AFMC - Q1 2023 Review: Resilient Markets But Growth Clouds Linger

2023-04-07 09:10:00 ET

Summary

• Markets climbed in Q1 despite the unexpected banking crisis, with the S&P 500 gaining 7.5% with dividends in the first three months of the year.
• However, markets are yet to appreciate downside earnings risks.
• As macro conditions deteriorate, investors should be prepared for the S&P 500 to potentially re-test its September 2022 lows.

The first quarter will be remembered for a banking crisis that unexpectedly presented the Federal Reserve (Fed) with a new dilemma: Cut rates to alleviate market angst and risk spurring inflation higher, or persist with the rate hiking path, but risk spreading the crisis within the broader financial system. Ultimately, the decision to hike rates by 25 basis points at the Fed’s March meeting enabled them to maintain their focus on inflation while also acknowledging the financial stability risks.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, the S&P 500 gained 7.5% with dividends during 1Q 2023, while the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell from a peak of 4.1% in early March to 3.5% at the end of the quarter.

Fed tightening has put significant stress on the economy and, with yield curves inverted, bank profitability has come under pressure. In response, banks are raising credit standards and starting to limit credit flow, weighing on both consumer spending and labor markets. Although U.S. equities have proven resilient, it is reasonable to expect risk assets to be challenged from here, with the remainder of 2023 dominated by earnings and economic growth scares.

Financial conditions will likely tighten further from here as the Fed continues to use its policy rate to target inflation, while using its balance sheet liquidity to target financial stability. High-quality, defensive assets should help minimize vulnerability to these macro-driven threats in the period ahead.

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Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.

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