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Market is Euphoric

Benjamin M. Lavine, CFA, CAIA

Chief Investment Officer, 3D Asset Management

8/24/2020

Note: an edited version of this article first appeared on ETF.com.

As global equities have mostly recovered from the 1Q2020 bear market lows and large cap growth technology stocks rallying well above the broader market, one can observe that investor sentiment has reached ‘euphoric’ levels.  This euphoria is partly a rational response to unprecedented levels of global fiscal spending and monetary support in response to the global pandemic-induced shutdowns as well as hopes for a coronavirus virus vaccine (several promising candidates are in Stage 3 trials).

Even with corporate and municipal credit spreads widening off the lows over the past week (as long-term U.S. Treasury yields hover near post-COVID low levels), cyclical cross-asset risk is well bid as investors seem to be betting on a zero-interest rate regime induced by global developed central bank policies, which are unlikely to be reversed anytime soon even if the world experiences a bout of cyclical inflation.

Our own proprietary indicator (Figure 1), which considers several risk-appetite proxies such as market volatility, breadth, commodities, and fixed income (term structure, credit), has reached relatively high levels.  Keep in mind that our risk appetite indicator is not designed to serve as a trading signal but to capture a mosaic of investor greed/fear sentiment.

Figure 1 – Risk Appetite at ‘Euphoric’ Risk-Seeking Levels

Source: Bloomberg and 3D Asset Management

Historically, extreme readings of risk-seeking/risk aversion have led to subsequent market reversals.  Citigroup maintains their own market sentiment indicator (Figure 2), where Haver Analytics overlaid the subsequent 1-year forward market returns.  High readings such as what we are currently seeing have historically pointed towards subpar market returns over the subsequent year.

Figure 2 – Citigroup Market Sentiment – ‘Euphoric’ Readings Have Historically Led to Subpar Market Returns

Not only are risk appetite indicators tracking at historically ‘euphoric’ levels, most if not all of the underlying components signals are either positive or trending well above trough levels – an unusual occurrence suggesting that market euphoria has also led to increased cross-asset correlation.  This can be anecdotally observed with the coincident rally in commodities (both industrial and precious metals), long duration risk (premium growth stocks and long maturity bonds), and cyclical risk (cyclicals versus defensive sectors, corporate credit risk).

Regardless of whether the global economy experiences some level of normalization from the COVID-induced shutdowns, investors are at least betting on the willingness of global central banks to maintain negative real rate policies to support and justify ever higher asset valuations.  The willingness to drive asset valuations higher on negative real interest rates can be observed with the current elevated valuation of ‘momentum’ as captured by iShares US Momentum ETF (MTUM).  In our June 2020 ETF.com article (“Momentum: The Other Second Wave”), we projected the possibility of ‘momentum’ capturing a second wave following its brief early June drawdown.

Not only has momentum made a second wave comeback, its strong post-COVID run (and outperformance of other factors) has largely defined this recovery in risk appetite.  Figure 3 displays the forward 12-month price/earnings ratio (top panel) and forward 24-month Bloomberg consensus EPS estimates (bottom panel).  For the latter, we chose 24 months to better capture the expected 2021-2022 earnings recovery being modeled by sell-side analysts.  One can see that US Momentum (which captures much of the large cap growth technology rally so far this year) is trading at 10-year high valuation levels even though earnings are not expected to recover to their prior peak levels.

Figure 3 – Market Euphoria Captured in US Momentum Trading at 10-Year High Valuation Levels

Source: Bloomberg through 8/21/2020

While we don’t entirely discount the rational outlook for global market recovery (absent any meaningful inflation that would prompt a tightening response from central banks), decreasing market breadth (based on advance/declines) of fewer names along with stock-split announcements of go-go growth stocks suggest that the latest market advances seem to be treading on lesser substance and thinner air.  We would suggest more caution heading into the end of the year; keep an eye on credit spreads and commodity prices for early signs of risk appetite fatigue and higher market volatility.

Disclosure:

At the time of this writing, 3D held positions in MTUM.  The above is the opinion of the author and should not be relied upon as investment advice or a forecast of the future. It is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or implement any investment strategy. It is for informational purposes only. The above statistics, data, anecdotes and opinions of others are assumed to be true and accurate however 3D Asset Management does not warrant the accuracy of any of these. There is also no assurance that any of the above are all inclusive or complete. 

3D does not approve or otherwise endorse the information contained in links to third-party sources. 3D is not affiliated with the providers of third-party information and is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained therein.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. None of the services offered by 3D Asset Management are insured by the FDIC and the reader is reminded that all investments contain risk. The opinions offered above are as of August 24, 2020 and are subject to change as influencing factors change.

More detail regarding 3D Asset Management, its products, services, personnel, fees and investment methodologies are available in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2 which is available upon request by calling (860) 291-1998, option 2 or emailing sales@3dadvisor.com or visiting 3D’s website at www.3dadvisor.com.