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Opportunities After the Market Sell-off?

The recent sell-off in markets has been savage. Many investors are now looking for the opportunities and interest in “market bottoms” is on trend.

26 May 2022

Bruce Raymond Apted

Head of Portfolio Management

Media Intensity of “Market Bottom” Trending Higher

Year to date the MSCI World Index is down -15.7%, the technology sector is down -26.5% and consumer discretionary sector down -29%.¹ After such a large correction many investors are now looking for the opportunities. As shown in figure 1 interest in “market bottoms” is on trend. In this monthly note we take a closer look at the characteristics of this correction to help assess the future opportunities.

Figure 1: Media Intensity of “Market Bottom”

Market Sell-off Consistent With Long Term Investor Preferences

The sell-off in markets has been savage but has largely been rational. As the market has sold off we have seen investors act in line with longer term preferences. We expect investors to prefer less expensive companies and to prefer high quality proven business models and to favour companies that have improving outlooks. Year to date these investor preferences have dominated stock selection and there is little evidence of the baby been thrown out with the bathwater. Figure 2 below highlights the excess return from owning value (+18.0%), quality (+7.3%) and sentiment (+5.2%). This has also been evident in the sectors that have sold off the most, namely technology and consumer discretionary. Across those sectors investors have differentiated based on value (+13.8%), quality (+9.0%) and sentiment (+7.7%).

Figure 2: Rational Investor Preferences During the Sell-off Year to Date

Investor Preferences (MSCI ACWI Universe)	Spread
Value (return difference between most expensive and least expensive)	+18.0%
Quality (return difference between lowest quality and highest quality)	+7.3%
Sentiment (return difference between lowest sentiment and highest sentiment)	+5.2%
Investor Preferences (Technology & Discretionary Companies)	Spread
Value (return difference between most expensive and least expensive)	+13.8%
Quality (return difference between lowest quality and highest quality)	+9.0%
Sentiment (return difference between lowest sentiment and highest sentiment)	+7.7%

Source: State Street Global Advisors, Factset as of 24 May 2022. Returns are calculated based on local currency. Index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. Index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss and the reinvestment of dividends and other income as applicable.

The recent correction is renormalising the market back towards fundamentals after many years of distorted mispricing of securities. Figure 3 provides some insights on the extent of the mispricing within value companies. Figure 3 shows the difference in price earnings ratios between the most expensive and least expensive cohorts back to the technology bubble more than 20 years ago. We have definitely seen the most expensive companies de-rate but using the 2000 experience as a guide there is still room for the most expensive names to de-rate further and for the cheaper companies to re-rate higher. The “buy the dip” mentality appears to be alive and well and we have not as yet seen capitulation from investors buying into expensive growth.

Figure 3: Valuation Differences Between Most and Least Expensive

Source: SSGA, Factset, MSCI as of 30 April 2022. Quintiles grouped monthly using AQE’s proprietary Value factor, P/E ratios are calculated using the weighted harmonic average method. Premium / Discount measured against the long term average P/E Ratio: from Dec-97 to Mar-22 Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Technology and Consumer Discretionary Preferences Largely Unchanged

Across the Technology and Discretionary companies we are not seeing large changes in our preferences since the sell off. Technology Hardware and Storage was our most preferred cohort within the Technology sector at the start of the year. This group of companies outperformed this year (down only -15%²) and remains our preference in the Technology sector. Software was one of our least preferred areas within Technology at the beginning of the year and even after underperforming this year (down -34%²) remains one of our least preferred. This trend is similar across Consumer Discretionary names. Internet and Direct Marketing was one of our least preferred groups within Consumer Discretionary and remains one of our least preferred despite being down on average -44% year to date.²

Preferred Industries Post Sell-off

Looking forward we prefer some of the more defensive sectors including Communication Services, Multi Utilities and Healthcare Service Providers. On the cyclical side we prefer a number of industrial subgroups including Construction and Engineering, Marine and Trading Companies.

The Bottom Line

Investors are naturally interested in looking for the opportunities post a significant market correction. After examining the returns we find no obvious areas of mispricing. In contrast we find investors have differentiated between securities in line with the long term return drivers of valuation, quality and sentiment. In what may appear somewhat contrary we continue to prefer some of the sectors that have outperformed year to date.

Footnotes

Disclosure

Issued by State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (AFSL Number 238276, ABN 42 003 914 225) (“SSGA Australia”). Registered office: Level 14, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia · Telephone: +612 9240-7600 · Web: ssga.com.
The views expressed in this material are the views of Bruce Apted, Head of Portfolio Management – Australia, Active Quantitative Equity Team through the period ended 24 May 2022 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such.
All information is from SSGA unless otherwise noted and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
Equity securities may fluctuate in value and can decline significantly in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Investing in foreign domiciled securities may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, withholding taxes, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
A value style of investing that emphasizes undervalued companies with characteristics for improved valuations, which may never improve and may actually have lower returns than other styles of investing or the overall stock market.
A “quality” style of investing emphasizes companies with high returns, stable earnings, and low financial leverage. This style of investing is subject to the risk that the past performance of these companies does not continue or that the returns on “quality” equity securities are less than returns on other styles of investing or the overall stock market.
The MSCI World Index is a trademark of MSCI Inc. The MSCI ACWI Index is a trademark of MSCI Inc.

Source: MSCI. The MSCI data is comprised of a custom index calculated by MSCI for, and as requested by, SSGA. The MSCI data is for internal use only and may not be redistributed or used in connection with creating or offering any securities, financial products or indices. Neither MSCI nor any other third party involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating the MSCI data (the “MSCI Parties’) makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such data (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and the MSCI Parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to such data. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any of the MSCI Parties have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.”

This document may contain certain statements deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements, other than historical facts, contained within this document that address activities, events or developments that SSGA expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by SSGA in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances, many of which are detailed herein. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks, uncertainties, many of which are beyond SSGA’s control. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
This material is general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you.
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Tracking: 4761452.1.1.ANZ.RTL
Expiry Date: 31/05/2023

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