Notes from the Investment Floor: A ‘profit warning rich’ environment
Notes from the Investment Floor: A ‘profit warning rich’ environment
With volatility spiking, Errol Francis looks at the pressures on markets, as commentary on the economic outlook worsens and the market reacts in indiscriminate fashion.
Investment Manager & Head of Credit Research, Fixed Income
A ‘profit warning rich’ environment
With volatility spiking, Errol Francis (Fund Manager, UK All Cap) looks at the pressures on markets, as commentary on the economic outlook becomes ever more bearish and the market reacts in indiscriminate fashion.
Equity market volatility has been extreme over the past several days. It is clear that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is behind the curve on fighting inflation, having allowed the economy to grow too quickly – there are currently more than 3 million job vacancies – and as such feels it has to move aggressively to raise interest rates. Simultaneously, the Fed is warning that “further adverse surprises in inflation and interest rates, particularly if accompanied by a decline in economic activity, could negatively affect the financial system”.1
Rising real interest rates has put pressure on growth stocks, while cyclicals have been hit by the negative outlook for economic growth as speculation mounts that the US economy could enter recession. This is on top of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which sadly shows no sign of a resolution anytime soon, and China is going through a series of regional lockdowns due to an increase in Covid.
In the UK, our market has held up better than many other developed markets on a year-to-date basis thanks to the relatively high exposure to oil and mining stocks. Nevertheless, I would describe this as a ‘profit warning rich’ environment because there are so many potential sources of profit warnings out there, from the top down there is a great deal of uncertainty and from the bottom up companies are having to deal with a highly challenging operating environment.
But shouldn’t high inflation, rising rates, and a slowing economy already have been priced into the market? After all, these issues haven’t materialised overnight. In a UK context, I think one thing that took the market by surprise was the Bank of England’s candidness, with its governor Andrew Bailey saying he expects a “very sharp slowdown” that will cause “hardship” for the public.2 The comments were relatively dovish when it comes to monetary policy (the Bank of England will not yet start to sell back the bonds it bought during quantitative easing, for example) but notably bearish for the economy.
That said, in my view valuations in UK domestic names are starting to look more interesting, such is the extent of the bad news that is now reflected in share prices. I consider myself a style agnostic investor, happy to hold both growth and value stocks, and recently have been selling down commodities exposure into strength and keeping a close eye on opportunities to reinvest in value stocks among consumer cyclicals on reduced valuations. The indiscriminate nature of the way in which the market has treated growth and value stocks has created these sorts of opportunities, in my view.
Rising real interest rates has put pressure on growth stocks, while cyclicals have been hit by the negative outlook for economic growth as speculation mounts that the US economy could enter recession. This is on top of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which sadly shows no sign of a resolution anytime soon, and China is going through a series of regional lockdowns due to an increase in Covid.
In the UK, our market has held up better than many other developed markets on a year-to-date basis thanks to the relatively high exposure to oil and mining stocks. Nevertheless, I would describe this as a ‘profit warning rich’ environment because there are so many potential sources of profit warnings out there, from the top down there is a great deal of uncertainty and from the bottom up companies are having to deal with a highly challenging operating environment.
But shouldn’t high inflation, rising rates, and a slowing economy already have been priced into the market? After all, these issues haven’t materialised overnight. In a UK context, I think one thing that took the market by surprise was the Bank of England’s candidness, with its governor Andrew Bailey saying he expects a “very sharp slowdown” that will cause “hardship” for the public.2 The comments were relatively dovish when it comes to monetary policy (the Bank of England will not yet start to sell back the bonds it bought during quantitative easing, for example) but notably bearish for the economy.
That said, in my view valuations in UK domestic names are starting to look more interesting, such is the extent of the bad news that is now reflected in share prices. I consider myself a style agnostic investor, happy to hold both growth and value stocks, and recently have been selling down commodities exposure into strength and keeping a close eye on opportunities to reinvest in value stocks among consumer cyclicals on reduced valuations. The indiscriminate nature of the way in which the market has treated growth and value stocks has created these sorts of opportunities, in my view.
