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Turning Analysis into Action Portfolio Strategies Desk Market Outlook February 2013 Mark Hebeka, CFA Head of Portfolio Strategies Desk Important Information The opinions expressed in this material are strictly those of Merrill Lynch, are made as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Other affiliates may have opinions that are different from and/or inconsistent with the opinions expressed herein and may have banking, lending, and/or commercial relationships with the companies that are mentioned here. This material was prepared by the Investment Management & Guidance Group (IMG) and is not a publication of BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research. The views expressed are those of IMG only and are subject to change. This information should not be construed as investment advice. It is presented for information purposes only and is not intended to be either a specific offer by any Merrill Lynch entity to sell or provide, or a specific invitation for a consumer to apply for, any particular retail financial product or service that may be available through the Merrill Lynch Family of companies. Merrill Lynch does not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Any tax statements contained herein were not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state or local tax penalties. Please have your clients consult their advisor as to any tax, accounting or legal statements made herein. The investments discussed have varying degrees of risk. Some of the risks involved with equities include the possibility that the value of the stocks may fluctuate in response to events specific to the companies or markets, as well as economic, political or social events in the U.S. or abroad. Bonds are subject to interest rate, inflation and credit risks. Investments in foreign securities involve special risks, including foreign currency risk and the possibility of substantial volatility due to adverse political, economic or other developments. These risks are magnified for investments made in emerging markets. Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured May Lose Value Are Not Bank Guaranteed MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, a registered investment adviser and Member SIPC. Merrill Lynch makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation or in which Bank of America Corporation has a substantial economic interest, including BofATM Global Capital Management. © 2013 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved 2 Markets Review STOCKS WORLD BY REGION S&P 500 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% Cons Financials Industrials Materials Cons Disc Healthcare Staples MSCI WORLD MSCI EAFE MSCI EUROPE MSCI EMERGING Energy Utilities MARKETS Info Tech Telecom MSCI PACIFIC Q4 2012 2012 S&P 500 SECTOR RETURNS Financials 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% Q4 2012 2012 IG IG US Broad High Non-US Cons Emerging Asset- Preferred Preferred Financials Materials Tech Telecom Market Treasury Yield Healthcare IG Staples Markets Energy Backed Info–Fixed TIPSIndustrials Municipal Corp. Cons Disc MortgageUtilities –Floating 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% Q4 2012 2012 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% HFRX Russell Russell Russell Global 1000 1000 2000 Global Cons NAREIT Gold HF Growth Value Growth Financials Industrials Materials Cons Disc Healthcare Staples YTD % Chg -1.7% -2.7% -0.4% 3.6% 1.9% 2.6% 6.6% 5.6% 10.2% 17.5% 16.0% 17.9% 16.3% 16.5% 17.9% 18.6% ML US Broad Market Master ML US Treasury Master ML Agency Master ML Muni Master ML US Corp Master