The big three are increasingly dominant, even more so in small cap stocks.
“Last year, the big once again became even bigger. At the end of 2021, Vanguard, BlackRock and State Street, the three biggest index fund providers, together control on average 18.7 per cent of S&P 500 companies, according to Lazard. Their ownership of smaller companies is even more concentrated. By the end of last year, they held 22.8 per cent of shares in the midsized S&P 400 index, and 28.2 per cent of the small-company S&P 600 benchmark.“
“GS PB long/short ratio stays at longer term relatively depressed levels. This is not to be used as an input for short term trading strategies, but worth having in the back of your head.“
Interesting chart from Mauboussin showing the distribution of ROIC of the Russell 3000 index.
“The mode is an ROIC of 5 to 10 percent, and the distribution is shaped like a bell between the tails. But nearly 30 percent of the sample are at the extremes of an ROIC of -20 percent or less or 30 percent or more.“
“Semiconductor share price performance relative to the market leads the ISM manufacturing by six months. Recent relative weakness in semiconductor markets is consistent with our view that lead indicators have further to fall. Historically, we would look for sector share prices to trough concurrently with lead indicators.“
“His reasoning regarding the oversold entry level is basically buying some 20% below the 200 day moving average: currently at 3374. This has worked over the past century (except 1931/37/74 and 2008). He adds: “…monster undershoot requires monster credit event & recession”.”
According to Morningstar data, inclusion into an index no longer attracts the usual rise (on announcement) and then fall in stock price.
“Indeed, the up-and-down trajectory that was once the fingerprint of the index inclusion effect now resembles a flat line that runs from announcement date through the weeks following inclusion in the S&P 500.“
This chart shows the performance of three groups of firms.
GAAP losers – firms where expenses exceed sales, but once an intangible investment adjustment is made they turn profitable. In other words they are investing.
Real losers – these are firms that even after the adjustment is made are still loss making.
Profitable firms – at the outset these firms are profitable i.e. sales exceed all expenses.
From 1980 – 2017, GAAP losers substantially outperformed
NB the outperformance vs. profitable firms really shows up post 1996. “The message is that the market ultimately recognizes and pays for intangible investments that create value, even if they create losses in the short term.“
This chart comes via Investment Talk, a brilliant curation of all manner of investment resources.
