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Avoid The Perils Of Market (Mis) Timing

Larry Solomon

MBA, CFP®, Client Advisor

Summary

Chart shows market perils
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Originally published in Money and Finance, October 2019

Markets that experience sudden, sharp selloffs, like those we saw in the fourth quarter of 2018 and recently in 2019, see two things happen. First, bearish “sell everything” headlines appear everywhere. Second, investors struggle with the impulse to sell all their stocks and go to cash.

Bad News Sells

These reactions are understandable. The financial media knows that bad news sells, and investors are simply reacting based on survival instinct to protect themselves.  The moment investors capitulate, however, they become market timers, often with disastrous results.

Hardcoded for Loss Aversion

Behavioral economists tell us that we as humans are hardwired to dislike losses about twice as much as we enjoy gains. During a market decline, our instinct is to try to prevent more losses, but ironically, that decision almost always leads to being out of the market for the gains that follow.

Investors will often justify the decision to liquidate assets during a decline with the presumption that they will be able to reinvest again when stocks resume their rise. This mindset is fundamentally flawed for two reasons. First, it’s statistically impossible for anyone to know when stocks will rise and fall. In addition, buying stocks (or anything else) after they’ve risen is counterproductive and counterintuitive, like waiting for the price of grocery items to go back up before you buy them.

The Cost of Missing the Best Days

The perils of market timing are frequently quantified in terms of the negative impact missing the market’s best days has on portfolio returns. According to data from Morningstar, investors in the S&P 500 index who stayed invested for all 5,035 trading days from 1999 through 2018 gained an average of 5.6% annually. If those same investors missed only the 10 best days over those 20 years, their returns fell to 2.0% annually, and if they missed the best 30 days, returns were a dismal -2.4% annually, replacing all their gains with annual losses.

You Can’t Avoid the Worst Days, Either

But what if the opposite were true, and market timing could be used to avoid the 10 worst days in the stock market? In theory, returns could be higher; however, that decision probably means not participating on the good days needed to produce higher returns, because 6 of the 10 best market days occurred within 2 weeks of the 10 worst ones!

Don’t Do Something, Just Stand There

Before jettisoning stocks in response to increased volatility or negative headlines, investors need to review why they own equities in the first place. Most would say it’s because they need the long-term growth that stocks have historically delivered to achieve their financial goals. And therein lies this simple truth: To realize the long-term growth that stocks provide, you have to be willing to stick with them through the highs and lows. After all, without volatility, there would be no reason to expect higher returns from stocks.

Investors assume the risk in order to obtain the long-term rewards. So, the next time there is a market selloff, don’t react; instead, heed the sage advice of late Vanguard founder Jack Bogle, who said, “Don’t do something, just stand there!” Remember, there is no such thing as market timing, only market (mis) timing.

Mercer Advisors Inc. is the parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”) is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Some of the research and ratings shown in this presentation come from third parties that are not affiliated with Mercer Advisors. The information is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed or warranted by Mercer Advisors. Content, research, tools, and stock or option symbols are for educational and illustrative purposes only and do not imply a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell a particular security or to engage in any particular investment strategy. For financial planning advice specific to your circumstances, talk to a qualified professional at Mercer Advisors. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Therefore, no current or prospective client should assume that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy or product made reference to directly or indirectly, will be profitable or equal to past performance levels. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Changes in investment strategies, contributions or withdrawals may materially alter the performance and results of your portfolio. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or profitable for a client’s investment portfolio. Historical performance results for investment indexes and/or categories, generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial charges or the deduction of an investment-management fee, the incurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results. Economic factors, market conditions, and investment strategies will affect the performance of any portfolio and there are no assurances that it will match or outperform any particular benchmark. This document may contain forward-looking statements including statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to market conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. While due care has been used in the preparation of forecast information, actual results may vary in a materially positive or negative manner. Forecasts and hypothetical examples are subject to uncertainty and contingencies outside Mercer Advisors’ control.

Mercer Advisors Inc. is the parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”) is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Some of the research and ratings shown in this presentation come from third parties that are not affiliated with Mercer Advisors. The information is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed or warranted by Mercer Advisors. Content, research, tools, and stock or option symbols are for educational and illustrative purposes only and do not imply a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell a particular security or to engage in any particular investment strategy. For financial planning advice specific to your circumstances, talk to a qualified professional at Mercer Advisors. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Therefore, no current or prospective client should assume that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy or product made reference to directly or indirectly, will be profitable or equal to past performance levels. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Changes in investment strategies, contributions or withdrawals may materially alter the performance and results of your portfolio. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or profitable for a client’s investment portfolio. Historical performance results for investment indexes and/or categories, generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial charges or the deduction of an investment-management fee, the incurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results. Economic factors, market conditions, and investment strategies will affect the performance of any portfolio and there are no assurances that it will match or outperform any particular benchmark. This document may contain forward-looking statements including statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to market conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. While due care has been used in the preparation of forecast information, actual results may vary in a materially positive or negative manner. Forecasts and hypothetical examples are subject to uncertainty and contingencies outside Mercer Advisors’ control.