We have closed our long-standing overweight of Japanese equities, rotating back to a neutral balance of Europe within our EAFE sleeve. Marked improvements in manufacturing data, coupled with the beginning of the rate cut cycle by the European Central Bank may prove the needed catalyst to unlock the relative valuation advantage of European equities versus the U.S. A slowing of Japanese consumer spending and economic outlook, coupled with flows that have led Japan to become a very crowded, consensus trade lead us to take profits on our position.
Similarly, we have reduced our tilt toward Canadian banks within the Canadian equity allocation. The increase in loan loss provisions last quarter were significant, although by no means catastrophic. With the first rate cut done, and only another currently priced into markets for this year, we do not foresee any relative outperformance in the second half of the year versus the broader S&P/TSX Index.
We have initiated a small position in global mining firms, to gain exposure to what we believe to be the early stages of a secular commodity rally. While copper has pulled back recently following a sharp rally, continued growth of global demand due to electrification, industrial reshoring, and infrastructure renewal should support all base metals fundamentally, while any softening of the U.S. dollar once the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) begins cutting rates will also prove a benefit.
April’s pullback proved to be short lived, as May brought a resurgence of positive sentiment, a combination of softer inflation data and continued support from tech earnings. The beginning of June however brought some doubt back into the collective view, as a blowout U.S. non-farm jobs report dented rate cut expectations. A huge miss to the upside, job creation came in at 272,000 versus the consensus expected 180,000, with wage growth moving slightly higher back up, only to reverse course on the day of the Fed’s June meeting, which coincided with downside surprises in consumer price index (CPI) readings for May.
Despite holding rates steady yet again, markets quickly moved to price a second cut back into 2024 expectations, even while the Fed’s own dot plot (i.e., median expectations of voting members) showed a deferral of the previously expected second cut to 2025’s total. The result was a sharp gain in bonds, as the U.S. 10-year treasury yield plunged to below 4.30%. What was of note was during the month, the market actually showed a couple of instances where bad news was actually seen as bad news; for example, the slowing of ISM manufacturing index saw a negative impact on the daily market move, rather than being cheered as a reason for the Fed to cut rates. Nonetheless, the S&P500 Index once again set a new all time high, hitting 5,433 at time of writing, well outpacing May’s Bloomberg Strategist Consensus Year-End Forecast (SPXSFRCS Index) of 5,100.
With so many things going right, the reader might be surprised to hear that we have adjusted our House View of equities to neutral from our long-standing overweight. Well, the devil is always in the details, and while our longer-term outlook for equities remains positive, there are a number of short-term headwinds that are materializing in our view:
2025 earnings per share (EPS) projections have not come down at all – despite reductions in expected gross domestic product growth and an increasingly tighter job market, there has been no material reduction in projected growth rates for most sectors of the S&P500 Index for 2025.
Consumer spending has pulled back in the lower income tiers, with many large retailers reporting reduced same store sales and cutting projected earnings expectations.
AI (artificial intelligence) seems to be re-defining the law of gravity, with more and more of the market being linked to its parabolic growth. Not just semis and software, but Utilities, Materials and Industrials have all seen upticks due to the expected revolutionary impacts of AI. Broadening of market participation is always a welcome thing, and AI is certainly a multi-year, if not decades, theme. However, the recent sharp gains made with a complacent level of volatility suggest that corrections from overbought conditions should be expected along the way.
Canadian rate cuts finally have started, but will they come fast enough? With both the Bank of Canada and European Central Bank cutting their first 25 basis points, it does remove some uncertainty at the margin, but the clock is ticking before the 2025/26 refinancing wall approaches, when it is estimated that close to 74% of Canadian mortgages outstanding will need to be rolled, with roughly a 2.5-3% higher applicable interest rate on the bellwether 5-year fixed mortgage. With four more meetings between now and year end, the market is only pricing in 2, maybe 3 cuts, implying a policy rate of 4-4.25% for the start of next year.
Politics, politics, here there and everywhere – 2024 is the busiest year for global elections worldwide, despite the media focus on our neighbours to the south. The U.S. Presidential Election will undoubtedly bring volatility, less-than diplomatic rhetoric, and significant implications for domestic policy, international trade, and ultimately, economic growth. Europe is facing similar unrest, with the snap election called in France, and “tariff tennis” being played between the European Union and China over electric vehicle imports. Military conflict in the middle east and Ukraine continues, with very little visibility on a resolution for either.