ML High Yield As of 12.31.12 Quarterly % Chg YTD % Chg 261.9 1490.8 179.4 475.1 2449.6 952.0 0.3% -0.1% 0.2% 0.5% 1.2% 3.2% 4.5% 2.2% 2.5% 7.3% 10.4% 15.6% DJ-UBS Total Return Gold Spot* Silver Spot* Copper Spot* WTI Crude $/Barrel* As of 12.31.12 Quarterly % Chg YTD % Chg 279.8 1675.4 30.2 365.3 91.8 -6.3% -5.5% -12.7% -2.8% -0.4% -1.1% 7.1% 8.2% 6.3% -7.1% As of 12.31.12 Quarterly % Chg YTD % Chg 1.3193 86.75 1.6255 0.9154 2.6% 11.3% 0.5% -2.6% 1.8% 12.8% 4.6% -2.4% As of 12.31.12 Quarterly % Chg YTD % Chg 2007.6 2,379.9 385.1 1,148.3 5.8% 2.4% -3.4% 0.8% 28.7% 18.2% 4.8% 3.5% CURRENCIES* EUR/USD USD/JPY GBP/USD USD/CHF CROSS ASSET RETURNS DJ-UBS TR Quarterly % Chg 13,104.1 3,019.5 1,426.2 1020.4 849.4 1,338.5 1,604.0 1,055.2 COMMODITIES BOND MARKET RETURNS 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% As of 12.31.12 BONDS Cons Industrials Disc Cons Healthcare Cons Staples EnergyEnergyUtilities Tech FinancialsMaterials Industrials Cons Materials Disc Healthcare UtilitiesInfoInfo Tech Telecom Telecom Staples 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% DJIA NASDAQ S&P 500 S&P 400 Mid Cap Russell 2000 MSCI World MSCI EAFE MSCI Emerging Mkts Russell Russell Russell 2000 Midcap Midcap S&P 500 Value Growth Value Energy Utilities Info Tech Telecom ALTERNATIVES Q4 2012 2012 Global NAREIT US NAREIT Alerian MLP HFRX Global Hedge Fund Returns calculated are total returns unless otherwise stated (*indicates spot returns). All bond indexes represented by BofA Merrill Lynch Global Bond Indexes. 3 US Economy Continues to Heal The US economy continues to show signs of improvement with the FED committing to low interest rates and asset purchases (QE3) on the order of $40 billion per month in an effort to reduce unemployment rate, currently at 7.9%. Inflation concerns remain muted as consumer confidence and various retail metrics showing signs of stabilization. On the investment front, capex spending is set to rise after years of underinvestment. In addition, housing recovery shows continued momentum. US REAL GDP GROWTH IN 2013 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ABOVE HISTORICAL AVERAGE 8.0% 18% 6.0% 16% 14% 4.0% 2.0% 10% 8% 0.0% BofA ML Forecasts: 1Q 2013: 1.0% 2Q 2013: 1.5% 3Q 2013: 2.2% 4Q 2013: 2.5% -4.0% -6.0% -10.0% 2002 6.5% 7.7% 6% -2.0% -8.0% 14.4% 10.4% 12% 2% 0% 1970 Historical Average 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 INFLATION RATE REMAINS MUTED DESPITE QE 5.8% 4% 1976 1982 1988 1994 2000 2006 2012 Recession Unemployment Rate Historical Average Broader Unemployment Rate (U-6) Historical U-6 Average FED Target Unemployment RETAIL SALES CONTINUE TO STABILIZE (YoY %) $3,500 7% 6% $3,000 5% $2,500 4% 3% $2,000 20% 15% 10% 5% 2% $1,500 $1,000 0% 0% -5% -1% $500 $0 1990 1% -2% -3% 1992 1995 1997 Fed Assets 2000 2002 Headline CPI 2005 2007 Core CPI 2010 2012 -10% -15% 1968 1972 1976 1980 Recession 1984 1988 1992 1996 Retail Sales, YoY % 2000 2004 2008 2012 Average Source: BofA-ML Global Research, Investment Management & Guidance (IMG) 4 US Economy Continues to Heal US REAL GDP GROWTH IN 2013 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% BofA ML Forecasts: 1Q 2013: 1.0% 2Q 2013: 1.5% 3Q 2013: 2.2% 4Q 2013: 2.5% -2.0% -4.0% -6.0% -8.0% Historical Average -10.0% 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: BofA-ML Global Research, Investment Management & Guidance (IMG) 5 US Economy Continues to Heal UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ABOVE HISTORICAL AVERAGE 18% 16% 14% 14.4% 12% 10.4% 10% 8% 6.5% 7.9% 6% 5.8% 4% 2% 0% 1970 1976 1982 1988 1994 2000 2006 Recession Unemployment Rate Historical Average Broader Unemployment Rate (U-6) Historical U-6 Average