Market snapshot

The global equity market in November posted its third consecutive monthly return of more than 2% and its ninth positive monthly return for 2019:

From its 2018 low on December 24, the S&P Global 1200 Index has generated a total return of 29.3% through the end of November, reaching a new all-time high on November 27.

Volatility

Global equity market volatility declined in November, remaining well below its five-year average:

Correlations

The correlation of the S&P 500 to international equity markets and to the US bond market increased in November:

Asset Class Returns

For the third month in a row, equity markets moved higher across all major segments, with U.S. stocks leading the way:

The 24.0% year-to-date return of the S&P Global 1200 ranks third out of the last 30 years. The only two years that had a higher year-to-date return through November were 2009 (coming out of the financial crisis) and 2003 (coming out of the bursting of the tech bubble).

Up 5.2% in November, information technology once again led all sectors, bringing its year-to-date total return to 43.8%, which outpaces the next best-returning sector (communication services) by more than 13 percentage points.

Inflation

The most recent inflation data showed that year-over-year personal consumption expenditure (PCE) edged lower for the second straight month to 1.6% while year-over-year CPI ticked higher to 1.8%. After touching their 2019 low in October, five-year inflation expectations have moved steadily higher, finishing November at 1.50%:

Managed Risk Investing

The volatility of the S&P 500 began November below the 18% volatility threshold of the S&P 500 Managed Risk Index, and remained there for the entire month. Accordingly, the index maintained a 100% equity allocation for the duration, fully participating in the S&P 500’s 3.6% return for the month.

The Managed Risk Index outperformed a 70/30 stock/bond blend by 126 bps in November, with volatility that was higher than the blend, but still low by historical standards. Over the past year, average monthly return of the Managed Risk Index has been identical to that of the 70/30 blend. Over the 10 year period, however, the average monthly return of the MR Index has outpaced that of the blend by an average of 15 bps per month, equal to an annualized excess return of 1.78%:

Equity Market Attribution

The year-to-date total return of the S&P 500 is 27.6%. For an index that has generated such a strong return, the range of returns of its constituents has been remarkable. The top returning constituent is Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), up 112%. The constituent with the lowest return is PG&E Corp (PCG), down 70%.

Of all the companies that have contributed to the S&P 500’s year-to-date total return, just 14% have a negative year-to-date return. With a time-weighted average weight of just 0.08%, their contribution to the index return has been just -0.78%. On the flip side, 20% of the S&P 500’s constituents accounted for 74% of its year-to-date total return.

All 11 sectors have made positive year-to-date return contributions, but none has contributed more than information technology, accounting for 31% of the return with just 21% of the index weight.

Yield Curve: Still Inverted to Fed Funds

The yield curve shifted higher on the month, but remains inverted to the Fed funds rate out to seven years. As of the end of November, the probability of a Fed rate cut in 2020 was 66%.

In spite of any aversion the Fed may have to changing rates in an election year, a rate cut seems plausible if only because its current level is incongruent with the rest of the curve. Additionally, persistently low inflation, along with what seems to be a growing expectation of slower economic growth, gives the Fed cover to provide additional accommodation.

As one year draws to a close and another begins, a number of risks that have hovered over equity markets in 2019 continue to loom on the horizon of 2020. Uncertainty surrounding the trade talks with China and the effect of Hong Kong’s unrest on the trade talks, Brexit, decelerating earnings growth, and the 2020 election all represent potential downside risks to the market. To the extent the Fed’s ability to both stimulate growth and act as the market’s put option has been diluted, investors will need to increase their own vigilance in managing portfolio exposure to market risk.

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