To the shock of many, MSCI Rising Markets Index returns in 2020 matched these of the S&P 500. Given this robust efficiency, are there causes to be optimistic about rising markets in 2021? Certainly, there’s a lot to love about their basic outlook, and affected person buyers may benefit from a robust rebound in earnings. That being stated, there are near-term dangers to be conscious of: the robust snapback in 2020 implies that rising market equities do not need the wind of extraordinarily low cost valuations behind them. Plus, they proceed to face challenges, with potential restrictions arising from the unfold of recent coronavirus variants and rising U.S. rates of interest.
A Look Again at 2020
Early in 2020, buyers fled rising markets for the secure haven of the U.S. greenback and dollar-denominated belongings. Their nervousness was comprehensible. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, rising market international locations didn’t have superior well being care infrastructures, they didn’t have cash to spend, they usually couldn’t afford to print cash like many of the developed world. In different phrases, they had been shedding a grip on their future. However many rising markets did a better-than-expected job of managing the pandemic, and the resilience of their economies was mirrored of their inventory markets.
The place Will Rising Markets Go Subsequent?
As we glance forward, there are 4 key catalysts for rising market fairness returns: enchancment in well being outcomes, international progress alternatives, the power to fireplace on all cylinders, and greenback depreciation.
Enchancment in well being outcomes. There was a stark divergence within the success charges of rising market international locations in dealing with the pandemic. China and a number of other different North Asian international locations navigated the disaster a lot better than the remainder of the world, whereas many Latin American international locations struggled. Even now, there’s broad dispersion within the penetration of the vaccination packages. Thus, economies of some international locations have rebounded faster after the sharp collapse early final yr, and others are on the tail finish of the disaster. As vaccinations get underway, we may see larger constructive convergence amongst rising international locations, because the North Asian economies maintain constructive momentum whereas others reopen and rebound.
International progress alternatives. Rising market international locations have a better beta to international progress. Following the preliminary lockdown, international manufacturing progress rebounded strongly and remained resilient through the subsequent virus waves. Industrial manufacturing volumes are above pre-crisis ranges in most rising markets. General, rising market international locations weathered the pandemic higher than developed international locations and are anticipated to guide the restoration within the post-pandemic interval.
Capacity to fireplace on all cylinders. Prior to now couple of a long time, the rising market index has pivoted from an obese in conventional supplies, vitality, and financials to extra growth-oriented sectors like expertise, client discretionary, and well being care (see chart beneath). Secular traits like digitalization and elevated spending on well being care, logistics, and premium merchandise ought to proceed because the pandemic disaster strikes behind us. The evolution of the sector make-up of the rising market index is favorable for higher earnings progress charges and performs into the long-term rising market client theme.
There may be additionally the prospect for broadening of the rising market alternative set. The current surge in commodity and oil costs has lifted optimism about financial prospects within the massive pure useful resource producers in Latin America and the Center East. Whereas this will likely not sign the beginning of one other commodity tremendous cycle, it does increase the near-term outlook for the cyclical areas and sectors of rising markets.
Greenback depreciation. Rising market equities are likely to do higher in a weaker greenback atmosphere. A weaker greenback results in simpler monetary circumstances and attracts overseas capital into rising markets. Conversely, because the greenback strengthens, rising markets expertise outflows and weaker returns for U.S. buyers. The greenback has been range-bound prior to now few months, as longer-dated U.S. charges rose, and there’s potential for some strengthening right here if the upward strain in charges stays. However the basic components for a longer-term pattern of a weaker greenback proceed—large cash printing, an enormous fiscal deficit, and broadening international progress. A weaker greenback may elevate rising market equities additional.
Evaluating the Close to-Time period Danger
After robust positive aspects in current months, rising market equities seem to have come off the boil, pushed partially by rising U.S. Treasury yields. Regardless of the current declines, valuations in elements of rising market equities look stretched relative to their historical past (see chart beneath). This might show to be a near-term headwind, particularly if U.S. charges proceed to rise and the greenback consolidates positive aspects or rises additional.
Supply: Capital Economics
Earnings Development Forward?
Whereas richer valuations might be a headwind, stronger earnings progress may carry the day (or yr) for rising markets. Valuation modifications have been the important thing driver of rising market fairness returns prior to now few years. Even in 2020, when earnings of rising market corporations tanked as international locations went into lockdown, investor sentiment and, therefore, valuation multiples rebounded shortly.
Going into 2021, a lot of the heavy lifting will must be performed by earnings progress. Right here, the outlook is sort of strong. Consensus expectations are for a virtually 30 p.c rebound in company earnings. Regardless of the richer multiples relative to historical past, there’s a larger probability that rising market equities will develop into these valuations and reward buyers by larger earnings progress.
Supply: Goldman Sachs Asset Administration
The Lengthy View
Rising markets supply enticing progress alternatives, each now and over the long run. They’ve survived a number of stress checks through the years, and their efficiency through the pandemic is but extra proof of their resilience. Trying forward, I anticipate strong danger urge for food to assist rising market belongings. Publish-pandemic restoration of home economies, accelerating international progress, and a weak greenback—these are only a handful of the various components supporting an publicity to rising markets.
That stated, valuations of rising market equities look wealthy on a historic foundation, with the MSCI Rising Markets Index’s ahead price-to-earnings ratio buying and selling at 16x, versus a five-year common nearer to 12x. Beneficial properties in 2020 got here from a number of expansions, as is the norm when exiting recessions. Going ahead, earnings per share progress from a synchronized international financial restoration will drive fairness costs. This might result in a broadening of positive aspects to the extra cyclically oriented areas and sectors of rising markets that lagged the current rally and supply extra enticing valuations.
Editor’s Word: The authentic model of this text appeared on the Unbiased Market Observer.
