Tuesday , 3 December 2024

Goldman Sachs: The Fiscal Cliff Is a Real & Present Danger to Future Level of S&P 500 – Here's Why

“Portfolio managers have been swayed by hope over experience” when it comes to anticipating the effects the fiscal cliff will have on markets. Investors aren’t giving as much attention to the fiscal cliff as they should be, and that may be helping to set the markets up for a repeat of last year, when the debt ceiling negotiations sent stocks plummeting. Words: 448

So says Goldman Sachs chief U.S. equity strategist David Kostin in his latest note to clients which Matthew Boesler (www.businessinsider.com) presents below courtesy of Lorimer Wilson, editor of www.munKNEE.com (Your Key to Making Money!) and www.FinancialArticleSummariesToday.com (A site for sore eyes and inquisitive minds) who has edited the post for length and clarity – see Editor’s Note at the bottom of the page. This paragraph must be included in any article re-posting to avoid copyright infringement.

From the note:

A look at the 2011 trading pattern of the S&P 500 explains the reason for our belief that the market has an asymmetric risk profile and offers more downside than upside. Last year the deadline for Congress to raise the federal debt ceiling was known months in advance. Nevertheless, Congress was unable to reach an agreement that satisfied all factions. Investors were stunned and the S&P 500 plunged 11% in 10 trading days (and more than 17% from the level one month prior to the deadline). Eventually Congress reached a compromise on raising the debt ceiling.

We believe the uncertainty is greater this year than it was 12 months ago…Political realities and last year’s precedent suggest the potential that Congress fails to reach agreement in addressing the “fiscal cliff” is greater than what most market participants seem to believe based on our client conversations. In our opinion, equity investors seem unduly complacent on this issue. Portfolio managers have been swayed by hope over experience.

This month’s stock market rally marked a major divergence from last year’s performance as markets moved past the one-year anniversary of the debt ceiling showdown:

 

debt ceiling fiscal cliff

Goldman Sachs

 

Kostin thinks the S&P 500 has quite a way to drop from here going on to say:

Assigning a P/E multiple to various ‘fiscal cliff’ and earnings scenarios is difficult because ultimately we expect Congress will address the situation but investors must confront the risk Congress may not act until the final hour.

Exhibit 4 below contains a matrix of potential year-end 2012 S&P 500 index levels based on different ‘fiscal cliff’ resolutions and multiples.

  • Our 1250 target reflects our ‘fiscal cliff’ assumption and a P/E slightly below 12x.
  • Full expiration with P/E of 12x equals 1120 (-21%).

A 14x P/E and full extension implies 1540 (+9%), but the two outcomes are not equally likely in our view.

Here is the matrix of potential market outcomes, according to Kostin:

 

Fiscal cliff market outcomes

Goldman Sachs

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET?
  • Go here to receive Your Daily Intelligence Report with links to the latest articles posted on munKNEE.com.
  • It’s FREE and includes an “easy unsubscribe feature” should you decide to do so at any time.
  • Join the crowd! 100,000 articles are read monthly at munKNEE.com.
  • Only the most informative articles are posted, in edited form, to give you a fast and easy read. Don’t miss out. Get all newly posted articles automatically delivered to your inbox. Sign up here.
  • All articles are also available on TWITTER and FACEBOOK

*http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-fund-managers-hope-and-ignoring-experience-fiscal-cliff-2012-8#ixzz243FCk2Aw

Editor’s Note: The above post may have been edited ([ ]), abridged (…), and reformatted (including the title, some sub-titles and bold/italics emphases) for the sake of clarity and brevity to ensure a fast and easy read. The article’s views and conclusions are unaltered and no personal comments have been included to maintain the integrity of the original article.

Related Articles:

1. What’s Coming: A “Fiscal Meat Grinder,” A “Fiscal Cliff” and a Potential “Major Market Meltdown”!

fiscal cliff

The International Monetary Fund, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, the National Association of Manufacturers and many other authorities are now warning that with the largest tax increase in U.S. history — plus the largest government spending cuts our nation has ever seen – one of the deadliest financial crises in U.S. history is set to strike the U.S. economy beginning this coming New Year’s Day. Barring a miracle in Washington…..

