A Major Support For Asset Prices Has Reversed

In 2019, we wrote about how corporate share repurchases, or “stock buybacks,” had accounted for nearly all buying in the market. A year later, that significant support for asset prices has reversed.

While markets have certainly been on a tear this year, due to massive amounts of Federal Stimulus, it has been an advance solely on valuation expansion. While the decline in 2020 earnings was no surprise given the pandemic, earnings were already declining in 2019. The chart shows this in the return attribution of the S&P 500.

Asset Prices, A Major Support For Asset Prices Has Reversed

Notably, while investors are willing to “pay more for less” in earnings, revenue growth deteriorated more.

Overpaying For Earnings

Such is not a new phenomenon. Since 2009, sales per share, what happens at the top of the income statement, has cumulatively grown by just 43% through Q3-2020. It is hard to justify bidding up stocks by 400% based on meager revenue growth. So, Wall Street created metrics like “Operating Earnings” to provide justification. The problem with “Operating Earnings” is they are heavily “fudged” to create a more optimistic picture.

Asset Prices, A Major Support For Asset Prices Has Reversed

What do I mean by “fudged?”

“The tricks are well-known: A difficult quarter can be made easier by releasing reserves set aside for a rainy day. Or, recognizing revenues before sales are made. A good quarter is often the time to hide a big “restructuring charge” that would otherwise stand out like a sore thumb.

What is more surprising though is CFOs’ belief these practices leave a significant mark on companies’ reported profits and losses. When asked about the magnitude of the earnings misrepresentation, the study’s respondents said it was around 10% of earnings per share.“

Asset Prices, A Major Support For Asset Prices Has Reversed