FED Target Unemployment 2012 Source: BofA-ML Global Research, Investment Management & Guidance (IMG) 6 US Economy Continues to Heal RETAIL SALES CONTINUE TO STABILIZE (YoY %) 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 Recession 1988 1992 1996 Retail Sales, YoY % 2000 2004 2008 2012 Average Source: BofA-ML Global Research, Investment Management & Guidance (IMG) 7 Housing Recovery Various housing fundamentals such as household formation, home prices, housing starts, housing inventory, etc. point to an improvement in the sector. Existing home sales increased 5.9% in November from the previous month, representing an annual rate of 5 million units. Home prices are projected to increase 5% year over year in 2012 compared to 3.7% decline in 2011. Residential homebuilding is expected to contribute 0.3 percentage point to US GDP growth in 2012 and 0.4 percentage points in 2013. HOME PRICES TRENDING UPWARD 180 EXISTING HOME SALES AND INVENTORY 8,000K Case-Shiller National, Up 5% in 2012 Indexed to 2002=100 170 Case-Shiller 20 City, +5% in 2012 160 14 Months of supply of existing homes Existing Homes Sales Existing Home Inventory 7,000K 12 6,000K 10 Market Peak: 3.6 months of supply 150 5,000K 140 4,000K 6 3,000K 4 2,000K 2 1,000K 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 0 130 FHFA House Price Index, +4% in 2012 120 110 100 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Supply in Months HOUSING STARTS FORECASTED TO AVERAGE 975k in 2013 According to BofA Research, housing starts are forecasted to add 0.4 (pp) to GDP in 2013. 2,000K 1,500K Average 1,352K 1,000K 500K 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 Housing Inventory CONSTRUCTION JOBS LAG HOUSING STARTS 2,500K 0K 1990 Total Existing Home Sales 8 2006 2008 2010 2012 2,400K 5.2% 2,200K 5.0% 2,000K 4.8% 1,800K 4.6% 1,600K 4.4% 1,400K 4.2% 1,200K 4.0% 1,000K 3.8% 800K 3.6% 600K 3.4% 400K 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 3.2% Housing Starts Lagged 5 Qs (LHS) Construction jobs as % of Labor Force (RHS) Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency, S&P, Haver Analytics, National Association of Realtors, Census Bureau, BofA Global Research, IMG 8 Housing Recovery HOME PRICES TRENDING UPWARD 180 Case-Shiller National, Up 5% in 2012 170 Case-Shiller 20 City, +5% in 2012 Indexed to 2002=100 160 150 140 130 FHFA House Price Index, +4% in 2012 120 110 100 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency, S&P, Haver Analytics, National Association of Realtors, Census Bureau, BofA Global Research, IMG 9 Housing Recovery EXISTING HOME SALES AND INVENTORY 8,000K 14 Existing Homes Sales Existing Home Inventory Months of supply of existing homes 7,000K 12 6,000K 10 Market Peak: 3.6 months of supply 5,000K 8 4,000K 6 3,000K 4 2,000K 2 1,000K 1999 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 Supply in Months 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total Existing Home Sales 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Housing Inventory Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency, S&P, Haver Analytics, National Association of Realtors, Census Bureau, BofA Global Research, IMG 10 Housing Recovery HOUSING STARTS FORECASTED TO AVERAGE 975k in 2013 2,500K According to BofA Research, housing starts are forecasted to add 0.4 (pp) to GDP in 2013. 