Lazard Asset Management Factor Report SEP 8 The global equity markets posted a positive month in August as corporate earnings continued to outpace expectations and earlier fears of inflation abated. The favorable equity return was driven largely by the US equity market, which has far outpaced the other major markets this year. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell appeared to reassure the markets with his commitment to gradual normalization of interest rates, acknowledging that there was little pressure to sharply increase rates. Progress in NAFTA talks also helped US stocks. Investors remained concerned about trade disputes, which spurred selling in rest of the world, particularly in Europe and the emerging markets. Italy s heavy debt and the populist rhetoric of its new coalition government, along with uncertainty about Brexit, also weighed on European markets. China s growth also showed signs of moderating, adversely affecting many Asian equity markets. Oil and commodity prices fell during the month. Emerging markets currencies most notably the Turkish lira, Brazilian real, and South African rand declined sharply against the US dollar, further depressing their returns. Information technology stocks resumed their market leadership in August and remain the strongest sector for the year. Health care stocks also performed well, continuing their recent strength. Material and energy stocks lagged in the month, reflecting weaker prices and uncertainty over the global economy. Factor performance reflected many of the same themes that have characterized 8. From a broad perspective, investors assumed a risk off posture in the month, particularly in emerging markets. Valuation factors continued to underperform globally, most notably in the United States and emerging markets. By contrast, sentiment measures including momentum provided positive discrimination throughout the equity markets. factors worked well in the United States but lagged in other markets. Quality factors worked well in emerging markets but delivered mixed results in the developed markets. Factor Returns¹ (%) Year 3 Value - -3 - P/B P/E (trailing) Yield P/B P/E (trailing) Yield Year - - - Hist EPS Proj EPS Hist Sales Hist EPS Proj EPS Hist Sales Global Developed United States Europe Japan Emerging Markets As of 3 August 8 RD65
Year Sentiment - - Price Momentum 3 Mo. Analyst Price Momentum 3 Mo. Analyst - Year Quality - - - Operating Margin ROE Leverage Operating Margin ROE Leverage Year Risk - -4 - Beta Volatility Size Beta Volatility Size Global Developed United States Europe Japan Emerging Markets Global Market Returns (%)² Month Year 5 Years Global.7.86.98.3 Large Cap.7 3.3.79.4 Small Cap.75.89 4..9 Emerging Markets -3.5-4.67 -. 5.9 United States 3.6 7.76 9.66 4.5 As of 3 August 8
3 Global Developed Factor Returns (%)¹ Month Year 5 Years Value P/B -5.89 -.4 -.4 -.5 P/E (trailing) -3.3 -.6 -.6.35 Yield -4.96 -.6 -.7 -.6 Hist. EPS.7.9.9.33 Proj. EPS 3.6.9.86.4 Hist. Sales 3.5.73.33 -.9 Sentiment Price Momentum 3.86.34.73.47 3 Mo. Analyst Up/Down.4.4.3.4 Quality Operating Margin -.6 -.33 -.44.5 ROE -.43.3 -.9.5 Leverage.5 -.5.5. Risk Beta -. -.37.4 -.3 Volatility 3.3 -.6.8 -.37 Size.3.8.9 -.3 US Factor Returns (%)¹ Month Year 5 Years Value P/B -5.37 -.87 -.54 -.5 P/E (trailing) -.96 -.4 -.4.35 Yield -4.54 -.94 -. -.3 Hist. EPS.. -.9.7 Proj. EPS 5.3.7.75. Hist. Sales 4.8.9 -.5 -.9 Sentiment Price Momentum 4.34.7.6.5 3 Mo. Analyst Up/Down.39.59..3 Quality Operating Margin -3.85 -.8 -. -. ROE -.77.8 -.64 -. Leverage 4.39.99..3 Risk Beta -. -.98..4 Volatility 4.67.67.5 -.33 Size -.8.45 -.8 -. Europe Markets Factor Returns (%)¹ Month Year 5 Years Value P/B -. -. -.9 -.9 P/E (trailing) -.84.34.63.74 Yield -.76 -.4 -.8.5 Hist. EPS.43 -.7..53 Proj. EPS.93.5..4 Hist. Sales.93.3.39.6 Sentiment Price Momentum.48.8.7.5 3 Mo. Analyst Up/Down.7.4.78.44 Quality Operating Margin.67.3.66.35 ROE.8.89.43.43 Leverage -.69 -.54 -.9.4 Risk Beta -.35 -.53 -.57 -.59 Volatility -.6 -.43 -.7 -.5 Size -.9.5.38 -.3 As of 3 August 8
