Heightened geopolitical tensions, soaring inflation and the subsequent tightening of monetary conditions recently decimated the longest-running bull market in history and ushered in a rare bear market for both stocks and bonds. Along the way, investors understandably grew more anxious about the economy and the markets, but in a sign of remarkable resilience, most have stayed true to their long-term plans and remain invested.
According to a recent survey of approximately 2,000 self-directed investors age 50 and older conducted by Janus Henderson (opens in new tab), 86% reported being “concerned” or “very concerned” about inflation and nearly as many (79%) were worried about the stock market. Despite these elevated levels of unease, just 13% moved money out of stocks or bonds and into cash due to recent volatility or rising inflation.
"The stock market is a device to transfer money from the impatient to the patient."
Warren Buffett
The old adage, “It's not about timing the market, but about time in the market,” appears to have resonated with a demographic that experienced both the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and the global financial crisis that occurred just over a decade ago. The fact that the majority of self-directed investors opted to stay the course through a period when a portfolio comprised of 60% stocks and 40% bonds was down by double digits is particularly admirable. And with the S&P 500 rising 6% during the first month of 2023, this patience has not gone unrewarded in the new year.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Belt-Tightening Over Panic-Selling
Digging deeper into the findings, the same survey revealed that, rather than cashing out of stocks and bonds during the downturn, investors were more likely to tighten their budgets: Nearly half (49%) reduced their spending or planned to reduce spending to offset rising costs and less discretionary income.
For some, expectations for better days ahead might help to explain why they did not increase cash allocations, as the majority of respondents (60%) expect the S&P 500 to close 2023 at a higher level than the end of 2022, while only 26% believe the index will close the year lower, and 14% anticipate it will be relatively unchanged.
While the research didn’t probe further into why investors were staying the course amid unprecedented volatility, the findings suggest that awareness of the challenges of market timing is improving, particularly among investors who are approaching retirement age.
Advisers Shine Amid Market Volatility
The research also found that 9% of respondents hired or planned to hire a financial adviser, while less than 2% planned to change financial advisers due to whipsaw market volatility. Notably, 13% of investors were planning to meet more often with their existing financial adviser. These findings suggest very few investors blamed their adviser for lower portfolio values.
Given their impact on portfolio balances, market declines can often lead to delayed retirements and budget adjustments for some investors. However, despite the challenging environment experienced in 2022, a significant number of investors are still confident they can have the retirement they envisioned: 55% reported that their confidence in their ability to have enough money to live comfortably throughout retirement has not changed.
Many Investors Taking a Measured Approach
In an age when many news outlets portray retail investors engaged in reckless day trading and basing investment decisions on information from online forums like Reddit and Twitter, it’s encouraging to see that many investors are taking a measured approach to market volatility. They’re sticking to their long-term plans, avoiding impulsive decisions and resisting any urges to try to time the market.
This type of responsible investing behavior might not make for colorful headlines and anecdotes, but it has proven time and time again to be an effective approach to achieving one’s retirement goals.
This material is not intended to be legal or fiduciary advice or a full representation of all responsibilities of plan sponsors and advisors. This material may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission.
The opinions and views expressed are as of the date published, are subject to change and may not reflect the views of others in the organization. They are for information purposes only and should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, investment strategy or market sector. There is no guarantee that the information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, nor are there any warranties with regards to the results obtained from its use. C-0223-48680 02-15-24
This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC (opens in new tab) or with FINRA (opens in new tab).
-
Three Legal Documents Your Child Should Sign When They Turn 18Legal documents such as durable power of attorney, a healthcare proxy and a HIPAA release can give parents the legal right to make decisions if their child needs help.
-
Preparing for the Next Recession: Six Considerations for Retirees
Being more disciplined and risk averse in the good times can make it easier to weather the bad times when they inevitably arrive.
-
Finances Aside, What Does a Happy Retirement Look Like?
Three examples of retirees show what it means to thrive in retirement. The common denominators provide clues on how to swing your own happy retirement.
-
Will You Pay Higher Taxes in Retirement?
Your Social Security income and RMDs will most likely combine to deliver a tax torpedo, but there are ways to reduce your income in retirement to pay less tax.
-
Inherited Retirement Plan? How to Easily Understand Payout Rules
Figuring out first which kind of beneficiary you are will make it easier to grasp the rules and timing on required distributions.
-
For Financial Planning Success Now, Start by Looking at the Past
Certain beliefs could be impeding your financial planning, and learning what those are begins with exploring your money-related memories.
-
How Summer Internship Offers Can Go Awry
A student’s personal essay after landing an internship raised a red flag to this business owner that the student wasn’t ready for the responsibility required.
-
How Can Women Worried About Retirement Stay on Track?
Developing a resilient long-term plan is more important than ever as more women fear being blindsided by outside events despite doing all the right things.
