Are you taking a longer-term view?
Currently, the US S&P 500 stands at 2,870 points, down 15 per cent from its February 2020 peak. (Meanwhile, the Australian All Ordinaries Index at 5,450 points is 25 per cent below its peak). On most fundamentals, markets have justified high valuations on the back of historically low interest rates.
The enormous success of the top five US technology stocks, Microsoft (US$1.36 trillion), Apple (US$1.27 trillion), Amazon (US$1.16 trillion), Alphabet (US$904 billion) and Facebook (US$584 billion) – which currently account for a collective 21.5 per cent of the S&P 500 (US$24.5 trillion ) – often means investors lose sight of what is happening in the broad economy.
As illustrated below, businesses have been materially “over-earning” in the post GFC environment, often to the detriment of the labour force. How vulnerable are US earnings forecasts, given they have significantly overshot the trendline in this cycle and appear to have material downside?
Source: JP Morgan
Near term unemployment will likely exceed 10 per cent in many major economies – the consensus forecast in the US is 16 per cent – and with the consumer accounting for 70 per cent of GDP, a return to normalcy seems some way off. Deferred capital expenditure, reduced dividends and cancellation of buy-backs, and cost-cutting initiatives will likely create second order impacts.
Source: JP Morgan
As countries partially reopen their economies it appears the authorities will accept a (small) bounce in the level of COVID-19 infection, but how will this affect consumer behaviour? Some companies’ trading results will return to pre-pandemic levels quite quickly, but for most it seems a less optimistic outlook is most likely.
In terms of Australia, the pull-up effect from China was a saviour during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009. However, the high frequency data available since China’s return to work on 10 February and the lockdown for the Hubei Province on 27 March being lifted is, on balance, relatively sober.
Examples include:
- China’s daily passenger traffic has rebounded from negative 66 per cent year-on year to negative 55 per cent (at 30 April) year-on-year.
- Daily coal consumption is down 20 per cent on the 2010-2019 average.
- In terms of housing transactions, the market did rebound after the restrictions were lifted, but activity is now running at around half the pace of the 2015-2019 average.
- Outbound and inbound shipping is typically down 5 per cent and 15 per cent, year on year.
- Air traffic has been reasonably flat over the past two months.
- According to TomTom.com, traffic congestion in Wuhan on 1 May 2020 is down 61 per cent on a year ago.
We will keep readers updated as the impact from China on Australia’s economy is crucial to our outlook.
Chief Executive Officer of Montgomery Investment Management, David Buckland has over 30 years of industry experience. David is a deeply knowledgeable and highly experienced financial services executive. Prior to joining Montgomery in 2012, David was CEO and Executive Director of Hunter Hall for 11 years, as well as a Director at JP Morgan in Sydney and London for eight years.
This post was contributed by a representative of Montgomery Investment Management Pty Limited (AFSL No. 354564). The principal purpose of this post is to provide factual information and not provide financial product advice. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion about any financial product. Any commentary and statements of opinion however may contain general advice only that is prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Because of this, before acting on any of the information provided, you should always consider its appropriateness in light of your personal objectives, financial circumstances and needs and should consider seeking independent advice from a financial advisor if necessary before making any decisions. This post specifically excludes personal advice.
