Emerging-markets equities: Is it time to buy yet?

Macro: Monitoring trade tensions amidst slowing economic growth

The 2017 global synchronized growth pattern has vanished in 2018, and all regions except the U.S. are now in a slower growth regime. Hexavest’s base case scenario is that the U.S. economy will also decelerate in coming quarters. We believe U.S. business climate surveys (PMIs) will probably be the first indicator to cool down. Most regional surveys are already trending down, but one of the most watched, the ISM survey, still stands at a cyclical high.  At these elevated ISM levels (>60), the positive/negative surprises of economic news becomes asymmetric. Hence, we believe it is usually a good time to reduce broad exposure to risky assets.

The current U.S.-China trade tensions have many implications. For American companies, it reduces the visibility of their supply chain and their export markets. In order to grow, EM manufacturing and commodity-producing countries need trade to be fluid and strong; most EMs remain export-driven economies. There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that many U.S. companies have accelerated their orders last summer to avoid higher tariffs on Chinese goods, so we could see much more weakness in EM new orders and export volumes in the coming months.

Heightened trade tensions are occurring at a time of an ongoing slowdown in China and cracks in the recoveries in Brazil, Russia, and South Africa. Growing imbalances in several countries (e.g. Turkey, Indonesia, and India) also need to be monitored. Bottom line: macro headwinds could translate into further negative revisions on forecasted GDP growth and expected earnings for EMs.

Valuation: An attractive entry point based on discount vs. U.S. equities

EM equities’ current valuation is well aligned with its historical norm. Hence, we believe long-term returns should be close to their historical standards (above 12% per year in total returns). In contrast, we are seeing the complete opposite in the U.S.:  U.S. equities are extremely expensive, implying lackluster expected returns. At current valuation levels, the opportunity to increase EM exposure and reduce U.S. exposure can be very appealing to long-term investors.

Sentiment of investors: Risks and fears appear priced in

Trade tensions between China and the U.S. have been making headlines since the start of 2018, and negative sentiment is reflected in investor positioning with portfolios under-owning EM equities.

Moreover, the recent underperformance of EMs relative to developed markets is comparable to past correction cycles, especially when expressed in USD terms.

Finally, contagion fears from “weak countries” (Argentina, Turkey, South Africa, Indonesia) to other emerging countries have already negatively impacted currencies and the sovereign bond market.

Our game plan to increase EM exposure

As two of three vectors of analysis have turned positive, we feel more compelled to increase our exposure to emerging markets. Our assessment of the macroeconomic environment remains negative, but China appears ready for the next wave of stimuli to compensate for U.S. tariffs and more generally with the ongoing slowdown¹. In our opinion, an increase in government spending and additional monetary easing could be enough to attract investors back in EM equities and commodities.

Still, a U.S. equity market correction, especially in sectors that have already suffered in emerging markets (technology and consumer discretionary), would bolster our confidence in increasing our exposure to EM equities.  We consider EM equities as a “beta play” on global growth, and therefore we would prefer to wait until U.S. PMIs (business climate) weaken and recouple with the rest of the world. At that point, investors should have capitulated and the entry point could be even more appealing.