Photo by Christopher Wheeler
When did you start investing?
My first investment was with my first IRA contribution in 1992. The previous year had been a really good one for stocks and most indicators showed an economy on the rebound from the 1990 recession, but jobs were not being created as quickly as in previous recoveries. Stocks were trading near all-time highs, which made me wonder if I should wait for a better time to buy. Adding to the angst, it was an election year, and the jobs issue made what initially looked like would an easy re-election for the incumbent less certain.
The pace of the recovery was so tepid that a relatively unknown governor from Arkansas was gaining momentum with an entire presidential campaign strategy built around the phrase, “It’s the economy, Stupid”. In addition, a straight talking billionaire was attracting attention for memorable quips such as his description of job losses to Mexico causing a "giant sucking sound". All the while, the President couldn't believe that so many people read lips.
Despite all that doubt, the S&P 500® had a respectable return of 7.6% that year. In fact, with dividends reinvested, the fund I invested in is now worth over four times as much as my initial contribution.
Along the way, there were many uncertainties that tested my risk tolerance. Looking back now, it can seem obvious that taking risks and staying the course was the right decision. However, at the time they occurred, the ever present concerns about bubbles, busts, inflation, deflation, terrorism, war, the economy, etc, tested even the most steadfast investors.
Perhaps I owe some of my resolve to growing up just a few miles from Uncertain. Uncertain, Texas, that is. If you're not familiar, check out this recently released Ewan McNicol documentary titled, "Uncertain". It has absolutely nothing to do with investing, but it will give you some insight into living on troubled waters deep behind the Pine Curtain of East Texas.
Today, the worries in the investing world may be different than in 1992 (or not), but the concept of risk and reward is ever present. This week, I share with you the latest Issue Brief from my friends at Dimensional Funds that explores the paradox of uncertainty.
In addition, I’ve included a short video on dealing with uncertainty from DFA’s founder and Executive Chairman, David Booth.
I hope you enjoy the information. Get in touch if you’re feeling, well, uncertain.
The Uncertainty Paradox
May 2017
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one."
—Voltaire
“The market hates uncertainty” has been a common enough saying in recent years, but how logical is it? There are many different aspects to uncertainty, some that can be measured and some that cannot. Uncertainty is an unchangeable condition of existence. As individuals, we can feel more or less uncertain, but that is a distinctly human phenomenon. Rather than ebbing and flowing with investor sentiment, uncertainty is an inherent and ever-present part of investing in markets. Any investment that has an expected return above the prevailing “risk-free rate” (think T-Bills for US investors) involves trading off certainty for a potentially increased return.
Consider this concept through the lens of stock vs. bond investments. Stocks have higher expected returns than bonds largely because there is more uncertainty about the future state of the world for equity investors than bond investors. Bonds, for the most part, have fixed coupon payments and a maturity date at which principal is expected to be repaid. Stocks have neither. Bonds also sit higher in a company’s capital structure. In the event a firm goes bust, bondholders get paid before stockholders. So, do investors avoid stocks in favor of bonds as a result of this increased uncertainty? Quite the contrary, many investors end up allocating capital to stocks due to their higher expected return. In the end, many investors are often willing to make the tradeoff of bearing some increased uncertainty for potentially higher returns.
MANAGING EMOTIONS
While the statement “the market hates uncertainty” may not be totally logical, it doesn’t mean it lacks educational value. Thinking about what the statement is expressing allows us to gain insight into the mindset of individuals. The statement attempts to personify the market by ascribing the very real nervousness and fear felt by some investors when volatility increases. It is recognition of the fact that when markets go up and down, many investors struggle to separate their emotions from their investments. It ultimately tells us that for many an investor, regardless of whether markets are reaching new highs or declining, changes in market prices can be a source of anxiety. During these periods, it may not feel like a good time to invest. Only with the benefit of hindsight do we feel as if we know whether any time period was a good one to be invested. Unfortunately, while the past may be prologue, the future will forever remain uncertain.
STAYING IN YOUR SEAT
In a recent interview, David Booth was asked about what it means to be a long-term investor:
“People often ask the question, ‘How long do I have to wait for an investment strategy to pay off? How long do I have to wait so I’m confident that stocks will have a higher return than money market funds, or have a positive return?’ And my answer is it’s at least one year longer than you’re willing to give. There is no magic number. Risk is always there.”
Part of being able to stay unemotional during periods when it feels like uncertainty has increased is having an appropriate asset allocation that is in line with an investor’s willingness and ability to bear risk. It also helps to remember that, during what feels like good times and bad, one wouldn’t expect to earn a higher return without taking on some form of risk. While a decline in markets may not feel good, having a portfolio you are comfortable with, understanding that uncertainty is part of investing, and sticking to a plan that is agreed upon in advance and reviewed on a regular basis can help keep investors from reacting emotionally. This may ultimately lead to a better investment experience.
Source: Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of market loss.
All expressions of opinion are subject to change. This article is distributed for informational purposes, and it is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement of any particular security, products, or services.