Stocks Could Rise By As Much As 10% Before Being Fairly Valued

Stocks Could Rise By As Much As 10% Before Being Fairly Valued

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We are now about halfway through earnings season with 42% of companies within the S&P 500 having reported results. According to data from Dow Jones S&P, 71.3% of companies have beaten their estimates, while 23.6% have missed, and 5.1% have met. It sounds like an extremely bullish report, but those results are much worse than the previous two quarters.  In the second quarter of 2018, 80% of companies beat estimates and just 14.8% missed.

However, when we dig a bit deeper into those numbers, we find that historically going back to 2012, the range of 70 to 75% of companies beating estimates is within the higher end of the norm. Last years high numbers of beats may have been because of the new tax law changes, and now that those changes are normalizing the number of beats and misses are returning to their historical trends.

earnings growth S&P 500 stocks

(Data from Dow Jones S&P)

Earnings Estimates Fall

Earnings estimates for 2019 continue to decline. Currently, forecasts are calling for growth of roughly 7.8% earnings growth in 2019 to $167.64 per share. That is about 5.3% off the August highs of $177.07. Estimates for 2020 have also fallen to around 190.79, and suggest growth of 13.8% in 2020.

earnings growth, S&P 500

(Data from Dow Jones S&P)

Valuations Rise

With the S&P 500 rising sharply off the lows and estimates falling, the PE ratio of the S&P 500 has increased to 16.1 times 2019 earnings estimates, and 14.2 times 2020 estimates.

Throughout much of 2018, the S&P 500 traded at 17.5 times forward earnings. If the market should repeat that trend, the S&P 500 could rise to around 2,930. Additionally, the index traded at roughly 15.5 times one-year forward earnings, should that happen this year it would suggest the S&P 500 rises to 2,957 using 2020 estimates.  It does assume that earnings estimates do not continue to fall meaningfully.  Both outcomes would suggest there is about 8.5 to 9% more upside in the S&P 500 for it just to get back to a reasonably fair valuation.  At this point, the S&P 500 valuation still seems too low.

S&P 500

(Data from Dow Jones S&P)

We can also see that still the S&P 500 is trading at the low-end of its historical range when looking at earnings over the next twelve months.

peratios

(Data from Dow Jones S&P)

Sell-off Was Too Severe

Again we can also see that the decline in stocks over the past few months is much steeper than the earnings slowdown that we have witnessed to this point. The steep decline in the market would be reflective of an earnings recession, which there is no evidence of at this point.

pegrowth

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[youtube-feed feed=7]

(Data from Dow Jones S&P)

As earnings continue to pour in should the current trends continue it would at least suggest that fears of a recession were completely overblown and entirely out of line. It would also suggest that stocks continue to rise by as much 10% to return to a historically fair valuation. That does not even include if shares were trading above that range, which is possible should the earnings growth outlook for 2020 continue to look strong at 14%.

I talked about all of this during the week in my a premium article: There Are Still Plenty Of Reasons To Be Bullish On Stocks. This commentary is something I will update reasonably regularly in that area. Plus I do plenty of articles on stocks, such as Align Technologies: Lots Of Risks and Square’s Stock Is Breaking Out.

For those looking for more chart trading orientated commentary I do that on StockTwits in a premium room. Where I post charts like this:

More on Sunday!

Mike

Mott Capital Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Upon request, the advisor will provide a list of all recommendations made during the past twelve months. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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This report contains independent commentary to be used for informational and educational purposes only. Michael Kramer is a member and investment adviser representative with Mott Capital Management. Mr. Kramer is not affiliated with this company and does not serve on the board of any related company that issued this stock. All opinions and analyses presented by Michael Kramer in this analysis or market report are solely Michael Kramer’s views. Readers should not treat any opinion, viewpoint, or prediction expressed by Michael Kramer as a specific solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell a particular security or follow a particular strategy. Michael Kramer’s analyses are based upon information and independent research that he considers reliable, but neither Michael Kramer nor Mott Capital Management guarantees its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. Michael Kramer is not under any obligation to update or correct any information presented in his analyses. Mr. Kramer’s statements, guidance, and opinions are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Michael Kramer nor Mott Capital Management guarantees any specific outcome or profit. You should be aware of the real risk of loss in following any strategy or investment commentary presented in this analysis. Strategies or investments discussed may fluctuate in price or value. Investments or strategies mentioned in this analysis may not be suitable for you. This material does not consider your particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs and is not intended as a recommendation appropriate for you. You must make an independent decision regarding investments or strategies in this analysis. Upon request, the advisor will provide a list of all recommendations made during the past twelve months. Before acting on information in this analysis, you should consider whether it is suitable for your circumstances and strongly consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser to determine the suitability of any investment.