„If you’re going through hell, keep going!”
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill
The year 2018 had started on such a promising note – is what we all were thinking. But at the beginning of February, the market taught us a lesson. As a result, the discussions at our first Investment Committee of the year at the beginning of February were interesting ones.
The risk stance of our Committee, which queries the risk appetite of the participants, has fallen slightly from 79% in December to 70%, which, however, is still clearly aggressive. The assessment of the group has changed significantly with regard to the market though. Here, we as a group believe that the risk appetite has fallen to neutral territory (48%), from 61% in December. In addition, the distribution within our group has become more divided. While the term “bimodal” would be excessive in describing our view of the markets, the large degree of uncertainty is also reflected in the distribution.
Source: Erste AM
This means that we remain very optimistic about the development of the markets in the coming months – i.e. one reason to remain invested in risky assets.
Inflationary pressures in the US
At the end of 2017 we already pointed out (and I relayed this in our last Market Monitor in December 2017) that the future development of the US inflation was one of the central parameters for the markets in 2018. “The Philipps curve is dead” and “This time it’s different!” were the explanations as to why the rate of inflation was just not going to rise in 2017 despite the good economic performance. According to our opinion stated then, inflation was going to increase in 2018, and the US Fed would come under pressure to raise interest rates more quickly and significantly than expected by the market. This would in turn also affect the long-term interest rates, i.e. government bond yields should rise in such a scenario.
Heavy market reactions in early February
In January, we did indeed see yields rise, and at the beginning of February, another strong US labour market report also suggested pressure on wages. Given that the “this time it’s different” mantra works only until it doesn’t, the market’s reaction to the numbers was not surprising.
However, what did surprise us was the extent of the reaction. Along with the aforementioned re-evaluation of interest rate expectations, the exposure in some very popular assets (e.g. VIX futures) seems to have played an important role.
No “real” inflation problem
What’s in store now? Even last December we expected inflation to rise in 2018. We maintain this position, but do not believe in a massive rise (core PCE deflator at 2%), nor do we see a real problem with inflation (i.e. a continued upward trend beyond 2%). Judging by the inflation expectations priced into the market, the market itself is holding the same view, which may pose a certain degree of risk. Accordingly, the current turbulences should remain contained. As soon as the interest rate expectations have adjusted to the new situation, the market should calm down again in this scenario.
Thrust by US tax reform
This takes us to the second large issue of our discussion: the fiscal stimulus in the USA. The agreement on the new debt ceiling in the USA and the tax reform passed in December will result in massive fiscal stimulus, in a phase where the US economy is growing above potential already (as measured by different estimates of the output gap). Overall this means another boost for the already solid economic growth in the USA.
Since the model is unfunded, the fiscal impulses will be mainly reflected in an expanded budget deficit. Together with the high current account deficit, this is a classic case of a twin deficit that the USA is running here. It is definitely positive for growth in the short run, but in the long run it will turn into a problem on numerous levels. And as long as the economy in the USA remains as good as it is now, it should prevent the equity markets (and other risky assets) from shedding too much value on a sustainable basis.
Overall, the EIC discussion has confirmed our assessment: we do not expect the current cycle to have come to an end at this point. As Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going!”. This is exactly what we will be doing, albeit more cautiously than in 2017.
What does that mean in terms of our positioning?
- Government bonds unattractive. We continue to regard safe government bonds and the interest rate risk associated with them as unattractive. Rising key-lending rates and inflation are no good environment for bonds per se, as the following graph shows, which charts German inflation since 1967 in phases of rising and falling inflation. The graph also illustrates the average monthly return of German government bonds in each phase. The rate of return in phases of rising inflation clearly underperforms the rate in phases of falling inflation.
Source: Erste AM
- Stocks: Stay is announced. From our point of view, equities should continue to offer upward potential. We think there is a chance of the new highs being set in 2018 one more time. However, the ride may become bumpier, with the recent months giving investors a first taste. It should therefore become difficult to take profits efficiently as part of a tactical allocation and to sustain a significant equity allocation in the first place. We have thus reduced our equity position relative to 2017, but still maintain a sizeable allocation in this segment. We use roughly half of the maximum bandwidth at this point. We believe that the key strategy in the current phase of the market is riding it out.
- Bonds: focus on corporate bonds and emerging markets
In the fixed income segment, our asset allocation remains focused on credits and emerging markets, which to us seem significantly more attractive in their risk/return profile than government bonds. Credits with low duration (e.g. short-term bonds from emerging markets) seem particularly attractive.
- Why is the US dollar not rising? The USD is especially interesting at the moment. We are holding no active USD position in our asset allocation. Why? At the moment, the USD is falling. In the 80s, the last time twin deficits were a big issue in the USA, they – and a determined Fed – caused the USD to appreciate massively
“May you live in interesting times”, as a famous Chinese curse goes. 2018 is an interesting year already!
Legal note:
Prognoses are no reliable indicator for future performance.