PRO-EYES
Last Update: March 15, 2024
Jump to section: Valuation | Business Cycle Factor | Tactical Factor
The FOMC this week will discuss QT and possibly slowing the pace. This could be a bullish catalyst, but that is the base expectation. If they feel the financial conditions are too easy and the economy is not slowing enough, we can expect some tougher language. The Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) could also guide to few hikes. But the price action in equities does not buy what the FOMC is selling and continues to price perfection into the outcome.
VALUATION
Risk Level: 85%
As we get through earnings period, forward based estimates are falling at the same time the market is moving higher. This, of course, makes little sense. It does suggest what is driving the markets higher is not fundamentally based, but flow based. Valuation remains extreme and history tells us the forward based returns are poor at this point in the cycle.
Enterprise Value to EBITDA
A reading about 70% historically means the average returns over the coming years will likely be slightly below average. Valuation metrics are not great timing indicators, but looks to frame longer-term expectations and magnitude of a correction when a catalyst develops. Enterprise value (EV) is the amount of debt plus equity capital a company uses less cash like holdings to generate free cash flow. EBITDA and EPS expectations are likely far too high given the tighter financial conditions that are likely to continue for a while longer. The challenge with valuation ratios is that the divisor is a forecast and will change over time. |
Price-to-Sales
A reading near 90% historically means the average returns over the coming years will likely be well below average. While the market is expensive historically, this metric suggests returns will be well below average and should not be used as a timing indicator, but adds to the cautionary environment. The revenue a company generates is less subject to manipulation (financialization) like earnings per share can be and can be a better valuation metric than comparisons to earnings. Many industries have higher margins, so price-to-sales is not a perfect guide. |
Forward P/E
A reading near 70% historically means the average returns over the coming years may be somewhat below average. While the forward P/E is above average, historically, this metric suggests returns will likely be below average and should not be used as a timing indicator, but adds to the cautionary environment. Earnings expectations are a key factor for market growth. Analysts are often too optimistic on forward expectations.Forward P/Es historically are 2 multiple points below trailing average. The historic average P/E for US large caps is about 16.5x earnings versus the current forward P/E of 21.27. Over the past 3-months forward EPS estimates have increased by 7.74%. Over the past month, forward EPS estimates have increased by 0.18%. The rate of EPS change is slowing. |
Equity Risk Premium
A reading of 100% historically means the average returns over the coming years will likely be well below average. While the market is expensive historically, this metric suggests returns will be well below average and should not be used as a timing indicator, but adds to the cautionary environment. The equity risk premium is the discount factor investors are paying for stocks above the risk free rate. The inverse of the P/E called the earnings yield plus the long-term government yield is a reasonable estimate. Overall, the ERP declined 17.0bps last week. The yield of the 30-year bond increased 17.6bps. The earnings yield of the S&P 500 increased 0.6bps. The tightening of financial conditions is likely to continue in the short run. But we are very close to fully pricing in the terminal rate of Fed funds and weakening of the economy and earnings should start to balance out. Markets remain on the expensive side, but it’s mostly because of higher rates. |
BUSINESS CYCLE FACTOR
Risk Level: 85%
A reading of 100% historically means the average returns over the coming years will likely be well below average. While the market is expensive historically, this metric suggests returns will be well below average and should not be used as a timing indicator, but adds to the cautionary environment. The equity risk premium is the discount factor investors are paying for stocks above the risk free rate. The inverse of the P/E called the earnings yield plus the long-term government yield is a reasonable estimate. Overall, the ERP declined 17.0bps last week. The yield of the 30-year bond increased 17.6bps. The earnings yield of the S&P 500 increased 0.6bps. The tightening of financial conditions is likely to continue in the short run. But we are very close to fully pricing in the terminal rate of Fed funds and weakening of the economy and earnings should start to balance out. Markets remain on the expensive side, but it’s mostly because of higher rates.
Slope of Yield Curve
A reading near 100% suggests the yield curve (3-months vs. 10-years) is forecasting recession within the next 12 months. An inverted yield curve leads to credit contraction as lending profitability is curtailed. A curve this flat suggests financial conditions are extremely tight. The recent trend has been steeper. Last week, the 3M-10Y curve was 20.8bps steeper. The forward curve is pricing in only modest rate cuts by mid 2023. Powell launched the higher for longer narrative and we expect the curve to remain in recession mode until inflation clearly breaks. This restrictive curve could last into 2024, though the recent banking insolvencies can complicate the FOMCs job fighting inflation. |
High Yield vs. Investment Grade Credit Spreads
At a reading near 80%, credit spreads are near extreme low levels and suggest easy financial conditions and a strong economic outlook ahead. Investors are not likely adequatly compensated for credit risks if a shock develops, but this is never a moment in time, but a process over weeks or months. Narrow credit spreads correlate with high business cycle risk when a shock develops. The yield-to-worst (maturity) for junk bonds is 7.72%, which is -0.9 standard deviations below average. The FOMC and other central banks are reducing liquidity and e expect them to maintain tighter financial conditions than equity markets are pricing for an extended period. Looking out, we should expect tighter financial conditions and wider credit spreads until the economy troughs. Over the past month, HY-IG spreads are -6bps narrower. Over the past 3 months, HY-IG spreads are -25bps narrower. Momentum is increasing. |
NY Fed Weekly Leading Indicators
Over the past week, the NY Fed weekly leading economic index increased. The trend over the past month is rising at a faster pace. The recent trend suggests evidence of modest contraction. Growth challenges are significant without deficit driven stimulus. For more details see: https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/policy/weekly-economic-index#/interactive We are now past the stimulative phase of the cycle and looking ahead, quantitative tightening (QT) will likely provide a major headwind for risk premiums. The labour market remains the stickiest part of the core inflation push with real assets showing signs of deflation. |
Real Yields & Inflation Expectations
Over the past week, real 10-Year Treasury yields increased 21.3bps. Nominal yields increased 23.1bps, while long-term inflation expectations rose 1.9bps to 2.56%. Real monetary policy is restrictive relative to long-term expectations. Short-term inflation numbers remain extremely elevated, while longer-term market based inflation expectations are elevated relative to the range of the past decade. Based on recent curve moves, the market has likely priced in more tightening than the FOMC actually will need to do given increasing odds of a recession. |
TACTICAL FACTOR
Risk Level: 72%
In a presidential election year, the seasonals are strong in the back half and weaker in the first half. We expect the massive need to fund new debt with coupons will weight on markets in the first half. Yellen has proven to be a political operative fighting for her job. Interest rate risks and the impact on asset prices is likely a first half issue. With tactical risks highly cautionary, we continue to suggest a defensive bias to portfolios.
