Monthly Market Commentary - January 2023

Global stock markets closed out 2022 with the first positive quarter of the year, as investors took solace from a moderation in the rising interest rate environment that pervaded much of the last 12 months. In US dollar terms, the MSCI All Country World Index ended Q4 around 10% higher, although the benchmark was still down annually by just under 20%. Currency movements dampened both these moves for sterling investors, with the pound gaining around 8% against the US dollar on the quarter but still depreciating roughly 11% for the year.

US (+7%) and UK (+8%) equities lagged global benchmarks a little in Q4, largely due to a strong bounce in the Far East following the significant relaxation of Chinese Covid-19 restrictions, with shares in Hong Kong (+15%) soaring. After making a new low for the year in early October the strong recovery was undoubtedly a welcome development, although the rally fizzled out somewhat due to hawkish messaging from central banks at their December meetings.

The Federal Reserve (Fed), Bank of England (BoE) and European Central Bank (ECB) all delivered 50 basis point increases to their base rates last month, slowing the pace slightly from 75 basis point rises at their previous meetings. The increases took interest rates for all three central banks to their highest levels since before the 2008 global financial crisis, with the Fed funds rate ending the year at 4.5%, BoE base rate at 3.5% and ECB main refinancing rate at 2.5%.

The Fed raised rates by 425 basis points in 2022, the largest increase in a calendar year since 1980, but they are expected to be nearing the end of this hiking cycle. Inflation has likely already peaked in most developed economies and there is some light at the end of the aggressive interest rate rise tunnel.

This notion was further supported by the US consumer price index falling to 7.1% year-on-year for November, down significantly from its peak of 9.1% in June. This metric has declined for five consecutive months as higher interest rates, a slowing economy and base effects have applied downwards pressure. While the US appears to be ahead of Europe in its fight against inflation, in part due to its lower level of exposure to rising energy prices, improving dynamics in the coming months can be expected to see inflation fall in Europe.

In a similar fashion to the BoJ performing a policy U-turn and adopting an approach already being used by western peers, China has abandoned its “zero-Covid” policy and abruptly scrapped many of its measures to contain the disease. This news was cheered by investors and the stock market jumped sharply higher in response. While there is little doubting that China adopting a more pragmatic approach to the pandemic is good news for the global economy, it is not a panacea and there will likely be setbacks along the way. Relatively low vaccination levels and reduced natural immunity due to stringent measures leaves China particularly vulnerable to largescale outbreaks of the virus as it opens up. Although it will ultimately be beneficial to global economic growth, we believe there will be setbacks along the way.

Overall, 2022 was a challenging year for investors, with the size of the dual decline in stocks and bonds surpassing anything seen for several generations. High inflation and resultant central bank policies triggered a significant de-rating, especially amongst highly rated shares. Growth style shares were worst hit, with declines in the region of 30%-60% commonplace.

The recovery in Q4 was a result of resilient corporate profits that, so far, have held up better than many expected in the face of tighter monetary policies. Gauges of economic activity have slowed but labour markets remain strong and overall financial markets are pricing in a growth slowdown, ‘soft landing’, rather than a deep recession in the first half of 2023. This poses one of the key risks going forwards – will we be far enough down the interest rate relief cycle for companies to be able to absorb substantial increases in energy and interest rate costs without a significant downturn in earnings?

We expect volatility to continue in the early part of this year, but the outlook thereafter could become more favourable as central banks conclude hiking cycles. Higher bond yields provide an alternative for some investors, and we believe that, despite a difficult 2022, diversification will provide clear benefits going forward. Equity investors may be prepared to look through current difficulties now that global valuations are near to long-term averages. While the US retains its premium, low valuations in other regions offer recovery opportunities.