EWZ - EWZ ETF: Brazil's Valuation Is Downright Compelling

2023-06-27 19:00:06 ET

Summary

• You can't possibly be diversified unless you have a portion of your portfolio that you hate.
• One of the most enticing aspects of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF is its dividend yield.
• As of the end of 2022, EWZ's holdings had an average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 5.7, and is even lower now at just 5.09.

When Brazil take part in any competition they must always play to win. - Zico.

As an investor, you're constantly on the lookout for opportunities to diversify your portfolio and optimize returns. And you can't possibly be diversified unless you have a portion of your portfolio that you hate, i.e., an investment that's NOT working against other parts of a portfolio (meaning non-correlation).

One such opportunity might be investing in Brazil, a market that has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years. Let's face it - investors largely hate Brazil because of that. The iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) offers a convenient way to gain exposure to this emerging market. However, as with any investment, it's crucial to understand the risk/reward profile.

EWZ: A Snapshot

First, let's get a clear picture of what EWZ is. The exchange-traded fund, or "ETF," tracks the performance of the MSCI Brazil Index, containing around 50 companies and charging an expense fee of 0.58%. Its holdings are heavily skewed towards commodities, with Materials and Oil & Gas sectors making up a significant portion of the index. The performance of the ETF is influenced by global commodity prices and currency performance, among other factors.

It should make sense how poorly investing in Brazil has fared relative to the S&P 500 (SP500) via the SPDR® S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) given commodities for the most part being left behind from a sustained risk-on cycle post GFC. It also may finally be stabilizing and showing signs of relative strength in recent weeks.

The Alluring Dividend Yield

One of the most enticing aspects of EWZ is its dividend yield. Sporting a yield of over 8%, EWZ's return significantly outpaces inflation rates, treasury note yields, and the average yield for the S&P 500. This high dividend yield provides a substantial passive income stream and a noteworthy safety margin when investing. Current yield is much higher than it has been historically.

Attractive Valuations

Besides the impressive dividend yield, EWZ's holdings are trading at compelling valuations. As of the end of 2022, EWZ's holdings had an average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 5.7, and is even lower now at just 5.09. This is substantially lower than the average P/E ratio for the S&P 500 and even the average P/E ratio for the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF ( EEM ). Put simply - that's incredible, and should make you seriously look at Brazil for a contrarian investment precisely because valuations are so low.

The Fear and Greed Paradigm

Investors are often guided by the famous Warren Buffett adage, "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." Brazil's market is a perfect example of this. The election of President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva (known as "Lula") sparked fears about potential anti-market policies. Yet, historical data shows that the Brazilian stock market performed well during Lula's first term from 2003 to 2010. To think that Lula alone is a reason to bearish is just not true historically.

The Strength of Brazil's Economy and Market

Brazil's economy is the 10th largest in the world. The country is one of the few globally that are self-sufficient in oil. It is also a leading producer of alternative energy sources and is the second-largest producer of iron ore globally.

According to YCharts, "Brazil GDP is at a current level of 1.609T, up from 1.449T one year ago. This is a change of 11.07% from one year ago." Yes, GDP has been trending lower, but the biggest returns tend to come at the turn of a trend, not in the middle of it.

Conclusion

While Brazil's market has faced challenges, the potential rewards of investing in EWZ seem to outweigh the risks. With a historically high dividend yield and valuations at rock-bottom levels, EWZ might be a compelling buy. Personally, I do believe we are in a cycle that favors commodities and value investing, which would finally be tailwinds for Brazil's stock market relative to the tech-driven momentum everyone is clamoring for in QQQ.

Poucos entendem isso ("Few understand this").

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