Investment markets ROCKED. Now What?

 

We want to take a moment to update you on our thoughts related to the coronavirus. Its impact on the financial markets, and, ultimately, on your personal financial planning and retirement plans.

Going into this New Year, many stock markets around the world were trading near all-time highs including major indexes here in Australia, US, Canada, and the UK.

In fact, since the end of The Great Recession in 2009, many stock markets around the world have seen their prices double or even triple in price.

In the US, for example, the S&P 500 index, a broad measure of the stock market, saw its price increase from under 700 in March 2009 to over 3,300 this month.

Here in Australia, the ASX200 has gone from 3,145 at the depths of the Global Financial Crisis in 2009 to recent new highs of 7,162 on the 20th of February this year.  Currently, the ASX200 sits at  6,441, the date of writing this.

Of course, markets don’t go up forever. Sometimes, they just flatline for a while as company earnings catch up with stock price valuations.

Other times, they see violent drops that make big headlines, like the “Black Monday” stock market crash on October 19, 1987 that was felt around the world.

Today, the coronavirus is triggering a steep stock market selloff around the world.

As of this writing, major market indexes here in Australia, US, Europe, and Japan are down 10% or more from recent all-time highs, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Top investor Warren Buffett famously wrote, “It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who’s been swimming naked.”

Well, the tide is going out. The good news is, as stewards of your financial well-being, we prepare for situations like this even though we never know what may trigger them.

Three Keys

Here are three keys we’d like you to keep in mind as we work through the unfolding virus situation and its impact on you and your financial situation.

First, fear is a natural reaction. We’re human and as humans, we’re hardwired to react to situations that threaten us.

In this situation, we have a double whammy of fear. There’s the virus that can cause us bodily harm and the market reaction that can cause us financial loss.

Related to the virus, nobody knows how bad the situation will get. All we can do is take appropriate precautions and trust that researchers will find a way to eradicate it sooner rather than later.

By contrast, your reaction to the financial markets is something within your control. We know it’s no fun seeing your portfolio drop. But we also know market volatility is normal and expected. The key is to zoom out and look at the long-term big picture.

Your investments are designed to support your long-term objectives, not today’s needs.

And just like in farming, where we know there will be some lean years when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate and other years when there’s a bumper crop, the financial markets are similar.

Financial markets react to shocks to the system and we are seeing one now.

In situations like this, our job is to bring perspective, to help you see that swift market drops are not unusual.

And yes, the headlines are scary and they can bring our “fear” instincts to the surface.

We believe the best response is to acknowledge what you’re feeling, reach out to us if that would be helpful, and have confidence that we are on top of the situation.

Second, we are closely following the situation and will make adjustments as warranted. Sometimes, situations like this create opportunities for you.

For example, as prices drop, we may have an opportunity to “rebalance” your portfolio and shift your asset allocation.

This means we might be able to “sell one thing and buy another” as a way to get your portfolio back to a desired mix that is most appropriate for you.

Third, be prepared emotionally for more volatility.

In today’s financial markets, many trades are triggered automatically by algorithmically driven computers.

Once certain “technical levels” are reached, these computers, often run by large hedge funds, start selling (or buying) indiscriminately.

And many of them are programmed to “trigger” based on the same technical levels. This “piling on” can lead to very eye-popping volatility—both on the downside and upside.

And keep in mind that in the short term, market movements can be heavily influenced by fear and computerized trading, while in the long term, they tend to reflect broader-based economic trends.

As investors, the challenge is to not let the difficulties of the short term prevent us from reaping the potential benefits of sound, long-term investing.

The approach we adopt for you stands the test of time

It’s important in times like these to reflect on the strategy we have in place for you to manage when BIG market swings occur.

#1 You hold an account with enough cash in it to cover emergencies.  Call it a get out of jail free card.  Funds available and not at risk when something unexpected pops up.

#2 Sufficient holdings in cash to cover upcoming lump sum capital expenses.

#3 Enough cash inside income streams to cover your income should markets not be nice to you.

#4  Taking just enough risk to get the job done.  Therefore, no one is overexposed.

In simple terms, you have the security and confidence of knowing that no matter what is going on in investment markets, you still get to enjoy the lifestyle you have worked so hard for.

You do not need to react to market gyrations.

However, for some of you that hold more cash than you need, it’s an opportunity to enter the investment when it’s on SALE!

Here to Help

Your financial well-being is our number one objective. We continue to work hard behind the scenes to monitor this unfolding situation and recommend actions as appropriate. If you have any questions about your specific situation, please contact us. We are here to help. Thank you for your continued trust and confidence.

Here’s to your incredible retirement!

Glenn

 

Knowing is easy, doing in hard…

Glenn Doherty – CFP – Founder & Financial Organiser at Jigsaw Private Wealth

Helping busy professionals, business owners, and pre-retirees retire ready in better financial shape because living your best life is what matters most.

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Advice Disclaimer: Any reference in this publication to the provision of advice refers to advice of a generic nature, and should not be taken as product or investment recommendations. Before any action is taken based on the information provided, independent financial advice from a licensed financial adviser should be sought. Financial Freedom Project Pty Ltd ATF GA & DC Doherty Family Trust Trading as Jigsaw Private Wealth is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Exelsuper Advice Pty Ltd. The information contained in this publication is of a factual nature only and is not intended to constitute financial product advice. Information is current as at date of publication. This is an online information blog. It does not imply an offering of securities.

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