Advisory Solutions Monthly Update
February 2017
ASSET ALLOCATION UPDATE
•
We recommend a mild underweight to Global Equities and overweight to Fixed Income across models.
•
Within the equity allocation, we continue to recommend an overweight to non-U.S. developed equity, concentrated in the growth segment.
•
Within the fixed income allocation, we recommend an overweight to U.S. TIPS.
EQUITY HIGHLIGHTS
•
•
•
FIXED INCOME HIGHLIGHTS
International and growth equities led the global equity markets higher in January,
which represented a change in market leadership from the U.S. and value equity
outperformance that occurred throughout much of 2016.
Emerging markets
equites were particularly strong during the quarter. U.S. large-cap and mid-cap
indexes reached all-time highs in late January.
After posting extraordinary gains
after the U.S. elections, U.S. small-caps lagged large caps and mid-caps during the
month.
U.S.
equity managers generally performed in line their benchmarks in January,
with small cap managers generally producing outperformance. International
actively-managed equity strategies also started the year strongly, with developed
markets and emerging markets managers outperforming on average during the
month.
•
Fixed income markets were largely positive during the month of January. Within the
opportunity set, high yield was once again the top performer, returning 1.45%,
followed by emerging market debt, which returned 1.25%.
Global Treasuries ex U.S.
produced the lowest return of -1.06%. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond
Index, a proxy for the overall bond market, returned 0.20% during the month.
•
Over the month, select international developed 10-year government bond yields
increased, led by Italy and France.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield was unchanged at
2.45%.
•
Municipal/Treasury yield ratios moved lower for shorter-dated maturities and higher
for longer-dated maturities. Ratios remain near historical averages across the curve.
While international equities outpaced U.S.
equites during the first month of the
year, U.S. equity relative outperformance has been substantial since the financial
crisis. The relative performance of U.S.
versus international developed markets
equites has tended to move in long cycles over time, with an average duration of
72 months. This current cycle of rolling three-year U.S. equity outperformance
began 86 months ago, which suggests mean reversion could be on the horizon.
Stock Indexes
YTD
Bond Indexes
YTD
Other Indexes
YTD
U.S.
Treasury Yields
Rates/Commodities
Russell Global
2.69% Barclays US Aggregate
0.20% 60% LgShort-40% MktNeutral
1.38%
6-month
0.64%
Prime Rate
3.75%
Russell 3000
1.88% Barclays Gbl Treas xUS Hdg
-1.06% DJ Equity All REIT
0.14%
1-year
0.84%
LIBOR (3 Mo)
1.03%
S&P 500
1.90% Barclays US TIPS
0.84% Bloomberg Commodity
0.14%
3-year
1.46%
Oil Price ($/barrel)
$52.81
MSCI EAFE
2.90% Barclays US High Yield
1.45%
5-year
1.90%
Gold ($/t oz)
MSCI EM
5.47% Barclays EM Aggregate
1.25%
10-year
2.45%
30-year
3.05%
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Morningstar, FactSet, Russell Investments, Barclays, U.S. Department of Treasury
$1,211.40
. YOY Real GDP Growth ($U.S.)
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
-5.00
-10.00
-15.00
-20.00
U.S.
Eurozone
U.S. Industrial Production (LHS)
Japan
Japan data as of 09.30.2016. U.S. and Eurozone data as of 12.31.2016.
Source: FactSet
7.00
5.00
3.00
1.00
-1.00
-3.00
-5.00
-7.00
U.S. Labor Productivity (RHS)
Industrial Production as of 12.31.2016; U.S. Labor Productivity as of 12.31.2016; Source: FactSet
Core Consumer Price Index (YoY Growth)
U.S.
