Investors want to know how much longer the pain will last.

The S&P 500 Index recorded its worst year in more than a decade in 2022, falling 13.1% through to 30 November. And investors face more market volatility in the year ahead as the macroeconomic environment poses headwinds for many companies.

The US economy, while stronger than most other developed countries, appears headed toward recession, weighed down by high inflation and rising interest rates.

Capital Group economist Jared Franz expects the U.S. economy to contract by about 2% in 2023. That would be worse than the tech and telecom bubble of the early 2000s, but not nearly as bad as the 2008–09 financial crisis. “The important thing to remember,” Franz stresses, “is that recessions are inevitable and necessary to clear out market excesses, and they set the stage for the future growth.”

There have been a few bright spots. Consumer spending, a bulwark of the U.S. economy, has been surprisingly strong despite high inflation. In September consumer spending rose 1.7%, exceeding the forecast of 1.4%. Can the American consumer prevent a recession? “Probably not,” says Franz. Nevertheless, it is good to see they are trying.

Whichever way the economic data trends, well-managed companies can compete and flourish in this environment. And patient, selective investors can be rewarded. “We're in a period where the macro environment is particularly important,” says equity portfolio manager Martin Romo. “But the risk is you focus so much on where we are in the cycle that you fail to recognize companies that are thriving and may be catalysts for the next bull market. That’s where I’m spending my time.”

Here are five investment themes to consider in the year ahead.

1.  Stocks will likely turn positive before the economy

Every recession is painful in its own way, but one potential bright spot is that they don’t historically last very long. Our analysis of 11 U.S. cycles since 1950 shows that recessions have ranged from two to 18 months, with the average lasting about 10 months.

What’s more, stock markets usually start to recover before a recession ends. Stocks have already led the economy on the way down in this cycle, with nearly all major equity markets entering bear market territory by mid-2022. And if history is a guide, they could rebound about six months before the economy does.

“Stocks have tended to anticipate a brighter future before it’s apparent in the data,” Franz says. In other words, investors may be better served by staying invested than trying to time the rebound. The benefits of capturing a full market recovery can be powerful. In all cycles since 1950, bull markets had an average return of 265%, compared to a loss of 33% for bear markets.

The strongest gains have often occurred immediately after a bottom. Therefore, waiting on the sidelines for an economic turnaround is not a recommended strategy. “When the market turns it will likely happen quickly, and no one will be giving the all-clear signal,” Franz adds.

2.  Dividends matter again

For the past decade investors had little reason to pay much attention to dividends. With tech and consumer companies generating double-digit returns and dominating total market returns, dividends appeared downright boring.

Today boring is beautiful. “With rates rising and the economy slowing, I am finding many opportunities to invest in solid dividend payers,” says Diana Wagner, an equity portfolio manager. “And dividends are starting to account for a greater percentage of total returns, as they have historically.”

While dividends accounted for a slim 16% of total return for the S&P 500 in the 2010s, historically they have contributed an average 38%. In the inflationary 1970s they climbed to more than 70%. “When you expect growth in the single digits, dividends can give you a head start,” Wagner adds. “They may also offer a measure of downside protection when volatility rises, but it is essential to understand the sustainability of those dividends.”

Companies that have paid steady and above-market dividends can be found across the financials, energy, materials and health care sectors, among others. UnitedHealth Group, the largest provider of health benefits to employers in the U.S., has maintained its dividend even as interest rates have risen. “Retail banks, which are in the in the eye of the storm in terms of exposure to the business cycle, have been cautious heading into the downturn, and I believe fundamentals for select banks are likely to improve in the next year,” Wagner says. “In other words, I believe the dividends are sustainable and have the potential to increase.”

With respect to energy, Wagner believes we are in an energy crisis and expects demand to rise longer term. “Many energy companies today are showing a commitment to dividends,” she adds. For example, major exploration and production company ConocoPhillips recently disclosed it intends to increase buybacks and dividends.

3.  Look for new market leadership to emerge

New market leadership often emerges at the end of a bear market. With the cost of capital soaring, companies with strong, reliable cash flows are favorably positioned to lead the next recovery.

Consider the health care sector, which features innovative pharmaceutical companies that are well capitalized and hold pricing power. Select drug makers can use near-term profitability to fund acquisitions and other growth strategies. That’s especially important when rising rates may limit a company’s ability to fuel their growth with debt.

“I don’t know for certain that the health care sector will lead the next bull market,” Wagner explains. “But the best managed of these companies could emerge as market leaders.”

Recent investments in drug discovery are resulting in new ways to tackle major problems like obesity. By 2030 it is estimated that over one billion people worldwide will suffer from obesity, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney failure. Companies like Eli Lilly have invested heavily in therapies with the potential to reduce a patient’s body weight by as much as 20% to 25%.

“We have entered a golden age of drug development that may vastly improve quality of life for people. This is an exciting time to invest in health care. Few drugs will achieve blockbuster success, however, so selective investing is crucial.”

4. Growth investing may depend on earnings

Growth stocks had a rough year in 2022, which caused many investors to rotate from growth to value. But that may be the wrong way to think about it, according to Romo, “Growth investing is not dead,” Romo says, “but in today’s reality, investors need to think differently about growth.”

For the past decade the market was dominated by fast-growing tech and consumer stocks whose businesses often depended on the low cost of capital. But high inflation and rising rates are forcing investors to take a second look at valuations.

Today, growth has been repriced due to the higher cost of capital. “Successful growth investing may depend less on multiple expansion and more on earnings growth. In this new environment investors will want to focus more on companies with reasonable, understandable valuations on near-term earnings and cash flow,” Romo adds.

“Well established tech giants with visible cash flows from legacy software offerings, for example, coupled with a faster growing offering, like a cloud platform, could be among the leaders of the next bull market. “But going forward, investors will focus more on profitability, and they will be less tolerant of fast-growing companies with little to no earnings growth.”

5. Prepare for a potential industrial renaissance

In addition to health care and technology, new growth leadership could emerge from unexpected areas, like capital equipment companies. Look for a capital investment super-cycle to spark an industrial rebirth as reshoring supply chains, grid modernization and investments in renewable energy drive demand for capital equipment spending.

Years of globalization have led to underinvestment in machinery, plants and other capital projects. “You have an aging factory footprint behind the manufacturing sectors of most developed markets,” says Gigi Pardasani, an equity investment analyst who covers U.S. large-cap industrials.

In addition, the transition to renewable energy and greater energy security is generating opportunities for companies that invest aggressively.

“We recently had an interesting discussion about the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides billions of dollars for investment in renewable energy infrastructure,” says equity portfolio manager Jody Jonsson. “I think this will lead to a renaissance for traditional industrial companies who are supplying the renewable industry or are helping other companies become more energy independent, whether that’s through the development of smart buildings, power management, smart grids or battery technology.”

This billions of dollars in spending also reflects revenue growth potential for capital equipment leaders such as Rockwell Automation; battery and energy storage developers like Lockheed Martin and Tesla; and equipment providers to the energy and mining industries like Caterpillar and Baker Hughes.

“This investment cycle can have broader benefits for U.S. manufacturing as significantly lower energy costs over the long term can give American manufacturers a competitive edge,” notes Pardasani. “I can see ‘Made in the USA’ becoming a byword for growth again.”