Financial markets staged a stunning recovery in the 2nd quarter, despite the swift economic recession wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Widespread, intuitive and highly logical expectations were that the markets would struggle in a best-case scenario and collapse in a worse case scenario. However, markets frequently do not follow intuitive scripts. The 2^nd quarter results are an extreme example of markets going “off script.”  

Since the market low of March 23, 2020, the S&P 500® and Dow Jones Industrial Average indices are both up approximately 35%, while the technology-oriented NASDAQ index continued its dominating performance, up over 40%. Even long-lagging international stocks were up strongly, with the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed-economy stocks in Europe, Asia and Australia, was up over 30%.

New bull markets begin well before the onset of economic recovery following a recession. However, an economic recovery and ancillary improvement in corporate earnings is required to validate a new bull market. Currently there is much uncertainty as to the shape and speed of a recovery.

Recession arrives…but for how long?

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) declared the U.S. officially in recession as of February 2020, ending one of the longest economic expansions on record. This was a relatively quick pronouncement compared to prior recessions. However, it should be noted that there were signs of economic weakness well before the arrival of a government mandated economic shut down. The question we now face is, when will it be over?

The best case is for a “V” shaped recovery – one in which economic activity (especially jobs) snaps back to previous levels. The financial markets have been acting in a manner consistent with expectations of a “V” shaped recovery.  Some recent statistics have suggested the “V” shaped option may be plausible.  

A significant turnaround in jobs, which is a necessary condition for sustained economic recovery, has shown signs of developing. Retail sales and consumer confidence have also been improving faster than expectations. 

Although these early signs of fundamental improvement are encouraging, it should be noted that the market recovery has been largely enabled by huge doses of “therapeutic” liquidity administered by the Federal Reserve (Fed), other central banks and the U.S. Congress.    

 A more prolonged or “U” shaped economic recovery still seems more likely given the slow normalization process that both consumers and businesses now face. The Fed appears to have an economic view that supports the “U” shaped recovery outlook. Its forecast is for sustained high unemployment well into 2022 as businesses and consumers adjust their behavior to the ongoing challenges of dealing with COVID-19. The Fed’s words and actions remain very cautious, yet are committed to providing every therapy measure necessary to foster a sustained and durable recovery. 

Where to from here?

Here is what we currently know – and don’t know:

• Re-opening of economies in many states has led to a disturbing resurgence in COVID-19 cases.  But it is unclear how much of this is due to an acceleration in testing and how much is due to social distancing “fatigue.” Epidemiologists believe that longer term infection rates, either negatively through transmission or positively through vaccination, still need to reach approximately 60%+ of the population before community herd immunity is reached. It will take time for this to happen, barring a positive surprising breakthrough in vaccine or therapeutic research.
• Corporate profitability, or lack thereof, will come into focus during 2nd quarter earnings reports that will be released in the coming weeks. There will clearly be a negative impact to profit margins. However, it is unclear how systemic and long-term the added costs of dealing with the pandemic will be. Only until businesses fully re-open will investors be able to assess longer term profitability.
• Central banks, led by the Fed, will continue to provide support to the economy and to markets. The Fed has made it clear it will do “whatever it takes.” Congress too has stepped up with enormous economic support legislation. As a result, the consumer is flush with cash that could be spent in the coming months if they have jobs to go back to, and if they have confidence the virus is waning. Do not underestimate the fundamental power of central banks to influence markets, if not the economy.
• There is an election coming up and its going to be messy. What will be important for investors is if the election causes a change in tax policy, particularly as it relates to corporate tax policy. If tax policy were to change, especially if the 2017 legislation were rolled back, it is logical that the boost to financial assets from the implementation of those policies would also be reduced. 
• International issues, specifically as they relate to US/China relations and Brexit, remain to be resolved. China trade issues seem to have dissipated (although it is difficult to really assess this confrontation) and a disruptive Brexit approach now seems out of the question. Both are supportive of a modestly more positive outlook to international markets.  

The wildcard

The most significant factor in the near-term outlook is the impact of reopening the economy. If there is an unacceptable continuing acceleration in infection, regardless of government policy, people will react, and economic activity will stall. Thus far, the economic evidence has signaled a more optimistic outlook.

Other risks will play out over time, but in the near term, one should not underestimate the power of central bank policies on asset values. Also, both monetary and fiscal policy makers have been following the “play book” that came out of the financial crisis of 2008. They have augmented the potency of specific policy levers to great effect.  

We remain cautiously optimistic that policy steps taken have been and will continue to strongly support economic growth, barring a severe resurgence in the pandemic.  

Generally, asset valuations are quite full, particularly in the context of the uncertainties caused by this unprecedented environment. The U.S. markets, particularly defensive sectors, remain “rich” relative to value, cyclical and small cap sectors.

However relative valuation alone isn’t enough to downplay the defensive, stable growth sectors of the market. They remain highly valued given their superior operating performance and business characteristics that have proven to be durable and successful in an environment of uncertainty. Value, small cap, and international markets are leveraged to a sustained acceleration in economic growth.  

There are some intermittent signs that these sectors may deserve more exposure in portfolios, but additional evidence is necessary to validate continued rotation into these economically sensitive areas.