2,000K 1,500K Average 1,352K 1,000K 500K 0K 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency, S&P, Haver Analytics, National Association of Realtors, Census Bureau, BofA Global Research, IMG 11 Housing Recovery CONSTRUCTION JOBS LAG HOUSING STARTS 2,400K 5.2% 2,200K 5.0% 2,000K 4.8% 1,800K 4.6% 1,600K 4.4% 1,400K 4.2% 1,200K 4.0% 1,000K 3.8% 800K 3.6% 600K 3.4% 400K 1991 3.2% 1993 1995 1997 1999 Housing Starts Lagged 5 Qs (LHS) 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Construction jobs as % of Labor Force (RHS) Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency, S&P, Haver Analytics, National Association of Realtors, Census Bureau, BofA Global Research, IMG 12 US Energy Independence Advancement in technology has boosted US energy production over the past 5 years. US is on track to supply a large portion of Non-OPEC supply growth in the near future. Harnessing these reserves gives the US a significant competitive advantage that will grow in years to come, with Commodity Strategist Francisco Blanch estimating that the US enjoys a $700mn per day “energy carry” relative advantage. TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT BOOSTS US PROVED RESERVES Oil (billion barrels) US TO SUPPLY A LARGE PORTION OF NON-OPEC SUPPLY GROWTH BETWEEN 2011-2016 Natural gas (trillion cubic feet) 33 350 31 300 29 27 25 Brazil Canada Biofuels 250 Columbia 200 Russia India 23 21 19 150 17 15 100 1980 1986 1992 1998 2004 2010 Mexico -500 0 500 1,000 1,500 ENERGY COSTS AS % OF TOTAL OPERATING COSTS (2010) 24.0 …While U.S. demand is expected to decline by 3% 23.0 8.0 22.0 7.0 21.0 6.0 20.0 5.0 19.0 4.0 Demand (billions of barrels) 10.0 9.0 UK Norway -1,000 US OIL SUPPLIES FORECASTED TO RISE ~15% BY 2016… Supply (billions of Barrels) United States 18.0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total US Oil Supplies Total US Oil Demand Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 13 US Energy Independence TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT BOOSTS US PROVED RESERVES Oil (billion barrels) Natural gas (trillion cubic feet) 33 350 31 300 29 27 250 25 23 200 21 19 150 17 15 100 1980 1986 1992 1998 2004 2010 Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 14 US Energy Independence US OIL SUPPLIES FORECASTED TO RISE ~15% BY 2016… 10.0 …While U.S. demand is expected to decline by 3% 23.0 8.0 22.0 7.0 21.0 6.0 20.0 5.0 19.0 4.0 18.0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total US Oil Supplies 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Demand (billions of barrels) Supply (billions of Barrels) 9.0 24.0 2016 Total US Oil Demand Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 15 US Energy Independence ENERGY COSTS AS % OF TOTAL OPERATING COSTS (2010) Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 16 Pent Up Demand While US GDP growth remains tepid, US corporate profits have soared allowing companies to build cash on their balance sheets. However, capex has not kept pace after years of underinvestment. Mergers and acquisitions activity can also rise given strong balance sheets, low interest rates, and attractive equity valuations. In lieu of M&A, idle cash has resulted in increased dividend payouts and share buybacks. CORPORATE PROFITS SOAR CAPEX SPENDING HAS NOT KEPT PACE 30% 11% 20% 10% 9% 10% 8% 0% 7% -10% 6% -20% 5% -30% 4% 3% 1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 Recession Corporate Profits* -40% Dec-93 Dec-95 Dec-97 Dec-99 Dec-01 Dec-03 Dec-05 Dec-07 New Orders: Non-defense capital goods ex. Aircraft, YoY% Average Dec-09 Dec-11 Average USE OF CASH: SHARE BUYBACKS AND DIVIDENDS AMONG S&P 500 COMPANIES M&A ACTIVITY LOWEST SINCE 2002 $900 $180 $31 $800 $160 $29 $700 $140 $27 $600 $120 $500 $100 $400 $80 $300 $60 $200 $40 $19 $100 $20 $17 $0 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 M&A Transactions (in $bilions) 2009 2011 $25 $23 $21 $0 $15 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 Share Buybacks (in $billions, LHS) Dividends per Share (12 