Why the S&P/ASX 200 will rise by another 8% this year (and the 3 sectors to watch)

In this wire, I share our outlook for the S&P/ASX 200, identifying the sectors that are presenting opportunities for investors, as well as the sectors investors may want to avoid being overexposed to in 2024. While Australia faces a higher-for-longer rate regime, and a rate cut this year now looks extremely unlikely, our latest analysis sees the S&P/ASX 200 rising to 8300 by the end of the year.

We see strength in remaining invested in Australian companies, particularly mid-caps, but being selective is as critical as ever. The big banks have risen to all-time highs this year but future performance doesn’t appear to be anchored in reality and the sector is vulnerable to a correction.

Meanwhile, we see opportunity in gold miners and select A-REITs, which continue to be undervalued, as well as companies in the consumer discretionary sector which look to maintain strength supported by Australia’s migration surge.

Check your exposure to the big banks

The market seems to be pricing a dream scenario for the banks, despite the risks of a flare-up in mortgage stress in a prolonged higher interest rate environment. Australia’s banks are overvalued. Valuations are stretched and are the most expensive globally. Australia’s banking sector is vulnerable to a correction and investors should be wary if they are overexposed.

Those investors in any S&P/ASX 200-tracking ETF have around 25% of their money directed to the banks, due to the dominance of this sector. This leaves investors open to concentration risk as Australia has one of the most concentrated markets in the world.

An equal weighting approach to Australian equities provides increased diversification and would be the more prudent approach.

Australian mid-caps set to outperform

We see Australian mid-caps as being the star performer this year, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200. Smaller companies offer more upside potential through market share expansion and have historically outperformed in prolonged market recoveries. Valuations are attractive with a 12 month forward price to earnings below the historical average. Mid-caps also reported the highest upside price target revisions during the February earnings season.

We like the prospects of mid-cap industrial companies Aurizon Holdings (ASX: AZJ) and Cleanaway Waste Management (ASX: CWY). These companies offer pricing power which will keep profit margins resilient in an elevated inflation environment.

Sector pick: Gold miners set to shine

We see gold going to US$2600/oz. Meanwhile, gold miners trading are at a 50% discount to gold, presenting a strong value opportunity. Persistent inflation, potentially bumpy economic path and heightened geo-political tensions could serve as a tailwind for gold miners.

Australia’s big 3 gold miners; Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN), Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) are all well positioned. Gold miners have de-leveraged and can generate a substantial amount of free cash flow. Cash flow in the chart below would be represented by the white space between the aqua line (the gold price) and the dark blue columns (all-in-sustaining costs). As the gold price rises, so too should free cash flow.

Average all-in sustaining costs* versus average annual gold price (US dollars/oz)

Over the past five years, a persistent focus on debt reduction and free cash flow generation has fundamentally transformed how these companies look from both an absolute and relative valuation perspective. Gold miners are making a strong case for value investors right now.

Sector pick: A-REITs

A-REITs are primed for a comeback. Interest rate stabilisation and positive economic outlook improve confidence in the assessment of valuations, encouraging capital recycling. REIT leverage levels have decreased, and interest coverage levels have increased steadily since the global financial crisis.

Office REITs offer attractive discounts to book value. The fall in occupancy rates has stabilised and net operating income has picked up. Retail REITs are fairly priced. Occupancy rates are strong and net operating income has accelerated. Industrial REIT Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) 12-month forward P/E ratio is trading at the upper bound of its historical average. It could be vulnerable to a correction if double-digit earnings growth is not maintained.

Sector pick: Consumer discretionary

A paradoxical dynamic is likely where Australia records a soft landing but mortgage stress increases as rates stay higher for longer, further squeezing household budgets.

However, Australia’s migration surge will support retail spending and therefore, consumer discretionary names such as Wesfarmers (ASX: WES), JB HiFi (ASX: JBH) and Super Retail Group (ASX: SUL). The sector reported strong net beats during the February earnings season and we anticipate this to continue.

ETF

VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF (MVW)

Australian Shares

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