Value Vs. Momentum an Anomaly Among the Inexpensive

Introduction: Value vs. Momentum
Small & Mid Cap: A Historical Outlier Suggests Outsized Opportunities
The Myth of Melting Ice Cubes?
Conclusion: A Basket Worth Buying?
Exhibit

Introduction: Value vs. Momentum

In Kailash’s recent pieces discussing the dispersion in value vs. growth stocks carrying the scintillating titles of Growth vs. Value and Growth vs. Value Part II, these papers built on some of our prior work that pointed out:

• Private Equity firms were reporting historically large inflows while having fewer promising targets and an uncommon reliance on unusually accommodative debt markets
• Elevated market valuations as defined by Warren Buffett posed a potential risk to investors of all stripes
• The methodologies of some indexes’ construction could make passive investors particularly vulnerable as discussed in Kailash’s July and October papers about the “Passive Patsies”

Your author wants to acknowledge a recent article in the Wall Street Journal¹ which cited data suggesting value investing might not be dead. Of particular interest was a chart showing that “value” stocks as defined by forward P/E ratios vs. stocks with high 12-month momentum were at spreads rarely seen before. In Growth vs. Value Part I and Part II page one displayed a chart highlighting that growth ceded a decade’s outperformance over value in just 6 months post the tech bubble.

Reflecting on this Kailash decided to analyze the spreads between the forward P/Es of the cheapest decile of stocks and high momentum stocks.² In the Kailash S&P500 Universe we discovered a materially different finding as displayed in Fig. 1 below. S&P500 momentum stocks are roughly in line with history when comparing forward P/Es to their value counterparts. However, upon further investigation Kailash did discover a meaningful and actionable finding within the Small and Mid Cap universe explained in the ensuing pages.

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Kailash Capital’s sister company, L2 Asset Management, runs market neutral, long/short, large-cap, and mid-cap long-only portfolios with a value and quality bias. L2 employs a highly disciplined investment process characterized by moderate concentration, low turnover, high tax efficiency, and low fees. While nobody can predict the future, we believe the recent resurgence in risk-adjusted returns seen across all products is the beginning of what may be a long period where speculation is punished, and prudence and patience rewarded.

ADDITIONAL READING

The topics discussed in this article are aimed at seasoned professionals, as such, we have included some extra reading for anyone seeking out more information related to the topics above.

SOURCES

https://www.wsj.com/articles/value-stocks-are-back-in-vogue-for-now-11574073000
We use a materially different definition than that used in the chart featured in the WSJ, please feel free to contact us if you would like to know why; Kailash did test this in a manner congruent to the WSJ’s methodology using 12m momentum and still found no actionable outcome

Disclaimer

The information, data, analyses, and opinions presented herein (a) do not constitute investment advice, (b) are provided solely for informational purposes and therefore are not, individually or collectively, an offer to buy or sell a security, (c) are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate, and (d) are subject to change without notice. Kailash Capital, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Kailash Capital”) shall not be responsible for any trading decisions, damages or other losses resulting from, or related to, the information, data, analyses or opinions or their use. The information herein may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any manner without the prior written consent of Kailash Capital. In preparing the information, data, analyses, and opinions presented herein, Kailash Capital has obtained data, statistics, and information from sources it believes to be reliable. Kailash Capital, however, does not perform an audit or seeks independent verification of any of the data, statistics, and information it receives. Kailash Capital and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. © 2021 Kailash Capital, LLC – All rights reserved.

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