Months, RHS) Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 17 Pent Up Demand CORPORATE PROFITS SOAR 11% 10% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 Recession 1972 1977 1982 1987 Corporate Profits* 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 Average Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 18 Pent Up Demand CAPEX SPENDING HAS NOT KEPT PACE 30% 20% 10% 0% -10% -20% -30% -40% Dec-93 Dec-95 Dec-97 Dec-99 Dec-01 Dec-03 Dec-05 New Orders: Non-defense capital goods ex. Aircraft, YoY% Dec-07 Dec-09 Dec-11 Average Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 19 Pent Up Demand M&A ACTIVITY LOWEST SINCE 2002 $900 $800 $700 $600 $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 $0 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 M&A Transactions (in $bilions) Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 20 Pent Up Demand USE OF CASH: SHARE BUYBACKS AND DIVIDENDS AMONG S&P 500 COMPANIES $180 $31 $160 $29 $140 $27 $120 $25 $100 $23 $80 $21 $60 $19 $40 $17 $20 $0 $15 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Share Buybacks (in $billions, LHS) Dividends per Share (12 Months, RHS) Source: BofA-ML Global Research, IMG 21 International Markets Also Improving Economic conditions around the world are also improving. BofA-ML’s Economic Conditions Index (ECI), a broad measure of business conditions around the world, has been trending up steadily and uniformly across regions. The world economy, outside of the U.S., is expected to grow around 4% annually between now and 2014. Stress in financial markets is now at the lowest levels since 2007. BUSINESS CONDITIONS GLOBALLY TICKING UP 7% BofA-ML Economic Conditions Index (ECI) 5% z-scores 0 4% -1 3% -2 2% -3 1% -4 0% -5 Dec-07 -1% Dec-08 Dec-09 GLOBALcycle Dec-10 DMcycle Dec-11 2011 Dec-12 2012 Global xU.S. GEMcycle 2013 Euro Area Japan 2014 Emerging Markets GLOBAL FINANCIAL STRESS INDEX AT LOWEST SINCE 2007 GLOBALLY INFLATION IS UNDER CONTROL 3.5 450 8% 3.0 400 7% 2.5 350 6% 2.0 300 1.5 250 1.0 200 0.5 150 0.0 100 -0.5 50 9% Forecasts GFS Index Inflation Rate (YoY%) Forecasts 6% 1 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% 2002 World 2004 2006 2008 Advanced economies 2010 2012 2014 -1.0 Dec-06 Dec-07 Dec-08 Dec-09 Dec-10 Dec-11 MSCI AC World Index 2 GROWTH OUTSIDE U.S. TO RISE IN 2013 AND 2014 0 Dec-12 EM and Developing economies Source: BofA-ML Global Research, International Monetary Fund, Bloomberg, IMG 22 International Markets Also Improving BUSINESS CONDITIONS GLOBALLY TICKING UP 2 BofA-ML Economic Conditions Index (ECI) 1 z-scores 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 Dec-07 Dec-08 GLOBALcycle Dec-09 Dec-10 DMcycle Dec-11 Dec-12 GEMcycle Source: BofA-ML Global Research, International Monetary Fund, Bloomberg, IMG 23 International Markets Also Improving GROWTH OUTSIDE U.S. TO RISE IN 2013 AND 2014 7% Forecasts 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% -1% 2011 2012 Global xU.S. Euro Area 2013 Japan 2014 Emerging Markets Source: BofA-ML Global Research, International Monetary Fund, Bloomberg, IMG 24 International Markets Also Improving MSCI AC World Index Dec-12 Sep-12 Jun-12 Mar-12 Dec-11 0 Sep-11 -1.0 Jun-11 50 Mar-11 -0.5 Dec-10 100 Sep-10 0.0 Jun-10 150 Mar-10 0.5 Dec-09 200 Sep-09 1.0 Jun-09 250 Mar-09 1.5 Dec-08 300 Sep-08 2.0 Jun-08 350 Mar-08 2.5 Dec-07 400 Sep-07 3.0 Jun-07 450 Mar-07 3.5 Dec-06 GFS Index GLOBAL FINANCIAL STRESS INDEX AT LOWEST SINCE 2007 Source: BofA-ML Global Research, International Monetary Fund, Bloomberg, IMG 25 Equity Fundamentals & the Great Rotation One of the major themes of Research is the coming “Great Rotation” from bonds to stocks. Play this theme by emphasizing bonds that act like