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2023 CAPITAL MARKETS FORECAST

Inflationary
Vortex

The gravitational pull of
labor, China, and energy

Wilmington Trust proudly presents our 2023 Capital Markets Forecast 

The inflationary vortex has been the result of several forces—some unforeseen or unforeseeable—spiraling upward. In this year’s forecast, we focus on three catalysts that we expect to impact tomorrow’s inflation outlook: the U.S. labor market, China’s economic and demographic evolution, and the role of green energy. We conclude with the important linkages between these themes and positioning of client portfolios.

photo of Tony Roth

Tony Roth
Chief Investment Officer

SETTING INFLATION IN MOTION

What is unique about the present situation is that the vectors that led us into this high-inflation environment—a pandemic resurgence of demand, supply-chain stress, and an unprecedented dose of stimulus—are not the forces most critical to watch on the other side.

LABOR
MARKET
INFLECTION

Among the factors responsible for today's inflation, the tight labor market and the upward pressure on wages are the ones that are most likely to continue.

3M

THE TOTAL U.S. LABOR FORCE IS APPROXIMATELY 3 MILLION WORKERS BELOW THE PREPANDEMIC TREND1

47%

OF WORKERS HAVE STOPPED GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS2

Prevailing price pressures

Inflation is likely to continue due to three distinct sources of labor market tightness:

1

Reduced labor participation due to pandemic-related behaviors, especially early retirement

2

Lower productivity attributable to lack of motivation and a reluctance to work more hours than required

3

Low population growth, particularly from immigration, that traces to both the pandemic and domestic political forces

photo of Luke Tilley

Luke Tilley
Chief Economist

OUR INSIGHTS

We expect these labor market developments to exert inflationary pressure in 2023 and for several years by way of the potential impact on gross domestic product (GDP). However, we do foresee disinflationary forces lurking in the longer term.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

to see how the tight labor market impacts our portfolio positioning for 2023.

to explore how our insights may impact investors and business owners.

Data as of October 31, 2022. Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Congressional Budget Office.

The Harris Poll COVID-19 Tracker, Wave 135, September 28, 2022.

TALK TO AN EXPERIENCED INVESTMENT ADVISOR IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THESE INFLUENCES MAY IMPACT YOUR PORTFOLIO.

CHINA’S
SOCIOECONOMIC
EVOLUTION

Over the last 20 years, China’s economy grew 13-fold.3 Today, China is the nerve center for the global supply chain and an omnipresent force as the world’s second-largest economy. 

~25%

OF THE WORKING-AGE POPULATION EXPECTED TO SHRINK BY 2050, WHILE THE 65+ GROUP WILL ROUGHLY DOUBLE4

65M

PEOPLE IN CHINA WERE STILL IN COVID LOCKDOWN, AS OF SEPT 20225

China's transformation

Its policies and grave demographic challenges may elevate structural inflation globally.

1

China’s commitment to a “zero-COVID” policy continues to strain the global supply chain

2

A heightened focus on domestic consumption and elevated living standards will result in higher inflationary pressure

3

China’s demographics may be the biggest structural driver of inflation as its population ages at the fastest rate of any major country6

photo of Meghan Shue

Meghan Shue
Head of Investment Strategy

OUR INSIGHTS

In the medium term, we anticipate that changes in China’s policies, aimed at increased domestic consumption by elevating living standards, will likely increase price pressures.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

to see how China’s socioeconomic evolution impacts our portfolio positioning for 2023.

to explore how our insights may impact investors and business owners.

Bloomberg, The World Bank.

The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the United Nations.

Observatory Group research note dated September 21, 2022.

C. Textor, “Labor force in China from 2000 to 2020,” Statista, November 24, 2021.

CONTACT AN ADVISOR TO DISCUSS HOW THESE UNFOLDING TRENDS MAY IMPACT YOUR INVESTMENT PLANNING.

ENERGY'S
TENUOUS
TRANSITION

As global governments transition from hydrocarbon-based energy to renewable sources, we expect this shift to promote inflationary pressures.

$4.5T

IS THE ESTIMATED COST OF INTEGRATING GREEN TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE U.S. GRID OVER THE NEXT DECADE7

50%

DECLINE IN CAPEX BY MAJOR OIL COMPANIES SINCE 20138

Fueling an inflationary spiral

At least three drivers could increase inflation risk as the global energy network moves to limit the use of fossil fuels:

1

A reduction in capital expenditures (capex) and output by the petroleum industry

2

A surge in demand for vital, non-hydrocarbon commodities

3

Public policy aimed at accelerating the energy transition

photo of Tony Roth

Tony Roth
Chief Investment Officer

OUR INSIGHTS

Even though energy is a small component of consumer consumption, it can nonetheless exercise a significant influence on overall inflation due to its volatility.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

to see how the shift to green energy impacts our portfolio positioning for 2023.

to explore how our insights may impact investors and business owners.

Dan Shreve and Wade Schauer, “Deep decarbonisation requires deep pockets,” Wood Mackenzie, June 2019.

Kathy Hipple, et al., “Oil Majors' Shrinking Capex Signals Industry in Decline,” Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, February 2020.

PORTFOLIOS

Investment Roadmap
Dimensioning inflation risk over the short to medium term is critical for identifying investment opportunities in the year ahead. We forecast a deceleration in inflation from 7.7% at the end of 2022 to approximately 3% by mid-2023, yet don’t believe the drop will be fast enough to avoid a mild recession in 2023. We remain focused on where and when the inflation dust will settle, as it’s critically important for long-term asset class returns. 

With diversification as the linchpin of our investment philosophy, we move forward with confidence and conviction that overall portfolio returns will soon be positive once again.

photo of CMF Team members

LET'S TALK.

LEARN HOW YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS MAY BE IMPACTED BY OUR 2023 MARKET AND ECONOMIC FORECAST

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Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc., a subsidiary of M&T Bank, is an SEC-registered investment adviser providing investment management services to Wilmington Trust and M&T affiliates and clients. Wilmington Funds are entities separate and apart from Wilmington Trust and M&T Bank. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc's Capital Markets Forecast is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product or service or as a recommendation or determination that any investment strategy is suitable for a specific investor. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the suitability of any investment strategy based on the investor's objectives, financial situation, and particular needs. The investments or investment strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for every investor. The material is not designed or intended to provide legal, investment, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. If legal, investment, or other professional assistance is needed, the services of an attorney or other professional should be sought.

The forecasts presented herein constitute the informed judgments and opinions of Wilmington Trust about likely future capital market performance and are subject to change without notice. Forecasts are subject to a number of assumptions regarding future returns, volatility, and the interrelationship (correlation) of asset classes. Assumptions may vary by asset class. Actual events or results may differ from underlying estimates or assumptions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

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