Markets are “bubblish”, or aren’t they? (5 Apr 2021)

Dear all

Markets have been on a tear for the past five months. Since my write-up published on 1 Nov 2020, citing opportunities in our Singapore market (click HERE for the write-up), STI has soared 786 points, or 32.4% from 2,424 on 30 Oct 2020 to close 3,210 on 5 Apr 2021 (intra-day high today was 3,212). At the time of writing this, S&P500 futures are trading at 4,040, translating to around 24% gain over the same period. In fact, STI is the 2nd best performing market for 1Q2021 amongst 18 global benchmarks.

Are markets in the midst of a bubble? Or aren’t they? Let’s take a look at the factors for and against this argument.

 

Factors against a bubble

It is common knowledge that a flood of money supply, ultra-low or zero interest rates, COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, US$1.9t stimulus spending and US$2 trillion infrastructure bill have sparked a ‘buy everything’ rally. Corporate results have generally surprised on the upside. Much has been discussed on the above factors and I will not go into details due to time constraints.

 

Factors pointing to a potential bubble

A) Stratospheric stock valuations by some measures

Based on Bloomberg as of 1 Apr 2021, S&P500 is trading at 4.4x P/BV and 3.0x P/S, approximately three standard deviations away from its 10-year average. For P/E, S&P500 trades at 32.8x current PE which is more than three standard deviations away from its 10-year average of 18.9x.

Chart 1: Valuations >=3 standard deviations away from 10Y average

Chart 1_SPX 10Y PEBD

Source: Bloomberg 1 Apr 2021

B) Sentiment data showing exuberance

Based on the panic / euphoria index compiled by Citi Research (see Chart 2 below), it is apparent that euphoria is at the highest since 1987. To put it from another perspective, the reading is higher than during the dot.com period. According to Citi, based on historical trend, this indicator “statistically argues for a 100% chance of losing money”.

Chart 2: Euphoria at the highest since 1987!

Chart 2_Citi Panic_Euphoria Model 23 Mar 21

Another indicator that investors can draw some reference to is margin debt. This is the amount of loans which individuals and institutions borrow funds using their securities as collateral. According to FINRA, margin debt has to the highest since 1997 and this typically presage stock market weakness. Leverage is a double-edged sword. The latest to succumb is Archegos Capital which has collapsed due to margin calls resulting from excessive leverage.

Chart 3: Spikes in margin debt typically presage market weakness

Chart 3_Margin debt through Feb 2021

C) Elevated retail participation

According to Retail broker eToro, it cited an additional 380,000 new users in the first 11 days of 2021. Closer to home, based on my own observation, there seems to be an increase in risk taking by clients, even for those who are more risk adverse. They are willing to put in larger than their usual investment amounts into stocks which they are not familiar, based usually on some advices from their friends etc. In addition, even less active clients are coming back into the market and asking for higher trading limits.

D) Rising bond yields

10Y bond yields have surged more than 80% in three months from 0.92% on 31 Dec 2020 to around 1.71% on 1 Apr 2021. Against the backdrop of the various stimulus packages being negotiated, coupled with consensus view that economic growth should pick up (at least) in the near term, and with the view that more economies are likely to re-open in 2H2021, bond yields may rise more. If there is a sharp rise in bond yields in a short span of time, it may have an adverse impact to the stock market.

E) Divergence in technical chart

Based on Chart 4, S&P500 closed at a record 4,020 on 1 Apr 2021. Notwithstanding the rise in S&P500 since 4 Mar 2021, it is accompanied with lower-than-average volume. ADX has started to slide to close 11.3 amid positively placed Dis, indicative of a lack of trend. Furthermore, there are obvious signs of bearish divergence of indicators vs price since the recent high on the indicators on 12 – 17 Feb.

Near term supports: 3,973 / 3,935 / 3,911 / 3,879 – 3,888

Near term resistances: 4,025 / 4,044 – 4,050 / 4,075

Although bearish divergences in the indicators do not necessarily indicate an immediate sell signal, they are considered as yellow flags which we need to be careful.

Chart 4: S&P500 closed at a record high on 1 Apr 2021

Chart 4_S&P500 chart 1 Apr 21

Source: InvestingNote 1 Apr 2021

F) Corporate tax

According to Citi, S&P500 earnings may drop 4-5% if the corporate tax rates were to increase from 21% to 25%. S&P500 earnings may drop approximately 6-7%, should the corporate tax rate be raised to 28%. Against the backdrop of exceedingly high valuations, a drop in earnings is likely to exacerbate the pricey valuations.

 

Conclusion

To sum up, S&P500’s high valuations may indicate (to some extent) some potential positive news has been priced in and market may be susceptible to sell off if there are disappointments. Disappointments can come in various forms such as a resurgence in Covid 19 cases (or vaccines prove less effective than expected); lower than expected corporate results or / and guidance in 2021 etc,

Similar to other investors. I do not have any crystal ball to foretell the future. However, given the above factors, I am cautious and have sold into strength. I have reduced my percentage invested to around 50-60% invested so that I can be ready to accumulate on weakness. (I can raise my percentage invested to more than 200% if necessary, with leverage, hence 50-60% invested is rather little to me and pretty comfortable even if there is some pull back in the market)

Nevertheless, I hasten to add that the answer on whether this is a good time to buy, or sell depends on your percentage invested; market outlook; portfolio constraints; opportunity costs; risk profile etc. Thus, for those who are unsure, it is better to seek a professional financial adviser for advice.

 

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