European Growth vs. Value Part 2

The piece we published last week on European Value vs. Growth (European Value against Growth: time to concentrate on the EPS) provoked a lot of feedback from investors trying to position themselves in Europe in the year ahead – a task that is not made easy by the prospects of rising interest rates and events in Ukraine. In the piece we pointed to the superior profitability of our portfolio and its attractive valuation when compared to both the Value and Growth indices.

Many of you had no difficulty with this but continued to be challenged by macro considerations. The feedback has fallen broadly into two camps. Investors in the first camp think that the ascendancy of the value trade has further to go as interest rates rise. Those in the second believe that the reflationary trade which has been the main driver of index returns in Europe last year will flag and consequently Europe will lose its attraction generally. Investors in both camps appeared to be united in the idea that macro considerations would continue to undermine valuations.

To all those in the first camp, the prospect of interest rate rises continuing to ravage growth stock valuations seems to have done its worst. It is always as well to remember that the best growth companies are almost always backed by structural long-term trends, and value stocks are not. They are just being driven by short term cyclical triggers, notably short-term interest rate speculation.

Current inflation, which is behind the speculation about rising rates, is not due to overheating economies but rather the result of short-term supply side shortages. Higher interest rates will have no impact whatsoever on these shortages. They will just pressure economic growth. That is why we believe that 4 interest rate rises in the US are unlikely and market will be pleasantly surprised.

Higher interest rates, commodity prices and energy prices will be a break on economic growth, so it is only the companies with long term structural growth drivers that should be trading at a premium. The short- term bounce in commodity prices, once reflected in stock prices will flatten out.

As for those in the second camp, it is certainly true that the European index has been propelled by cheap banks, materials and energy. Given what we see from consensus forecasts, the increase in profits amongst value stocks which was spectacular in 2021, largely because the base effect of a Covid challenged 2020, will remain healthy this year before falling off a cliff in 2023. It is therefore reasonable to assume if these sectors take a breather, then the 25% increase that we saw in the index last year may not be repeated. But we had no exposure to any of these stocks last year and still beat the index by a comfortable 3%.

We do not want to get drawn into the old Value/Growth debate here. You are all well versed in the arguments and know where we stand. What we would like to reiterate is that we only invest in stocks that have growing profitability and are backed by structural long-term trends. Irrespective of the bigger picture our companies are cheap, they are gaining market share and delivering on profit. Our high active share is designed to deliver returns irrespective of the travails faced by the lumbering broader index.

There are challenges no doubt in the year ahead, but we are confident that the companies in our portfolio, several of which we expect to be upgraded on the back of recent results, will perform well from here. Their stock prices will follow accordingly.

A PDF version of this article is available here.

This article has been issued by Aubrey Capital Management Limited which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered as an Investment Adviser with the US Securities & Exchange Commission. You should be aware that the regulatory regime applicable in the UK may well be different in your home jurisdiction. This article has been prepared solely for the intended recipient for information purposes and is not a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. The information on which the document is based has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, and in good faith, but we have not independently verified such information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice. Any comments expressed in this article should not be taken as a recommendation or advice. Please note that the prices of shares and the income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested. This can be as a result of market movements and of variations in the exchange rates between currencies. Past performance is not a guide to future returns and may not be repeated. Aubrey Capital Management Limited accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for any consequential loss of any kind arising out of the use of this article or any part of its contents. This article does not in any way constitute investment advice or an offer or invitation to deal in securities. Recipients should always seek the advice of a qualified investment professional before making any investment decisions.


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