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THE DECADE THAT WAS
– WHERE TO NOW?
The third decade of the third millennium has not started quietly. We’re just over a month in, and we’re already on the edge of our seats with a global health emergency resulting from the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, Brexit Day finally arriving and US president Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. Might the new decade be even more tumultuous than the last one? What does it hold for investors? Crucially, are there any lessons to be learnt from the past 10 years?
The start of the previous decade was marked by unprecedented levels of uncertainty. Investors had been selling off equities aggressively from 2008 as they tried to come to terms with what’s become known as the Global Financial Crisis. There was also ambivalence over how the consequences of the credit crisis would impact real global economic growth and ultimately the profitability of companies and the share price performance of listed entities.
It was unclear whether the economic stimulus on offer would in the long run be able to provide a remedy for a ‘patient’ many economists regarded as being terminally ill: the global banking system. During 2009, equity prices did – albeit hesitantly – recover from the lows recorded at the start of that year. However, investor sentiment was still depressed as we entered 2010, with equity valuations under pressure and global bond yields heading lower as investors searched for safe-haven assets to protect capital.
At Sanlam Private Wealth, we’ve always argued that price, or more accurately, low prices, offer the best security for long-term investors. Although no one could foresee this at the time, 2009 did turn out to mark the start of a decade-long bull market for equities, especially in developed markets. The latter enjoyed an equity market return of 10.1% per annum over the 10 years, driven largely by the exceptionally strong performance of US equities – 13.5% as measured by the S&P 500 Index. Emerging market equities recorded a modest performance of 4% per annum, but still outperformed the US consumer inflation index of 1.7% per year over the period.
So-called safe-haven assets fared less well. Global bonds achieved a US dollar return of only 1.8% over the 10 years, substantially lagging emerging market bonds, which returned a healthy 6.5% in US dollars, as seen in the graph below:
The numbers suggest that investment guru Warren Buffett’s view of buying when others are fearful and selling when others are greedy generally does have merit. But at the start of the decade, professional investors having to decide where to put their clients’ money were embroiled in long and stressful debates on the merits of equity investing. Don’t forget that in 2008, Lehman Brothers – the fourth largest investment bank in the US – had to file for bankruptcy after being in business for 158 years. At the time, many investors were questioning the sustainability of the global financial system as we knew it then.
What followed was a 10-year bull market for equities during which the prices of listed shares on average advanced far beyond the forecast of most investment strategists. The advance wasn’t devoid of drama, however. The initial stages of the economic and equity market recovery were supported by very progressive economic policy. Authorities cut interest rates and created liquidity by expanding central bank balance sheets as central banks became buyers of government bonds in a process called quantitative easing.
Many analysts questioned the sustainability of quantitative easing. It represented a significant negative shock to investor expectations, as the US Federal Reserve (the Fed) had become one of the world’s biggest buyers. As is the case with any reduction in demand, with reduced Fed purchases, bond prices fell. Many pundits believed the equity market could follow suit, since money flowing into the economy from the Fed through bond purchases was widely understood to be supporting stock prices. The continuation of the bull trend in global equities came under severe pressure, particularly during 2015.
Global equity prices again found support from the Fed when – in a surprise move – the US central bank cut interest rates in December 2017. The decent earnings growth of US companies over the decade also supported equity prices over the period and provided those who had bought attractively priced assets 10 years earlier, with rich rewards.
Many South African investors who had focused only on local assets, had a somewhat different experience, however. Over the past five years, South African equities yielded only 6% in rand terms, or 2% in US dollar terms. These returns were also associated with high volatility and a background of extreme economic and political policy uncertainty.
But while the past five years were tough for local investors, the performance of the major asset classes over the past 10 years was largely aligned with the risk associated with each asset class. Local equities returned 10.9% per annum over the decade, listed property gained 10.7%, bonds yielded 8.8% and cash delivered 6.5% per year against an inflation number of 5.1%. So despite a disappointing past five years, our clients who had bought local equities when they were cheap 10 years ago would have earned a healthy real return of 5.8% per annum over the past decade.
Investors often expect analysts to provide an outlook for the period ahead, in this case, the next 10 years. We’ve always made it clear that neither Sanlam Private Wealth nor any other investment house has the ability to forecast the future. It’s rather obvious that financial markets are currently very sensitive to interventions by policymakers. The increased intervention experienced over the previous decade has surely dialled up the risk of forecasting. When looking at prospective performance, we therefore continue to be guided, as always, by current valuation levels of the respective asset classes.
Globally, interest rates are low. In fact, we believe global bonds are currently trading in bubble territory. We would therefore assign a very low allocation to this asset class on a 10-year view, despite the fact that it’ll likely continue to act as a safe haven in a crisis. We maintain that given the extremely low yields on cash, global cash doesn’t provide a long-term investment solution for investors.
