[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Monthly Market Report: May 2020
Financial Markets Continue to Climb
Prepared by Brandon Yee, CFA, CAIA, and Thomas Connelly, CFA, CFP®[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4231″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Developed Markets Continue to Climb
In the month of May, international developed stock markets recorded a return of 4.25%. Japan and Europe ex UK recorded returns of 5.92% and 5.68%, respectively. The U.K. and Pacific ex Japan equity markets lagged the broader market. After the market declines in March, international developed markets are down -14.42% year to date. Both monetary and fiscal stimulus have contributed to the market rally. Governments and their central banks continue to address liquidity concerns in the financial markets through bond buying programs and lowering interest rates. The U.S. government is also considering another round of fiscal stimulus.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5725″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4237″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Russia and Brazil Bounce Back
Broader emerging markets posted a 0.95% return for the month. Russia and Brazil recorded returns of 8.61% and 8.52%, respectively. India and China lagged other markets in May. The Chinese equity market has outperformed other emerging and developed equity markets year to date except the U.S. equity market. With many countries easing social distancing requirements, business activity has slowly picked up.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5723″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4234″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Information Technology Holds Steady
Materials and information technology recorded returns of 6.63% and 6.61%, respectively. Energy and financials lagged other sectors in May. Information technology continues to lead the way as the products and services of many technology companies were instrumental in helping people and businesses operate like under normal economic conditions. Video conferencing and delivery services saw large increases in usage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5724″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4232″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Small-Cap Stocks Underperforming
In May, value underperformed growth in the small-cap space and large-cap space. Momentum recorded a gain of 6.84%. Relative valuations between value stocks and growth stocks are close to historical highs based on the price-to-book valuation metric. Growth stocks have held up better this year, but their future earnings may not justify the higher valuations. Momentum and large-cap growth strategies performed well during the past one- and five-year periods.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5731″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4233″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Foreign Small-Cap Companies Bounce Back
In the international developed markets, value underperformed growth in the large-cap and small-cap space. Momentum recorded a gain of 5.81% while small-cap emerging market stocks posted a return of 2.74%. Foreign momentum strategies have performed well year to date and over the past twelve months.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5729″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4236″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Deflationary Conditions in May
In May, the three-month Treasury bill index returned 0.02% for the month. Interest rates on Treasury bills and money market funds are close to 0%. Savers may face continued low rates, which will either cause a deterioration in purchasing power or a shift to riskier assets. The CPI decreased by -0.80% year over year through April.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5730″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4230″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Treasuries Continue to Reward Investors
The returns of deflationary hedges were mostly positive for the month. Emerging market bonds and short-term government bonds returned 5.74% and 0.15%, respectively. Long-term government bonds are up 20.80% year to date. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Agg Bond Index returned 0.47% in May. Riskier forms of credit such as high-yield bonds, leveraged loans, and Business Development Companies recouped some of their losses from earlier in the year. The Fed has started to buy investment grade ETFs and high yield ETFs, which have helped returns.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5727″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4235″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Oil Prices Stage Comeback
Inflation-sensitive investment returns were mostly positive for the month. WTI crude oil posted a gain of 49.6%. Natural gas dropped by -14.79% in May. Gold bullion is up 14.12% YTD, outperforming many other assets. Gold miners have also outperformed as they provide levered exposure to the gold price. Inflation-indexed bonds have a positive return in 2020, but this is primarily due to the decrease in interest rates.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5728″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”4238″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen Remain Strong
Over the past three months, the U.S. dollar appreciated against the Euro, Australian dollar, the Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen. The unprecedented amounts of U.S. fiscal stimulus may weigh on the U.S. dollar in the medium-term to long-term.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5726″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Brandon Yee, CFA, CAIA – Research Analyst
Brandon conducts investment due diligence for Versant Capital Management, and designs and implements tools and processes to support the firm’s research. His background in biology and finance help him to look at challenges from multiple angles, resulting in unique and well-rounded approaches and solutions.
Disclosure: Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Versant Capital Management, Inc.), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this article will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this article serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Versant Capital Management, Inc. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Versant Capital Management, Inc. is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the article content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. If you are a Versant Capital Management, Inc. client, please remember to contact Versant Capital Management, Inc., in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services. A copy of the Versant Capital Management, Inc.’s current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
