Asset allocation in 2022
A good summary of where to put the money in 2022.
We agree. It’s tough out there.
Still, let’s tackle each one.
The S&P 500 is, to our mind, a better bet than the tech heavy NASDAQ, where earnings expectations are simply too aggressive (e.g. everything in the ARKK portfolio). UW CCMP, OW SPX, as the relative trade there.
Note the below graph, which is the Goldman’s “unprofitable earners” basket, which quadrupled since the onset of the pandemic, and is now in the process of giving much of that back.
Further, whilst we are underweight US equities at the margin, it remains the case that the equity risk premia in the US is still around 4-4.5%, which makes it a meaningful contributor to the SAA objective.
Better (higher) premia are on offer elsewhere (e.g. UK and European equities) which is why we have modest DAA tilts towards markets ex-US, and are very high in the EM region (where we have a small exposure), as we mention at the end of the note.
Gold continues to sell-off on risk, for the most part, and hasn’t proved a meaningful inflation hedge, given that prices are more or less unchanged, despite the highest level of inflation we’ve seen since in 40 years. As such, we remain happily underweight both the commodities, and the producers.
TLT (fixed income) at negative real yields is indeed much less attractive than TLT yielding 3%. But as long as they remain negatively correlated with equities (which is what the graph below highlights)…
…there is a clear improvement in the overall portfolio Sharpe ratio by combining stocks with bonds, even if you assume next to zero return, and impose an absurdly high level of vol. It is the Sharpe ratio that we are trying to maximise, whilst meeting our SAA objectives.
So, to be clear, the 60/40 portfolio is still very much alive, and in a similar manner to our comments on DAA positioning for equities, we are underweight fixed income, but still have a meaningful chunk as part of the overall portfolio
Emerging markets haven’t worked as a trade in about a decade. China is looking very wobbly, Indian equities (Nifty) look very overvalued, and being overweight EM equities into a stronger USD, tighter monetary policy environment whilst COVID continues to disproportionately effect the region (due to less well developed medical capabilities and vaccine access/supply) strikes us as an unnecessarily risky trade, to take a major position.
However, ex India, the region is very cheap, and, over the long run, does have good growth prospects, as such a small absolute exposure is warranted.
Bottom line, when uncertainty is this high, remain diversified, don’t have major (unrecovered) tilts either way (too bullish, or too bearish), stay liquid (which is often why we aren’t interested in allocating to private capital markets (debt or equity) funds in Alternatives, and spread the capital far and wide.
Important Information: This document has been prepared by Aequitas Investment Partners ABN 92 644 165 266 (“Aequitas”, “our”, “we”), a Corporate Authorised Representative (no. 1284389) of C2 Financial Services, (Australian Financial Services Licensee no. 502171), and is for distribution within Australia to wholesale clients and financial advisers only.
This document is based on information available at the time of publishing, information which we believe is correct and any opinions, conclusions or forecasts are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. To the extent permitted by law, neither Aequitas nor any of its affiliates accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of the information herein.
Please note that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
General Advice Warning: This document has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and therefore you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Before making any decision about whether to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Investor Directed Portfolio Service Guide (IDPS Guide) and consider talking to a financial adviser.
Taxation warning: Any taxation considerations are general and based on present taxation laws and may be subject to change. Aequitas is not a registered tax (financial) adviser under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and investors should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent or a registered tax (financial) adviser if they intend to rely on this information to satisfy the liabilities or obligations or claim entitlements that arise, or could arise, under a taxation law.