Market insights

Weekly market commentary

Tech still likely to deliver on earnings

Market take

Weekly video_20240722

Wei Li

Opening frame: What’s driving markets? Market take

Camera frame

We’re witnessing some really powerful rotations in markets right now. You look at the catch-up of small cap, for example.

And the powerful rotation has been catalyzed by markets extrapolating recent macro trends.

For example, you look at the CPI, the surprise to the downside, that really brought back excitement of more cuts coming.

Title slide: Tech still likely to deliver on earnings

1: Staying cautious on macro

I would caution, however, against extrapolating near-term macro trends, because it's so uncertain in this new environment.

And yes, inflation is falling, but over the slightly longer horizon, you look at the structural forces – labor shortage, geopolitical fragmentation, greater fiscal spend and also the low-carbon transition – they are all pointing to inflation likely settling at a higher level compared to before.

And yes, we are likely heading into the first Fed cut in the cycle in September. We're still talking about an environment where rates are likely staying high for longer compared to pre-pandemic levels.

2: Focusing on fundamentals

And I continue to think that fundamentals and earnings prospects are key for deploying risk in equities.

And I would observe that through the course of the recent rotation – very powerful rotation – the fundamental and earnings prospects have not really changed.

Tech is still expected to deliver, year on year, earnings growth of 18% in this current earnings season. US broad market: 9%. US ex-tech: 2%.

3: Near-term volatility likely

For now, until the biggest event of the earnings season, Nvidia, which is taking place at the end of August, we could have some steam being let out – especially given recent rhetoric that is gaining traction. That is raising questions around return on investment for tech capex and also summer thin liquidity.

But I actually think that is healthy.

Outro: Here’s our Market take

I would be willing to lean into dislocations being created as we re-underwrite our conviction in the fundamental picture.

Tech talk

We think major tech firms can keep delivering on high corporate earnings expectations. We stay positive on stocks and the artificial intelligence theme.

Market backdrop

US stocks retreated last week, led by technology names. We expect some bouts of volatility ahead over the short term. Stocks of smaller-sized firms rose.

Week ahead

We’re eyeing how a surprisingly soft US CPI report translates into PCE data. We think cooling inflation means the Fed can start cutting rates in coming months.

A tech-driven pullback has hit stocks this month as investors piled into segments like smaller companies on hopes for cooling inflation and Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Looking through this near-term noise, we think tech will drive returns as consensus expects big tech companies to carry positive earnings results for the market. We see pullbacks as an opportunity to lean into stocks. We stay overweight the AI theme and US stocks as we watch for the AI buildout to boost other sectors.

Market commentary Asset class views
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Tech vs. the rest

Earnings expectations for S&P 500 tech sector over other sectors, 2019-2024

The chart shows the earnings gap between the S&P 500 tech sector and other sectors rising.

Forward looking estimates may not come to pass. Source: BlackRock Investment Institute, with data from LSEG Datastream, July 2024. Notes: The chart shows the gap between 12-month forward earnings expectations for the S&P 500 tech sector over other sectors, using monthly data.

Tech stocks have led the US equity retreat from record highs, reached on hopes for big tech companies to keep beating high earnings expectations thanks to the AI theme. Stocks for debt-laden and interest rate-sensitive small companies surged 3.7% after the soft June CPI data reignited market hopes for quicker Fed rate cuts. We expect this rebound to be short lived as central banks likely hold rates higher for longer given persistent inflation pressures. Rather than the macro, we think the market is being driven by structural shifts like AI that are spurring a transformation. We’re monitoring the impact on Q2 earnings. Why? Consensus forecasts for tech earnings have risen well above those for the rest of the S&P 500. See the chart. That’s still playing out: Analysts see tech earnings growing 18% year over year in Q2 versus 2% for the rest of the index, LSEG Datastream data show.

Such forecasts set a high bar for tech companies to keep delivering on earnings. We think they can, but more volatility could be ahead with Nvidia’s highly expected results due in late August. We especially see sudden pullbacks during the northern hemisphere summer, when reduced trading activity can exacerbate market volatility. The tech sector could also suffer if investors worry earnings growth won’t justify big capital spending on AI. Those worries likely contributed to the share drop for major chipmakers – on top of news of potential US efforts to further limit foreign access to chips. Any trade or regulatory policy changes after the US election in November that restrict the AI buildout could hurt tech, too. US President Joe Biden’s announcement over the weekend that he will drop out of the presidential race may add to volatility, although pressure had been building in recent weeks. We monitor these risks while staying overweight the AI theme – and for now see sudden pullbacks as an opportunity to dial up risk-taking. This environment requires a new investment playbook.

