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Posted by Greg Taylor on May 4th, 2021

Sell in May and Go Away? It’s Not So Simple This Year

April lived up to its reputation as a positive month for equities. Many global indices hit all-time highs during the month, supported by a combination of record fiscal/monetary stimulus and optimism around the global economic recovery. Even with a third wave of the virus raging in pockets of the world, markets are cheering the successful vaccination rollout in the U.S. and hope that by summer many parts of Europe and Canada will be on the same path.

Where the optimism is most notable is in the commodities. The pent-up demand to spend on goods and services is massive, and global supply chains have been struggling to keep up. Lumber is a common example of this trend, but it’s everywhere. Oil, which in April 2020 traded below zero, is comfortably over $60 a barrel. Corn and other agricultural commodities are up over 40% YTD, and copper ended the month at levels last seen in 2011.

These commodity moves have brought warnings about inflation from many corners. A little inflation is good, as it keeps growth, but runaway inflation can destroy business models and countries. Central banks usually list the objective of low inflation as one of their primary responsibilities. As the year progresses, this will become even more of a talking point.

By the numbers - April 2021 total return

At the moment, bankers are pushing back against inflation fears, saying its “transitory,” meaning the surge in prices won’t last. They attribute the surge to growing pains from restarting global supply chains that had been shut down for most of last year. That excuse may be true if the deflationary factors of demographics come back into focus, but if commodities continue to run into the second half of the year, it may become too big of an issue to ignore.

The bond market is making its bet in this debate, as bond yields look to be signaling that this price move may be more long lasting. Less than a year ago, the U.S. 10-year bond was yielded under 0.5%. It ended April over 1.6%, and many are expecting it to finish 2021 over 2%. If inflation expectations keep increasing, yields will follow. This will have an impact on what sectors will win and what markets will outperform. You can’t ignore the bond market.

The biggest story in markets remains the record levels of stimulus and cash in the system. It is flowing to all asset classes, but as investors begin to lose money in bonds, increasingly this cash is coming to equities and real assets. This makes it hard to short this market, other than for tactical reasons—that is until the central banks decide they have had enough. Remember, “Bull markets don’t die of old age—they are murdered by the Fed.”

An old investment adage states to “sell in May and go away.” But is that true in 2021? It’s trickier this year than in many others. Last year was certainly not a year to sell, but that was because markets had been crushed in the first part of the year and were rebounding from that shock. This year the S&P 500 is higher by 11.3% for the first four months. Markets usually don’t peak until earnings do, and for the next few quarters pent-up demand should push prices higher. But by the second half of the year could things have gone too far?

The market observers are rightly focused on determining when the FOMC will take away the punch bowl, signaling that the party is over. But markets are forward looking and once that time arrives it will be too late. Positioning for that new environment will have to be done earlier. This doesn’t mean markets will crash, but a dramatic change in leadership could occur. When the economy is struggling, investors pay a higher multiple for those few companies that are winning.

But as we begin to envision a world of 3% unemployment, 3% GDP growth, and a 3% 10-year yield, investors no longer need to pay huge multiples for growth as it’s more common. Does this mean they may begin to favour cyclical companies with a strong balance sheet and cash flow? Value stocks may finally come back to favour after many years of being ignored.

Markets are off to a great start to the year, climbing a wall of worry. The second half of the year will face several new challenges as stimulus programs begin to be scaled back and the focus turns to tax hikes as governments look to pay for this. Selling in May might be too soon, but it’s coming. Investors will need to be nimble to get ahead of these factor changes before everyone sees it has arrived. After many years when holding index funds was all that mattered, active management is making a comeback. Strategies that add value through positioning within assets classes, sectors, and duration should outperform.

The world is still recovering from the shock of the pandemic and finally there is light at the end of the tunnel—but just because the all-clear has been sounded doesn’t mean investors can let their guard down.

— Greg Taylor, CFA is the Chief Investment Officer of Purpose Investments


All data sourced from Bloomberg unless otherwise noted.

By the numbers displays total returns for the month of April 2021. The content of this document is for informational purposes only, and is not being provided in the context of an offering of any securities described herein, nor is it a recommendation or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any security. The information is not investment advice, nor is it tailored to the needs or circumstances of any investor. Information contained in this document is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offering memorandum, prospectus, advertisement or public offering of securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority has reviewed this document and any representation to the contrary is an offence. Information contained in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable, however, we cannot guarantee that it is complete or current at all times. The information provided is subject to change without notice.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Certain statements in this document are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements (“FLS”) are statements that are predictive in nature, depend on or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate” or other similar expressions. Statements that look forward in time or include anything other than historical information are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results, actions or events could differ materially from those set forth in the FLS. FLS are not guarantees of future performance and are by their nature based on numerous assumptions. Although the FLS contained in this document are based upon what Purpose Investments and the portfolio manager believe to be reasonable assumptions, Purpose Investments and the portfolio manager cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these FLS. The reader is cautioned to consider the FLS carefully and not to place undue reliance on the FLS. Unless required by applicable law, it is not undertaken, and specifically disclaimed, that there is any intention or obligation to update or revise FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Greg Taylor, CFA

Greg Taylor is the Chief Investment Officer of Purpose Investments. A data-driven manager with a focus on managing risk through active-trading strategies, Greg specializes in finding and exploiting pockets of volatility in the market to drive returns. He spent more than 15 years managing pension and mutual fund assets at Aurion Capital Management. He also held a role of senior portfolio manager at Front Street Capital and LOGiQ Asset Management before coming to Purpose Investments.

Greg serves on the investment committee for the MS Society of Canada and advises the finance program’s portfolio management course at Bishop’s University. He has won numerous Brendan Wood International “TopGun” awards and is a regular host and guest on BNN Bloomberg and Toronto’s all-news radio station, 680News. Greg is a CFA Charterholder and has a BBA in Finance from Bishop’s University.