stocks and favor intermediate maturities over longer-term maturities STOCKS ATTRACTIVELY PRICED RELATIVE TO BONDS RECORD INVESTOR FLOWS INTO BONDS FUND SINCE 2007 6% Equity risk premium 5% 4% 3% 2% +1 std deviation 1% 0% -1% -2% -3% -4% -5% 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 Net Flows (billions, $) 500 400 300 200 100 0 -100 -200 -300 2007 2008 2009 Equities 2010 2011 2012 Bonds Tech bubble peak 2001 2006 2011 S&P 500 FORWARD PRICE-EARNING (PE) RATIO BELOW HISTORICAL AVERAGE S&P 500 EARNINGS PER SHARE FORECASTED TO GROW 30.0x $120 $100 25.0x $80 20.0x $60 $40 15.0x Average= 15.1x $20 10.0x $0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012E BofA-ML Strategy EPS estimates vs Consensus 2012: $102.75 vs $102.74 | 2013: $110.0 vs $106.59 2013E 5.0x 1986 1990 1994 1998 Forward P/E 2002 2006 2010 Average Source: BofA-ML Global Research, ICI, http://www.econ.yale.edu/~shiller/data.htm, IMG 26 Equity Fundamentals & the Great Rotation RECORD INVESTOR FLOWS INTO BONDS FUND SINCE 2007 500 Net Flows (billions, $) 400 300 200 100 0 -100 -200 -300 2007 2008 2009 Equities 2010 2011 2012 Bonds Source: BofA-ML Global Research, ICI, http://www.econ.yale.edu/~shiller/data.htm, IMG 27 Equity Fundamentals & the Great Rotation STOCKS ATTRACTIVELY PRICED RELATIVE TO BONDS 6% Equity risk premium 5% 4% 3% 2% +1 std deviation 1% 0% -1% -2% -3% -4% -5% 1976 Tech bubble peak 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 Source: BofA-ML Global Research, ICI, http://www.econ.yale.edu/~shiller/data.htm, IMG 28 Equity Fundamentals & the Great Rotation S&P 500 EARNINGS PER SHARE FORECASTED TO GROW $120 $100 $80 $60 $40 $20 $0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012E 2013E BofA-ML Strategy EPS estimates vs Consensus 2012: $102.75 vs $102.74 | 2013: $110.0 vs $106.59 Source: BofA-ML Global Research, ICI, http://www.econ.yale.edu/~shiller/data.htm, IMG 29 Equity Fundamentals & the Great Rotation S&P 500 FORWARD PRICE-EARNING (PE) RATIO BELOW HISTORICAL AVERAGE 30.0x 25.0x 20.0x Average= 15.1x 15.0x 10.0x 5.0x 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 Forward P/E 2006 2010 Average Source: BofA-ML Global Research, ICI, http://www.econ.yale.edu/~shiller/data.htm, IMG 30 Key Implementation Themes • Globalize Equity Portfolios: Move beyond the U.S. • Housing: Banks key beneficiaries • Dividend Growth Over Dividend Yield • Fixed Income Positioning: •Credit risk over duration risk 31 International Developed Markets: Receding Risks & Attractive Valuations Receding tail risks associated with the European Central Bank ‘s (ECB) actions has led to lower volatility, declining bond yields and rising equity markets in the Euro area. BofA Research’s base case calls for Europe to further stabilize in 2013 with most growth coming in 2H13. Risks to continued European recovery include: contagion effects associated with Spain seeking entry into OMT program amid intense market pressure, potential Greek exit, inability to resolve the US fiscal cliff, and escalation of Mid-East tensions leading to a spike in oil prices. The pro-stimulus policies of Japan’s new government is supportive of equities. EUROPEAN VOLATILTY AT MULTI-YEAR LOWS EUROPEAN EQUITY MARKETS: ATTRACTIVE VALUATIONS 40% 35% 50 30% 40 25% 30 20% 15% 20 10% 10 0.9 10 Yr Bond Yields Euro Stoxx 50 Volatility Index 60 +1 Standard Deviation 0.8 Average=0.74 5% 0 2009 -1 Standard Deviation 0% 2010 2011 0.6 1996 2012 Euro Stoxx 50 Volatility Index 0.70 0.7 Greek 10 Yr Bond Spreads 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 MSCI Europe relative to MSCI US - Price to Book YEN’S WEAKESS INCREASES JAPANESE COMPETITIVENESS 2010 2012 Average JAPANESE EQUITIES: ALSO