Home Logon FTA Investment Managers Blog Subscribe About Us Contact Us

Search by Ticker, Keyword or CUSIP       
 
 
 
Blog Home
Bob Carey
Chief Market Strategist
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
 

  An Update On Energy-Related Stocks
Posted Under: Sectors
Supporting Image for Blog Post

 

View from the Observation Deck

Today's blog post compares the performance of energy-related stocks to the broader market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, over an extended period. Given that most developed and developing economies are dependent on oil, natural gas, and electricity for their growth, the prices of those commodities often (but not always) influence the valuations of companies involved in those sectors. Click here to view our last post on this topic.

The S&P 500 Energy Index (Energy Index) outperformed the broader S&P 500 Index in just two of the eight time frames represented in today’s table. For comparison, the S&P 500 Utilities Index (Utilities Index) has underperformed the S&P 500 Index in all eight of the periods.

Energy company valuations frequently exhibit a high correlation to the price movements of their underlying commodity, while the valuations of utilities companies often fluctuate based on prevailing interest rates. From our perspective, the recent total returns of energy and utility stocks continue to reflect these associations. The price of a barrel of WTI crude oil rose by 0.31% on a YTD basis through 11/3/23. For comparison, the S&P 500 Energy Index increased by 1.39% on a total return basis over the same period. Similarly, the federal funds target rate (upper bound) stood at 5.50% on 10/31/23, up from 4.50% on 12/30/22. As the table reveals, the Utilities Index responded with a decline of 10.16% on a total return basis YTD through 11/3/23.

The Price to Earnings (P/E) multiples for the S&P 500 and Utilities Indices stand above their 20-year averages, while the P/E ratio for the Energy Index sits well-below its 20-year average.

As of 11/3/23, the 2023 year-end P/E ratios for the S&P 500, Utilities, and Energy Indices stood at 20.01, 16.83, and 11.24, respectively. By contrast, the 20-year weekly average P/E ratios for those same indices stood at 18.36, 16.66, and 35.69, respectively, through 11/3/23. Energy and utilities stocks represented a combined weighting of approximately 6.93% of the S&P 500 Index as of 11/3/23, according to data from S&P Global. The estimated 2023 year-end P/E ratios for the S&P 500 Index, Utilities Index, and the Energy Index reflect year-over-year earnings growth estimates for 2023 of -3.19%, 6.6%, and -29.8%, respectively, as of 11/6/23.

Takeaway: With total returns of 65.43% and 1.56%, respectively, Energy and Utilities were the only S&P 500 Index sectors to post positive total returns in 2022 (not in table). Since then, they have underperformed the broader S&P 500 Index by a significant margin. In our view, crude oil price volatility and surging interest rates may offer insight into the recent underperformance in energy and utility companies. Earnings for the Utilities Index are forecast to remain positive for 2023. We don’t find this surprising given that most households will keep using their lights, air conditioning, stoves, and furnaces even if budgets are stretched and commodity prices fluctuate. Energy stocks, on the other hand, tend to be more volatile. Lower economic activity means fewer deliveries, trips to the store, and travel, which can have a negative effect on the earnings of energy companies.

This chart is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any actual investment. The illustration excludes the effects of taxes and brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred when investing. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 companies used to measure large-cap U.S. stock market performance. The S&P 500 Energy Index is a capitalization-weighted index comprised of 21 companies spanning five subsectors in the energy sector. The S&P 500 Utilities Index is a capitalization-weighted index comprised of 29 companies spanning five subsectors in the utilities sector.  

Download a PDF of this post, please click here.

Posted on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 @ 3:19 PM • Post Link Print this post Printer Friendly

These posts were prepared by First Trust Advisors L.P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.
Search Posts
MARKET ANALYSIS
Market Commentary and Analysis
Market Commentary Video
Monthly Talking Points
Quarterly Newsletter
Market Observations
Subscribe To Receive Email
 


 PREVIOUS POSTS
A Snapshot of Bond Valuations
How Bonds Have Fared Since 8/4/20
An Update on Covered Call Returns
Passive vs. Active Fund Flows
The Price of Safety
Defensive Sectors and Elevated Inflation
S&P 500 Index Dividend Payout Profile
S&P 500 Index Dividends & Stock Buybacks
S&P 500 Index Earnings & Revenue Growth Rate Estimates
The Only Constant Is Change
Archive
Skip Navigation Links.
Expand 20242024
Expand 20232023
Expand 20222022
Expand 20212021
Expand 20202020
Expand 20192019
Expand 20182018
Expand 20172017
Expand 20162016
Expand 20152015
Expand 20142014
Expand 20132013
Expand 20122012
Expand 20112011

Search by Topic
Skip Navigation Links.

 
The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.
Follow First Trust:  
First Trust Portfolios L.P.  Member SIPC and FINRA. (Form CRS)   •  First Trust Advisors L.P. (Form CRS)
Home |  Important Legal Information |  Privacy Policy |  California Privacy Policy |  Business Continuity Plan |  FINRA BrokerCheck
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.