Equities

European equities have lagged the US for more than a decade. But there are reasons to believe that Europe can outperform again: The benchmark is now more exposed to higher growth companies, valuations are attractive, macro reforms have mitigated risks and Europe is leading the way in ESG.

High-growth, high-momentum stocks were among the best performers of 2020, then value stocks rallied into the first quarter of this year. We are cautious of valuations, as some stocks have already priced in a recovery. Investing in quality companies with predictable earnings power at reasonable valuations can help investors prepare for a rainy day.

Strong momentum across many markets has increased investors’ concerns about inflated valuations. As the “growth-at-any-price” trade seems to be fading, many believe a rotation out of growth stocks and into value may continue to outperform the broader market. Before you rearrange your portfolio in light of the current rotation, here are a few things to consider.

Chinese equities can offer an exciting and dynamic opportunity, but investors must navigate a complex regulatory environment and quickly changing competitive dynamics. Our research team sheds light on the outlook for e-commerce giant Alibaba, how to approach the A-shares universe and pressing issues investors face in China today.

Even as the broader geopolitical environment and global economic uncertainty continue to impact the headlines on China, strong growth prospects underpin several sectors and companies.

While the US is home to many global leading companies, it is not the be-all and end-all for investors. Actively allocating to international equities can bring the benefits of diversification. We believe a portfolio that combines the best of domestic and international quality growth equities is the right choice for long-term investors today.

Airbnb’s stock soared after its IPO, but it is not yet profitable and faces many competitive threats. Meanwhile, its rival Booking Holdings is an established leader with a proven business model and a more earth-bound valuation. We think Booking is a true quality company with a solid track record, not a speculative bet.

While higher interest and inflation rates may more predominantly impact owners of long-duration assets in a variety of ways, they are also simply a positive signal of strong economic growth, which is a good thing. They also should enable for a more generally healthy pricing environment for risk assets. Higher interest rates are not necessarily something terrible to be only feared.

With US President Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid relief package, alongside the recently proposed $2.25 trillion in infrastructure projects, there is growing concern about the impact these programs could have on inflation and interest rates globally. In the investment world, we have been operating amid declining rates and low inflation for so long that few may realize the impact rising rates would have on investment returns.

Stop fraud bleeding returns. Fraud from related party transactions, kickbacks and fiddling the books can run for years. The steps to minimize risk are based on 3 governance structures – independence from management is key. Amazing how often they are not in place, especially in some markets.

All-star New York Yankees pitcher Lefty Gomez once said: "I'd rather be lucky than good.” Successful investing over time is, however, not a game of luck. It requires discipline, skill and a focus on quality. Investors can prepare for a downturn by focusing on quality businesses with predictable earnings growth.

What makes the internet high-speed, a phone smart and many other consumer products safer and more efficient? Semiconductor chips. They are at the heart of emerging technologies. We believe the industry has entered a new phase of growth that is characterized by higher profitability and lower earnings volatility.

While COVID has been a key source of disruption across multiple facets of our lives, the virus-induced effects have served a useful purpose by accelerating some important business trends that were already underway. We can all agree data proliferation and the continued digitization of the world certainly are not slowing. What's less clear is which companies will benefit.

How do you identify risk from water stress? This blog looks at causes and vulnerability by business and location. Population growth of 750 million this decade and climate change will keep water stress rising. Companies need to adjust to the value of water before the market prices for scarcity.

Alibaba had hoped to position Ant with a greater emphasis on the “tech” part of the business and the margins and returns that usually accompany that model, but now it clearly could be a much less profitable, albeit still very large and successful, financial holding company. Portfolio manager Brian Bandsma breaks down what increased regulatory scrutiny means for some of China’s large internet companies.

The market craves stability and transparency. As an efficient auction mechanism, it relies on visibility to price stocks and economic activity. Typically, the market—and people in general—do not like change, but this time, as we stand at the precipice of a tremendous change, what we are seeing is actually a potential return to real stability, normality and transparency.

Tesla’s current valuation reflects aggressive assumptions about its dominance of the electric vehicle market and its ancillary businesses. While parts of Tesla’s exciting story may materialize, progress is unlikely to be as linear as the market suggests. In fact, the market may be overlooking several key risks

Understanding potential value destruction from climate change is challenging. A strong framework can significantly improve visibility. There are hundreds of companies that appear to have value at risk from climate change greater than their market capitalization – climate zombies. Insights on where to find, and value, risks in this blog.

Unlike horses that need blinders to keep them narrowly focused on winning a race, investors should expand their field of vision to consider the risks around them. Matthew Benkendorf, CIO of the Quality Growth Boutique, shares 5 principles that are critical to help successfully navigate emerging markets.

Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s brilliant partner, famously remarked that their investment approach was “simple, but not easy.” After nearly 40 years of investing, Portfolio Manager Ed Walczak explores how the Quality Growth team aims to overcome the many challenges investors face today in determining the “true” value of a company.

History is a good reminder that it is difficult to predict market reactions, and that elections do not have as tremendous consequences on markets as people may believe. Market anxiety over election impact is generally over-exaggerated. The underlying health of the economy and corporate profit growth, ultimately, are the factors that will impact stock prices.

Many emerging markets are more resilient to external shocks than in the past and can better withstand the pressures of a stronger US dollar. And so far, many EMs have been fairly conservative in their use of stimulus in response to Covid-19. This increases the potential for prosperous times ahead.

The ongoing trade war and eroding U.S.-China relationship have been a catalyst for making it less attractive for Chinese companies to seek a public listing in the United States. The Chinese government is finally making good on promises to open up domestic markets to foreign investors. Additionally, Hong Kong and China are taking steps to make local listings more attractive, especially to high-tech start-ups.

Our equity experts from the Quality Growth Boutique are constantly trying to find exceptional companies. In this insight, they explore businesses that may be high quality today that were not in the past. Does the current COVID crisis change the playbook for investors in any way?