For our December Client Question of the Month, we thought it would be helpful to update some of our favorite charts that put the year in context and reinforce our investment philosophy. At Winthrop Wealth, we apply a total net worth approach to wealth management that combines both comprehensive financial planning and investment management. Our investment philosophy is based on providing actively managed, well-diversified portfolios, with a long-term focus. We continue to believe this is the optimal approach for helping our clients ultimately reach their goals and objectives.
The following charts support our investment philosophy by demonstrating: the stock market goes up over time, market declines are common, the value of time, and the benefit of portfolio diversification.
The market goes up over time, but returns are not linear The S&P 500 returned +18.4% in 2020, which ranks as the 40th best calendar year ever. The following chart displays the S&P 500’s annual returns since 1928. From 1928 to 2020, the stock market produced a total annualized return of +9.6%. A $1,000 investment in 1928 would be worth over $4.8 million today. We would also like to highlight that this data set starts right before The Great Depression where the market posted a total return of -29.0% throughout the entire 1930s. The total time period includes eleven bear markets, fifteen recessions, and dozens of corrections and pullbacks.
Since 1928, the stock market produced positive results in 68 calendar years vs. 25 years with negative returns. The market went higher in 73% of years with an average return of +20.8% and declined in 27% of years with an average drop of -14.0%. As always, we remind our clients that the market goes up over time, but the returns are not linear. Volatility and negative periods are common, however the longer an investor remains in the market the greater the probability of a positive return.
Market declines are common The following chart displays the S&P 500’s annual return vs. the largest intra-year decline since 1980. Over this period, the S&P 500 has generated a total annualized return of +12.0%. Annual returns ranged from -37.0% to +35.5%. A $1,000 investment in 1980 would be worth over nearly $103,000 today.
Despite strong returns since 1980, this time set includes some of the most volatile periods in history, including the 1987 Crash, Tech Bubble, and Global Financial Crisis. There were plenty of market drops along the way as the average intra-year price decline was -14%. This simply means that at some point each year the S&P 500 dropped by an average of -14%. The data makes sense as since 1950 the stock market has averaged at least one correction each year. This reinforces our long-term investment philosophy – since we plan for stock market volatility and we incorporate these assumptions into our financial plans, we are less likely to overreact when it happens.
Value of time The following chart displays the performance of various stock and bond portfolios over rolling periods. Our time-period runs from January 1976 through December 2020 – this is the longest possible data period we have for both the S&P 500 (stocks) and Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond index (bonds). Rolling periods run from month-to-month over the stated time frame and allow for a larger data set than calendar year periods.
As the rolling time-period increases, the value of the lowest return increases and the range of returns (high – low) decreases. Markets can be extremely volatile in the short-term and equity drawdowns can be severe and occur suddenly. However, we also know that equity markets increase over time. In general, an investor with a long time horizon can afford a heavier allocation to equities because they are able to ride through challenging markets without needing to take withdrawals from their portfolio. The appropriate asset allocation is part of our financial planning process and will be determined by the clients’ unique circumstances, including but not limited to, time-horizon and willingness and ability to take risk.
Benefit of a diversified portfolio Diversification and time are an investor’s two best friends. Diversified portfolios can lead to more consistent and less volatile results than a single asset class. We know that markets can be extremely volatile in the short-term but difficult periods do not last forever. The longer the investment time horizon the greater the odds of positive returns.
To highlight the benefits of diversification, we examined the total return performance of nine separate asset classes and a diversified asset allocation portfolio from 2006 to 2020. Note that from year-to-year many asset classes rotate from top to bottom performers. We will also highlight that the asset allocation portfolio consistently stays the middle. Why is that? Our hypothetical diversified asset allocation portfolio is comprised of 60% equities, 35% fixed income, 2% commodities, and 3% cash. Without getting too technical, the underlying asset classes are not perfectly correlated, in other words, they do not all move in the same direction. Furthermore, asset classes including equities and fixed income can sometimes have a negative correlation, meaning they move in opposite directions and act as a ballast. Over the full time period, the diversified asset allocation portfolio ranks as the 5th best performer, with the 7th lowest volatility, and the 3rd best Sharpe Ratio (risk-adjusted performance).
DISCLOSURES
The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and bonds are subject to availability and change in price.
The prices of small cap stocks and mid cap stocks are generally more volatile than large cap stocks.
All indexes mentioned are unmanaged indexes which cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is comprised of 30 stocks that are major factors in their industries and widely held by individuals and institutional investors.
The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
The Russell 1000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
Russell 1000 Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index of the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including both government and corporate bonds.
The Barclays Capital U.S. Credit Bond Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and agency bonds that are dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than one year.
The Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index is a broad market performance benchmark for the tax-exempt bond market, the bonds included in this index must have a minimum credit rating of at least Baa.
The Barclays Capital US Corporate High Yield Bond index is an index representative of the universe of fixed-rate, non-investment grade debt.
No investment strategy assures success or protects against loss. Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. Rebalancing a portfolio may cause you to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss. All investing involves risk which you should be prepared to bear.