ATTRACTIVE VALUATIONS 130 0.8 120 0.7 110 0.6 100 0.5 90 0.46 0.4 80 70 2002 Average=0.54 2003 2004 2005 2006 JPYUSD 2007 2008 2009 200-day MA 2010 2011 2012 0.3 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 MSCI Japan relative to MSCI US - Price to Book 2010 2012 Average Source: BofA-ML Research, Bloomberg, IMG 32 China Rebounding with Emerging Markets Leading Global Growth EM economies are expected to lead global growth. In particular, the risk of a Chinese hard landing have eased with 4Q GDP growth forecasted at 7.8% vs 7.4% in 3Q (lowest since 1Q 2009). Exports are expected to remain flat in 2013 (forecasted to grow at 7.5%) on weakness of EU, US, and Japan. With inflation subdued, accommodate pro-growth policy remains in effect. Other metrics such as industrial production (+10%, YoY), fixed asset investment (+21%, YoY), credit growth (+16%), Purchase Mangers Index (50.6), retail sales (+15%, YoY) remain healthy. ESTIMATED CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL GROWTH BY REGION* CHINA REAL GDP FORECASTS (%, YoY) 14% BofA ML Forecasts: 4Q 2012: 7.8% 1Q 2012: 8.3% 2Q 2013: 8.3% 3Q 2013: 8.0% 4Q 2013: 8.0% 12% DM Others, 9% 10% China, 40% 8% Japan, 4% EM, 76% UK, 0% India, 12% EU, -1% U.S., 12% 6% Brazil, 3% Russia, 3% 4% EM Other, 18% 2% 0% 2007 CHINA EXPORTS TO REMAIN FLAT IN 2013(%, YoY) $50 50% $40 40% $30 30% 20% $20 10% $10 0% $0 -10% -$10 -20% 2013 10% 8% 2012 Export Growth (%, YoY), LHS Consumption 5.4% 2% -2% 2011 Net Exports Investments 4% 0% 2010 4.8% 6% -$30 Trade Surplus in $ billions, RHS 2012 Consumption as component of GDP growth exceeded investments in 2011 12% -$20 2009 2011 14% -40% 2005 2008 2010 16% -30% 2007 2009 CONSUMPTION EXPECTED TO LEAD CHINESE GROWTH 60% 2006 2008 -0.4% -4% 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Source: BofA-ML Research, Bloomberg, Haver Analytics, National Bureau of Statistics of China, IMG. *For 2012 33 Housing and the Banks Housing starts were up 25% and home prices increased 5% in 2012. BofA-ML Research forecasts the recovery will continue in 2013, with another 25% rise in housing starts and 3% increase in home prices in 2013.Homebuilders and other direct sectors have already rallied substantially. Financials is our preferred way to play the continued rebound in housing is through the Financials, particularly the large banks. BANKS HAVE LAGGED OTHER HOUSING SENSITIVE SECTORS (3Q2011 -2012) RALLY IN HOUSING STOCKS SINCE 3Q 2011 400 160 200% 350 150 175% 300 140 250 130 200 120 150 110 100 100 75% 50 90 50% 80 2012 25% 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 S&P Homebuilders Idx BKX Index 2010 2011 S&P Home Improv Idx S&P/Case-Shiller C20 150% 125% 100% 0% S&P Homebuilders Idx REGIONALS OUTPERFORMED MONEY CENTERS IN 2012 S&P Home Improv Idx KBW Bank Idx S&P 500 THE MONEY CENTERS-REGIONALS VALUATION GAP 180 160 140 120 100 80 Dec-11 Feb-12 Apr-12 JPM Jun-12 C Aug-12 RF Oct-12 Dec-12 STI Source: BofA-ML Research, Bloomberg, IMG 34 Dividend Growth Investing Stocks with the highest dividend growth have been one of the most consistent strategies. In fact, over the long-run dividend growth accounts for a majority of the total return on stocks. The low interest rate environment and high demand for income from retiring baby boomers supports the secular case for dividends. DIVIDEND GROWTH AT MOST DISCOUNT TO YIELD SINCE 1990 DIVIDEND GROWERS HAVE OUTPERFORMED OVER TIME… 100% 80% Dividend Growth More Expensive 60% 40% 20% 0% -20% Dividend Yield More Expensive -40% 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 HIGHEST YIELDING STOCKS NOT THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION 10% Non-Dividend Payers (25.7%, 1.35%) 2% 