Halloween. A fun season for some people. A dreaded season for others. For those Halloween enthusiasts out there who love the thrill of a good scare, do you want that same feeling when it comes to your finances? Absolutely not. But, as the weather begins to turn and the holidays feel just around the corner, look at the markets and ask yourself this question: Do I remember all those times my financial advisor said that investment risks and expected rewards are related? Let’s briefly pause the scary-movie marathon and remind ourselves of some helpful tips to navigate uneasy markets.
Coronavirus-fueled fears, driving economic insecurities, aggravating a host of simmering global sore spots, spiraling into stomach-wrenching market sell-offs …
In case you’ve forgotten – or never experienced – what investment risk feels like, we reach out to you today with three encouraging thoughts, to help you face any challenges ahead.
For Real: Risks DO Drive Expected Returns
First, be assured, our advice on how to invest during volatile markets remains the same:
As a train needs its engine to move, markets require risks to drive them onward and upward.
Rather than spending too much time tracking passing headlines or watching every market move, consider reading a good book. For example, there’s Ben Carlson’s recently released “Don’t Fall For It: A Short History of Financial Scams.”
Carlson describes how the U.S. stock market (the S&P 500) has delivered a satisfying 9.5% annual return from 1928–2008. But during that time, there were only 3 years when returns hovered tamely between 9%–11%. Usually, annual returns deviated wildly from their norm.
So, yes, markets are risky. But here’s the reward to be expected in return: Most years (66 out of 91), steadfast investors earned positive returns, usually in the double-digits. Carlson concluded:
“Every successful investor must understand there is a sacred relationship between risk and reward. There is no proven way to earn a high return on your capital without taking some form of risk nor is it possible to completely extinguish risk from your investments.”
Preparation Beats Panic
It’s one thing to embrace abstract risk. It’s quite another to endure it for real. So, second, remember this:
You have never been more prepared than you are today for whatever happens next.
In other words, if you’re worrying that NOW is the time to do something about the markets, consider what we’ve already been doing all along.
We’ve already been helping you identify the right balance between your willingness, ability, and need to tolerate risks. We’ve already been working with you to create your own investment plan, with your assets allocated accordingly. We’ve already been building and managing your evidence-based, globally diversified portfolio to capture the market’s long-term expected returns.
In other words, you’re not only already “doing something,” that “something” is expected to remain your best strategy for riding out any bad news to come.
In the Face of Market Risks, We’ve Got Your Back
Now that investment risks are being realized, you may also be realizing your risk tolerance isn’t what you thought it would be. No shame, no blame. How could you have known in theory what your tolerances are for real? If you’re second-guessing yourself today, there are two possibilities:
You may be right. You may not be cut out financially and/or emotionally to withstand sustained risks to your investments. If this is the case, let’s revisit your plans, and talk about how to prudently adjust your risk exposures without sacrificing too many of your financial goals.
You may be wrong. It’s possible you are experiencing blind spot bias. That is, while we can often see when someone else is succumbing to an ill-advised behavior, such as fear or risk aversion, we often cannot see it when we’re experiencing it ourselves. Carlson addressed blind spot bias in his book. He pointed to research that has suggested, even once you know you have a blind spot, you still may not be able to overcome all the damaging biases you’re still not seeing.
That’s one of the primary reasons you’ve engaged us as your fiduciary financial advisor. If the breaking news is leaving you feeling strained to a breaking point, here’s one fast action we recommend: Please be in touch with us immediately. Together, we’ll take an objective look at your thoughts, hopes, and fears. Together, we’ll continue to chart a sensible course forward.
Multnomah Group is a registered investment adviser, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any information contained herein or on Multnomah Group’s website is provided for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Multnomah Group does not provide legal or tax advice.