Challenging times for credit markets
Luca Evangelisti, Fund Manager and Head of Credit Research, discusses the outlook for credit markets as central banks lift rates and inflation runs high.
It is a very difficult time for credit markets. Inflationary forces are putting pressure on central banks to raise interest rates. We have had 85 interest rate hikes (25bps increases) from central banks globally so far this year. Looking at where bond markets are priced for the full year, they are expecting many more than this.
We are today at a junction where there is hiking pressure from central banks but also the risk that excessive activity from central banks can create a recession. Especially in the government bond markets in the US, this has already been reflected and even arguably over-reflected in valuations.
The investment grade bond market in the US has also seen underperformance. Usually, if we are heading into a big recession, high yield bonds will suffer more but this has not been the case so far, with US investment grade bonds down approximately -12% compared to -7.7% for high yield bonds. As a result. we could see even more divergence in the spread between the US investment grade market and the US high yield market, but this is very much dependent on the recession outlook. There are differences among different sectors too; for instance, subordinated financials have already priced in a lot in terms of a recession risk, with contingent capital, or Cocos,’ yields in certain European banks reaching 7%-8% with a solid fundamental profile.
Support measures for the economy are being removed, and inflation data is putting pressure on central banks to raise interest rates aggressively. However, central banks will have to be careful not to harm the recovery, which is still incomplete, especially in Europe.
We are today at a junction where there is hiking pressure from central banks but also the risk that excessive activity from central banks can create a recession. Especially in the government bond markets in the US, this has already been reflected and even arguably over-reflected in valuations.
The investment grade bond market in the US has also seen underperformance. Usually, if we are heading into a big recession, high yield bonds will suffer more but this has not been the case so far, with US investment grade bonds down approximately -12% compared to -7.7% for high yield bonds. As a result. we could see even more divergence in the spread between the US investment grade market and the US high yield market, but this is very much dependent on the recession outlook. There are differences among different sectors too; for instance, subordinated financials have already priced in a lot in terms of a recession risk, with contingent capital, or Cocos,’ yields in certain European banks reaching 7%-8% with a solid fundamental profile.
Support measures for the economy are being removed, and inflation data is putting pressure on central banks to raise interest rates aggressively. However, central banks will have to be careful not to harm the recovery, which is still incomplete, especially in Europe.
The value of active minds: independent thinking
A key feature of Jupiter’s investment approach is that we eschew the adoption of a house view, instead preferring to allow our specialist fund managers to formulate their own opinions on their asset class. As a result, it should be noted that any views expressed – including on matters relating to environmental, social and governance considerations – are those of the author(s), and may differ from views held by other Jupiter investment professionals.
Important information
This document is intended for investment professionals* and is not for the use or benefit of other persons, including retail investors, except in Hong Kong. This document is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Market and exchange rate movements can cause the value of an investment to fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than originally invested. The views expressed are those of the individuals mentioned at the time of writing, are not necessarily those of Jupiter as a whole, and may be subject to change. This is particularly true during periods of rapidly changing market circumstances. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, but no assurance or warranties are given. Holding examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation to buy or sell. Issued in the UK by Jupiter Asset Management Limited (JAM), registered address: The Zig Zag Building, 70 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6SQ is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Issued in the EU by Jupiter Asset Management International S.A. (JAMI), registered address: 5, Rue Heienhaff, Senningerberg L-1736, Luxembourg which is authorised and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. For investors in Hong Kong: Issued by Jupiter Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (JAM HK) and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without the prior permission of JAM/JAMI/JAM HK. 29046
*In Hong Kong, investment professionals refer to Professional Investors as defined under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and in Singapore, Institutional Investors as defined under Section 304 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore.
*In Hong Kong, investment professionals refer to Professional Investors as defined under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and in Singapore, Institutional Investors as defined under Section 304 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore.