equities  |  june 1, 2023

My Two Biggest Rules for Investing in Industrials

Industrials are sensitive to the business cycle, but supportive government policies should create a favorable setup for the next upturn.

4:05

Melanie Rizzo

Industrials Analyst, U.S. Equity Division

 

Key Insights

  • There are good times and bad times to own industrial stocks, depending on where the economy and a company’s end markets are in the cycle.

  • The proactive industrial policies pursued by the U.S. and other governments could be a tailwind for the sector.

  • Companies specializing in automation and industrial gases could benefit from efforts to shore up supply chains and decarbonize the economy.

Hi, I’m Melanie Rizzo. My job gives me a behind-the-scenes view of the infrastructure that makes modern life possible–and the chance to drive fully loaded tractor trailers.

I cover a range of industries—from agricultural equipment and heavy machinery to factory automation and specialty gases.

There are good times and bad times to own industrials. This reality underpins my two biggest rules for investing in the sector, and my optimism for what I see as a revolution in industrial policy.

Rule Number 1: Respect the business cycle.

The companies I cover exhibit varying degrees of cyclicality. That’s how much their earnings fluctuate with the economy and the supply/demand conditions in their end markets.

Understanding these macro and micro cycles is critical.

Highly cyclical companies usually do well in the early stages of an upswing, but even those with a compelling growth story can get dragged down during periods of weakness.

Industrials with less cyclical business models, on the other hand, tend to fare better in tough times and lag when conditions start to improve.

Valuations, economic uncertainty, and demand risks make me cautious. However, I am excited about the next upcycle, which brings us to my second rule:

Government policy can create winners and losers.

A revolution in industrial policy is underway.

Trade tariffs and disruption stemming from COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have prompted companies to prioritize supply chain resilience.

Mexico, Vietnam, and India should benefit from the push to diversify production to areas where the labor supply is plentiful.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has embarked on an aggressive industrial policy that aims to develop capacity in critical areas.

The CHIPS and Science Act, for example, offers tax credits and subsidies to build foundries for fabricating advanced semiconductors.

And the Inflation Reduction Act includes significant incentives for projects that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and heavy industry.

Other governments are pursuing similar programs to avoid being left behind.

Supportive industrial policy, technological innovation, and the push to decarbonize the economy could set up industrials for a better cycle ahead. I think the amount of spending related to the energy transition could surprise a lot of investors.

Two areas excite me the most.

First, companies specializing in automating physical processes. They’re likely to benefit from investments in reshoring manufacturing. And the productivity from these solutions could be even more compelling after a period of high inflation.

Second, industrial gas companies.

Over the long term, they’re uniquely positioned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels with clean-burning hydrogen.

Generous subsidies create a large opportunity set, especially on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The geology there is favorable for storing captured carbon underground. And the region is home to a lot of energy-intensive industries.

Bottom Line: I’ll be watching the coming industrial revolution closely while minding the cycle and keeping an eye out for potential disruption.

Important Information

This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice or a recommendation to take any particular investment action.

The views contained herein are those of the authors as of May 2023 and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price associates.

This information is not intended to reflect a current or past recommendation concerning investments, investment strategies, or account types, advice of any kind, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or investment services. The opinions and commentary provided do not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any particular investor or class of investor. Please consider your own circumstances before making an investment decision.

Information contained herein is based upon sources we consider to be reliable; we do not, however, guarantee its accuracy.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. All investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. International investments can be riskier than U.S. investments due to the adverse effects of currency exchange rates, differences in market structure and liquidity, as well as specific country, regional, and economic developments. These risks are generally greater for investments in emerging markets.  Commodities are subject to increased risks such as higher price volatility, geopolitical and other risks. All charts and tables are shown for illustrative purposes only.

202305–2899730

 

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