For 2020, buy early

by Russ Koesterich, CFA, Portfolio Manager, Blackrock

We will miss 2019. While 2018’s odd confluence of a weakening economy, rising trade frictions and monetary tightening led to losses in virtually every asset class, this year has been the exact opposite. Monetary stimulus, economic stabilization and an erratic but ultimately successful reduction in geopolitical risk produced a stellar year for risky assets (see Chart 1).

Next year is unlikely to be a repeat, but I don’t expect a return to the challenges of 2018. Looking ahead to 2020, here are three predictions (hopes?) for the new year.

No recession, but also no boom.

While recession fears were overblown in late 2018, there were legitimate issues facing the global economy. Today, two of the biggest have been resolved: monetary policy has pivoted from tightening to easing and the U.S. and China have struck a temporary “trade truce”. Both factors, along with a solid U.S. consumer and measured Chinese stimulus, should keep the global economy growing. That said, we’re not on the cusp of a 1990s style economic nirvana. The same secular headwinds that have inhibited growth, particularly an aging society, do not go away simply because the calendar turns. Demographic changes will still constrain the rate of growth in the labor force, keeping U.S. GDP at around 2%.

Range-bound rates.

Modest growth contained inflation and a Federal Reserve on hold suggest range-bound interest rates. Recent comments from the Fed confirm that 2020 might be a year when the Fed sits on its hands. This should keep the short end of the yield curve anchored around current levels. On the long end of the curve, low but firm inflation and a recovering economy are likely to put modest upward pressure on rates. However, with growth still tepid and the demand for long-term bonds exceeding supply, the 10-year Treasury rate is likely to remain within its recent range, between 1.50% to 2.25%.

Equities higher, but gains occurring early.

While stocks ripped in 2019, equities are not as extended as many would think. Since peaking in early 2018, the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) is up around 2%. Globally, valuations look reasonable and stocks should continue to benefit from the lagged impact of 2019’s monetary stimulus. This suggests a decent year for stocks, although I don’t expect a repeat of this year’s bonanza. What may be more challenging for investors: how gains are distributed. December’s momentum should carry into January, but from there gains may become more elusive. A less-than-short, brutish and nasty U.S. election cycle may keep stocks rangebound for much of the spring and summer. In other words, January may account for a disproportionate amount of next years’ gains.

Bottom line: While next year’s market is unlikely to prove as profitable, the bull market should continue.

One caveat: The best part of the year may be over before Groundhog Day.

Russ Koesterich, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager for BlackRock’s Global Allocation Fund and is a regular contributor to The Blog.

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This post was first published at the official blog of Blackrock.