Stocks in 2024: The Risks of Timing

As we enter 2024, the stock market continues to ride the wave of an "everything rally." This surge in stock prices is fueled by high expectations for the Federal Reserve to soon lower interest rates, ultimately avoiding a recession. However, while investors may accurately predict the magnitude of these rate cuts, the timing remains uncertain and comes with significant risks.

According to strategists Skylar Montgomery Koning and Andrea Cicione at GlobalData TS Lombard, the market represents the amalgamation of participants' views. Caught between different potential outcomes, the market seems to be pricing in a soft landing with approximately 140 basis points (bp) of rate cuts in 2024. In their client note on Wednesday, the GlobalData TS Lombard team highlights that the approximately 200 basis points of rate cuts priced in for the entire easing cycle might be too minimal rather than too aggressive, particularly if the economy experiences a hard landing.

However, the primary concern is not the magnitude of these rate cuts; instead, it lies in the optimistic movements within the market. Recent market trends have demonstrated anticipation for an early batch of rate cuts this year. Hence, there is a potential risk that these priced-in cuts might not materialize, undoing the positive market actions seen at the start of 2024. Specifically, this could result in a weaker dollar, stronger fixed income securities (FI), and stronger equities, consequently disrupting the market equilibrium.

In the fourth quarter of the previous year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) experienced a remarkable rally, achieving a series of record closes. Similarly, the S&P 500 index (SPX) concluded Wednesday on the verge of its first record close in two years.

In summary, while the market holds expectations for significant rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, timing remains a crucial and risky factor. The optimism seen in the market may be premature, and a potential delay in these rate cuts could have profound effects on the stock market, leading to unexpected outcomes throughout the year.

The Changing Landscape of Fixed Income Investments

In the realm of fixed income investments, the 10-year Treasury yield (BX:TMUBMUSD10Y) experienced a shift as it eased back to around 4% at the beginning of the new year. This comes after a surge to a 16-year high of 5% in October, which generated concerns about abrupt increases in borrowing costs for a significant portion of the U.S. economy. As a result, this sudden development caused a dip in stock prices, temporarily erasing earlier gains for major U.S. bond benchmarks.

According to FactSet data, the well-monitored Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate index delivered a one-year return of 2.41%. In tandem with this trend, the related iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) is on track to achieve a comparable return. These figures indicate the positive performance of these investment vehicles throughout the year.

However, market strategists caution that there is still the potential for a further sell-off if the Federal Reserve's dovish stance is reassessed. This highlights the uncertainty surrounding the future trajectory of fixed income strategy.

Shifts in the currency landscape also deserve attention. The ICE U.S. dollar index (DXY), which gauges the value of the greenback against a basket of competing currencies, has witnessed a 3.5% decline over the past three months, as per FactSet data. Interestingly, despite this decline, it logged its best start to a new year in nearly a decade.

The year 2022 witnessed a substantial surge in the dollar value, reaching its highest levels in two decades due to the Federal Reserve's rate hikes. However, if the Fed pivots towards rate cuts, there is a likelihood that the dollar will weaken further. Experts suggest that consensus speculates a weakening dollar in 2024 due to significant Fed cuts. While they forecast modest upside for the dollar, this development could pose challenges to assets pegged to the dollar, as they may become less attractive to yield-seeking investors.

Ultimately, this shifting environment presents both opportunities and risks for investors, especially those reliant on overseas sales. While a weaker dollar may boost revenue for major U.S. companies, it is important to consider the potential impact of Fed rate cuts on investment attractiveness and borrowing costs.

The dynamics of fixed income investments and currency movements create a complex landscape that requires careful observation and informed decision-making. As the new year unfolds, market participants will need to stay vigilant and adapt their strategies accordingly.