US equity investors increase risk appetite: S&P Global

Sentiment among U.S. equity investors has weakened this month, according to a measure of optimism from S&P Global, but their risk appetite is undeterred.

Expectations for returns in the next 30 days declined by one percentage point compared to February to a reading of negative 12% with almost half of respondents believing that the equity market will remain steady during the 30-day period.

However, looking further ahead more than half of investors think the S&P 500 will end 2024 above 5200 with 24% expecting it to reach between 5001 and 5200.

S&P Global's Investment Manager Index survey highlighted that healthcare, information technology, industrials, financials, energy, consumer staples, communication services, and consumer discretionary are all expected to perform with the first three well ahead of the rest.

"Consumer discretionary is gaining favor due to the resilience of the labor market and the broader consumer spending trend, especially in the face of likely rate cuts in 2024 and the anticipated easing in the cost of living squeeze," said Chris Williamson, executive director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Conversely, respondents are net bearish on basic materials, utilities, and real estate.

Risk appetite has also increased from last month, by one percentage point to 14%. This follows the trend seen since last November for rising risk tolerance among U.S. equity investors, snapped only in January 2024.

Investors’ outlook eased as expectations for a rapid pace of Fed rate cuts softened while concerns about valuations gained, but growth is still expected with the U.S. macro-economic environment and equity fundamentals among the supporting factors.

"Near-term negative sentiment seems to be based on concerns over how quickly current valuations have been achieved, so some pullback is expected before we see renewed gains before the end of the year," added Williamson.