In a world of flux, fundamentals (and active stock picking) matter

The global macroeconomic and geopolitical outlook remains in a state of considerable flux as we progress into 2025. Administration change and policy uncertainty in the U.S. have added to a growing sense of nervousness about the near-term market outlook. The backdrop presents a distinct challenge for investors looking for assets with the potential to generate attractive returns while still offering a measure of downside support.

We believe the best approach in a more challenging environment is to try to find high-quality, durable compounder companies. Characteristics of these types of companies include a track record of consistent double-digit earnings growth; enough pricing power to pass on higher costs should inflation prove sticky; and can potentially provide insulation from tariffs in the event of an escalating trade war. 

Consistent compounders of wealth are rare

In our experience, relatively few companies have been able to consistently compound shareholder wealth at superior rates of return, year on year, over time. Most companies are erratic or inferior creators of long-term wealth, very much beholden to favorable market and economic conditions to excel.

"We believe that companies with strong franchise quality have a sustainable, secular advantage that competitors generally have difficulty duplicating."

Identifying quality durable compounders

(Fig. 1) Looking for sustainable, “all weather” attributes

As of March 2025.
For illustrative purposes only. These represent typical attributes but can vary. There is no guarantee that favorable attributes will persist in the future.
Source: T. Rowe Price.

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We believe that companies with strong franchise quality have a sustainable, secular advantage that competitors generally have difficulty duplicating. These characteristics include a favorable industry construct like a duopoly, leading innovation, strong brand recognition, customer loyalty, distribution networks, and/or data leverage. Companies with these features are typically most prevalent in industries where capital intensity is relatively low and where consistent, growing demand can support pricing power. Durable compounder companies exist in various sectors of the economy, with opportunities spanning the financials, consumer discretionary, communication services, health care, and technology sectors.

Strong, durable compounding companies are less common in more capital‑intensive industries, such as traditional telecommunications, utilities, oil and gas exploration and production, and commodities. These businesses tend to be highly cyclical due to their high fixed-cost structures, making them more economically sensitive and often dependent on commodity prices to drive earnings. As a result, they do not usually deliver consistent earnings and predictable returns on invested capital (ROIC).

Meanwhile, some high-growth businesses may also experience negative earnings and free cash flow as they invest heavily in the early stage of the “S curve"¹ business life cycle. They may also be vulnerable to rapid innovation, intense competition, and even displacement if they lack many of the durable characteristics mentioned earlier.

Why focusing on fundamentals matters

The key financial characteristic of durable compounders is that they usually enjoy sustainable, high ROIC generated by a combination of recurring revenues, high gross margins, and pricing power due to their favorable market positioning. Importantly, durable compounders have historically tended to perform relatively well during economic downturns, given their more predictable and steady operational cash flows. Profits have tended to be less sensitive to economic conditions and so may provide more consistent performance in times of uncertainty. This “low cyclicality of top-line demand” characteristic stems from dominant market positioning and strong brand loyalty and so has the potential to insulate durable compounders from the negative cyclical impacts of a weaker economic environment.

Another key characteristic of a durable compounder relates to the quality and focus of its management. Management teams that have demonstrated a history of disciplined capital allocation and efficient use of free cash flow are another important aspect of pursuing durable compounders.

Durable compounder examples

(Fig. 2) Key characteristics in focus

As of March 2025.
For illustrative purposes only. The specific securities identified and described are for informational purposes only and do not represent recommendations.
Source: T. Rowe Price.

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Companies equipped for challenges ahead

The challenge for equities in the near term will be to continue to grind higher in an environment of increasingly wider outcomes and poor visibility due to U.S. policy upheaval. Market valuations are high despite a range of macroeconomic and political risks. This all makes for a more uncertain period over the next 12 months—an environment in which company earnings may be more vulnerable and some businesses may struggle to deliver top-line growth.

We believe that durable compounder businesses are best equipped to navigate the near-term landscape. These are high-quality companies built on recurring revenues, strong industry positioning, high margins, and low capital intensity. Add to this the fact that many of these strong franchise stocks remain relatively attractively priced, relative to their long-term intrinsic value and to the broader market, and the overall appeal of these companies looks particularly enticing.