A global economy that was already vulnerable to inflation from supply chain disruptions, tight labor markets, excess stimulus, and loose monetary policy came under more pressure when Russian aggression in Ukraine added sharply rising commodity prices and put Europe on the brink of recession. The effects have included renewed pressure on interest rates, which hurt bond investors and contributed to tightening financial conditions and a much more aggressive stance by the Federal Reserve (Fed) and other global central banks. Add in the typical market challenges of a midterm election year and the third year of a bull market, and it is not surprising it has been a bumpy ride.
Understandably, rising prices, slowing economic growth, and a challenging year for both stocks and bonds have many investors on edge, and fatigue from more than two years of COVID-19 measures does not make it any easier. But markets are always forward looking, so it is important to remain focused on what lies ahead. There will most certainly be challenges, but there are also some tailwinds from a strong job market, still resilient businesses, and the likelihood that inflation rates will eventually slow. Markets historically can even get a little lift from lower uncertainty around elections as midterms are settled.
Stocks faced many challenges last year. At the top of the list were rampant fears of recession as the Fed began to pull back monetary policy support and pushed interest rates higher to combat high inflation. The Fed’s track record of fighting inflation without causing a recession is not reassuring. Often, its rate hiking campaigns have preceded (or caused) recessions—though typically at interest rates above current levels. Nonetheless, high inflation has been a common ingredient in recessions since WWII—see the 1970s, early 1980s, early 1990s, and even 2008. Add to that, an unexpected war in Eastern Europe and lingering—though diminishing—effects of COVID-19 on global supply chains, and the skies are far from clear.
The amount of time it takes for stocks to return to prior highs will be largely determined by the path of inflation. Perhaps several percentage points could come off core consumer prices by year-end. Lower inflation tends to bring higher valuations. The market clearly does not expect 8 - 9% inflation to persist based on current stock valuations, but whether inflation eventually settles at 3% or 4% will go a long way toward determining how much higher stock valuations can go from current levels.
If the U.S. can eke out some economic growth in the second half as inflation falls and recession fears subside, valuations may get a lift by year-end. But will profit margins be a drag? Current margins may support above-average valuations, but cost pressures remain intense as inflation has been stubbornly slow to come down. Labor markets are still tight. Commodity prices are still elevated. Supply chains are improving but remain a challenge, keeping prices for certain inputs high. Revenue growth is expected to slow with the economy, leaving less cushion for companies to hit their margin targets. These potential headwinds to profitability may make it difficult for corporate America to maintain its current high-single-digit earnings growth pace.
One of the things we knew coming into last year was that 2022 would be a midterm year—and those have historically not been kind to stocks. In fact, since 1950, midterm years have seen the largest peak-to-trough pullback of the four years of the presidential cycle, with the S&P 500 Index down 17.1% on average during the year (the max drawdown this year for the S&P 500 has been 23.5%. The good news is, one year off those lows, stocks have been up more than 32% on average.
As we try to orient ourselves to what may lie ahead. it can be hard to get our bearings, especially when we feel buffeted about by forces that are either unusual or that we have not experienced in some time. We are still dealing with COVID-19-related economic disruptions. Inflation is at its highest level in decades, central banks are trying to figure out how to unwind more than a decade of extraordinary monetary support, and two European countries are at war. All these forces are having a real impact on businesses, consumers, and financial markets.
As we look at our potential landing point for 2023, the environment remains challenging and the growth outlook has unquestionably weakened. But there are also positives. Households, on average, still have deep reserves, and the job market remains stable. Businesses are feeling margin pressure but are also adapting to the shifting environment with help from strong balance sheets. Stock and bond valuations have become much more reasonable, and even, in places, historically low. Potentially helping things along, some historical patterns may even offer support.
- The economic forecast set forth in this presentation may not develop as predicted, and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
- Data provided by Bloomberg, Factset, and LPL Financial, tracking # 1-05305273.
- US Treasuries may be considered “safe haven” investments but do carry some degree of risk including interest rate, credit, and market risk. Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity..
- The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P500) is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.