- Unemployment Rate
4.00
12.00
3.00
10.00
2.00
Percent (%)
1.00
0.00
-1.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
Feb-97
Sep-97
Apr-98
Nov-98
Jun-99
Jan-00
Aug-00
Mar-01
Oct-01
May-02
Dec-02
Jul-03
Feb-04
Sep-04
Apr-05
Nov-05
Jun-06
Jan-07
Aug-07
Mar-08
Oct-08
May-09
Dec-09
Jul-10
Feb-11
Sep-11
Apr-12
Nov-12
Jun-13
Jan-14
Aug-14
Mar-15
Oct-15
May-16
Dec-16
-2.00
U.S.
Eurozone
Japan
U.S. data as of 12.31.2016; Eurozone data as of 01.31.2017. Japan data as of 12.31.2016; Source: FactSet
The sudden increase in Japan CPI growth in 2014 coincided with an increase in national sales tax that impacted
final price levels.
0.00
Feb-97
Oct-97
Jun-98
Feb-99
Oct-99
Jun-00
Feb-01
Oct-01
Jun-02
Feb-03
Oct-03
Jun-04
Feb-05
Oct-05
Jun-06
Feb-07
Oct-07
Jun-08
Feb-09
Oct-09
Jun-10
Feb-11
Oct-11
Jun-12
Feb-13
Oct-13
Jun-14
Feb-15
Oct-15
Jun-16
Percent (%)
YoY U.S.
Industrial Production and Productivity
Feb-97
Oct-97
Jun-98
Feb-99
Oct-99
Jun-00
Feb-01
Oct-01
Jun-02
Feb-03
Oct-03
Jun-04
Feb-05
Oct-05
Jun-06
Feb-07
Oct-07
Jun-08
Feb-09
Oct-09
Jun-10
Feb-11
Oct-11
Jun-12
Feb-13
Oct-13
Jun-14
Feb-15
Oct-15
Jun-16
Percent (%)
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
-2.00
-4.00
-6.00
-8.00
-10.00
Mar-97
Aug-97
Jan-98
Jun-98
Nov-98
Apr-99
Sep-99
Feb-00
Jul-00
Dec-00
May-01
Oct-01
Mar-02
Aug-02
Jan-03
Jun-03
Nov-03
Apr-04
Sep-04
Feb-05
Jul-05
Dec-05
May-06
Oct-06
Mar-07
Aug-07
Jan-08
Jun-08
Nov-08
Apr-09
Sep-09
Feb-10
Jul-10
Dec-10
May-11
Oct-11
Mar-12
Aug-12
Jan-13
Jun-13
Nov-13
Apr-14
Sep-14
Feb-15
Jul-15
Dec-15
May-16
Oct-16
Percent (%)
Global Economic Snapshot
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: FactSet
• U.S. GDP growth held steady in the fourth quarter of 2016 but remains tepid. The Eurozone has closed the growth gap to the U.S.
and Japan
growth has gradually improved.
• U.S. productivity showed further improvement in the fourth quarter but generally remains low. Continued productivity gains are essential to
drive long-term real growth.
• Core inflation has slowly increased toward Fed target levels and Eurozone inflation is showing signs of picking up.
Deflation remains a threat in
Japan.
• Tightening U.S. labor markets suggest more inflation pressure that is likely to lead to further Fed rate hikes.
Note: Please see Appendix for important definitions.
2
. Leading
U.S. Economic Indicators
Initial Jobless Claims
Manufacturing
• In the week ending February 4, the four-week moving average of Initial Jobless Claims was 244,250 – a decrease of
3,750 from the Initial Jobless Claims previous week’s revised average.
• ISM Manufacturing registered 56.0% in January, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the prior month. A
reading below 50.0% indicates contraction.
• ISM Manufacturing New Orders registered 60.4% in January, 0.1 percentage points above the December reading.
• ISM Non-Manufacturing registered 56.5% in January, 0.1 percentage points lower than the December reading.
Coincident
Housing/Construction
• Building permits increased 1.3% in December and have increased 2.2% over the past year.
Consumer Confidence
• The Consumer Confidence Index decreased in January to 111.8 compared to 113.3 in December.
