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Positioning for Recovery Amid Uncertainty

Timothy C. Murray, Capital Markets Strategist

Key Insights

  • The drivers of uncertainty are liquidity concerns, the spread of the virus, and the pandemic’s impact on global economies.
  • We are gradually adding to equities and increasing our exposure to credit sectors.

The current crisis is an unprecedented twin “black swan” event involving both a pandemic and a major shock in oil prices. The key factors driving uncertainty in this environment are liquidity concerns, the alarming spread rate of the contagion, and the pandemic’s toll on global economies.

As panic selling across almost all assets accelerated, the Federal Reserve acted swiftly to stabilize markets and restore liquidity. However, some less liquid asset classes—those below investment grade—continue to be stressed. Meanwhile, the magnitude of the pandemic and its global economic impact continue to unfold, with unemployment increasing dramatically and a global recession looming.

In our multi-asset portfolios, we are gradually adding to equities. With attractive valuations and a favorable capital markets backdrop, we are incrementally closing our U.S. equities underweight. We are looking toward moderating our overweight to U.S. growth stocks, as we believe U.S. value stocks could be poised for a more pronounced rebound once volatility abates. Despite recent underperformance, we remain overweight to U.S. small-caps as they could be one of the best‑performing sectors in a recovery.

In fixed income, we are adding to credit sectors via high yield bonds and bank loans, which could potentially deliver equity‑like returns postcrisis with lower overall volatility.

Until things stop getting worse, we expect a bumpy ride. Today’s economy is not plagued by the structural challenges of prior recessions and is supported by unprecedented stimulus measures. An eventual easing of social distancing measures could potentially lead to a swift economic rebound, though a second wave of infection could complicate the recovery.

The Pandemic’s Economic Impact and the Fed’s Response
The Fed’s stimulus measures provide a bridge as economic activity declines

January 1, 2008, to April 3, 2020.
Sources: Bloomberg Finance L.P. and data analysis T. Rowe Price.
Quarterly, first quarter 1997 to fourth quarter 2019.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis/Haver Analytics.
Actual outcomes may differ significantly from estimates.

 

Key Risks—The following risks are materially relevant to the information highlighted in this material:

Equity Risk
—In general, equities involve higher risks than bonds or money market instruments.

Credit Risk
—A bond or money market security could lose value if the issuer’s financial health deteriorates.

Currency Risk
—Changes in currency exchange rates could reduce investment gains or increase investment losses.

Default Risk
—The issuers of certain bonds could become unable to make payments on their bonds.

Emerging Markets Risk
—Emerging markets are less established than developed markets and therefore involve higher risks.

Foreign Investing Risk
—Investing in foreign countries other than the country of domicile can be riskier due to the adverse effects of currency exchange rates, differences in market structure and liquidity, as well as specific country, regional, and economic developments.

Interest Rate Risk
—When interest rates rise, bond values generally fall. This risk is generally greater the longer the maturity of a bond investment and the higher its credit quality.

Real Estate Investments Risk
—Real estate and related investments can be hurt by any factor that makes an area or individual property less valuable

Small and Mid-Cap risk
—Stocks of small and mid-size companies can be more volatile than stocks of larger companies.

Style Risk
—Different investment styles typically go in and out of favour depending on market conditions and investor sentiment.


Important Information

This material is being furnished for general informational and/or marketing purposes only. The material does not constitute or undertake to give advice of any nature, including fiduciary investment advice, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for an investment decision. Prospective investors are recommended to seek independent legal, financial and tax advice before making any investment decision. T. Rowe Price group of companies including T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and/or its affiliates receive revenue from T. Rowe Price investment products and services. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may get back less than the amount invested.

The material does not constitute a distribution, an offer, an invitation, a personal or general recommendation or solicitation to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction or to conduct any particular investment activity. The material has not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.

Information and opinions presented have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable and current; however, we cannot guarantee the sources’ accuracy or completeness. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. The views contained herein are as of the date written and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price group companies and/or associates. Under no circumstances should the material, in whole or in part, be copied or redistributed without consent from T. Rowe Price.

The material is not intended for use by persons in jurisdictions which prohibit or restrict the distribution of the material and in certain countries the material is provided upon specific request. It is not intended for distribution to retail investors in any jurisdiction.

EEA ex-UK—Unless indicated otherwise this material is issued and approved by T. Rowe Price (Luxembourg) Management S.à r.l. 35 Boulevard du Prince Henri L-1724 Luxembourg which is authorised and regulated by the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. For Professional Clients only.

Switzerland—Issued in Switzerland by T. Rowe Price (Switzerland) GmbH, Talstrasse 65, 6th Floor, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland. For Qualified Investors only.

UK—This material is issued and approved by T. Rowe Price International Ltd, 60 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 4TZ which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. For Professional Clients only.

202004‑1145169

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