Following a decade of sterling performance of developed market equities, it’s highly unlikely that investors will experience another decade of 8+% real returns. Although global equity valuations aren’t in bubble territory, they’re by no means cheap and it would therefore be more realistic to dial down return expectations from this asset class.
The South African macro outlook remains cloudy, to say the least. The structural issues that need to be addressed urgently to restore confidence in our economy, are well documented. Whether the current political regime has the will to drive the policy measures that will restore investor confidence, remains to be seen.
However, as mentioned, in our view low prices do provide a measure of safety for long-term investors. Many locally listed companies appear to be currently trading at attractive valuation levels. To put it differently, investors have already penalised local companies for the murky prospects associated with the local economy. We would therefore cautiously favour South African equities in terms of asset allocation – but we’re certainly not suggesting a binary approach or arguing that our clients should invest only in local equities.
South African bonds – another traditional asset class – are also offering attractive yields in real terms. Of course, the sentiment for this asset class is tainted by the rather fragile fiscal outlook for our country. We do believe, however, that these yields should compensate investors for the risk taken in buying South African bonds. Finally, local cash is providing a real pre-tax option.
In a nutshell, given lower starting valuations, the laggards over the past 10 years may well surprise investors. A decade is a long time, however, and within this period, investors are likely to experience continued volatility – but this will provide opportunities for active managers to change the portfolio mix as and when needed to enhance portfolio returns for clients.
Sanlam Private Wealth manages a comprehensive range of multi-asset (balanced) and equity portfolios across different risk categories.
Our team of world-class professionals can design a personalised offshore investment strategy to help diversify your portfolio.
Our customised Shariah portfolios combine our investment expertise with the wisdom of an independent Shariah board comprising senior Ulama.
We collaborate with third-party providers to offer collective investments, private equity, hedge funds and structured products.
Using your equity portfolio to secure credit allows you fast access to capital.
Sizwe Mkhwanazi has spent 14 years in Investment Management.
Have a question for Sizwe?
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MANDATORY DISCLOSURE
All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the information on this website is accurate. The information does not constitute financial advice as contemplated in terms of FAIS. Professional financial advice should always be sought before making an investment decision.
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS
Participation in Sanlam Private Wealth Portfolios is a medium to long-term investment. The value of portfolios is subject to fluctuation and past performance is not a guide to future performance. Calculations are based on a lump sum investment with gross income reinvested on the ex-dividend date. The net of fee calculation assumes a 1.15% annual management charge and total trading costs of 1% (both inclusive of VAT) on the actual portfolio turnover. Actual investment performance will differ based on the fees applicable, the actual investment date and the date of reinvestment of income. A schedule of fees and maximum commissions is available upon request.
COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT SCHEMES
The Sanlam Group is a full member of the Association for Savings and Investment SA. Collective investment schemes are generally medium to long-term investments. Past performance is not a guide to future performance, and the value of investments / units / unit trusts may go down as well as up. A schedule of fees and charges and maximum commissions is available on request from the manager, Sanlam Collective Investments (RF) Pty Ltd, a registered and approved manager in collective investment schemes in securities (‘Manager’).
Collective investments are traded at ruling prices and can engage in borrowing and scrip lending. The manager does not provide any guarantee either with respect to the capital or the return of a portfolio. Collective investments are calculated on a net asset value basis, which is the total market value of all assets in a portfolio including any income accruals and less any deductible expenses such as audit fees, brokerage and service fees. Actual investment performance of a portfolio and an investor will differ depending on the initial fees applicable, the actual investment date, date of reinvestment of income and dividend withholding tax. Forward pricing is used.
The performance of portfolios depend on the underlying assets and variable market factors. Performance is based on NAV to NAV calculations with income reinvestments done on the ex-dividend date. Portfolios may invest in other unit trusts which levy their own fees and may result is a higher fee structure for Sanlam Private Wealth’s portfolios.
All portfolio options presented are approved collective investment schemes in terms of Collective Investment Schemes Control Act, No. 45 of 2002. Funds may from time to time invest in foreign countries and may have risks regarding liquidity, the repatriation of funds, political and macroeconomic situations, foreign exchange, tax, settlement, and the availability of information. The manager may close any portfolio to new investors in order to ensure efficient management according to applicable mandates.
The management of portfolios may be outsourced to financial services providers authorised in terms of FAIS.
TREATING CUSTOMERS FAIRLY (TCF)
As a business, Sanlam Private Wealth is committed to the principles of TCF, practicing a specific business philosophy that is based on client-centricity and treating customers fairly. Clients can be confident that TCF is central to what Sanlam Private Wealth does and can be reassured that Sanlam Private Wealth has a holistic wealth management product offering that is tailored to clients’ needs, and service that is of a professional standard.