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Investing.com -- Barclays said in a note Thursday that it favours large-cap and value stocks over small-cap and growth equities in the United States, even after a sharp rebound in technology shares that recently lifted growth and momentum strategies.
“We prefer Large & Value styles over Small & Growth in the US,” Barclays (LON:BARC) analysts wrote in their latest Equity Factor Insights report.
They cited a volatile and uncertain macroeconomic backdrop, persistent recession risks, and elevated interest rates as key reasons behind their positioning.
“High Yield, low beta Value stocks offer relative safety,” the bank said, adding that macro and trade risks continue to support value’s domestic tilt.
While growth stocks saw a “surge” in performance, particularly driven by a tech rally since April 8, Barclays noted that earnings revisions outside of mega-cap tech “are now below trend,” and warned that the sector remains vulnerable to policy headwinds.
“We remain Neutral on Growth in US due to its high beta and weak FY earnings revisions (relative to historical trends) outside mega-cap Tech,” they said.
On the size factor, Barclays reiterated its preference for large caps in the U.S., citing “better exposure to Quality, better Sales/EPS growth, and much lower leverage/refinance risk.”
In contrast, they continue to favor small caps in Europe, where domestic exposure offers some insulation from global trade volatility.
Barclays also maintained a negative view on momentum and high-volatility stocks in the U.S., which “have higher correlation in a volatile market.” They highlighted that low-volatility strategies tend to outperform in distressed environments.
Despite easing inflation potentially supporting growth, Barclays cautioned that “still-unfolding tariff impacts” could weigh on sentiment. For now, they see value and yield as more attractive on both a fundamental and tactical basis.