• Economic growth prospects rose largely due to expanded vaccine distribution, strong manufacturing and housing data and supportive monetary and fiscal conditions.
• Despite bouts of volatility, stocks reached new all-time highs in many different markets.
• U.S. Treasury yields rose amid mounting inflation concerns, even as current inflation remained below 2%.
• Portfolios remained positioned for recovery and were overweight equities. Value and non-U.S. equity allocations were increased during the quarter.

Market Summary

Momentum from the second half of 2020 continued into 2021 as the new year mainly brought good news regarding returning to a more normal economic environment. An uptick in vaccine supply and distribution, an additional $1.9 trillion stimulus package, and continued monetary policy support improved the economic backdrop and boosted stock prices.

Stocks encountered volatility but remained in an uptrend from the March 2020 lows. Participation was broad as many markets reached new all-time highs. Stock markets that reached new all-time highs during the quarter included: US large caps (S&P 500), US small caps (Russell 2000), emerging markets (MSCI EM), non-U.S. developed markets (MSCI EAFE), Dow Jones Industrials, and Dow Jones Transports to name a few.

The solid returns hid significant divergences within the indexes. In a reversal of last year’s pattern, investors rotated away from growth companies that did well in 2020 and into companies with earnings tied to the economy’s re-opening. Value-oriented, small-cap, and cyclical companies outperformed during the quarter while technology and defensive sectors lagged. The outperformance of value stocks did little to change their historically significant discounts to growth stocks. Portfolios remained positioned to benefit if value continues to outperform growth.

The improved economic growth expectations pushed up bond yields and increased inflation fears. The degree of the rate rise has been standard. Following the four previous recessions, the US 10-year Treasury rates rose an average of about 150 basis points within the expansion’s first four quarters. Four quarters after the onset of COVID, 10-year rates have moved up 107 basis points (1). Interest rates were only back to where they were before the pandemic, which had already been near historic lows. Below is a summary of market returns (2).

*Alternatives benchmark includes 60% SG Trend Index and 40% Swiss Re Global Cat Bond TR Index.

Market Analysis

March marked the first anniversary of the bottom of the COVID bear market for the S&P 500 Index. Despite the turbulence of the past year, investors were rewarded by sticking with stocks. No one could have predicted this, but the S&P 500 completed its greatest one-year rally post-WWII, gaining over 74% from March 23, 2020, to March 23, 2021 (3).

Given the strong recovery in stock prices, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a correction. Indeed, the data show that following bear markets, the average correction in year 2 of the recovery has been 10%. However, it is essential to remember that we are still only one year into the market and economic recovery. The second year of a bull market has still historically provided solid returns for stock investors. The previous five bull markets all saw gains during their second year (4).

The economic backdrop looked supportive of stocks. The Bloomberg monthly survey of economists showed consensus U.S. economic growth expectations to be 5.7%, the highest in decades (5). During U.S. economic expansions, the S&P 500 has been positive 87% of the time (6).

Additionally, corporate earnings have recovered substantially since the pandemic lows, and expectations were for record profits in 2021 and 2022. However, it should be noted that corporate taxes may increase, potentially dampening profits.

Of course, there are also risks, including signs of investor exuberance and high U.S. stock valuations. For example, U.S. equity market valuations were at the very high end of historical ranges. For example, the S&P 500 was trading at 22x forward earnings and over 36x the average of its previous 10 years of earnings, levels that in the past have suggested modest returns on a long-term view. Also, high yield bonds were at their lowest yields in the last 20 years, signaling investors’ willingness to take more risk.

There was also a general sense of bullishness regarding prospects for stock returns. February saw the highest ever inflows into stock mutual funds and ETFs (7). There has been a boom in special purpose acquisition vehicles (SPACs) and aggressive retail investor activity in the U.S. Initial Public Offerings (IPO) were on pace to more than triple from last year. This is remarkable because 2020 saw the highest number of IPOs since 1999. Through March 31, 2021, there have been 402 IPOs on the U.S. stock market compared to 480 for all 2020 (8).

Overall, we are still positive on stocks due to the positive economic backdrop, increased corporate profits, and continued support from fiscal and monetary policy.

Economic Analysis

As was the case in 2020, the pandemic’s course should dictate the course of the economic expansion in 2021. As vaccines continue to be administered, it seems likely that the economy will re-open and continue its recovery. This, along with massive stimulus, could propel the economy to growth not seen in decades. An additional $1.9 trillion in pandemic relief was signed into law in March, including additional direct payments to households to help provide a bridge to the end of the pandemic. This brought the total U.S. stimulus to roughly $5 trillion in just the last year (9). There is potential for an additional $3 trillion infrastructure bill later this year.

