Week In Review 9/30/2022

Week In Review – Friday, September 30th, 2022

1. September continues its tradition as a difficult month for markets on surging rate expectations

Last week we discussed the Federal Reserve policy update in terms of the latest 75 basis point increase and the implied Fed Funds rate target based on the Dot projections by its members. The Dot projection peak rate, based on the Fed’s 09/21/2022 meeting, moved to 4.6%. The dramatic change in expectations is hard to overstate and is the primary factor driving both the equity and bond markets lower in September and year-to-date.

The rapid pace of increases and a higher expected end point for the Federal funds rate has been the driver of higher bond yields. Bond yields soared to their highest point in years this week with the two-year Treasury reaching 4.16% and the 10-year Treasury topping 4%.

As yields rise, the pressure on prices for both bonds and equities has been downward. For U.S. large-cap stocks, the price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) has pulled back over 25% in 2022 and small-cap stocks now trade near the lowest P/E ratio in over 20 years.

For equities, an additional factor is in play with earnings expectations. On a year-to-date basis, while Fed fund rate expectations have surged higher, earnings expectations have so far been relatively stable.

However, there is reasonable skepticism about the ability of earnings projections to be maintained, given substantial downward pressures. In mid-September, FedEx lowered its earnings expectations citing negative macroeconomic trends, particularly in Asia and Europe, leading to a decline in volumes. Shortly thereafter, Ford lowered near-term expectations citing ongoing supply chain and material cost pressures. Finally, this week, Apple lowered the upper end of its projected cell phone deliveries. Even to the degree these issues may be somewhat company specific, the surging strength of the dollar is likely to pressure corporate earnings for the large multinational U.S. companies.

The potential for lower prospective earnings is likely to weigh on the market until proved otherwise and compounds the impact of higher-than-anticipated interest rates.

While financial markets are in the midst of a storm, seeds for an eventual improvement are also being planted. The nature of the seeds is lower inflation that may at least cap the trajectory of Fed rate hikes. Looking at expected inflation surveys, one-year, three-year, and longer-term inflation expectations have all appeared to peak and are trending down.

Reasons for peaking inflation include lower energy prices, rising inventory levels, lower corporate expectations for price increases, declining rent indices, and declining excess job openings. The growing probability of a recession might accelerate these trends and more. Another important factor is easier comps going forward as inflationary forces prompted by excess demand versus supply coming out of Covid and the energy spike, exacerbated by the Ukraine War, will be lapped and dropout of the annual pace calculations looking forward into 2023.

For the time being, it is generally accepted that the Fed is pursuing the correct battle to reduce inflation, and the course of hawkish policy is expected to succeed in that regard. Ultimately, lower inflation should lead to a clear peak and then reduction over time in interest rates. This would be a clear positive catalyst for bonds which are close, or at least much closer than even several months ago, to pricing in the present expectation for peak rates. For equities, negative earnings revisions remain a key concern with cyclical stocks such as consumer discretionary, industrial, and materials stocks seen at heightened risk. However, lower multiples for the equity market are undoubtedly factoring in at least some of this risk.

2. September financial market performance and sentiment fall from already low levels

At the beginning of September, we highlighted the AAII Sentiment Survey as being particularly negative. September has seasonally been among the worst months for financial markets and 2022 has continued to add fuel to the trend. So, as we end September, the AAII index is finishing the month even more bearish than it started.

The sentiment survey is a contrarian indicator of forward performance. With the latest bearish sentiment trends, the survey indicates a high level of opportunity or “greed”. Of course, as discussed above, there are many drivers for the weakness being experienced. Top of the list are higher rates, earnings risk, and recession.

Past performance is no guarantee of the future, but historically, the S&P 500 index has gone on to realize above-average and above-median returns during the six- and 12-month periods following unusually high bearish sentiment readings. As September has followed the historical trend of being a challenging month for financial markets, perhaps the more optimistic historical trend for high bearish sentiment can also prevail when given time.

Thinking Ahead

As we finish off the dreaded month of September, financial markets are putting in their worst performance since the March 2020 sell-off at the onset of Covid. Equity multiples and bond yields finish the month at 20-year low valuation levels. The causes are clear with a Federal Reserve intent on fighting inflation, the correct course of action, and earnings and credit risks rising. While the financial market storm seems to have hit with force and resolve, the ingredients for it to diminish are also in place.

Pallas Capital Advisors will continue to monitor economic, political, and corporate data for implications to markets.

Mark A. Bogar, CFA^®, CAIA^®
Chief Investment Officer
Pallas Capital Advisors

Stephen Kylander
Senior Portfolio Manager
Pallas Capital Advisors

Download PDF

The information contained herein is for informational purposes only, is not personalized investment advice and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security, sector or strategy to any individual person or entity. The decision to review or consider the purchase or sale of any security, sector or strategy mentioned should not be undertaken without consideration of your personal financial information, investment objectives and risk tolerance with your financial professional. Past performance should not be considered as an indicator of future results.

Investment Advice offered through Pallas Capital Advisors LLC, a registered investment advisor.

Braintree, MA

45 Braintree Hill Office Park Suite 201
Braintree, MA 02184
(781) 971-5052

Wakefield, MA

701 Edgewater Drive
Suite 140
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 587-3478

Portsmouth, NH

36 Maplewood Avenue
Portsmouth
NH 03801
(603) 292-3699

Park Ridge, NJ

1 Maynard Drive
Suite 2101
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(551) 277-2686

Newport, RI

51 Long Wharf Mall
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-0505

Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Pallas Capital ADVISORS is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Pallas Capital Advisors and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. This website is solely for information purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Pallas Capital Advisors unless a client service agreement is in place.

Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Pallas Capital Advisors and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. This website is solely for informational purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Pallas Capital Advisors unless a client service agreement is in place.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

We take protecting your data and privacy very seriously. As of January 1, 2020 the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) suggests the following link as an extra measure to safeguard your data: Do not sell my personal information.