As we have mentioned to a number of clients over the past few weeks it’s a perfectly normal human reaction to be anxious when markets fall. It’s natural, as well, to be concerned about the spread of coronavirus, the prospects for the economy, and the impact that both of things might have on us and our loved ones.
But you can be concerned and anxious and stay rational. You can admit to having not the faintest clue where markets are heading and feel sure that you’re doing the right thing.
This post by MICHAEL BATNICK from Ritholtz Wealth Management in New York City sums it up perfectly.
It’s impossible to deny the seriousness of what we’re dealing with. For the first time in a long time, the world is blanketed in fear. And for the first time in a long time, everybody is talking about their investments.
If we’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s how tribal the world is. We want to belong to a club, whether that’s in sports, in politics, and in investing, as we’re all about to find out.
The stock market has entered the public arena like only a bear market can. Over the next few days, weeks and probably months, you’re going to be hearing from a lot of people about what you’re doing with your money.
— Are you getting out? I got out last week.
There’s always an element of peer pressure in the market, but usually it’s internal. The fear of missing out is comes from within. The fear of getting caught in a bear market hits you from all directions, with the media, friends, family, and coworkers all saying something like:
— Wait, you’re not selling? Stocks are too risky. Don’t you see that?
Stocks are always risky, even if we don’t always feel it. And yes, you’d have to be living under a rock to not feel risk right now, but you’d be a fool to think you can successfully navigate it.
— Everybody’s panicking. You’re not?
No, everybody is not panicking, it’s just that you’re only hearing from the people who are. And these people want you to join them because everything is tribal. We’re herd creatures and we feel safer together, especially during market dislocations.
When everybody does the same thing, everybody gets confirmation that they made the right decision. Nobody wants to be alone on an island. It’s much more comfortable to panic with your peers than to stay the course on an island.
— Still in the market, huh?
They’ll say, as they breathe a heavy sigh, raise their eyebrows and shake their head. It’s hard to ignore this day after day and week after week, especially if the market keeps going lower.
But, when this thing finally does end, there will be a rally so fast and so furious that it will leave the people who sold like a deer in the headlights. They won’t know what to do. The idea that people who sell out of fear will buy out of greed is misguided at best.
If you’re making drastic changes to your pension fund, just stop. There is too much on the line. What you’re really doing is ensuring you’ll have less money in the future because you’re uncomfortable today.
It’s OK to be uncomfortable, in fact it is guaranteed that over the course of your investing life, you will feel this very same emotion half a dozen times, maybe many more.
You can be worried about lower prices tomorrow and still confident in higher returns in the future. That should be the default setting right now.
This article was first published on Michael Batnick’s blog, The Irrelevant Investor.
We are here to help
Our clients’ financial well-being is our number one objective. We continue to work hard behind the scenes to monitor this unfolding situation. If you have any questions about your specific situation, please contact us. We are here to help.
This advice may not be suitable to you because it contains general advice that has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal financial and tax/or legal advice prior to acting on this information. Before acquiring a financial product a person should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product and consider the contents of the PDS before making a decision about whether to acquire the product. The material contained in this document is based on information received in good faith from sources within the market, and on our understanding of legislation and Government press releases at the date of publication, which are believed to be reliable and accurate. Opinions constitute our judgment at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the Oreana Group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Gordon Thoms and David Conte of Calibre Private Wealth Advisers are Authorised Representatives of Oreana Financial Services Limited ABN 91 607 515 122, an Australian Financial Services Licensee, Registered office at Level 7, 484 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004. This site is designed for Australian residents only. Nothing on this website is an offer or a solicitation of an offer to acquire any products or services, by any person or entity outside of Australia.