In 2015, we saw significant bifurcation between the haves and have-nots (within asset classes, across asset classes and among economies), as well as high volatility. We expect bifurcation and volatility to remain dominant themes in 2016, making positioning especially important. The causes of investor apprehension have been well documented: global growth concerns, low commodity prices, sectarian turmoil in the Middle East, and of course, a lack of visibility surrounding the U.S. presidential election. Also, although the Fed has signaled plans for moderate rate tightening throughout 2016, the European Central Bank, the People’s Bank of China, and the Bank of Japan are more accommodative. This global central bank policy divergence is likely to contribute to market rotations throughout the year.

The year has gotten off to a rocky start, but we believe 2016 ultimately will prove to be a lowreturn environment. We expect elevated volatility as market participants grapple with a range of unknowns. While this isn’t a market we would choose, we are confident in the choices that we have made to navigate it, and we believe there are a range of opportunities across asset classes.

Outlook and Positioning
U.S Equities. While we do not believe a recession in the U.S. is imminent, U.S. economic growth will be slow in 2016, supported by favorable trends in employment, consumer confidence and housing. Although the recent budget deal marked a slight shift in a favorable
direction, fiscal policy and political uncertainty remain formidable headwinds to more robust growth. Against this backdrop and in light of global growth concerns, the Fed may not carry through with as many rate increases in 2016 as it has indicated. At this point, we believe two increases in 2016 as being more probable than four. Additionally, our view is that long-term rates are unlikely to move significantly unless the economy accelerates in a meaningful way.

Our positioning in the U.S. equity market is cautious but not defensive. Although U.S. equity valuations are somewhat above average on the whole, the bifurcation in valuations is high and only a handful of names drove returns in the U.S. equity market in 2015. As Figure 2 shows, 95% of the S&P 500’s return was attributable to the top five performing names. Moreover, the elevated expectations we see in some areas of the market suggest a degree of complacency has set in. Because complacency typically gives way to volatility when negative news occurs, we are maintaining a cautious valuation approach. We are positioned to avoid the crowded trade, reducing exposure to valuation risk in favor of names that are not trading at extreme prices.

 

Given our outlook for muted growth, we are favoring quality growth names over cyclicals. We have sought to increase the balance sheet strength of the companies in which we are investing, continuing to seek out names with high returns on invested capital. From a thematic and sector perspective, we see opportunities in the technology sector, consumer companies tied to middle class spending, and companies positioned to benefit from improving fundamentals in Europe. We’re more cautious about companies that are vulnerable to regulatory headwinds (such as pharmaceuticals) and companies that are more exposed to the U.S. cap-ex cycle.

Emerging Markets. Although China’s recent manufacturing data and equity market turmoil have roiled the global markets, we believe a hard landing is unlikely. China has many tools at its disposal as it charts a multi-decade course to a more balanced economy. Over recent months, the government has announced fiscal measures to combat slowing growth but, as we have noted, these will take time to make their way through the economy. Within this context, the present weakness in manufacturing PMI is not entirely unexpected, while relatively stronger PMI for the services sector (still indicative of expansionary levels) and retail sales data support a more constructive longer-term outlook.

In regard to our positioning more broadly within the emerging markets, we remain extremely selective. Without a significant global cyclical pick-up and corresponding improvement in global trade, we expect many EMs will remain under pressure. However, there are still opportunities. From a top-down perspective, we are emphasizing countries that are net commodity importers, those that are pursuing economic reforms, and/or have stronger consumers, reduced current account deficits, and are benefiting from secular themes. Our most favored EM countries include the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Mexico and China. From a bottom-up perspective, we believe companies with strong balance sheets and high or accelerating return on invested capital (ROIC) are most likely to outperform in this environment.

Europe and Japan. Our view on opportunities in Europe is positive, particularly as the European Central Bank looks set to take the baton from the Bank of Japan as the most accommodative central bank in the world. We are seeing strong momentum, resilient-to-improving economic fundamentals, as well as attractive valuations relative to other regions (Figure 3) and a positive liquidity environment. These factors, as well as a weakened euro and the ECB’s quantitative easing have led us to overweight Europe in our global and international strategies. We maintain a focus on growth-oriented companies, including beneficiaries of asset reflation and export opportunities afforded by a weaker euro.

