Study up, protect retirement savings
As the old saying goes, what goes up must come down.
U.S. stocks have lost $3.4 trillion in market value since last Wednesday's close amid concern that the coronavirus outbreak will further damage an already slowing global economy.
If you’re worried about your retirement savings, portfolio managers have some advice: Stay the course and remain calm.
If you just can’t stomach the stock market’s losses this week, experts say it’s time to ask yourself: What’s my appetite for risk?
“One of the worst things someone could do is make changes to their portfolio in reaction to the last two days,” says Tom Plumb, president at Plumb Funds. “But if you think your portfolio is too risky, you should develop a new plan over the next three to six months.”
Here are four moves experts say could help protect your investments during volatile periods, such as the bumpy stretch caused by the coronavirus:
1. Review your investments
Pay attention to where you’re invested and which companies are most likely to be affected, portfolio managers say.
Daniel Milan, managing partner at Southfield, Michigan-based Cornerstone Financial Services, says the effects from the virus outbreak on the stock market will be short-lived and has cautioned his clients to not let fear drive their investment decisions.
“When dealing with a virus like this, it’s important for investors to review and recalibrate their long-term goals,” Milan says. “If fear is driving you to make emotional decisions in the stock market, then that’s a sign that you weren’t allocated appropriately for the long term,” he says, referring to how investors chose to split their portfolio between stocks, bonds and other assets.
2. Consider trimming exposure to Asian stocks
One thing to consider is how much direct exposure you have to emergingmarket stocks in Asia.
Milan suggests trimming your exposure to Asian stocks in the travel and retail industries that will probably see a slowdown in earnings growth because of shutdowns, supply issues and a drop in consumer spending.
Spending by consumers accounts for nearly half of China’s economic activity. If they opt to stay home instead of shopping or traveling, that would depress tourism and threaten earnings growth for consumer-oriented companies in Asia.
3. Evaluate multinational companies
U.S.-based multinational companies with large exposure to China’s economy
are grappling with production delays from the virus, including industries such as manufacturing, automotive, airlines and technology.
Semiconductor companies, for instance, derive much of their revenue from China and could face challenges in the near term.
Apple announced it won’t meet its earnings outlook for the quarter because of supply chain interruptions. United Airlines and Mastercard warned this week that the outbreak will hurt their finances.
Cheaper stocks are a good thing for investors over a long-term horizon, and some of the weakness among those areas could serve as an opportunity to buy stocks whose prices are lower, experts say.
4. Strengthen positions in US-focused companies
U.S.-focused companies in industries such as utilities, real estate and consumer staples – businesses that make basic household goods – could serve as a shelter from virus-related issues. These companies typically have little exposure to international supply chains.
Telecom companies such as AT&T and Verizon tend to offer favorable dividends for investors, analysts say, which could offer further protection for investors. As bond yields have fallen to record lows, stocks with steady dividend payouts have become more attractive.