Markets
Ranked: Which Asset Class Logged the Biggest Return in 2023?
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Which Asset Class Logged the Biggest Return in 2023?
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How did the markets do in 2023?
We visualize the one-year performance of major asset classes by tracking their relevant indexes across the globe. Data for this chart comes from S&P Global and Investing.com.
Major Asset Class Returns in 2023
Japanese equities, represented in this graphic by the Nikkei 225, were one of the strongest performers, up 30% by the end of 2023.
In May of 2023, the Nikkei hit a 30-year high, led by better corporate financial performances, a weak yen (drawing in overseas investors), and a flurry of stock buybacks.
Japan has also benefited from China’s economic woes, triggered by a spreading slowdown in the real estate sector that has had a domino effect on the rest of the $19 trillion economy. Investors looking for options outside of China didn’t have to look too far to find Japanese equities.
However the rally in the Nikkei is facing some recent hurdles: a strengthening yen since November, weak consumer demand, and the likelihood of looming international interest rate cuts will likely shift money away to other equity markets.
Here’s the list of how other major asset classes performed in the year.
| Rank | Index | Return | Asset Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikkei 225 | +30.1% | Japanese Equities |
| 2 | S&P 500 | +24.2% | U.S. Large Caps |
| 3 | STOXX 50 | +17.3% | European Equities |
| 4 | S&P SmallCap 600 | +13.9% | U.S. Small Caps |
| 5 | Gold | +13.1% | Gold |
| 6 | S&P/TSX Composite | +8.1% | Canadian Equities |
| 7 | Dow Jones Real Estate Index | +7.8% | U.S. Real Estate |
| 8 | MSCI EEM | +7.1% | Emerging Market Equities |
| 9 | S&P U.S. Aggregate Bond | +5.8% | U.S. Bonds |
| 10 | WTI Oil | -11.5% | Crude Oil |
| 11 | S&P GSCI | -12.2% | Commodities |
| 12 | S&P China 500 | -12.5% | Chinese Equities |
Note: Data as of December 29, 2023.
U.S. equities, real estate, and bonds all did well, as did Canadian, European, and emerging market equities.
Gold stayed high, a popular inflation-hedge, also spurred on by rising geopolitical concerns.
Oil, commodities, and Chinese equities all registered negative returns for the year—all inextricably linked together by the earlier mentioned slowing Chinese economy.
However, don’t be surprised if Houthi attacks in the Red Sea (prompted by the Israel-Hamas war) and other geopolitical stimuli reinvigorate oil prices as we continue our journey into 2024.
Markets
The European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
On average, the European stock market has valuations that are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations. But how can you access the market?
European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
Europe is known for some established brands, from L’Oréal to Louis Vuitton. However, the European stock market offers additional opportunities that may be lesser known.
The above infographic, sponsored by STOXX, outlines why investors may want to consider European stocks.
Attractive Valuations
Compared to most North American and Asian markets, European stocks offer lower or comparable valuations.
| Index | Price-to-Earnings Ratio | Price-to-Book Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| EURO STOXX 50 | 14.9 | 2.2 |
| STOXX Europe 600 | 14.4 | 2 |
| U.S. | 25.9 | 4.7 |
| Canada | 16.1 | 1.8 |
| Japan | 15.4 | 1.6 |
| Asia Pacific ex. China | 17.1 | 1.8 |
Data as of February 29, 2024. See graphic for full index names. Ratios based on trailing 12 month financials. The price to earnings ratio excludes companies with negative earnings.
On average, European valuations are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations, potentially offering an affordable entry point for investors.
Research also shows that lower price ratios have historically led to higher long-term returns.
Market Movements Not Closely Connected
Over the last decade, the European stock market had low-to-moderate correlation with North American and Asian equities.
The below chart shows correlations from February 2014 to February 2024. A value closer to zero indicates low correlation, while a value of one would indicate that two regions are moving in perfect unison.
| EURO STOXX 50 | STOXX EUROPE 600 | U.S. | Canada | Japan | Asia Pacific ex. China |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURO STOXX 50 | 1.00 | 0.97 | 0.55 | 0.67 | 0.24 | 0.43 |
| STOXX EUROPE 600 | 1.00 | 0.56 | 0.71 | 0.28 | 0.48 | |
| U.S. | 1.00 | 0.73 | 0.12 | 0.25 | ||
| Canada | 1.00 | 0.22 | 0.40 | |||
| Japan | 1.00 | 0.88 | ||||
| Asia Pacific ex. China | 1.00 |
Data is based on daily USD returns.
European equities had relatively independent market movements from North American and Asian markets. One contributing factor could be the differing sector weights in each market. For instance, technology makes up a quarter of the U.S. market, but health care and industrials dominate the broader European market.
Ultimately, European equities can enhance portfolio diversification and have the potential to mitigate risk for investors.
Tracking the Market
For investors interested in European equities, STOXX offers a variety of flagship indices:
| Index | Description | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|
| STOXX Europe 600 | Pan-regional, broad market | €10.5T |
| STOXX Developed Europe | Pan-regional, broad-market | €9.9T |
| STOXX Europe 600 ESG-X | Pan-regional, broad market, sustainability focus | €9.7T |
| STOXX Europe 50 | Pan-regional, blue-chip | €5.1T |
| EURO STOXX 50 | Eurozone, blue-chip | €3.5T |
Data is as of February 29, 2024. Market cap is free float, which represents the shares that are readily available for public trading on stock exchanges.
The EURO STOXX 50 tracks the Eurozone’s biggest and most traded companies. It also underlies one of the world’s largest ranges of ETFs and mutual funds. As of November 2023, there were €27.3 billion in ETFs and €23.5B in mutual fund assets under management tracking the index.
“For the past 25 years, the EURO STOXX 50 has served as an accurate, reliable and tradable representation of the Eurozone equity market.”
— Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX
Partnering with STOXX to Track the European Stock Market
Are you interested in European equities? STOXX can be a valuable partner:
- Comprehensive, liquid and investable ecosystem
- European heritage, global reach
- Highly sophisticated customization capabilities
- Open architecture approach to using data
- Close partnerships with clients
- Part of ISS STOXX and Deutsche Börse Group
With a full suite of indices, STOXX can help you benchmark against the European stock market.
Learn how STOXX’s European indices offer liquid and effective market access.
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