While Japan’s economy remains lackluster, we continue to identify a number of bottom-up opportunities. Japanese valuations are not as compelling as they were a year ago, but given our expectation that we will see an improvement in ROIC for many companies we are investing in, we are finding better relative value. In many instances, this improvement is coming both from an improvement in margins and more efficient use of capital—both of which are creating intrinsic value for shareholders.

Convertible Securities. We are constructive on the convertible market as we enter 2016. Convertibles have historically performed well during rising rate regimes, and even if the Fed pursues rate increases at a more tempered pace, we anticipate a positive backdrop for the asset class. Our positioning reflects a growth bias, as we continue to emphasize opportunities within information technology, including cloud computing, data center disruption and consumer-related services. We also favor the consumer discretionary sector, including companies disrupting the traditional auto market and those positioned to benefit from a healthy U.S. consumer. We have become more selective within health care, particularly among companies that may be especially vulnerable to increasing regulatory and political pressures as the U.S. election nears. We are also highly cautious about cyclical sectors as fundamentals continue
to weaken.



Similar to the broader equity markets, we see a bifurcation in the underlying convertible equity valuations with portions more richly valued than others. We are maintaining our focus on convertibles with more balanced equity and fixed income characteristics, given the high level of market volatility we anticipate. In regard to more credit sensitive structures, we are favoring higher quality balance sheets and/or companies that we believe are positioned to improve their credit profiles.

Globally, new issuance for 2015 was healthy, ending the year at just above $80 billion. Issues came to market with generally favorable terms and we saw strong representation from the technology and health care sectors. In the U.S., approximately half of the new issuance came in the form of mandatory convertible structures, which was higher than in the recent past. Because mandatory structures do not provide as much downside protection as traditional convertible bonds, we have been selective in our participation, particularly within cyclical sectors such as energy where fundamentals continue to weaken.

 

High Yield. Having benefited greatly from quantitative easing, the credit markets have faced formidable headwinds as monetary policy has become less accommodative. As the carry trade unwinds and market conditions normalize, high yield spreads have widened dramatically. We believe that absent a recession—which we don’t believe is imminent—the high yield market offers attractive value at current levels for accommodative. As the carry trade unwinds and market conditions normalize, high yield spreads have widened dramatically. We believe that absent a recession—which we don’t believe is imminent—the high yield market offers attractive value at current levels for risk-tolerant investors. While history does not always repeat, the high yield asset class has historically performed well during the years following its steepest declines (Figure 4).

Still, with defaults likely to rise (though remaining below long-term averages) and given the likely impact of low commodity prices on energy issuers, there will be winners and losers. In this environment, we have found opportunities to increase exposure to BB issues, while remaining selective regarding the most speculative credits. We are particularly focused on identifying “rising stars” (high yield issuers with
the best potential for an upgrade to investment grade), given the significant spread compression that accompanies such moves. From a sector perspective, we have a more constructive outlook for services, consumer goods, autos and health care, while underweighting financials, media, telecommunication services, energy and commodities.

Lower-volatility equity and alternative strategies. We also believe that this is an environment where investors will be well served by maintaining sufficient diversification in their portfolios, including through less traditional approaches. Given the crosscurrents we see in the global market (equity market volatility, rising rates in the U.S., slow global growth), we believe the case is compelling for lower volatility equity strategies that combine equities and convertibles, as well as for select alternative strategies.

Conclusion
Many are likely to find this volatile environment frustrating and possibly even scary. However, having invested through volatile markets before, we encourage investors to resist the temptation to chase the herd or panic out of the market. We believe strongly both that there are opportunities in 2016 and also that we are positioned to capitalize upon them through a selective and research-driven approach.

John P. Calamos Sr. is CEO and global co-CIO at Calamos Investments.