Looking beyond tech

The earnings lead for the tech sector could narrow later this year as analysts expect earnings to improve in other sectors. We see the buildout of AI boosting sectors such as industrials, materials, energy and healthcare as it helps drive a transformation potentially on par with past technological revolutions. We don’t believe the rally in US small capitalisation stocks is part of this eventual earnings improvement. They are more sensitive to higher interest rates and not exposed to the drivers of the transformation we expect. Case in point: US small caps have suffered five quarters of shrinking earnings due to higher rates.

Regionally, we see selective opportunities in Europe as lower interest rates support growth and already improving earnings. At the sector level, we were more positive on banks earlier in the year given their resilient balance sheets. Relative valuations now look pricier. We prefer construction, utility and semiconductor companies that benefit from rate cuts and mega forces. We also went overweight UK stocks because post-election political stability and recovering growth could boost valuations.

Our bottom line

We lean against the market extrapolating too much from a single data release like the CPI. We expect big tech firms to keep driving equity returns. We stay overweight US stocks and the AI theme.

Market backdrop

US stocks pulled back from record highs last week. Technology names led the retreat, driven by concerns over potentially stronger restrictions on semiconductor exports to China. A global IT outage stoked further unease. We expect some bouts of volatility ahead, as reflected in the surge in small cap shares. US 10-year Treasury yields edged up on the week – showing that investors were not viewing this equity rotation and volatility as a pure risk-off episode, in our view.

We’re watching July US PCE data – the Fed’s preferred inflation measure – to see if the decline in CPI services inflation is repeated. June saw core services inflation, excluding housing, fall for a second month straight. We think the recent slowdown in services inflation is not consistent with current wage gains. We still expect the Fed to cut rates in 2024, but to levels higher than pre-pandemic.

Week ahead

The chart shows that gold is the best performing asset year-to-date among a selected group of assets, while the German 10-year bund is the worst.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results. Indexes are unmanaged and do not account for fees. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Sources: BlackRock Investment Institute, with data from LSEG Datastream as of July 18, 2024. Notes: The two ends of the bars show the lowest and highest returns at any point year to date, and the dots represent current year-to-date returns. Emerging market (EM), high yield and global corporate investment grade (IG) returns are denominated in US dollars, and the rest in local currencies. Indexes or prices used are: spot Brent crude, ICE US Dollar Index (DXY), spot gold, MSCI Emerging Markets Index, MSCI Europe Index, LSEG Datastream 10-year benchmark government bond index (US, Germany and Italy), Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global High Yield Index, J.P. Morgan EMBI Index, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Broad Corporate Index and MSCI USA Index.

July 23

Euro area consumer confidence

July 24

Global flash PMIs

July 25

US GDP and durable goods data; Japan service PPI

July 26

US core PCE; Tokyo CPI

Read our past weekly commentaries here.

Investment themes

01

Holding tight

Markets have come around to the view that central banks will not quickly ease policy in a world shaped by supply constraints. We see them keeping policy tight to lean against inflationary pressures.

02

Pivoting to new opportunities

Higher macro and market volatility has brought more divergent security performance relative to the broader market. Benefiting from this requires granularity and nimbleness.

03

Harnessing mega forces

The new regime is shaped by five structural forces we think are poised to create big shifts in profitability across economies and sectors. The key is identifying catalysts that can supercharge them and whether the shifts are priced by markets today.

Big calls

Our highest conviction views on tactical (6-12 month) and strategic (long-term) horizons, July 2024

  Reasons
Tactical  
AI and US equities We have high conviction that AI can keep driving returns in most scenarios. We see its buildout and adoption creating opportunities across sectors. The AI theme has driven US stock gains and solid corporate earnings, making us overweight US stocks overall.
Japanese equities This is our highest conviction equity view thanks to support from the return of mild inflation, shareholder-friendly corporate reforms and a Bank of Japan that is cautiously normalising policy – rather than tightening.
Income in fixed income The income cushion bonds provide has increased across the board in a higher rate environment. We like quality income in short-term bonds and credit. We’re neutral long-term US Treasuries.
Strategic  
Private credit We think private credit is going to earn lending share as banks retreat – and at attractive returns relative to public credit risk.
Fixed income granularity We prefer inflation-linked bonds as we see inflation closer to 3% on a strategic horizon. We also like short-term government bonds, and the UK stands out for long-term bonds.
Equity granularity We favor emerging over developed markets yet get selective in both. EMs at the cross current of mega forces – like India and Saudi Arabia – offer opportunities. In DM, we like Japan as the return of inflation and corporate reforms brighten our outlook.

Note: Views are from a US dollar perspective, July 2024. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any particular funds, strategy or security.

Tactical granular views

Six to 12-month tactical views on selected assets vs. broad global asset classes by level of conviction, July 2024.