Now, lest the reader leave completely discouraged, note that these are some of the headwinds. For each, there is an equal, and in many cases, stronger tailwind for financial markets, and hence our staying neutral equities versus bonds or cash, versus an outright underweight. Across the full line-up of BMO’s managed solutions, this shift is expressed in several different ways, whether an outright sale of equities, a shift to lower-beta exposures within the market, or through the application of an overlay strategy, using options as a hedge against adverse market movements. In short, this is not a year in which we are “selling in May and going away”…but we will definitely be checking the tape regularly – even if it’s from the cottage on the odd Friday.
Disclaimers:
Commissions, trailing commissions (if applicable), management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the fund facts or prospectus of the relevant mutual fund before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.
For a summary of the risks of an investment in BMO Mutual Funds, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus.
BMO Mutual Funds are managed by BMO Investments Inc., which is an investment fund manager and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.
Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent simplified prospectus.
The viewpoints expressed by the Portfolio Manager represents their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information provided herein does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy, or an offer to sell securities nor should the information be relied upon as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This communication is intended for informational purposes only.
This material is for information purposes. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Particular investments and/or trading strategies should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.
“BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.
Shifting to Neutral: The Case for Optimistic Caution
In early June, the Bank of Canada (BoC) became the first of the world’s major central banks to lower interest rates, cutting by 25 basis points. a day before the European Central Bank (ECB) made the same move. But in the United States, it is a different story.
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BMO ETF Portfolios’ June commentary: “Downshift to Neutral”
June 19, 2024
BMO ETF Portfolios’ June commentary: “Downshift to Neutral”
June 19, 2024
Steven Shepherd, CFA
Portfolio Activity
April’s pullback proved to be short lived, as May brought a resurgence of positive sentiment, a combination of softer inflation data and continued support from tech earnings. The beginning of June however brought some doubt back into the collective view, as a blowout U.S. non-farm jobs report dented rate cut expectations. A huge miss to the upside, job creation came in at 272,000 versus the consensus expected 180,000, with wage growth moving slightly higher back up, only to reverse course on the day of the Fed’s June meeting, which coincided with downside surprises in consumer price index (CPI) readings for May.
Despite holding rates steady yet again, markets quickly moved to price a second cut back into 2024 expectations, even while the Fed’s own dot plot (i.e., median expectations of voting members) showed a deferral of the previously expected second cut to 2025’s total. The result was a sharp gain in bonds, as the U.S. 10-year treasury yield plunged to below 4.30%. What was of note was during the month, the market actually showed a couple of instances where bad news was actually seen as bad news; for example, the slowing of ISM manufacturing index saw a negative impact on the daily market move, rather than being cheered as a reason for the Fed to cut rates. Nonetheless, the S&P500 Index once again set a new all time high, hitting 5,433 at time of writing, well outpacing May’s Bloomberg Strategist Consensus Year-End Forecast (SPXSFRCS Index) of 5,100.
With so many things going right, the reader might be surprised to hear that we have adjusted our House View of equities to neutral from our long-standing overweight. Well, the devil is always in the details, and while our longer-term outlook for equities remains positive, there are a number of short-term headwinds that are materializing in our view:
Now, lest the reader leave completely discouraged, note that these are some of the headwinds. For each, there is an equal, and in many cases, stronger tailwind for financial markets, and hence our staying neutral equities versus bonds or cash, versus an outright underweight. Across the full line-up of BMO’s managed solutions, this shift is expressed in several different ways, whether an outright sale of equities, a shift to lower-beta exposures within the market, or through the application of an overlay strategy, using options as a hedge against adverse market movements. In short, this is not a year in which we are “selling in May and going away”…but we will definitely be checking the tape regularly – even if it’s from the cottage on the odd Friday.
Disclaimers:
Commissions, trailing commissions (if applicable), management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the fund facts or prospectus of the relevant mutual fund before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.
For a summary of the risks of an investment in BMO Mutual Funds, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus.
BMO Mutual Funds are managed by BMO Investments Inc., which is an investment fund manager and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.
Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent simplified prospectus.
The viewpoints expressed by the Portfolio Manager represents their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information provided herein does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy, or an offer to sell securities nor should the information be relied upon as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This communication is intended for informational purposes only.
This material is for information purposes. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Particular investments and/or trading strategies should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.
“BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.
Insights
Chairman Powell: The Ultimate Bond Villain?
Shifting to Neutral: The Case for Optimistic Caution
Counting on 24-Karat Rate Cuts
Bridging the “Alternatives Gap”
The Evergreen Solution
Introducing Altitude