US Strategy Weekly: Lowering EPS Estimates

For the second time in six weeks, we are lowering our 2022 and 2023 earnings estimates for the S&P 500. For 2022, our forecast falls from $218 to $209, and for 2023 our estimate declines from $237 to $229. See pages 9 and 16. These estimates now translate into earnings growth rates of 0.4% this year and 9.6% next year. Both cuts in estimates were the result of disappointing earnings in the last two quarters. But more importantly, a weakening economy could put these reduced estimates in jeopardy.

It is worth pointing out that consensus estimates for 2022 have dropped precipitously as well. In particular, the S&P Dow Jones consensus estimate for 2022 was $227.51 in late April and fell to $209.66 last week, a 7.8% decline. The IBES Refinitiv consensus estimate hit a high of $229.57 in June and was $225.33 last week, a 1.8% decline. So, despite the misleading headlines suggesting that second quarter earnings season was better than analysts expected, earnings have disappointed in each reporting quarter this year. (Note that media headlines are never comparing earnings results on a year-over-year basis, but instead, compare results to the consensus estimate which may have been dramatically reduced just a few days earlier.) Moreover, most economists are now forecasting a recession for 2023, yet this does not seem to be reflected in current earnings estimates. Until this happens the door is open for more disappointments.

This earnings review of the first half of the year may explain why the market has been so weak as we approach the September FOMC meeting. Excluding the energy sector, earnings results for the S&P 500 are in the red for the first half of the year. Nevertheless, the Fed is expected to make the economic backdrop less friendly for corporate earnings in the coming months. It is likely that the Fed will raise interest rates 75 basis points this week, although it makes little difference if it is 75 basis points or 100 basis points, in our view. The bigger picture suggests that while the high of the fed funds range is currently at 2.5%, it is apt to reach 4% to 4.5% after the next few Fed meetings. In short, the Fed is undoubtedly going to trigger a recession, and this has not yet been fully factored into stock prices.

Valuation Model Woes

We have been reporting on the repercussions of inflation for a long while – the reduction in purchasing power of households, the pressure on profit margins and the negative impact on PE multiples – and the market is finally beginning to confront these issues. However, the combination of lower earnings growth and lower PE multiples is a toxic mix for equity valuation. When we combine our new assumptions of $209 earnings in 2022, with short-term interest rates rising to 4% and inflation falling to 6.2% by year-end, we get some distressing results in our valuation model. See page 8. First, our model suggests that a PE multiple slightly below 14 times is appropriate for the 2022 environment and coupled with our earnings estimate of $209, it produces a target of SPX 2915. The year-end range shows a high of SPX 3452 and a low of SPX 2380. Keep in mind that periods of high inflation typically result in the SPX trading in the lower half of the range because earnings are worth less in an inflationary environment. This is one of the many miseries of high inflation.

Alternatively, we could use the long-term average PE multiple of 15.8 times to find value in the equity market. With our $209 earnings estimate this generates a downside target of SPX 3302, which is less disconcerting, but still 14% below current prices. Either way, we believe the market has further downside risk. See page 8.

History also shows us that periods of inflation tend to place a ceiling on stock prices until the inflationary cycle is under control. See page 7. We believe the Federal Reserve understands this. And though they were late to address the inflation problem, we believe they will be steadfast and aggressive in the near term to counter inflation as best they can. See page 6. Other countries face the same inflationary issues, and their central banks are following the Fed’s lead, as seen by Sweden’s central bank which raised interest rates 100 basis points this week.  

One can see the impact of inflation everywhere. Retail sales were up a robust 9.1% YOY in August, but up only 1.5% YOY after inflation is considered. Although August’s gain in real retail sales was not substantial, it was nonetheless a positive gain which is a favorable shift. Real retail sales were negative in three of the four months between March and June, which concerned us because months of negative real sales are a classic sign of an economic recession. And even though retail sales rose 0.3% in August on a month-over-month seasonally adjusted basis, nominal retail sales in US dollars in August were below the level reported in June. See page 3.

Average weekly earnings grew at a healthy 5.1% YOY pace in August, but inflation rose 8.2% YOY, which means purchasing power actually fell 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. And after nearly two years of rising prices, energy is no longer the driver of inflation. As seen in the chart on page 5 of core CPI, PPI and PCE, these indices rose 6.5%, 8.8%, and 4.6%, respectively in August. All core inflation measures were the highest is 40 years. This explains why a 75-basis point or a 100-basis point hike in interest rates is irrelevant. Interest rates must go much higher to curb the current inflationary problem.

Technical Update

The 25-day up/down volume oscillator fell to negative 3.02 this week which is the first oversold reading of negative 3.0 or less since July. Remember that this oscillator was in oversold territory for six of eight consecutive sessions between July 6 and July 15 and hit an extreme oversold reading of negative 5.17 on July 14, 2022. A successful test of the June lows would require a shorter and/or less intense oversold reading with or without a new low in price in the indices. This is an important juncture for this oscillator.

The key to a successful retest of a bear market low is whether or not a new low in price also generates a new low in breadth. A successful retest will show there is less selling pressure – a less severe oversold reading — despite a lower low in price. We think this is a possibility in the final months of the year, but it means that this indicator should not fall below negative 5.17 or remain oversold for more than six to eight consecutive days. If it does, it would be negative for the intermediate-term outlook. The charts of the popular indices are quite similar this week. All four of the popular indices appear to be on the verge of testing the June lows and we would not be surprised, or concerned if all four indices break these lows. The key will be whether or not breadth data is stronger on this new low than it was in June. Remember: in terms of seasonality, September tends to be the weakest month of the year and that seems to be proving true in 2022. However, October has the reputation of being a “bear killer” and a turnaround month. We will be monitoring our indicators for signs that this will also prove true in 2022.

Gail Dudack

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