Stock Returns and Valuation Ratios at Sector Level in South Africa: The Regime-switch Modelling Approach

Abstract

There is mounting evidence of stock return predictability based on valuation ratios across various stock markets. Most studies in this regard assume that the link between stock returns and valuation ratios is constant and linear. Yet, return predictability may vary according to the prevailing market regime. Accordingly, this study investigated whether the dividend and price-earnings valuation ratios predict returns on six sector indices on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and whether that predictability is dependent on the prevailing market regime. The study employed a Markov regime-switching model over a sample period spanning from 1996:01 to 2018:12. The results showed that in most sectors, predictability was present, and its significance was dependent on whether the market was in a bullish or bearish regime. These findings are useful to investors who use valuation ratios to predict returns and adjust portfolios in various sectors across different market regimes on the South African market.