Blog

INVESTING INSIGHTS
AT WILLIAM BLAIR

January 24, 2017 | Global Equity
Higher Inflation: Which Sectors Benefit?

Portfolio Manager

Simon Fennell, partner, is a portfolio manager for William Blair’s International Growth, International Small Cap Growth, and International Leaders strategies. He joined William Blair in 2011 as a technology, media, and telecommunications research analyst focusing on idea generation and strategy more broadly. Before joining William Blair, Simon was a managing director in the equities division at Goldman Sachs in London and Boston, responsible for institutional equity research coverage for European and international stocks. Previously, Simon was in the corporate finance group at Lehman Brothers in London and Hong Kong, working in the M&A and debt capital markets groups. Simon received an M.A. from the University of Edinburgh and an M.B.A. from Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

In a series of recent posts, my colleague Olga Bitel and I have provided broader context around the recent drivers of the global economy and capital markets, and discuss what we see as the themes moving forward.

We note that while we have not had inflation in several years, it is not unexpected given our late-stage cyclical economic expansion—but nevertheless, as it has become more apparent, it has taken both equity and fixed-income markets by surprise.

It is taking only a small move in inflation and bond yields to create significant ripples throughout the capital markets. We believe this expansionary element will persist for some time. But what does it mean for financial markets?

In my opinion, we are in an environment in which industrials, financials (both banking and insurance), and commodities could perform much better.

In my opinion, we are in an environment in which industrials, financials (both banking and insurance), and commodities could perform much better, as they have the ability to take advantage of a steeper yield curve.

What does it mean from a valuation perspective? Valuation sensitivity has increased across geographies and sectors. Looking at the traditional discounted cash flow framework, the three main elements are suddenly working against investors with long-life assets.

The terminal multiple (the final multiple projected for a period, used in a discounted cash flow analysis and valuation) is probably coming down a little. The cost of capital seems to be heading up a little. Free cash flows are under pressure from taxes and protectionism.

Our preference remains for high-quality growth, but we believe the available opportunity set has expanded, and some of those companies are in cheaper areas of the market.

In this environment, we have been adding to high-quality companies with a focus on lower valuations. Our preference remains for high-quality growth, but we believe the available opportunity set has expanded, and some of those companies are in cheaper areas of the market.

 

Portfolio Manager

Simon Fennell, partner, is a portfolio manager for William Blair’s International Growth, International Small Cap Growth, and International Leaders strategies. He joined William Blair in 2011 as a technology, media, and telecommunications research analyst focusing on idea generation and strategy more broadly. Before joining William Blair, Simon was a managing director in the equities division at Goldman Sachs in London and Boston, responsible for institutional equity research coverage for European and international stocks. Previously, Simon was in the corporate finance group at Lehman Brothers in London and Hong Kong, working in the M&A and debt capital markets groups. Simon received an M.A. from the University of Edinburgh and an M.B.A. from Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Related Posts

Subscribe Now

Want the latest insights on the economy and other forces shaping the investment landscape? Subscribe to our blog today.

Left Menu Icon
 

Subscribe to Our Blog Now

Want the latest insights on the economy and other forces shaping the investment landscape? Subscribe to our blog today.

SIGN UP