Cross-Asset Strategist & Quantitative Analyst, Pennock Idea Hub

Cam Hui

Cam Hui has been professionally involved in the financial markets since 1985 in a variety of roles, both as a quantitative equity portfolio manager and as a sell-side analyst. He graduated with a degree in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia in 1980 and obtained his CFA Charter in 1989.

Cross-Asset Strategist & Quantitative Analyst

Pennock Idea Hub

We are creators of independent equity research. The Pennock Idea Hub team are veterans of the investment industry. Much of our team has spent their careers at Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, RBC Capital Markets and Wood Gundy. We have taken every aspect of research back to the studs and returned to first principles. The Pennock Idea Hub marries the interests of the sell and buy side. 

We offer the best research for institutional investors by:

-Only publishing research from veteran analysts
-Eliminate the inherent conflicts of the traditional sell and buy side relationship
-Ensure our team is always accessible; collaboration with clients nurtures our collective success

Cross-Asset & Quantitative Research

Cross Asset Strategy

It’s time for another periodic review of sector leadership. Our latest RRG chart shows growth sectors (technology, communication services) and selected defensive sectors (consumer staples, healthcare, REITs) in the top half of the chart, indicating leadership positions. Value and cyclical sectors are the laggards in the bottom half.We interpret these conditions as neither bullish nor bearish, but a story of balanced leadership. The high beta components of the S&amp;P 500, growth and value, have been undergoing an internal rotation. As the economy shifted from an early-cycle recovery to a mid-cycle expansion (see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/how-to-navigate-the-mid-cycle-expansion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Navigate the Mid-Cycle Expansion</a>), market jitters over stalling global growth have risen. As a consequence, investors have rotated from the cyclical and reflation trade back into growth as growth stocks become more valuable when economic growth is scarce. At the same time, the stock market has also been supported by defensive sectors such as healthcare and real estate. Currently, value is showing some signs of early strength, but a turn in the value/growth relationship hasn’t been confirmed.Our base-case scenario calls for a choppy range-bound market until the cyclical and reflation trade theme retakes market leadership. If the stock market were to definitively turn upward, leadership may have to come from high-beta small-cap stocks.

It’s time for another periodic review of sector leadership. Our latest RRG chart shows growth sectors (technology, communication services) and selected defensive sectors (consumer staples, healthcare, REITs) in the top half of the chart, indicating leadership positions. Value and cyclical sectors are the laggards in the bottom half.We interpret these conditions as neither bullish nor bearish, but a story of balanced leadership. The high beta components of the S&amp;P 500, growth and value, have been undergoing an internal rotation. As the economy shifted from an early-cycle recovery to a mid-cycle expansion (see How to Navigate the Mid-Cycle Expansion), market jitters over stalling global growth have risen. As a consequence, investors have rotated from the cyclical and reflation trade back into growth as growth stocks become more valuable when economic growth is scarce. At the same time, the stock market has also been supported by defensive sectors such as healthcare and real estate. Currently, value is showing some signs of early strength, but a turn in the value/growth relationship hasn’t been confirmed.Our base-case scenario calls for a choppy range-bound market until the cyclical and reflation trade theme retakes market leadership. If the stock market were to definitively turn upward, leadership may have to come from high-beta small-cap stocks.

Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC US)

Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP US)

Sector Review: Balanced Leadership and Rotation