Rowan Dartington

It has been bad. And it is probably not over.

  1. Home
  2. Insight & Knowledge
  3. It has been bad. And it is probably not over.
Newer
26/03/2020
Older

The speed of the equity market correction as a result of Coronavirus has been extraordinary. To put some numbers to this, the US S&P fell 34%, the equity fear gauge (VIX) jumped to 82, which is nearly twice the previous high which was recorded during the credit crunch, and corporate credit spreads have ballooned, although they are not as wide as during the last crisis yet.

Corporate behaviours have also changed markedly. Many have drawn down hard on their credit lines, withdrawn outlook statements, postponed earnings releases and cancelled dividend payments. Financial markets and the corporate world seem to be in panic mode. As a result, a global economic recession now seems all but inevitable.

The equity market drawdown (the peak to trough correction) this year has been on a par with some of the worst recessions in living memory. Through the last recession and the one before that, nearly twenty years ago, the US equity market fell roughly 50% on this measure. At the worst point last week, the equity market had adjusted 34% peak to trough.

US S&P 500 Equity Market Drawdown %

Source: Bloomberg, Rowan Dartington Research

Index / Percentage Growth (%) 31/12/18-31/12/19 31/12/17-31/12/18 31/12/16-31/12/17 31/12/15-31/12/16 31/12/14-31/12/15
S&P 500 TR in US 31.49 -4.38 21.83 11.96 1.38

Source: FEAnalytics 2020

Is there any good news amongst the maelstrom?

While a global recession now seems all but inevitable, equity markets appear to have priced for much of that already. That is not to say that this crisis is over, far from it, but we believe we are now moving into the next phase for asset markets. That is, the phase where the balance of risks are likely towards the upside.

 

 

© S&P Dow Jones LLC 2020. All rights reserved.

Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

The value of an investment with Rowan Dartington may fall as well as rise.  You may get back less than the amount invested.

The information contained does not constitute investment advice. It is not intended to state, indicate or imply that current or past results are indicative of future results or expectations. Full advice should be taken to evaluate the risks, consequences and suitability of any prospective investment. Opinions provided are subject to change in the future as they may be influenced by changes in regulation or market conditions. Where the opinions of third parties are offered, these may not necessarily reflect those of Rowan Dartington.

Rowan Dartington is part of the St. James's Place Wealth Management Group. Rowan Dartington & Co Ltd is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales No. 2752304 at St. James's Place House, 1 Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1FP, United Kingdom.