There has been some uncertainty on whether or not the stock market will rebound in 2023. Some experts are pointing to the fact that high inflation and oil shocks have hurt the global economy. However, a new report from Wells Fargo predicts that the S&P 500 will hit a price level of 4,300 to 4,500 by the end of the year. Despite this, the firm believes that value stocks will outperform until interest rates drop significantly.
Value stocks will outperform until interest rates fall significantly from current levels
As the economic environment continues to change, the debate about whether value or growth stocks will be the best option has become more heated. The pendulum is expected to swing back and forth in 2023.
One of the factors that has been driving value stocks higher is monetary policy. Central banks overseas and in the US have signaled that they will slow down or stop their rate hikes. This will relieve some pressure on bond yields and equity valuations.
It’s a good sign for global economic recovery. Until a recession hits, the market is forward looking. That means equity markets typically price in bad economic outcomes in advance. A mild recession could lead to the worst declines in the equity markets.
Value stocks are based on cash flows, rather than a company’s earnings, and their P/E ratios are generally lower than those of growth stocks. They have less interest rate sensitivity and are favored by investors seeking dividends rather than capital gains.
Value stocks have outperformed growth stocks for the past five years. Historically, value outperformance has occurred twice in the last 20 years.
In addition to the monetary factor, it’s also important to consider the company performance factor. When companies aren’t performing well, investors can feel disappointed in the stock market. Similarly, the cyclical factor, which drives defensive sectors such as energy, healthcare, and staples, also tends to skew toward value.
There are many possible catalysts that could end the current cycle. Ultimately, it’s up to investors to decide if value is the better investment option. For now, however, we’ve seen value outperform growth for the longest sustained period in nearly 15 years.
High inflation is the primary cause of the bear market
A bear market is a stock market that declines by 20% from its high. It typically lasts between 300 days and 50 months. If a recession is on the horizon, a bear market may take longer.
Inflation is a factor that can lead to bear markets in the stock market. The consumer price index (CPI) measures inflation.
The S&P 500 Index, a market-capitalization-weighted index of 500 widely held common stocks, has fallen by about 20 percent from its all-time high. Investors have been repositioning their portfolios to take less risk. Nevertheless, the forward P/E ratio for the S&P 500 is at 18 and higher than during previous bear markets.
As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, the chances of an economic slowdown increase. This is a risk to investors, because raising interest rates too fast can lead to a short-term recession. But it can also be an opportunity for long-term price growth.
However, investors expect more volatility in the market in the coming years. Moreover, they are starting to worry about the possibility of a recession in 2023. They’re also looking at the likelihood of the Fed pivoting to a more dovish position.
Stocks have been on the rise since the summer, but they have been volatile and could still decline further. The S&P 500 rose by almost four percent in the fourth quarter and remains within the range of a bear market.
With the economy growing faster than income, consumers are spending more than they earn. While this is a sign of progress, the prospect for foreign demand is weak. And there are other factors that may lead to a recession in the U.S.
Wells Fargo’s year-end S&P 500 price target is 4,300 to 4,500
The Wells Fargo Investment Institute has raised its S&P 500 price target for 2023 to 4,300. Its forecast is a 10% gain from the current level. However, the firm also predicts that the economy will enter a recession in the middle of next year.
Several analysts, including Wells, expect the market to bounce back before the end of the year, even though the S&P 500 will likely fall to a new low in June. They point to a rebalance between cyclical and defensive sectors, as well as household financial health. But they warn that the S&P 500 could slide down to 3,700 before the bear market reaches its end.
While the economy is expected to improve in the second half of the year, the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates accommodative. The S&P 500 could be undervalued, but its valuation could increase in the near term, if the Fed decides to cut stimulus sooner than expected.
Despite this, the S&P 500 has already posted nearly 12% gains from its low of mid-2020 to the present. Its Energy sector is up 70.3%, and its consumer staples, utilities, and health care sectors have all benefited.
Among the other key risks to S&P 500 performance are earnings cuts and valuation compression. Analysts say that if the market is confident in the economic outlook for the next few years, earnings may rise, and the S&P could experience more than 10% in gains. On the other hand, if the market is concerned that the economy will decline, the S&P could see more cuts.
Some of the most important indicators of a sustainable recovery are new manufacturing orders, improving housing sentiment, and narrowing credit spreads. Other signs include the strengthening of industrial commodity prices and the bottoming of corporate earnings revisions.
Global economy expanding at a sluggish pace of around 1.6% in 2023
A growing global economy will slow in 2023 as pent-up demand dissipates and fiscal and monetary support ends. However, economic fundamentals are strong and are projected to keep the global economy afloat.
The global economy is expected to grow at a 1.6% annual rate in 2023. Growth in the United States and Europe is expected to slow but remain positive. EM growth will remain weak as it decelerates. In addition, rising income inequality and debt could threaten the global economy.
In the first half of 2023, the S&P 500 is forecast to re-test the lows of 2022. However, asset prices are recovering and will push the index to 4,200 by the end of the year.
The Federal Reserve is expected to tighten its monetary policy in 2023. This will reduce government spending and investments. It is also expected to dampen price growth. As a result, the unemployment rate is expected to rise.
In the second quarter of 2023, the Consumer Price Index is forecast to remain flat. The OPEC+ alliance will balance oil markets. Oil demand is expected to rise 1.3 million barrels per day in 2023. Although this increase will be lower than in 2021, it will still provide room for a cyclical rebound.
As the DM tightening cycle draws to a close in the first half of 2023, the Fed will be in a position to signal interest rate cuts. This will help restore asset prices to pre-pandemic levels and lead to a recovery of the economy.
As the Fed continues to raise interest rates, corporate sentiment will decline and government spending will soften. While inflation is on track to reach 3.5% in early 2023, the overall economic outlook is expected to be subdued.
Oil shocks have negatively affected the stock market
The stock market has not been kind to fixed income investments in recent years. With interest rates on the rise, fixed income returns have decreased in tandem. In response, stocks have lost their luster. However, that does not mean the future is doomed. Rather, a rethinking of interest rate policies could be the key to a rosy future.
Oil supply shocks have helped push Brent crude prices higher year after year. The oil industry is far from finished. Global demand is still in a recovery mode and there is room for a cyclical resurgence. A new strategic partnership between OPEC and non-OPEC producers will help bring the market back into balance. Combined with a resurgent US economy, the aforementioned rumblings may be on the horizon soon enough.
A major policy shift from the Fed, albeit the “easy money” era, led to a repricing of risk assets. This led to the biggest of all the “moons” and a stock market that was not immune to the effects of globalization.
There are many factors that can lead to a downturn, but a recession isn’t imminent. On the bright side, the monetary base may be nearing its end. Assuming a robust recovery, the economy could see GDP growth return to its pre-financial crisis levels by the middle of the next decade. Moreover, the emergence of other competitive strategic competitors could add a further layer of stumbling blocks to a fragile global recovery.
The stock market has not had an especially good year, but the past few months have seen a brief resurgence. However, the worst of the recession may be on the horizon. Whether or not the market can withstand the ensuing volatility remains to be seen.