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Apr 30, 2021

The macroeconomic backdrop remains strong and investors have many reasons to be optimistic. Economies continue to rebound from last year’s deep recession, leading indicators are at multi-decade highs, risks related to the virus are fading as vaccinations progress and corporate profit growth is accelerating (Exhibit 1). In this environment, stocks have climbed to record levels and sovereign bond yields have reversed their pandemic-related plunge from early 2020. As a result, we believe that much of the cheerful outlook has been priced in, particularly in the U.S., where valuations are stretched and investor sentiment has reached extremes. As a result, we have decided to take some profits after a strong run by reducing our overweight position in stocks, sourced specifically from U.S. equities, and have placed the proceeds into bonds.

Exhibit 1: Weighted average consensus real GDP

Growth estimates for major developed nations
Exhibit 1: Weighted average consensus real GDP

Note: As of April 23, 2021. Source: Consensus Economics

Strong outlook boosted yields, further increases may be limited

U.S. sovereign bond yields have nearly doubled since the start of the year as the announcement of vaccines, better economic growth and firming inflation diminished the demand for safe-haven assets. Valuation risk has been reduced significantly as the U.S. 10-year bond yield reclaimed its pre-pandemic levels and is now trading inside our modelled equilibrium band after falling below the lower boundary last year (Exhibit 2). In an environment where near-term inflation pressures prove temporary and central banks remain highly accommodative, we expect the U.S. 10-year yield could fluctuate within a relatively narrow range. Given that much of the good news is priced into the fixed-income market at this point, we would likely need to see improvement in the economic outlook beyond what is already expected to push bond yields sustainably higher.

Exhibit 2: U.S. 10-year T-Bond yield

Equilibrium range
Exhibit 2: U.S. 10-year T-Bond yield

Note: As of April 23, 2021. Source: RBC GAM, RBC CM

Equity valuation risk is concentrated in the U.S.

Most major equity indices are trading at or near record levels. The S&P 500 has climbed about 5% in April, bringing year-to-date gains to 12% and extending the already impressive performance from 2020. Valuations have inched higher and the S&P 500 is now more than one standard deviation above our modelled fair value at levels not seen since the late 1990s (Exhibit 3). While we don’t believe the market is as dangerously overvalued as it was during the tech bubble, there is some cause for caution, particularly with respect to investor confidence. Ned Davis Research tracks a variety of sentiment metrics and their Crowd Sentiment Poll indicator has reached levels of extreme optimism not seen since late 2017/early 2018. While extreme optimism and stretched valuations can persist for some time, we recognize that complacency may be creeping into markets, creating a vulnerability should that enthusiasm fade or the economic outlook deteriorate (Exhibit 4).

Exhibit 3: S&P 500 equilibrium

Normalized earnings & valuations
Exhibit 3: S&P 500 equilibrium

Note: Fair value estimates are for illustrative purposes only. Corrections are always a possibility and valuations will not limit the risk of damage from systemic shocks. It is not possible to invest directly in an unmanaged index. Source: RBC GAM

Exhibit 4: Ned Davis Research Crowd Sentiment Poll Percent bulls

Exhibit 4: Ned Davis Research Crowd Sentiment Poll
    Percent bulls

Note: As of April 20, 2021. Source: Ned Davis Research, RBC GAM

However, equity markets outside the U.S. offer better value. Stocks in emerging markets, Canada and Europe are more or less in line with our modelled fair value, and those in the U.K. and Japan are situated at relatively attractive valuations (Exhibit 5). As a result, global equity markets are not necessarily as stretched as investors focused solely on the S&P 500 may believe.

Exhibit 5: Global equity markets

RBC GAM fair value equilibrium

Exhibit 5: Global equity markets

Note: As of April 23, 2021. Source: Haver Analytics, Bloomberg, RBC CM, RBC GAM

Asset mix – trimming exposure to U.S. equities, moving the proceeds to bonds

We recognize that economies are experiencing a strong recovery, supported by significant monetary and fiscal stimulus, and the outlook for corporate profits is robust. As a result, we are maintaining an overweight exposure to equities and underweight in bonds in our recommended asset mix. But elevated valuations, particularly in U.S. equities, reduces the future return potential, and moreover, the relative attractiveness of stocks to bonds has been diminished as a result of the rapid increase in bond yields (Exhibit 6). We opted to dial back our equity exposure by 50 basis points, sourced entirely from the U.S. and moved the proceeds to fixed income. Our recommended asset mix for a global balanced investor is 64.0% equities (strategic: “neutral”: 60%), 35.0% bonds (strategic “neutral”: 38%) and 1.0% in cash.

Exhibit 6: S&P 500 earnings yield

12-month trailing earnings/index level
Exhibit 6: S&P 500 earnings yield

Note: As of April 23, 2021. Source: RBC GAM, RBC CM

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Disclosure

This document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) for informational purposes only and may not be
reproduced, distributed or published without the written consent of RBC GAM or its affiliated entities listed herein. This
document does not constitute an offer or a solicitation to buy or to sell any security, product or service in any jurisdiction; nor
is it intended to provide investment, financial, legal, accounting, tax, or other advice and such information should not be relied
or acted upon for providing such advice. This document is not available for distribution to people in jurisdictions where such
distribution would be prohibited.


RBC GAM is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) which includes RBC Global Asset Management Inc.,
RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc., RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, RBC Global Asset Management (Asia)
Limited, and BlueBay Asset Management LLP, which are separate, but affiliated subsidiaries of RBC.


In Canada, this document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) which is regulated by
each provincial and territorial securities commission with which it is registered. In the United States, this document is provided
by RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc., a federally registered investment adviser. In Europe this document is provided by
RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In Asia,
this document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited, which is registered with the Securities and Futures
Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong.


Additional information about RBC GAM may be found at www.rbcgam.com.


This document has not been reviewed by, and is not registered with any securities or other regulatory authority, and may, where
appropriate, be distributed by the above-listed entities in their respective jurisdictions.


Any investment and economic outlook information contained in this document has been compiled by RBC GAM from various
sources. Information obtained from third parties is believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied,
is made by RBC GAM, its affiliates or any other person as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. RBC GAM and its affiliates
assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions.


Opinions contained herein reflect the judgment and thought leadership of RBC GAM and are subject to change at any time. Such
opinions are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be investment or financial advice and should not be relied
or acted upon for providing such advice. RBC GAM does not undertake any obligation or responsibility to update such opinions.
RBC GAM reserves the right at any time and without notice to change, amend or cease publication of this information.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. With all investments there is a risk of loss of all or a portion of the amount
invested. Where return estimates are shown, these are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as a
prediction of returns; actual returns may be higher or lower than those shown and may vary substantially, especially over shorter
time periods. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


Some of the statements contained in this document may be considered forward-looking statements which provide current
expectations or forecasts of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or
events and involve risks and uncertainties. Do not place undue reliance on these statements because actual results or events
may differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Before making any
investment decisions, we encourage you to consider all relevant factors carefully.

® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.

© RBC Global Asset Management Inc. 2021


Originally published on April 29, 2021