5-Day Put/Call Ratio Risk Level: 72% The Put/Call ratio measures a degree of speculation and hedging in the options markets. A reading around 70% suggests some degree of speculation. Last week, the average put volume declined 1,217 contracts per day while the average call volume declined 3,457 contracts per day. |
Speculative Position S&P 500 Futures Risk Level: 89% Positions of long only speculators in the S&P 500 futures contracts offers a potential future source of supply or demand. Current readings are extremely elevated and suggests a high risk of stop loss selling. As of March 12, S&P 500 E-mini long only speculators reduced their net long position last week by 218.5 million dollars. This group of long-only asset managers are as long as they have been since November 2021. |
Percentage Deviation from 200-Day Moving Average Risk Level: 90% Deviation from trend is a sign of a strong market and a sign of an extreme condition. The current reading is very extended. The 50-day average is now above the 200-day average (Golden Cross), but the trend over the past month is weaker. The 200-day average held a key test last week. It must continue to hold or the bull-trend signal will turn bearish again. |
AAII Bull vs. Bear Sentiment Spread Risk Level: 86% When the percentage of Bulls is well above the percentage of Bears like it is now, the longer-term and short-term risk becomes very high. Last week the percentage of bulls decreased -5.8% while the percentage of bears increased 0.1%. There was a dramatic swing to bullishness after the FOMC Pause at the Nov 1 meeting. If inflation expectations remain high, this will fade as the FOMC will not cut rates. |
Seasonal Pattern (All Years) Since 1928 Risk Level: 35% The 1-Month forward based return is slightly above average based on the 4-year presidential cycle model. The current factor is a modestly positive influence. The second half of year 3 of the presidential cycle tends to be weaker than most. We do not expect a strong Q4 under the weight of higher for longer pressure on all asset prices. |
Presidential Cycle (Current Year) Since 1928 Risk Level: 89% Positions of long only speculators in the S&P 500 futures contracts offers a potential future source of supply or demand. Current readings are extremely elevated and suggests a high risk of stop loss selling. As of March 12, S&P 500 E-mini long only speculators reduced their net long position last week by 218.5 million dollars. This group of long-only asset managers are as long as they have been since November 2021. |
Current vs. Average Volatility (VIX) Risk Level: 90% Deviation from trend is a sign of a strong market and a sign of an extreme condition. The current reading is very extended. The 50-day average is now above the 200-day average (Golden Cross), but the trend over the past month is weaker. The 200-day average held a key test last week. It must continue to hold or the bull-trend signal will turn bearish again. |
Current vs. Future Volatility (VIX) Risk Level: 65% Last week, current volatility was -3.2% below the previous week. Future volatility was 0.4% above the previous week. The ratio of current volatility to future volatility is normal. Volatility readings are swinging with the latest headlines. We expect elevated volatility readings as long as geopolitical risks are high. |
Percentage of S&P 500 Holdings Above 50-Day Average Risk Level: 72% The percentage of stocks in the S&P 500 above their own 50-Day averages is 70.6%, which is 7.0% below the previous week. It is 1.4% above the average of the past month. Tactically showing good strength. It’s now been a few months since the market made its all-time high and so the opportunity for more stocks to break trend has developed. The 50-day average will cross below the 200-day average this week. Look for an oversold rally soon, but a move to new highs is unlikely until the reasons for the market corrections have been fully priced in. That could take a while given the rate hike cycle just started. |
Percentage of S&P 500 Holdings Above 200-Day Average Risk Level: 79% The percentage of stocks in the S&P 500 above their own 200-Day averages is 78.0%, which is 1.6% below the previous week. It is 1.9% above the average of the past month. Statistically, breadth readings are oversold and odds of a rally are high once a catalyst develops. At this point we need a friendly FOMC and a significant reduction in geopolitical macro headwinds, which we do not expect in the near term. |
Breadth-McClellan Summation Index Risk Level: 79% The breadth of the market is strong. Most stocks are participating in the advance. Overhead divergences suggests that a rally to new highs is unlikely. But there should be enough support buying dips as long as earnings fundamentals hold up. |
Overbought-Oversold 13-Week Relative Strength Index Risk Level: 72% The 13-week RSI is now extreme at 76. High caution is warranted. Overall, RSI has much higher efficacy at bottoms than tops. In the short run (days to weeks), extreme readings may carry momentum, but in the intermediate term (weeks to months), a high level of caution is warranted. |