Sunny stock markets – storm clouds in sight

Economic performance and earnings generation in the corporate sector have surpassed market forecasts during every quarter since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out just over a year ago. This has been in line with our hopes and forecasts, because since late spring 2020 we have chosen to overweight risk assets such as equities and corporate bonds in our portfolios. Among the positive factors we see are forecasts of a high global growth rate and earnings increases, monetary and fiscal stimulus measures and relative valuations. On the negative side are high absolute valuation levels, often already aggressive positioning among investors and high total debt.

Fantastic earnings growth expected during 2021-2022

So far this year, stock markets have continued to climb at an impressive pace, with upgrades in earnings and growth forecasts as the main reason behind the continued upturns. To achieve the right stock market allocation, it has been important to follow developments related to inflation and bond yields, since stock market rotation has occurred in harmony with the movements of 10-year US Treasury yields. When they have climbed, money has flowed into cyclical sectors. When they have fallen, the flow has shifted towards growth companies.

The global earnings growth forecast for 2021 is 35 per cent, with expectations of another 11 per cent increase next year. Looking back, 2020 ended up with an earnings decline of 18 per cent. If we combine these three years and calculate an average for the period, we end up with a yearly earnings increase of around 7 per cent, which is quite close to a historical average.

Continued positive return expectations

Although the potential for losses is constantly present, while the potential for continued increases is more limited than it has been over the past year, we expect positive returns during the next 12 months. The driving force is sharply rising earnings in an environment where we expect valuation multiples to be intact. We expect that, as usual, we will experience temporary risk spikes or profit-taking. Return expectations for equities are largely in harmony with expected earnings growth in 2022.

We believe that current trends of a cyclical nature will persist in the near future, but that a more defensive focus on sectoral and company selection will be advisable as growth rates subside during the second half of 2021. Strong underlying trends, driven by massive political initiatives, also continue to suggest companies with a focus on sustainability.

Focus on health care and online gaming

As usual, Investment Outlook includes theme articles on current topics. The first of these is an in-depth look at the health care sector, which has been in the public spotlight throughout the pandemic but has been overshadowed in stock markets by an investor focus on growth stocks vs cyclical stocks. Our second in-depth theme article deals with the gaming sector, which is a large and fast-growing industry in which a number of Nordic companies have been successful.

Return expectations, %, next 12 months

*24 month historical volatility

Source: SEB, forecasts May 2021, in SEK