Nonfarm Payrolls
Industrial Production
Personal Income
• Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 227,000 in January. The unemployment rate was little changed at
4.8%.
• Industrial Production rose 0.8 % in December and is up 0.5% over the past year.
• Real Disposable Personal Income increased 0.1% in December, and is up 2.1% over the past year.
Lagging
Ratio of Consumer Installment Credit to
Personal Income
• This ratio rose 0.09% in December, and is up 2.9% year-over-year.
Consumer borrowing tends to lag improvements
in personal income by many months because people remain hesitant to take on new debt until they are sure that
their improved income level is sustainable.
Inflation
• CPI (All Items) rose 0.3% in December and is up 2.1% over the trailing one year period. CPI (Core) increased 0.2% in
December, and is up 2.2% over the trailing one-year period.
Source: FactSet
3
. Currency
Nominal Trade-Weighted U.S. Dollar
Major Currencies
Euro per U.S. Dollar
1.00
100.60
0.95
95.60
0.90
90.60
0.85
85.60
0.80
80.60
0.75
75.60
0.70
70.60
Jan-17
Jun-16
Nov-15
Apr-15
Sep-14
Feb-14
Jul-13
Dec-12
May-12
Oct-11
Mar-11
Aug-10
Jan-10
Jun-09
Nov-08
Apr-08
Sep-07
Feb-07
Jan-17
Jun-16
Nov-15
Apr-15
Sep-14
Feb-14
Jul-13
Dec-12
May-12
Oct-11
Mar-11
Aug-10
Jan-10
Jun-09
Nov-08
0.60
Apr-08
60.60
Sep-07
0.65
Feb-07
65.60
• The Traded-Weighted U.S. Dollar Index (Major Currencies) fell 2.7% in January and the index is down 2.7% year-to-date.
The dollar depreciated
2.4% versus the euro in January.
Data as of 02.06.2017; Source: FactSet
4
. Global Equity Markets
Equity Market Performance
As of 01.31.2017
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
-20.00
Russell
Global
Russell
Top 200
Value
Russell
Top 200
Growth
Russell
Mid Cap
Value
Russell
Russell
Russell
MSCI
MSCI
MSCI
MSCI EM MSCI EM
Mid Cap 2000 Value 2000
World Ex World Ex World Ex IMI Value IMI Growth
Growth
Growth USA Value
USA
USA Small
Growth
Cap
1-Month
1-Year
Source: Morningstar, Russell Investments
Active vs. Passive
As of 01.31.2017
5.55 5.34
6.00
3.47
3.36 3.33
4.00
1.85 1.85
2.15
1.64 1.68
2.00
3.08
1.62
0.00
-0.08
-2.00
U.S.Large Blend U.S. Mid-Cap Value
U.S. Mid-Cap
Growth
-0.71
U.S.
Small Cap
Value
• International and growth equities led the global equity markets higher in
January, which represented a change in market leadership from the U.S. and
value-led equity rally that occurred throughout much of 2016. Emerging
markets equites were particularly strong during the quarter, as U.S.
dollar
weakness played a role in emerging markets relative strength during the
month. After posting extraordinary gains after the U.S. elections, U.S.
largecap and mid-cap indexes reached all-time highs in late January, with the
Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassing 20,000 for the first time. U.S.
small-caps lagged large caps and mid-caps during the month. The
information technology sector, which didn’t fully patriciate in the postelection rally, was the top performing segment of the U.S.
equity market
during the month.
U.S. Small Cap
Growth
Median Fund YTD
Foreign Large
Blend
Diversified
Emerging Mkts
• U.S. equity managers generally performed in line their benchmarks in
January, with small cap managers generally producing outperformance.
International actively-managed equity strategies also started the year
strongly, with developed markets and emerging markets managers
outperforming on average during the month.
Russell Index YTD
Source: Morningstar, Russell Investments
Median return of Morningstar open-end fund category (institutional share class).
Russell return of U.S. categories.