14% Dividend Cutters (25.7%, -0.89%) 15% 20% 25% 30% Risk (Annualized Standard Deviation) 26% 24% 22% Highest Returns 12% 10% 20% 18% 8% 16% Lowest Volatility 6% 0% -2% 10% Annual Returns Dividend Payers w/ No Change (18.5%, 7.0%) 6% 4% Lower returns, higher volatility 16% All Dividend Payers (17.2%, 8.6%) 8% Annualized Returns 18% Dividend Growers (16.4%, 9.4%) 14% 4% Risk (Standard Deviation) …AND WITH LESS RISK 12% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Decile (1=lowest D/Y, 10=highest D/Y) Annualized Return 9 10 Risk Source: BofA-ML Research, Oppenheimer, http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/pages/faculty/ken.french/data_library.html, IMG 35 Fixed Income Solutions The yield on the 10-year Treasury is currently lower than the dividend yield on the S&P 500. That has not happened on a sustained basis since the 1950s. Low yields present a problem for bond holders (duration risk). While our base case calls for still positive credit returns in 2013 , the era of equity like returns in fixed income has likely come to an end. The key will be higher-yield, lower quality credit markets. S&P DIVIDEND YIELD VS 10-YEAR TREASURIES YIELDS ACROSS THE FIXED INCOME MARKET (Dec 2012) 16% 7.0% 14% Higher yielders have lower duration risk 6.0% 12% 5.0% 10% 4.0% 8% 6% 3.0% 4% 2.0% 2% 1.0% 0% 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 0.0% S&P Dividend Yield U.S. DM Mortgages Treasuries Sovereigns (xU.S.) 10-Yr Tsy Yield IG EM IG EM LCL HY Corporates Sovereigns Preferreds Currency Corporates EM DEBT ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMING BOND SECTORS (2007 -2012) HY SPREADS HAVE ROOM TO NARROW FURTHER 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 2007 0 1996 Munis 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2008 EM Sovereigns 2009 EM Local Debt 2010 DM Sovereigns 2011 2012 U.S. Treasuries Source: BofA-ML Global Research, http://www.econ.yale.edu/~shiller/data.htm, Bloomberg, IMG 36 Appendix 37 APPENDIX 1: Rotation Scenarios BofA ML Forecast • • • • • • • Federal funds rate increase mid-2015 (same timeframe outlined by Federal Reserve) 10-year U.S. Treasury target for year-end 2013 2.0% 30-year U.S. Treasury target for year-end 2013 3.25% GDP forecast 2013 1.4% CPI ex Food & Energy 2013 1.8% Private Payrolls (Avg MoM change) 2013 94,000 Housing Starts (Thous. SAAR) 2013 897 Orderly Rotation • Attractive equity returns over a longer period combined with less attractive bond returns • 2.5% tailwind becomes 2.5% headwind • Slowly rising interest rates – 10-year Treasury yields can move above 3% without causing alarm • Employment and GDP data continue to improve but at a sluggish pace Disorderly Rotation • Employment, GDP and housing data continue to improve at an accelerating pace • 10-year Treasury moves a second leg higher toward 4% in a matter of months • Flows abruptly change Source: BofAML Research, ML GWM Investment Management & Guidance 38 APPENDIX 2: Checklist / Worry List Metric Current Level Trending Goal Unemployment Rate 7.7 6.9 GDP (Annual Growth Rate) 2.0 < 3.0 Retail Sales 3.8 4.7 Consumer Confidence 73.7 85.0 CPI 1.9 < 2.5 S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index 146.2 160.0 ISM Manufacturing 49.5 55.0 What concerns us (scored 1-10 with 10 being the most worrisome) and how is it trending > > > > Weight of Fiscal cliff – Higher taxes and austerity measures (6) - flat European debt crisis – Spain asking for debt relief and Elections in Italy (7) - improving China - Economic outlook and new leadership (4) - flat Mid-East unrest – Syria, Egypt, Palestine and Israel (5) – flat Source: Bloomberg, BofAML Global Research, Portfolio Strategies Desk Research 39