Equity Strategy: Earnings Outlook - The surge in corporate pricing power to start reversing as the year progresses

Speaker: Mislav Matejka, Head of Global Equity Strategy

The consensus view over the past two years was that margins were at risk of contraction given the big spike in input costs. We disagreed. We maintained a bullish earnings view as inventories were non-existent and as consumers were flush with cash, legacy of excess savings from COVID times. This backdrop enabled corporates to use the spike in input costs as an opportunity to raise prices. Indeed, the correlation between PPIs and corporate profits has historically been strongly positive. We believe that this correlation will continue to hold, but from here in the negative direction. This is especially as corporate inventories have been rebuilt, supply chains normalized and COVID dislocations finished. In addition, there is no further extraordinary support for the top line in DM, as pent-up demand has been exhausted, and the once dramatic consumer excess savings have been eroded. One could see increased discounting and downtrading. It is notable that the intentions of corporates to raise prices have rolled over sharply in the past few months. The risk-reward is more challenging still given that US and European profit margins are at historical highs, significantly above pre-COVID levels. Earnings projections for 2023 have been cut somewhat, but consensus is still looking for upside this year, and a meaningful acceleration next year. These are at risk. The question is whether the negative impact will start already with Q4 results, or will it be delayed to later this year. PMI momentum suggests that the earnings growth rate in Q4 should have moved into negative territory, but even if companies do not disappoint for Q4, we do not believe EPS upgrades are likely in 1H.

 

This podcast was recorded on 22 January 2023

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