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2021 Fourth Quarter Insights

The 4 Rules of Investing

1. “Investing is a marathon and not a sprint.”
2. “Do no harm.”
3. “Knowledge creates success; stay calm, objective and long-term oriented.”
4. “Choose carefully what you read and to whom you listen.”


“In my view, the biggest investment risk is not the volatility of prices, but whether you will suffer a permanent loss of capital. Not only is the mere drop in stock prices not risk, but it is an opportunity. Where else do you look for cheap stocks?”
– Li Lu, Himalayan Capital

The Delta Variant, Inflation, Interest Rates and Debt Ceiling (OMG!)

The third quarter was full of anxiety for the average investor with lots of chatter on the Delta Variant, inflation, interest rates, the Federal Reserve discussions about tapering some of its much-needed COVID-19 economic stimulus and so much more. The Delta Variant has been more disruptive than originally thought and responsible for most of the supply chain disruptions and recent finished goods production deficiencies. Unfortunately, when factories shut down, countries lockdown and businesses are forced to close, this creates temporary or transitory effects on the price of goods driving costs higher for us consumers. This transitory inflation should start to abate as herd immunity continues, the vaccinated population grows and hopeful approvals of other simpler therapeutics are introduced in the market, like Merck’s new experimental COVID-19 drug treatment. In a clinical trial, Merck’s new oral therapeutic reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half of those recently affected. Imagine the Tamiflu for COVID-19, a simple pill that would help control future waves of the virus. These types of therapies, combined with the effectiveness of vaccinations, are providing hope today and will have a dramatic effect on supply chains, factory production and the cost of goods across the world.

Inflation normally leads to higher interest rates, thus a slowdown in inflation could result in interest rates rising at a much more gradual and controlled rate. Moderate inflation, which should help boost consumer demand during a slowly rising rate environment, often is not a negative for equity markets. During the period from December 2015 through December 2018, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates nine times and the S&P 500 rose by nearly 40%. Lastly, the debt ceiling, infrastructure bill, reconciliation are concerns since our government officials tend to behave like a dysfunctional family but they often get the people’s business accomplished in a very unorthodox manner. Let politicians be politicians and don’t get caught up with the constant media coverage - change the channel.

Volatility

During the recent 5% pullback in the S&P 500, the Volatility Index has traded in a very orderly fashion and not broken above highs seen during last October’s correction in the S&P 500.

chart-fourth-quarter-21-1

Source: StockCharts.com

S&P 500

The S&P 500 is showing signs of consolidation after a 15% YTD return in 2021 and 16% return in 2020.

chart-fourth-quarter-21-2

Source: StockCharts.com

The Consumer

The consumer is in a very good position as we come through what hopefully is the back-end of COVID-19. Consumer mortgage lending is low relative to asset value, unlike the early 2000s when mortgage lending to asset values was breaking out to new extreme highs. Consumer credit is rising but not at a rapid pace and the consumer is flush with cash after deleveraging their balance sheet during the COVID-19 crisis. Though we have seen consumer confidence sentiment recently weaken with the spread of the Delta Variant, the consumer’s elevated view of inflation is showing signs of easing. However, it’s more likely that we’ll see a more cautious consumer in the short term until we see some of the headwinds subside.

chart-fourth-quarter-21-3

The CNN Fear and Greed Index

The CNN Fear & Greed Index is an index that uses seven indicators: stock price momentum; stock price strength; stock price breadth; put and call options; junk bond demand; market volatility; and safe haven demand. Now that I have bored you with the details, this index recently has been exhibiting extreme fear readings of 24. During the month of August, it registered signs of greed at 57 on the scale. I remind you that at all-time highs in the markets, the average investor was greedy and, after a nearly 5% fall for the S&P 500, the average investor is now fearful. Investing is not a sprint but a marathon. To be truly successful at long-term investing, the investor needs to filter out the noise of short-term fluctuations and focus on the larger picture.

chart-fourth-quarter-21-4

Source: CNN Money

Secular Bull Market

As I often have written, I believe we are in the midst of a large secular bull market similar to the 1982 - 2000 bull market that was interrupted by a 30% crash in October 1987. I believe COVID-19 was our 30% crash. Through the unprecedented Federal Reserve stimulus, the massive amounts of liquidity injected into our system should have a positive long-term effect on asset prices, in particular risk assets. The American consumer came through this period in much better financial condition than pre-COVID-19 with US household net worth increasing by $5.8 trillion dollars to a record of $142 trillion dollars in the month of June. The consumer is healthy and willing to spend, interest rates are low and inflation looks to be peaking as COVID-19 cases are rolling over. The combination of these three elements places us in a very good long-term position as investors. Corporate profits are also at record highs, reinforcing the strength of the American consumer as well as our economy. Yes, there will be corrections, scares, negative headlines and whatever else the media can muster up to distract investors. Stay the course, stay invested and stay long-term focused.

Written by: Nicholas W. Sergio, AIF®
Founder & Chief Investment Officer • Banyan Wealth
Registered Principal & Financial Advisor • RJFS
2021 RJFS Leaders Council Member*

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The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The NASDAQ composite is an unmanaged index of securities traded on the NASDAQ system. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) commonly known as “The Dow” is an index representing 30 stocks of companies maintained and reviewed by the editors of the Wall Street Journal. The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the 2000 smallest companies in the Russel 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russel 3000 Index. BPS stands for Basis Points and refers to a common unity of measure for interest rates, one basis point is equal to 1/100th of 1% or 0.01% it is used to denote the percentage change in a financial instrument. Inclusion of these indexes is for illustrative purposes only. Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Individual investor's results will vary. Past performance is not a guide to future performance, future returns are not guaranteed, and a loss of capital might occur. All investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss of capital. There is no assurance any investment strategy will be successful. All information, data and analysis provided in this report is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. This report does not constitute a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual clients. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete; it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Nicholas Sergio and not necessarily those of Raymond James and are subject to change without notice. Raymond James does not offer tax advice and services. You should discuss any tax matters with the appropriate professional. Holding investments for the long term does not insure a profitable outcome. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Forward looking data is subject to change at any time and there is no assurance that projections will be realized. High-yield bonds are not suitable for all investors. The risk of default may increase due to changes in the issuer’s credit quality. Price changes may occur due to changes in interest rates and the liquidity of the bond. When appropriate, these bonds should only comprise a modest portion of a portfolio. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

* Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of advisor’s future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award/rating.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211001005189/en/

https://money.cnn.com/data/fear-and-greed/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sp500.asp

https://www.conference-board.org/data/consumerconfidence.cfm

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