Rolling 3-Year Return Differential
S&P 500 vs. MSCI EAFE
40.00
20.00
0.00
-20.00
S&P 500
Jun-16
Jun-15
Jun-14
Jun-13
Jun-12
Jun-11
Jun-10
Jun-09
Jun-08
Jun-07
Jun-06
Jun-05
Jun-04
Jun-03
Jun-02
Jun-01
Jun-00
Jun-99
Jun-98
Jun-97
Jun-96
-40.00
• While international equities outpaced U.S.
equites during the first month of
the year, U.S. equity relative outperformance has been substantial since the
financial crisis. The relative performance of U.S.
versus international
developed markets equites has tended to move in long cycles over time, with
an average duration of 72 months. This current cycle of rolling three-year
U.S. equity outperformance began 86 months ago, which suggests mean
reversion could be on the horizon.
MSCI EAFE
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Morningstar
5
.
Fixed Income Markets
Bond Market Performance
As of 01.31.2017
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
-10.00
Barclays US Barclays US Barclays US
Agg Bond Government
Credit
Barclays US
Barclays
Barclays US
MBS
Global Trsy Ex Corp High
US TR Hdg
Yield
1 Mo
Barclays US Barclays EM
TIPS
USD Agg
• Fixed income markets were largely positive during the month of
January. Within the opportunity set, high yield was once again the
top performer, returning 1.45%, followed by emerging market debt,
which returned 1.25%. Global Treasuries ex U.S. produced the lowest
return of -1.06%.
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index,
a proxy for the overall bond market, returned 0.20% during the
month.
1 Yr
Source: Morningstar, Barclays
10-Year Government Bond Yields
8.00%
6.00%
• Over the month, select international developed 10-year government
bond yields increased, led by Italy and France. The 10-year U.S.
Treasury yield was unchanged at 2.45%.
4.00%
2.00%
01/31/01
06/29/01
11/30/01
04/30/02
09/30/02
02/28/03
07/31/03
12/31/03
05/31/04
10/29/04
03/31/05
08/31/05
01/31/06
06/30/06
11/30/06
04/30/07
09/28/07
02/29/08
07/31/08
12/31/08
05/29/09
10/30/09
03/31/10
08/31/10
01/31/11
06/30/11
11/30/11
04/30/12
09/28/12
02/28/13
07/31/13
12/31/13
05/30/14
10/31/14
03/31/15
08/31/15
01/31/16
06/30/16
11/30/2016
0.00%
U.S.
Germany
France
Italy
U.K.
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: FactSet, U.S.
Department of Treasury
Municipal/Treasury Yield Ratios Over The Last 5 Years
As of 01.31.2017
180
163
Maximum
Current
Average
150
Percent
150
117
120
118
115
• Municipal/Treasury yield ratios moved lower for shorter-dated
maturities and higher for longer-dated maturities. Ratios remain
near historical averages across the curve.
90
60
57
55
66
74
84
30
2 Year Maturity
3 Year Maturity
5 Year Maturity
7 Year Maturity
10 Year Maturity
Source: Thompson Reuters; Sterling Capital Management Analytics.
6
. Fixed Income Spreads and TIPS Breakeven
10-Year TIPS Breakeven
3.50
2000
U.S. Corporate Investment Grade (LHS)
1.00
0.50
Breakeven
Aug-15
May-16
Feb-14
Nov-14
Aug-12
May-13
Feb-11
Nov-11
Aug-09
May-10
Feb-08
Nov-08
May-07
Aug-06
Feb-05
Nov-05
May-04
Aug-03
Feb-02
U.S. Corporate High Yield (RHS)
Average
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Federal Reserve Board of Governors
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: FactSet
EM Debt OAS
Yield Spread of Barclays U.S. Treasury Index to Global ExU.S.
