Monthly Investment Update: September 2022

The old investing adage, “don’t fight the Fed”, was in full force in August as both stocks and bonds declined after hearing a more resolute tone from Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, regarding the path of interest rate hikes in pursuit of blunting inflation.  A subsection of that speech is below (our emphasis added):

“Restoring price stability will take some time and requires using our tools forcefully to bring demand and supply into better balance. Reducing inflation is likely to require a sustained period of below-trend growth. Moreover, there will very likely be some softening of labor market conditions. While higher interest rates, slower growth, and softer labor market conditions will bring down inflation, they will also bring some pain to households and businesses. These are the unfortunate costs of reducing inflation. But a failure to restore price stability would mean far greater pain.”[1]

We believe that, in many ways, the inflation-fighting pursuit of the Fed is just.  However, their tools are certainly limited.  Higher interest rates do not produce more energy for Europe in the midst of a potential standoff with Russia.  Nor do they produce greater agricultural output during extreme weather conditions.  The Fed can only seek to reduce demand, but increasing supply takes time, investment, and innovation.

Economy, Labor, Earnings - OneAscent Monthly investment update
  • Economic growth has begun to soften, primarily as a result of higher interest rates and inflation
  • The labor market remains a key pillar of economic strength as jobs and job openings are plentiful (nearly two open jobs for every job seeker)
  • The US Federal Reserve was forced to raise interest rates faster than previously communicated and expected, which has caused risk assets like stocks to reprice lower this year.
  • Stocks and credit instruments are trading at better prices mid-year than at the start of the year, and significant dispersion across companies and industries still exist (opportunity for active managers)
  • Investor sentiment is at very low levels, which may present a longer-term buying opportunity

Labor market

The labor market remained a pillar of strength for the economy through the month.  Total US payrolls reached an all-time high in July and the unemployment rate, while ticking up slightly to 3.7% in August, remains well below average since 2000.  Job openings remain plentiful (nearly two openings for every person seeking a job) and initial claims for unemployment insurance are below average.  If there is a recession on the horizon, it’s not being reflected in the labor market thus far.  We will be watching to see if continued Federal Reserve hawkishness leads to a slowdown in hiring.

contributors to headline inflation - oneascent- monthly-investment-august-update-2022

Corporate Earnings

Large US companies have largely managed through the various challenges of 2022 reasonably well. S&P 500 earnings have continued to increase, albeit at a slower pace than originally expected, which is likely contributed to share price declines this year.

S&P 500 Calendar year bottom up EPS Actuals and estimates - OneAscent-monthly-investment-update-august
S&P 500 CY 2022 & CY 2023 Bottom-up EPS - oneascent-monthly-investment-update-august

Households 

Another pillar of strength for the US economy is household finances, which are in relatively good shape, on average, driven by increased home equity, investment balances, cash balances, and higher wages. However, inflation and the potential for eroding living standards has pushed household sentiment to its lowest levels in decades, potentially implying a slowdown in discretionary spending activity. Household debt has begun to rise, but delinquency rates are below average, particularly mortgage delinquencies.

US Households - oneascent-investment-update-monthly-august
Household Borrowing - oneascent-monthly - investment-update-2022

Inflation

Higher costs have plagued markets, households, and businesses for much of the last year.  The pandemic caused supply and demand imbalances that still persist today, low interest rates drove a significant increase in home prices, and a large number of workers leaving the labor force has led to higher employment costs for businesses.  On top of all this, the war in Ukraine has significantly increased the costs of food and energy.  Importantly, we’ve begun to see some slowing the pace of rising costs as mortgage rates have increased and additional energy production has come online. 

US Inflation - oneascent-monthly-investment-update-august

Sentiment

Both investor sentiment and household sentiment remain extremely low. While not a perfect timing tool, investing during environments in which there are more sellers than buyers has often led to above-average future returns.

Bearish - investor - sentiment-has-ofter-proceded-average-returns-oneascent-investment-update
consumer-sentiment-index-oneascent-monthly-investment-update-august

Prices & Interest Rates

Representative Index August 2022 Year-End 2021
Crude Oil (US WTI) $89.55 $75.21
Gold $1,713 $1,828
US Dollar 108.75 95.97
2 Year Treasury 3.45% 0.73%
10 Year Treasury 3.15% 1.52%
30 Year Treasury 3.27% 1.90%
Source: Morningstar, YCharts, and US Treasury as of  August 31, 2022

Asset Class Returns

Category Representative Index August 2022 YTD 2022
Global Equity MSCI All-Country World -3.7% -17.8%
Global Equity MSCI All-Country World ESG Leaders 6.3% -19.7%
US Large Cap Equity S&P 500 -4.1% -16.1%
US Large Cap Equity Dow Jones Industrial Average -3.7% -12.0%
US All Cap Equity Russell 3000 Growth -4.4% -23.1%
US All Cap Equity Russell 3000 Value -3.0% -10.0%
US Small Cap Equity Russell 2000 -2.1% -17.2%
Foreign Developed Equity MSCI EAFE -4.8% -19.6%
Emerging Market Equity MSCI Emerging Markets 0.4% -17.5%
US Fixed Income Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond -2.2% -8.6%
US Fixed Income Bloomberg Barclays US Agg Bond -2.8% -10.8%
Global Fixed Income Bloomberg Barclays Global Agg. Bond -4.0% -15.6%
Source: YCharts as of August 31, 2022

[1] Source: Powell sees pain ahead as Fed sticks in the fast lane to beat inflation

Past performance may not be representative of future results.  All investments are subject to loss.  Forecasts regarding the market or economy are subject to a wide range of possible outcomes.  The views presented in this market update may prove to be inaccurate for a variety of factors.  These views are as of the date listed above and are subject to change based on changes in fundamental economic or market-related data.  Please contact your Financial Advisor in order to complete an updated risk assessment to ensure that your investment allocation is appropriate.