Legend Granular

Our approach is to first determine asset allocations based on our macro outlook – and what’s in the price. The table below reflects this. It leaves aside the opportunity for alpha, or the potential to generate above-benchmark returns. The new regime is not conducive to static exposures to broad asset classes, in our view, but it is creating more space for alpha. For example, the alpha opportunity in highly efficient DM equities markets historically has been low. That’s no longer the case, we think, thanks to greater volatility, macro uncertainty and dispersion of returns. The new regime puts a premium on insights and skill, in our view.

Asset   Tactical view Commentary
Equities      
United States United States: tactical Overweight +1 We are overweight given our positive view on the AI theme. Valuations for AI beneficiaries are supported as tech companies keep beating high earnings expectations. We think upbeat sentiment can broaden out. Falling inflation is easing pressure on corporate profit margins.
Europe   Europe: tactical Underweight -1 We are underweight relative to the US, Japan and the UK – our preferred markets. Valuations are fair. A growth pickup and European Central Bank rate cuts support a modest earnings recovery. Yet political uncertainty could keep investors cautious.
UK   UK: tactical Overweight +1 We are overweight. Political stability and a growth pickup could improve investor sentiment, lifting the UK's low valuation relative to other DM stock markets.
Japan   Japan: tactical Overweight +2 We are overweight. Mild inflation and shareholder-friendly reforms are positives. We see the BOJ normalising policy – not tightening aggressively. A weak yen is a drag on returns for international investors.
Emerging markets   Emerging markets: tactical Neutral We are neutral. The growth and earnings outlook is mixed. We see valuations for India and Taiwan looking high.
China   China: tactical Neutral We are neutral. We see risks from weak consumer spending, even with measured policy support. An aging population and geopolitical risks are structural challenges.
Fixed income      
Short US Treasuries   Short US Treasuries: tactical Overweight +1 We are overweight. We prefer short-term government bonds for income as interest rates stay higher for longer.
Long US Treasuries   Long US Treasuries: Neutral We are neutral. Markets have cut expectations of Fed rate cuts and term premium is close to zero. We think yields will keep swinging in both directions on new economic data.
Global inflation-linked bonds Global inflation -linked bonds : Neutral We are neutral. We see higher medium-term inflation, but cooling inflation and growth may matter more near term.
Euro area government bonds European bonds: tactical Neutral We are neutral. Market pricing reflects policy rates in line with our expectations and 10-year yields are off their highs. Political uncertainty remains a risk to fiscal sustainability.
UK Gilts UK gilts: tactical Neutral We are neutral. Gilt yields have tightened to US Treasuries and market pricing of future yields is in line with our view.
Japan government bonds Japan government bonds: tactical Underweight -2 We are underweight. Stock returns look more attractive to us. We see some of the least attractive returns in JGBs.
China government bonds China government bonds: tactical Neutral We are neutral. Bonds are supported by looser policy. Yet we find yields more attractive in short-term DM paper.
US agency MBS US agency MBS: tactical neutral 01 We are neutral. We see agency MBS as a high-quality exposure in a diversified bond allocation and prefer it to IG.
Short-term IG credit Short-term IG credit: tactical Overweight +1 We are overweight. Short-term bonds better compensate for interest rate risk. We prefer Europe over the US
Long-term IG credit Long-term IG credit: tactical Underweight -1 We are underweight. Spreads are tight, so we prefer taking risk in equities from a whole portfolio perspective. We prefer Europe over the US
Global high yield Global high yield: tactical Neutral We are neutral. Spreads are tight, but the total income makes it more attractive than IG. We prefer Europe.
Asia credit Asia credit: tactical Neutral We are neutral. We don’t find valuations compelling enough to turn more positive.
Emerging market - hard currency Emerging market-hard currency: tactical Neutral 00 We are neutral. The asset class has performed well due to its quality, attractive yields and EM central bank rate cuts. We think those rate cuts may soon be paused.
Emerging market - local currency Emerging market-local currency: tactical neutral We are neutral. Yields have fallen closer to US Treasury yields, and EM central banks look to be turning more cautious after cutting policy rates sharply.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. The statements on alpha do not consider fees. Note: Views are from a US dollar perspective. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific time and is not intended to be a forecast or guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon as investment advice regarding any particular fund, strategy or security.

Meet the authors
Wei Li
Wei Li
Global Chief Investment Strategist – BlackRock Investment Institute
Helen Jewell
Helen Jewell
Chief Investment Officer EMEA, Fundamental Equities – BlackRock
Natalie Gill
Natalie Gill
Portfolio Strategist – BlackRock Investment Institute
Carolina Martinez Arevalo
Carolina Martinez Arevalo
Portfolio Strategist – BlackRock Investment Institute

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