Treasury Index
1400
1200
3.00
1000
Percent (%)
Blended Treasury Spread
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Barclays
-1.00
Yield Spread
Dec-16
May-16
Oct-15
Mar-15
Jan-14
Aug-14
Jun-13
Apr-12
Nov-12
Feb-11
Sep-11
Jul-10
Dec-09
May-09
Oct-08
Mar-08
Jan-07
Aug-07
Jun-06
Apr-05
Average
Nov-05
Feb-04
Sep-04
-2.00
Jul-03
May-96
Dec-96
Jul-97
Feb-98
Sep-98
Apr-99
Nov-99
Jun-00
Jan-01
Aug-01
Mar-02
Oct-02
May-03
Dec-03
Jul-04
Feb-05
Sep-05
Apr-06
Nov-06
Jun-07
Jan-08
Aug-08
Mar-09
Oct-09
May-10
Dec-10
Jul-11
Feb-12
Sep-12
Apr-13
Nov-13
Jun-14
Jan-15
Aug-15
Mar-16
Oct-16
0
0.00
Dec-02
200
May-02
400
1.00
Oct-01
600
2.00
Mar-01
800
Aug-00
Basis Points
Nov-02
0.00
May-01
Aug-16
Feb-15
Nov-15
Aug-13
May-14
Feb-12
Nov-12
Aug-10
May-11
Feb-09
Nov-09
Aug-07
May-08
Feb-06
Nov-06
Aug-04
May-05
Feb-03
Nov-03
Aug-01
May-02
Feb-00
Nov-00
Aug-98
May-99
Feb-97
Nov-97
0
1.50
Aug-00
400
2.00
Feb-99
800
2.50
Nov-99
1200
3.00
Percent (%)
1600
May-96
Basis Points
20-Year U.S. Corporate OAS
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Average
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Barclays
• Corporate credit spreads have continued to decline from the wide levels of early 2016 and are below historical averages.
• Market inflation expectations as measured by TIPS breakeven rates have increased significantly in recent months and are approaching long run
averages.
• Emerging market spreads have moved below their historical average, while the yield spread of U.S. to Global Treasuries has moved slightly
above the historical average.
Note: Please see Appendix for important definitions.
7
.
U.S. Treasury Yield Curve
3.5%
2/8/2017
One Month Ago
3.0%
One Year Ago
2.5%
Yield
2.0%
1.5%
1.0%
0.5%
0.0%
3-Month
6-Month
1-Year
2-Year
5-Year
7-Year
10-Year
30-Year
• Month-over-month, yields were mostly higher across the curve with the front-end seeing the largest increase.
Data as of 02.08.2017; Source: FactSet
8
. Global Equity Market Fundamentals
Revenue to Firm Value
U.S. Cyclically Adjusted Earnings Yield
1881
1884
1888
1892
1896
1899
1903
1907
1911
1914
1918
1922
1926
1929
1933
1937
1941
1944
1948
1952
1956
1959
1963
1967
1971
1974
1978
1982
1986
1989
1993
1997
2001
2004
2008
2012
2016
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Online Data Robert Shiller “US Stock Markets 1871-Present and CAPE Ratio”
U.S. 3 Year Real Revenue Growth –
Russell 3000 Non-Financials
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
-5.00%
-10.00%
-15.00%
MSCI EAFE
Oct-16
May-16
Jul-15
Dec-15
Feb-15
Apr-14
Sep-14
Nov-13
Jan-13
Jun-13
Aug-12
Oct-11
Mar-12
May-11
Jul-10
Russell 3000
Dec-10
Feb-10
Apr-09
Sep-09
Nov-08
0%
Jan-08
May-06
5%
Jun-08
10%
Aug-07
15%
Oct-06
20%
Mar-07
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
25%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Russell, MSCI
Dividend Yield
6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: FactSet, Russell, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sterling Capital Analytics
May-96
Jan-97
Sep-97
May-98
Jan-99
Sep-99
May-00
Jan-01
Sep-01
May-02
Jan-03
Sep-03
May-04
Jan-05
Sep-05
May-06
Jan-07
Sep-07
May-08
Jan-09
Sep-09
May-10
Jan-11
Sep-11
May-12
Jan-13
Sep-13
May-14
Jan-15
Sep-15
May-16
Jan-17
Jan-89
Dec-89
Nov-90
Oct-91
Sep-92
Aug-93
Jul-94
Jun-95
May-96
Apr-97
Mar-98
Feb-99
Jan-00
Dec-00
Nov-01
Oct-02
Sep-03
Aug-04
Jul-05
Jun-06
May-07
Apr-08
Mar-09
Feb-10
Jan-11
Dec-11
Nov-12
Oct-13
Sep-14
Aug-15
Jul-16
0.00
Russell 3000 Index
MSCI EAFE Index
MSCI Emerging Markets Index
Data as of 01.31.2017; Source: Russell, MSCI
• The U.S. cyclically adjusted earnings yield continues to slowly decline and is well below longer-term averages, while real U.S.
