Chart of the Week

In 2023, we have favored high-quality equities over low-quality equities. This strategy has worked well in both up-trending and down-trending market environments this year.

The chart shows clear outperformance by high-quality U.S. Large Cap Equities (favorable rating) in comparison to lower-quality U.S. Small Cap Equities (most unfavorable rating) and Emerging Market Equities (unfavorable rating). Our work suggests that U.S. Large Cap Equities (represented by the S&P 500 Index) lead all other equity classes in quality characteristics such as profitability, earnings stability, and healthy balance sheets.

We believe maintaining a quality bias in portfolios is appropriate given our view that an economic recession is likely in the coming quarters. This means continuing to favor U.S. Large Caps over Small Caps and Emerging Market Equities.

Each asset class has its own risk and return characteristics. The level of risk associated with a particular investment or asset class generally correlates with the level of return the investment or asset class might achieve. Stock markets, especially foreign markets, are volatile. Stock values may fluctuate in response to general economic and market conditions, the prospects of individual companies, and industry sectors. Foreign investing has additional risks including those associated with currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, and different accounting standards. These risks are heightened in emerging markets. Small- and mid-cap stocks are generally more volatile, subject to greater risks and are less liquid than large company stocks.

MSCI EAFE Index is designed to represent the performance of large and mid-cap securities across 21 developed markets, including countries in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, excluding the U.S. and Canada.

MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets.

Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000 Index.

Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 90% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.

Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.

Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.

S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index composed of 500 widely held common stocks that is generally considered representative of the US stock market.

An index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI.

Most favorable: WFII’s highest conviction guidance that indicates a strong desire to overweight an asset class (or sector) within a portfolio. It also communicates that, over a tactical time frame, WFII views the asset class (or sector) as offering investors a very attractive risk/reward opportunity.

Favorable: Guidance that indicates a desire to overweight an asset class within a portfolio. It also communicates that, over a tactical time frame, WFII views the asset class (or sector) as providing investors with an attractive risk/reward opportunity.

Neutral: Guidance that indicates a desire to maintain an asset class near the long-term (strategic) allocation guidance within a portfolio. It also communicates that, over a tactical time frame, WFII views the asset class (or sector) as providing investors with an acceptable risk/reward opportunity.

Unfavorable: This WFII guidance level indicates a desire to underweight an asset class (or sector) within a portfolio. It also communicates that, over a tactical time frame, WFII does not view the asset class (or sector) as providing investors with an attractive risk/reward opportunity.

Most unfavorable: WFII’s highest conviction guidance indicating a strong belief in underweighting an asset class within a portfolio. This also communicates that, over a tactical time frame, WFII views the asset class (or sector) as offering investors a very unattractive risk/reward opportunity.

Global Investment Strategy (GIS) is a division of Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. (WFII). WFII is a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

The information in this report was prepared by Global Investment Strategy. Opinions represent GIS’ opinion as of the date of this report and are for general information purposes only and are not intended to predict or guarantee the future performance of any individual security, market sector or the markets generally. GIS does not undertake to advise you of any change in its opinions or the information contained in this report. Wells Fargo & Company affiliates may issue reports or have opinions that are inconsistent with, and reach different conclusions from, this report.

The information contained herein constitutes general information and is not directed to, designed for, or individually tailored to, any particular investor or potential investor. This report is not intended to be a client-specific suitability or best interest analysis or recommendation, an offer to participate in any investment, or a recommendation to buy, hold or sell securities. Do not use this report as the sole basis for investment decisions. Do not select an asset class or investment product based on performance alone. Consider all relevant information, including your existing portfolio, investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs and investment time horizon. The material contained herein has been prepared from sources and data we believe to be reliable but we make no guarantee to its accuracy or completeness.

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