2. Fiscal Cliff Scenario Analysis of the 4 Possible Election Alternatives & Their Financial Implications

financial cliff

3. The Fiscal Cliff: Everything You Need To Know About It & Its Implications

financial cliff

4. The Fiscal Cliff: What We Think Will Happen and What Investors Should Do

fiscal cliff

Unless the government acts quickly, it is probable that the term “fiscal cliff” will become a household phrase over the next few months. Unfortunately, this is reminiscent of the budget ceiling crisis about a year ago. In this report we will explain what the cliff is, discuss the worst case scenario, and determine what, if anything, you should do about it. Words: 1436

5. Don’t Ignore the Coming Financial Storm – It IS Coming and Here’s How to Get Prepared

head-in-the-sand

Many people refer to me as a “doom and gloomer” because I run a website called “The Economic Collapse”. [Just because] I am constantly pointing out that the entire world is heading for a complete and total financial nightmare, [however,] I don’t think that it does any good to stick your head in the sand. I believe that there is hope in understanding what is happening and I believe that there is hope in getting prepared. [This article does just that.] Words: 2432

6. The Ultimate Fear Mongering Video – or the Ultimate in Insights, Forecasting & Sound Advice? You Be the Judge

global-financial-crisis

7. Regardless of Who Wins in November the U.S. Is Going Over the Financial Cliff! It’s Just a Matter of Time – Here’s Why

financial cliff

The outcome of the election of 2012 will [only] determine the rate of speed at which we approach the [financial] cliff [because] neither political alternative is willing to change course, to steer away from the cliff. The cliff is so high that whether we go over it at 200 mph (Obama) or whether we merely slip over the edge (Romney), the end result is the same — fatal for the economy and perhaps our entire political system. It is the fall that will kill us. [This article explains why that is going to be the case.] Words: 1135

8. Update: This Video – Now Viewed by 1,323,000 – Explains Why Economic Collapse of U.S. Is Inevitable!

us-collapse1

9. I’m Worried About the Likelihood of a Sharp Market Decline This Fall – For These Reasons

investing

Back in April and May, it looked like the economy was falling apart, the euro was going to come unglued, and stocks were going to plunge. Sentiment was extremely bearish and volatility was jumping. Now in August, you can’t find a bear anywhere on Wall Street! Me? I continue to be worried about the likelihood of a sharp market decline this fall for several reasons which I share with you below. Words: 495

10. Marc Faber: We Could Have a Crash Like in 1987 This Fall! Here’s Why

Investing2

Marc Faber has stated in an interview* on Bloomberg Television that “I think the market will have difficulties to move up strongly unless we have a massive QE3 (something Faber thinks would “definitely occur” if the S&P 500 dropped another 100 to 150 points. If it bounces back to 1,400, he said, the Fed will probably wait to see how the economy develops)….. If the market makes a new high, it will be with very few stocks pushing up and the majority of stocks having already rolled over….If it moves and makes a high above 1,422, the second half of the year could witness a crash, like in 1987.” Words: 708

11. Goldman Sachs’ Leading Indicators Signal Steep Market Crash Ahead

Capture(74)

Goldman Sachs reports their Global Economic Indicators (GLI) show the world has re-entered a contraction and…is predicting a market crash worse than that of the early 90′s recession and one slightly less than the sell-off at the turn of the millennium. [Below are graphs to support their contentions.] Words: 250

12. These 6 Factors Suggest Avoiding Equities in the Foreseeable Future

investing4

The six factors discussed in this article suggest a near-term peak for equity markets, avoiding fresh exposure to equities at these levels and selling some of one’s equity holdings. Long-term investors can still ignore the volatility and buy quality stocks, however, it would make more sense to buy the same stocks after the markets decline 10%-15% than buying it at current levels. [Let me explain more fully.] Words: 665