sales growth
continues to be weak.
• Revenue to firm value in the U.S. has moved below international developed markets. The emerging markets’ ratio is only slightly higher than
developed markets.
• International developed equities provide a significant dividend yield advantage over emerging market and U.S.
equities.
Note: Please see Appendix for important definitions.
9
. Appendix
. Definitions
Core Consumer Price Index: Core inflation is a measure of inflation that excludes certain items, usually food and energy, that face volatile price movements.
Option Adjusted Spread (OAS): A bond’s yield spread over comparable maturity government bonds, adjusted for any embedded options.
Real GDP: Real gross domestic product (GDP) is an inflation-adjusted measure that reflects the value of all goods and services produced by an economy in a given year,
expressed in base-year prices.
Revenue to Firm Value: Total Index Revenues of the past 12 months divided by the sum of equity market value and the value of total debt. This is a measure of total sales
generated on the total value (debt plus equity) of firms in the index.
TIPS Breakeven: The inflation rate implied by the spread in yield between U.S. TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) and nominal U.S. Government Bonds of equal
maturity.
U.S.
3 yr. Real Revenue Growth, Russell 3000 Non-Financials: For the Russell 3000 excluding financial firms, the percentage change in trailing 12-month inflation adjusted
revenue over 12-month inflation adjusted revenue three years prior.
U.S. Cyclically Adjusted Earnings Yield: The 10-year average of annual, inflation adjusted earnings divided by the current inflation adjusted price of the S&P 500 index.
This
measure is the inverse of the Shiller CAPE Ratio.
YOY US Productivity Growth: The year-over-year growth in real U.S. output produced per hour worked for non-farm workers.
10
. Disclosures
The opinions expressed herein are those of Sterling Capital Management and the Sterling Advisory Solutions Team, and not those of BB&T Corporation or its executives. The stated
opinions are for general information only and are not meant to be predictions or an offer of individual or personalized investment advice. They are not intended as an offer or
solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. This information and these opinions are subject to change without notice.
Any type of investing involves risk and
there are no guarantees. Sterling Capital Management LLC does not assume liability for any loss which may result from the reliance by any person upon such information or
opinions.
Investment advisory services are available through Sterling Capital Management LLC, a separate subsidiary of BB&T Corporation. Sterling Capital Management LLC manages
customized investment portfolios, provides asset allocation analysis and offers other investment-related services to affluent individuals and businesses.
Securities and other
investments held in investment management or investment advisory accounts at Sterling Capital Management LLC are not deposits or other obligations of BB&T Corporation,
Branch Banking and Trust Company or any affiliate, are not guaranteed by Branch Banking and Trust Company or any other bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal
government agency, and are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal invested.
The securities/instruments discussed in this material may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s
individual circumstances and objectives.
Asset allocation and diversification do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
The indexes are unmanaged and are shown for illustrative purposes only. Indexes do not represent the performance of any specific investment.
An investor cannot invest directly in
an index.
The indexes selected by Sterling Capital Management to measure performance are representative of broad asset classes. Sterling Capital Management retains the right to change
representative indexes at any time.
11
.