Do value stocks do well in a recession?
Cooper says what tends to do well in recessions are value stocks, precisely those depressed-price, stodgy Old Economy industrial, materials and consumer-product companies that investors jettisoned during the technology run-up of the past several years.
A common perception is that value stocks are more cyclical and therefore more vulnerable to economic downturn. We find that this conventional wisdom is false: empirical evidence shows that value stocks actually tend to outperform in recessions.
During a recession, you can expect stock prices to fall across the board. This happens for a number of reasons. For one, as we mentioned before, consumer confidence plummets during economic downturns. People are less likely to spend money – which means businesses make less profit.
The best recession stocks include consumer staples, utilities and healthcare companies, all of which produce goods and services that consumers can't do without, no matter how bad the economy gets.
Get Ready for a Comeback. The market's resident bargain hunters have had a long dry spell. But for value investors, the market and economic backdrop could be turning in their favor—finally.
We expect lackluster global earnings growth with downside for equities from current levels.” Against this backdrop, value stocks have a strong chance of outperforming their growth counterparts in 2024.
In almost every case, the S&P 500 has bottomed out roughly four months before the end of a recession. The index typically hits a high seven months before the start of a recession. During the last four recessions since 1990, the S&P 500 declined an average of 8.8%, according to data from CFRA Research.
Equity Sectors
On the negative side, energy and infrastructure stocks have been the hardest-hit in recent recessions. Companies in these sectors are acutely sensitive to swings in demand. Financials stocks also can suffer during recessions because of a rising default rate and shrinking net interest margins.
For investors, “cash is king during a recession” sums up the advantages of keeping liquid assets on hand when the economy turns south. From weathering rough markets to going all-in on discounted investments, investors can leverage cash to improve their financial positions.
For example, value stocks tend to outperform during bear markets and economic recessions, while growth stocks tend to excel during bull markets or periods of economic expansion. This factor should, therefore, be taken into account by shorter-term investors or those seeking to time the markets.
What not to invest in during a recession?
Most stocks and high-yield bonds tend to lose value in a recession, while lower-risk assets—such as gold and U.S. Treasuries—tend to appreciate.
Companies in the business of providing tools and materials for home improvement, maintenance, and repair projects are likely to see stable or even increasing demand during a recession. So do many appliance repair service people. New home builders, though, do not get in on the action.
- Retail. According to economists, the retail industry is among the industries most affected by recession in 2023. ...
- Restaurant. ...
- Travel & Tourism. ...
- Real Estate. ...
- Manufacturing.
Value stocks have consistently underperformed growth stocks for many years. Yet, there are some signs that 2024 could herald a change in trend. Underperformance in value stocks was exacerbated in 2023 as many growth stocks, in the tech sector, saw huge gains due to excitement around artificial intelligence (AI).
The Morningstar US Value Index returned 12% in 2023. That's pretty disappointing compared with the 26.5% returns from the Morningstar US Market Index, which tracks stocks in every category, and the 38.5% returns on growth stocks.
Value stocks often achieve lower price gains because their medium- to long-term growth potential often turns out to be lower. A potential lack of growth may lead to a lower valuation of the stock in the long run, or investors may have to wait longer for the expected price appreciation.
Name | Price | Analyst Price Target |
---|---|---|
INTC Intel | $34.20 | $44.21 (29.27% Upside) |
MU Micron | $106.77 | $132.00 (23.63% Upside) |
CSCO Cisco Systems | $48.32 | $53.73 (11.20% Upside) |
F Ford Motor | $12.14 | $13.31 (9.64% Upside) |
Company | 3-Year Sales Growth CAGR | Industry |
---|---|---|
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) | 39% | Automotive |
Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) | 24% | E-commerce |
Block (NYSE:SQ) | 16% | Digital payments |
Etsy (NASDAQ:ETSY) | 10% | E-commerce |
Stock | 2024 return through March 31 |
---|---|
Avidity Biosciences Inc. (RNA) | 182% |
Arcutis Biotherapeutics Inc. (ARQT) | 206.8% |
Janux Therapeutics Inc. (JANX) | 250.9% |
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (DJT) | 254.1% |
That said, timing a recession is difficult to do, and selling into a falling market may be a bad choice. Most experts agree that one should stay the course and maintain a long-term outlook even in the face of a recession, and use it as an opportunity to buy stocks “on sale.”
Has the stock market ever bottomed before a recession?
Stocks have usually bottomed about six months before the economy but have bottomed as much as ten months before the economic decline is over. During the 2001 recession, stocks hit their low nine months after the economy.
Options to consider include federal bond funds, municipal bond funds, taxable corporate funds, money market funds, dividend funds, utilities mutual funds, large-cap funds, and hedge funds.
Cash: Offers liquidity, allowing you to cover expenses or seize investment opportunities. Property: Can provide rental income and potential long-term appreciation, but selling might be difficult during an economic downturn.
Contrary to investor expectations, several growth stocks including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) grew during the 2008 recession, so investors don't have to ignore growth stocks to be conservative.
- Cut living expenses. ...
- Build an emergency fund. ...
- Develop new skills. ...
- Speak with a financial adviser. ...
- Create passive income sources. ...
- Start a business. ...
- Consumer staples. ...
- Bonds.
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