4 Japan Factor Returns (%)¹ Month Year 5 Years Value P/B -.77.77 -.7.5 P/E (trailing).8.86..58 Yield -.69.3 -..46 Hist. EPS -. -.5.33.3 Proj. EPS -.4 -.78.8.8 Hist. Sales.8 -.4.7. Sentiment Price Momentum.58 -.5.3 -.3 3 Mo. Analyst Up/Down -.88 -.99 -.54 -.6 Quality Operating Margin -.6..33 -.4 ROE.68 -.33.8.6 Leverage -.85 -.75 -.9.9 Risk Beta.4.4 -.3. Volatility.7 -.6.39 -.7 Size.75.4 -. -.45 Emerging Markets Factor Returns (%)¹ Month Year 5 Years Value P/B -.58 -.7 -.9. P/E (trailing) -..53.78.7 Yield...7.76 Hist. EPS -.39 -.86.4.3 Proj. EPS -.8 -.6 -.8.3 Hist. Sales -.8 -.3 -.5. Sentiment Price Momentum.7 -.59..5 3 Mo. Analyst Up/Down 3.5.75.59.88 Quality Operating Margin..9.67.7 ROE..84.66.5 Leverage.8.7.7 -.7 Risk Beta -.63 -.7 -.38.3 Volatility -4.67-3.38 -.49 -.8 Size -..64.5 -.3 As of 3 August 8
Lazard Asset Management Notes Factor performance is based on a universe of developed market and emerging market stocks with a market capitalization of $mm or greater (approximately 6, companies). Factor returns reflect the return differential, computed monthly, for an equal weighted composite of stocks ranked in the top and bottom % (quintile) for each measure shown. For example, each month the aggregate return for stocks ranking in the bottom % in terms of operating margins is subtracted from the aggregate return for stocks ranking in the top %. The difference is the return displayed. The monthly differences are averaged for longer time periods. The calculation for P/B, P/E and leverage reflect the performance difference between the lowest quintile less the highest quintile. For all other measures, the difference reflects the difference between the highest quintile less the lowest quintile. P/B is calculated as current market price divided by book value. P/E is calculated as current market price divided year trailing earnings. Yield is calculated as most recent dividend by current market price. Historic EPS is calculated as a 5 year trailing earnings per share growth. Projected EPS growth is calculated as IBES analyst forecasted 3-5 year growth in earnings per share. Historic Sales is calculated on a 5 year trailing growth in sales revenue. Price momentum is calculated as the month change in USD price. 3 Mo. Analyst Up/Down is calculated as the change in the average EPS estimate over the past three months. Operating margin is calculated as net operating income divided by total revenue. ROE is calculated as the net income divided by shareholder s equity. Leverage is calculated as outstanding debt divided by shareholder s equity. Beta is calculated against local market indices for periods up to 36 months. Volatility is calculated on a trailing 7 day average of USD based price returns. Size is market capitalization as calculated according to MSCI. Market return data is as of 3 August 8 and is based on the following indices: Global S&P Global BMI; Large Cap S&P Global LargeMidCap; Small Cap S&P Global SmallCap; Emerging Markets S&P Emerging BMI; US S&P 5 Important Information Published on 4 September 8. This document reflects the views of Lazard Asset Management LLC or its affiliates ( Lazard ) based upon information believed to be reliable as of the publication date. There is no guarantee that any forecast or opinion will be realized. This document is provided by Lazard Asset Management LLC or its affiliates ( Lazard ) for informational purposes only. Nothing herein constitutes investment advice or a recommendation relating to any security, commodity, derivative, investment management service or investment product. Investments in securities, derivatives and commodities involve risk, will fluctuate in price, and may result in losses. 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Securities in certain non-domestic countries may be less liquid, more volatile, and less subject to governmental supervision than in one s home market. The values of these securities may be affected by changes in currency rates, application of a country s specific tax laws, changes in government administration, and economic and monetary policy. Small- and mid-capitalization stocks may be subject to higher degrees of risk, their earnings may be less predictable, their prices more volatile, and their liquidity less than that of large-capitalization or more established companies securities. Emerging market securities carry special risks, such as less developed or less efficient trading markets, a lack of company information, and differing auditing and legal standards. The securities markets of emerging market countries can be extremely volatile; performance can also be influenced by political, social, and economic factors affecting companies in emerging market countries. 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