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Market Outlook: New Expectations Set the Tone for 2017

Following the Trump victory, the market has incorporated expectations for stimulus, higher inflation, and higher interest rates.

  • The Morningstar Global Markets Index has returned 8.79% year to date and 9.64% over the past year.
  • The market-cap-weighted price/fair value estimate ratio for our equity analysts' coverage universe is 1.02.
  • Healthcare is the most undervalued sector, with a price/fair value estimate ratio of 0.87. Basic materials is the most overvalued sector, with a price/fair value estimate ratio of 1.25.

During the final quarter of 2016, U.S. financial services stocks reacted the most favorably to news that Donald Trump would become president. The Morningstar Financial Services Sector Index has risen 20% quarter to date. While financial services was one of our most undervalued sectors at the time of our last quarterly update, the price/fair value estimate ratio for the sector is now 0.97. The market has incorporated expectations for stimulus, higher inflation (from stimulating an economy already close to full employment), and higher interest rates (from higher budget deficits and inflation).

At the other end of the spectrum, the Morningstar Real Estate Sector Index fell 4.55%. Those same interest rate expectations that lifted financials stock prices have hurt real estate valuations, as investors incorporate higher costs of capital for REITs and turn to other increasingly attractive vehicles in their search for yield. The price/fair value estimate ratio for our real estate coverage is 0.93.

In addition, the Morningstar Healthcare Sector Index has fallen 4% quarter to date. There is increasing concern surrounding the pricing power for drugs. Powerful pharmacy benefit managers will likely continue their drug pricing pressure. However, we argue that the research and development landscape is quite good as successful drugs are coming to market more rapidly than before, which should offset drug pricing pressure.

Basic materials continues to stand out as the most overvalued sector. We think the market incorrectly assumes current commodity prices are sustainable, as we are bearish on the long-term outlook for Chinese fixed-asset investment despite Beijing’s stimulus efforts. We fear that China’s ability to sustain rising fixed-asset investments will falter due to high debt and falling returns on investment. Moreover, new supply can enter the market, which should provide further pressure for commodity prices long term.

We also view the energy sector as overvalued, with a price/fair value estimate ratio of 1.14. Our long-term oil price assumption of $55 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate remains, despite OPEC production cuts. We argue that even a modest recovery in oil prices will encourage U.S. shale producers to further ramp activity so that they eventually replace almost all "removed" OPEC barrels with their own.

More Quarter-End Insights

Economic Outlook: More of the Same Anemic Growth

Credit Insights: Global Rates on the Rise

Basic Materials: China-Led Rally of 2016 Rests on a Shaky Foundation

Consumer Cyclical: Poised (and Priced) for a Strong 2017

Consumer Defensive: Cooking Up a Bit More Value

Energy: OPEC Adds a Plot Twist, but Ending in Unchanged

Financials: What Will Really Drive Interest Rates?

Healthcare: What Does a Trump Administration Mean for Healthcare Stocks?

Industrials: Baking In Too Much Optimism

Real Estate: Through the Noise, Opportunities Exist

Technology: This Firm Is the Newest Software Empire

Utilities: Still High Even After Bonds' Withdrawal

More in Markets

About the Author

Elizabeth Collins

Head of Credit Operations and Standards

Elizabeth Collins, CFA, is global head of equity research for Morningstar Research Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. In this role, she leads the global equity research team, which focuses on providing in-depth, fundamental equity research based on sustainable competitive advantages and long-term valuation analysis. Collins is a member of the Morningstar Research Services Economic Moat committee, a group of senior members of the equity research team responsible for reviewing all Economic Moat and Moat Trend ratings issued by Morningstar. She serves on the regulatory governance board for Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC. Collins is also coauthor of Why Moats Matter: The Morningstar Approach to Stock Investing, published by John Wiley & Sons in 2014.

Before assuming her current role in 2018, Collins was director of North American equity research. She has also served as director of basic materials equity research, chair of the Morningstar Research Services Economic Moat committee, and a senior analyst on the energy team. She joined Morningstar in 2005. Previously, Collins worked as a youth program coordinator for a public housing community organization in Boston.

Collins holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College and a master’s degree in business administration from DePaul University. She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

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