Based on historical valuation metrics, both absolute and relative, we believe the time is ripe to seize the dual discount in emerging markets. Our recent research outlines this 'double discount' opportunity presented by emerging markets factor-based equities and highlights how Robeco Quant Equities strategies are specially designed to capture both market and factor premiums efficiently.
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This change doesn't spell doom for emerging markets; rather, it highlights an underexplored 'double discount' investment opportunity
Are emerging markets the real deal?
For over a decade, developed markets have enjoyed the boon of falling interest rates, catapulting growth stocks to sky-high valuations. However, this landscape has shifted as central banks raise interest rates to combat inflation. This change doesn't spell doom for emerging markets; rather, it highlights an underexplored 'double discount' investment opportunity.
Emerging markets have suffered from an image problem, often viewed as underperforming compared to their developed counterparts, as discussed in a recent article. But this perception masks a more nuanced reality. Our data, illustrated in Figure 1, shows that emerging markets outperformed developed ones from 1999 to 2011 but have lagged since.
The data also reveals that emerging markets tend to outperform when they become relatively more expensive than developed markets and underperform when they become cheaper. Currently, the value spread between emerging and developed markets is at levels last seen 20 years ago—right when emerging markets began to outperform their developed counterparts.
Figure 1 – Relative performance and valuation of emerging markets versus developed markets (January 1996 to July 2023)
Source: Robeco, MSCI. The figure shows the relative performance and valuation spread of the MSCI Emerging Market Index vs. the MSCI World Index. Performance is measured via the total return index, and the valuation spread is based on four bottom-up-calculated multiples (price-to-book, price-to-earnings, price-to-cash EPS, and price-to-dividend). For each multiple, the valuation ratio of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index is divided by the same valuation ratio for the MSCI World Index. The sample period is January 1996 to July 2023.
In essence, the decline of emerging markets over the past decade has been more a function of changes in relative valuation rather than deteriorating fundamentals. In fact, annual fluctuations in these valuations account for over 75% of the variation in performance between emerging and developed markets, as seen in Figure 2.
Figure 2 – Relative performance and valuation of emerging versus developed markets
Source: Robeco, MSCI. The figure shows the relationship between the relative performance and changes in valuation spreads for the MSCI Emerging Market Index vs. the MSCI World Index. Relative performance is the continuously compounded 12-month relative performance, while the change in the valuation spread is the log of the ending value spread minus the log of the starting valuation spread. Performance is measured via the total return index and the valuation spread is based on four bottom-up-calculated multiples (price-to-book, price-to-earnings, price-to-cash EPS, and price-to-dividend). For each multiple, the valuation ratio of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index is divided by the same valuation ratio for the MSCI World Index. The sample period is January 1996 to July 2023.
How Value factors in
Within this broader landscape, value stocks in emerging markets offer a particular appeal. The valuation spread between value and growth stocks remains wider than usual, providing a fertile ground for investors.1
Figure 3 – Value trading at a historic discount in developed markets and even more so in emerging markets
Source: Robeco, Refinitiv. The figure shows the valuation spread between the top and bottom quintile portfolios of a value strategy for developed and emerging markets. Details regarding the definition of the value strategy and the valuation spread are provided in footnote 1. The investment universe consists of constituents of the MSCI World and MSCI Emerging Markets indices. Before 2001, we use the FTSE World Developed Index for developed markets (going back to December 1985), and for emerging markets, the largest 800 constituents of the S&P Emerging BMI at the semi-annual index rebalance (going back to December 1995). The sample period is December 1985 and December 1995 to July 2023 for developed and emerging markets, respectively.
Structural and realized alpha
Why is it that despite a recent recovery in value, these stocks are still trading at a considerable discount compared to their 2018 levels? While changes in the value spread account for a significant part of the returns, they don't explain the entire picture. Read our full article on how the realized value return can be decomposed in a structural and revaluation alpha and how this decomposition can be used to form medium-term return expectations for the value factor in emerging markets. Moreover, we explain how Robeco's strategies have successfully capitalized on value and other factors such as quality, momentum, analyst revisions and novel next-gen factors.
Double discount
The current 'double discount' in emerging markets offers a golden investment opportunity, particularly as central banks in developed nations near the end of their monetary tightening cycles. Our multifaceted EM strategies not only aim for high risk-adjusted returns but also focus on sustainable investment dimensions, making these well-poised to leverage this unique market moment.
Read the full article here