< COMMENTARY
Client Questions | January 11, 2021
Favorite Charts of 2020
By Andrew Murphy, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
For our December Client Question of the Month, we thought it would be helpful to update some of our favorite charts that put the year in context and reinforce our investment philosophy. At Winthrop Wealth, we apply a total net worth approach to wealth management that combines both comprehensive financial planning and investment management. Our investment philosophy is based on providing actively managed, well-diversified portfolios, with a long-term focus. We continue to believe this is the optimal approach for helping our clients ultimately reach their goals and objectives.
The following charts support our investment philosophy by demonstrating: the stock market goes up over time, market declines are common, the value of time, and the benefit of portfolio diversification.
The market goes up over time, but returns are not linear
The S&P 500 returned +18.4% in 2020, which ranks as the 40th best calendar year ever. The following chart displays the S&P 500’s annual returns since 1928. From 1928 to 2020, the stock market produced a total annualized return of +9.6%. A $1,000 investment in 1928 would be worth over $4.8 million today. We would also like to highlight that this data set starts right before The Great Depression where the market posted a total return of -29.0% throughout the entire 1930s. The total time period includes eleven bear markets, fifteen recessions, and dozens of corrections and pullbacks.
Since 1928, the stock market produced positive results in 68 calendar years vs. 25 years with negative returns. The market went higher in 73% of years with an average return of +20.8% and declined in 27% of years with an average drop of -14.0%. As always, we remind our clients that the market goes up over time, but the returns are not linear. Volatility and negative periods are common, however the longer an investor remains in the market the greater the probability of a positive return.
VIEW CHART
Market declines are common
The following chart displays the S&P 500’s annual return vs. the largest intra-year decline since 1980. Over this period, the S&P 500 has generated a total annualized return of +12.0%. Annual returns ranged from -37.0% to +35.5%. A $1,000 investment in 1980 would be worth over nearly $103,000 today.
Despite strong returns since 1980, this time set includes some of the most volatile periods in history, including the 1987 Crash, Tech Bubble, and Global Financial Crisis. There were plenty of market drops along the way as the average intra-year price decline was -14%. This simply means that at some point each year the S&P 500 dropped by an average of -14%. The data makes sense as since 1950 the stock market has averaged at least one correction each year. This reinforces our long-term investment philosophy – since we plan for stock market volatility and we incorporate these assumptions into our financial plans, we are less likely to overreact when it happens.
VIEW CHART
Value of time
The following chart displays the performance of various stock and bond portfolios over rolling periods. Our time-period runs from January 1976 through December 2020 – this is the longest possible data period we have for both the S&P 500 (stocks) and Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond index (bonds). Rolling periods run from month-to-month over the stated time frame and allow for a larger data set than calendar year periods.
As the rolling time-period increases, the value of the lowest return increases and the range of returns (high – low) decreases. Markets can be extremely volatile in the short-term and equity drawdowns can be severe and occur suddenly. However, we also know that equity markets increase over time. In general, an investor with a long time horizon can afford a heavier allocation to equities because they are able to ride through challenging markets without needing to take withdrawals from their portfolio. The appropriate asset allocation is part of our financial planning process and will be determined by the clients’ unique circumstances, including but not limited to, time-horizon and willingness and ability to take risk.
VIEW CHART
Benefit of a diversified portfolio
Diversification and time are an investor’s two best friends. Diversified portfolios can lead to more consistent and less volatile results than a single asset class. We know that markets can be extremely volatile in the short-term but difficult periods do not last forever. The longer the investment time horizon the greater the odds of positive returns.
To highlight the benefits of diversification, we examined the total return performance of nine separate asset classes and a diversified asset allocation portfolio from 2006 to 2020. Note that from year-to-year many asset classes rotate from top to bottom performers. We will also highlight that the asset allocation portfolio consistently stays the middle. Why is that? Our hypothetical diversified asset allocation portfolio is comprised of 60% equities, 35% fixed income, 2% commodities, and 3% cash. Without getting too technical, the underlying asset classes are not perfectly correlated, in other words, they do not all move in the same direction. Furthermore, asset classes including equities and fixed income can sometimes have a negative correlation, meaning they move in opposite directions and act as a ballast. Over the full time period, the diversified asset allocation portfolio ranks as the 5th best performer, with the 7th lowest volatility, and the 3rd best Sharpe Ratio (risk-adjusted performance).
DISCLOSURES
The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and bonds are subject to availability and change in price.
The prices of small cap stocks and mid cap stocks are generally more volatile than large cap stocks.
All indexes mentioned are unmanaged indexes which cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is comprised of 30 stocks that are major factors in their industries and widely held by individuals and institutional investors.
The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
The Russell 1000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
Russell 1000 Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index of the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including both government and corporate bonds.
The Barclays Capital U.S. Credit Bond Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and agency bonds that are dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than one year.
The Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index is a broad market performance benchmark for the tax-exempt bond market, the bonds included in this index must have a minimum credit rating of at least Baa.
The Barclays Capital US Corporate High Yield Bond index is an index representative of the universe of fixed-rate, non-investment grade debt.
No investment strategy assures success or protects against loss. Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. Rebalancing a portfolio may cause you to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss. All investing involves risk which you should be prepared to bear.