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Equity investors are not being adequately compensated for the economic, geopolitical and financial risks they are bearing. The equity risk premium is too small.
To understand this, consider that, back in the day, a “double dog dare” was a kid's first introduction to evaluating risk and reward. The rarely presented double dog dare happens when one kid dares another to do something foolish. Usually, the kid being dared asks for an incentive to complete the challenge.
When assessing a double dog dare, one usually first values the reward. Maybe there are a couple of candy bars or a soda for completing the challenge. Then comes the risk assessment. Does the potential to break an arm or leg exist? Maybe worse, at least in some children's minds, what will the punishment be for being caught? Simply, is the reward enough to compensate for the risks associated with the double dog dare?
Evaluating the risks and rewards of a double dog dare are not that dissimilar to equity investing, as I explain.
Risk-free rates
Investors should expect compensation in the form of capital gains and/or dividends/coupons commensurate with the investment risk. To help evaluate the risk compensation being offered, investors need a risk-free return to base the evaluation.
U.S. Treasury securities are a perfect yardstick for this task. They are considered the only risk-free asset in the world. We can debate the merits of their standing, but regardless of your opinion, it is a fact in almost all investors' minds. Further, we can easily find yields for investment terms ranging from next week to 30 years upon which to compare our risky assets.
BAAA
In my article, Goodbye TINA, Hello BAAA, I made the case that expected equity returns for the next 10 years are about the same as Treasury bond yields. In the current pricing scenario, the premium paid to stock investors for taking risks is zero. Accordingly, the article made the case that bonds are an alternative (BAAA) to stocks.
The graph below from the article shows that five popular methods for calculating equity expected returns range from 4% to -4%. At the same time, risk-free Treasury yields are near 4%.
Expected stock returns are on par with risk-free Treasury yields but woefully below the premium spread investors should demand.
For the next 10 years, bonds are the better bet.
Equity risk premium
In addition to the long-term stock-bond analysis presented in my article, there are other ways to help gauge whether stocks offer an acceptable premium to compensate investors for taking on added risk. One such model and the topic of this article is the equity risk premium.
The equity risk premium, like the three methods I share in the article, is a valuation-based calculation. However, it tends to rely on shorter-term fundamentals. Essentially my model looks at the expected EPS in one year divided by the current price and compares it to a one-year forward UST bond yield adjusted for inflation expectations.
The higher the equity risk premium, the more compensation equity investors receive to take on risk.
The graph below charts the S&P 500 equity risk premium using trailing and forward earnings. I offer a special thank you to Kailash Concepts for supplying the equity data for the graph.
Fair compensation?
Based on the graph, are equity investors fairly compensated for owning stocks? We can answer the question in a few different ways.
One way is to compare the current risk premium to recent pre-pandemic averages. As shown, outside of a few short-term instances, premiums have not been as low as they are today in 20 years. Further, those instances similar to today occurred after recessions, when the risk of another downturn was minimal, and earnings had significant upside growth potential as the economy recovered. While the premium was lower than average in those instances, the earnings and economic outlook were brighter, possibly justifying a low-risk premium.
Another way to consider the premium is to assess the risk associated with the current financial and economic environment and compare it to the premium. Today, given the potential market turmoil due to a possible recession, higher interest rates, inflation, an aggressively hawkish Fed, and the geopolitical situation in Ukraine, we should be paid more, not less compensation for taking on risk. The other consideration: Playing it safe in bonds pays us a comfortable 4% with no risk.
Given the riskier-than-normal outlook and tighter-than-average risk premiums, bonds deserve more attention. BAAA!
How equity premiums may normalize
Three key factors are used to calculate the equity risk premium: earnings, stock prices, and risk-free rates.
For the premium to rise to a more acceptable level, the numerator needs to increase and/or the denominator fall. In other words, there must be some combination of higher earnings, lower stock prices, and declining yields. We could create a complex table showing the many combinations, but instead, it best to focus on the elephant in the room – recession risk.
If we are indeed entering a recession, earnings are likely to fall. The graph below shows that earnings often decline significantly during recessions. If they do fall, the equity risk premium will also drop. Therefore, stock prices must also decline to keep the earnings yield stable.
However, the onus is not just on earnings and stock prices. If yields fall appreciably, the premium may rise.
All three factors will change. Appreciating what may change and to what degree, given various economic scenarios, will help you better appreciate how and when the equity risk premium may normalize.
Portfolio management
The model presented above is for the S&P 500. Each stock has its own risk premium. While we may not think the market is compensating us properly, many stocks and some sectors have potential earnings growth rates well above market levels with potentially less earnings volatility in a recession.
Portfolio management involves holding stock and bond assets. In active management, the allocations to stocks and bonds change as their risk-reward calculus changes. Lower risk premiums in a risky environment are leading me to reduce equity risk.
Summary
"There is no analog. Today's starting points are like none we have seen. The biggest risk is extrapolating to the future from a past that feels comfortable, confirmed by recent data. Disequilibrium is the new equilibrium." Erik Peter One River Asset Management
The economic, financial, and geopolitical risks are outsized! Shouldn't the equity risk premium reflect the situation?
If we double dog dare you to buy stocks, you should ask for a return that compensates for the additional risk in today's market environment.
Michael Lebowitz has been involved in trading, portfolio construction, and risk management involving some of the largest and most active portfolios in the world. In addition to broad institutional experience, he also built a successful independent RIA allowing him to further extend his experience into the realm of investment management for individuals and family offices. Grounded in logic and common sense, he blends vast trading and investment expertise with economic viewpoints that delivers pragmatic and actionable thought leadership to clients.
Join our website today for a look behind the data at what is really going on with the markets and your money. www.realinvestmentadvice.com.
Contact him at [email protected].
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Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives.
