strengthen into year-end, with small caps potentially leading the charge. But the rally will fizzle out next year as the global economy begins to sink into recession.

The resiliency of consumers through 2023 has surprised investors. However, consumer strength will fade into yearend as factors supporting growth in income and spending are waning. i.e., job gains are slowing, wage growth is decelerating, and excess savings are running out. Consumers are starting to feel the pressure from tighter monetary policy as financial obligations rise. Hence, as consumer spending decelerates, economic growth will slow into yearend. We confirm our underweight of the Consumer Discretionary sector.

Special Report

Countries and commercial operators are racing into space to accrue economic gain from space exploration. In coming years, the space industry will continue to grow, as humans venture into space for tourism, mining, farming, and even habitation. The industry is still in its infancy but has tremendous potential. We believe it is one of the next big investment ideas. We will monitor the theme and take on investment exposure once it matures.

At 19x forward earnings, the S&P 500 still appears expensive which heralds lower returns over the months ahead. Technicals are marginally more attractive now, with 56% percent of the industries trading above their 200-day moving average. However, historically, the market has rarely bottomed out until more than half of industries were trading below their long-term moving average. Therefore, it is likely that the market pullback has not run its course just yet.

Special Report

The next six-to-nine months hold a crucial test of whether the equity market will ratify the soft landing and the Biden administration or not. If so, then markets will rally on policy continuity and likely gridlock. If not, then markets will struggle until the election is over and again in 2025-26.

Outperformance of Growth sectors most likely has run its course. It is time to shift Growth vs. Value allocation to neutral, downgrade Semis, and upgrade Energy to overweight.

The S&P 500 rally broadened in July, lifting this year’s laggards. Surging long yields are altering the macroeconomic backdrop, as the market absorbs that monetary policy will stay restrictive for a long time. Yet, a move down in yields is more likely than a move up over a tactical horizon. Q2 earnings were better than expected but investors were unimpressed – the good news is already priced in. The market is overvalued and is close to being overbought, which makes it vulnerable to disappointment.

Investors remain cautious about the US economy and still have significant cash that needs to be put to work which could extend the rally further. Earnings rebound later in the year will be supported by rising sales growth and surging earnings of the Magnificent Seven. A restocking cycle, and a pickup in freight activity support transports. Upgrade Transports to an overweight.