The chart illustrates just how massive this stimulus is relative to the size of major economies and also how much larger it is compared to the Global Financial Crisis (10). For example, U.S. stimulus in response to COVID-19 is equivalent to about 26% of US GDP.

On aggregate, the stimulus more than compensated consumers for their income shortfalls related to the pandemic shutdown. Consequently, household disposable income grew faster last year than during most growth booms and left household balance sheets in very good condition. Although support for corporations was a little less overwhelming, it still allowed firms to weather the recession in relatively good shape.

As a result, the economic backdrop appears more robust than it was following the 2008 recession. A variety of metrics measuring employment, manufacturing, and inflation expectations were increasing faster than in prior recoveries. And, unlike the last recession, household and corporate balance sheets are in good shape. Home prices have been strong, increasing at their fastest pace in 15 years (11), and consumer savings rate reached record highs.

There are significant risks with all of the stimulus, including higher government debt, higher taxes, higher interest rates, and higher inflation. Also, U.S. consumer psychology may be different post-pandemic, and consumers may not return to pre-pandemic spending rates as soon as they are able.

A Note on Inflation

Inflation has moved to the front of the queue of potential risks. The unprecedented fiscal and monetary expansion being deployed has lead to rapid growth of the money supply and credit. Policymakers have repeatedly said they are not worried about inflation and view low inflation as the more immediate threat. Currently, the data agree – the latest Consumer Price Index came in at only 1.7%, mainly due to the low velocity of money (see chart (12)). The velocity of money is the rate of turnover in the money supply or how quickly consumers and businesses spend money (versus saving it or investing it). Over the longer term, the risk of inflation appears skewed to the upside.

Historical data suggest that stocks have positive returns during higher inflation environments, but they do best in low inflation environments like we have had over the past ten years (see chart). Taking it a step further, if inflation is trending lower, then stocks do better (18.8% on average) versus if inflation is trending higher (6.4% on average) (13). Further research from both Blackrock and J.P. Morgan shows that value equities and emerging market equities have historically outperformed in higher inflationary regimes.

Portfolio Changes

Portfolios continued to be overweight stocks and underweight bonds relative to investors’ investment objectives.

Strong equity market performance pushed allocations to equities above strategic weightings during the quarter. As a result, we rebalanced portfolios away from equities and into bonds to correct this. At the same time, we increased stock positions in the market areas that may benefit from a surprise to the upside of continued economic recovery.

Specifically, we increased allocations to U.S. value stocks and non-U.S. stocks and decreased growth stock allocations. We believe they were trading at attractive historical valuations and may benefit from higher interest rates and a more normal economic environment. In some accounts, we also initiated a fund position that could potentially help if inflation continues to increase.

In fixed income, we expect bond yields to continue to move higher over time. For this reason, portfolios remained positioned with a shorter duration than average. We continue to believe bonds play an essential part in balanced portfolios. Although we don’t see an enormous return potential from bonds, their diversification can provide both spending and opportunity money when market corrections occur.

Please reach out to your advisor if you have any questions or concerns.

[1]Oakmark Commentary, as of 3/31/2021
[2]Morningstar Direct, as of 3/31/2021
[3]S&P Down Jones Indices. Based on rolling 1-year percentage changes in the S&P 500.
[4]LPL Research
[5]Bloomberg
[6]Goldman Sachs Research
[7]Blackrock, data from 2/1993-2/2021
[8]Stockanalysis.com
[9]Business Insider, March 10, 2021
[10]LPL Research
[11]Wall Street Journal, S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index
[12]Charles Schwab, as of 1/31/2021
[13] LPL Research, 1950-2020. Higher or lower inflation is based on if inflation has increased (or decreased) from the prior year’s levels for more than 3 consecutive years

INDEX DEFINITIONS
The Barclays Aggregate Bond Index represents securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the US investment-grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries. It cannot be invested into directly.
The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell Index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization index that consists of indices of approximately 800 stocks and is designed to measure equity market performance in 23 emerging economies: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, , Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index of approximately 900 stocks and is designed to measure equity market performance in 21 developed market countries outside of North America.
The SG Trend Index is a subset of the SG CTA Index, and follows traders of trend following methodologies. The SG CTA Index is equal weighted, calculates the daily rate of return for a pool of CTAs selected from the larger managers that are open to new investment.
Swiss Re Global Cat Bond Index tracks the aggregate performance of all catastrophe bonds issued offered under Rule 144A. The index captures bonds denominated in any currency, all rated and unrated cat bonds, outstanding perils, and triggers. The index is not exposed to currency risk from non-USD denominated cat bonds.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average® (The Dow®), is a price-weighted measure of 30 U.S. blue-chip companies. The index covers all industries except transportation and utilities.
The Dow Jones Transportation Average is a 20-stock, price-weighted index that represents the stock performance of large, well-known U.S. companies within the transportation industry.