What did we learn about investing in 2022?

As we approach the end of another trip around the sun, this seems like an opportune time to reflect on the past year as it relates to our investment journeys. Noteworthy events and outcomes of 2022 serve as key reminders that investing can be an endeavor riddled with uncertainty. And while uncharted territory may test our investment fortitude in the heat of the moment, it's important to have a set of principles to refer to in these uncomfortable times.

So what are some lessons we learn (or were reminded of) in 2022?

Don’t let the “Crisis of the Day” derail your plan. Just as the world started to feel some reprieve from a global pandemic, a war emerged between Ukraine and Russia, which sent another jolt of volatility into the market. This is just a recent example of the risks investors face in the unpredictable world we live in. But its important to recognize that the market has seen many crises before and will likely see more in the future. Despite this, disciplined investors have been rewarded in the long-term as highlighted in Lessons for the Next Crisis.

Bonds do have risk! 2022 has been one of the worst years on record for fixed income markets, with the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index down by more than 11%¹. Surely many clients have asked questions like “how can bonds be down this much, aren’t they less risky?” Fixed income can play several different roles in an investor’s portfolio. Different fixed income asset classes carry different risks (some more than others), and as a result can behave quite differently. It is important for investors to match fixed income allocations with investment goals. Rising Rates: Short-Term Pain for Long Term Gain offers a silver lining to a year many fixed income investors might otherwise prefer to forget.

There are (still) benefits to Global Diversification. Headlines such as the Ukraine/Russia war, COVID policies in China, and a strong U.S. dollar (to name a few) contributed to relative outperformance in US equity markets compared with Develop ex US and Emerging equity markets for much of 2022. Year-to-date performance as of the end of September revealed that the Russell 3000 Index had returned -24.62% compared to the MSCI World ex USA Index which returned -26.23% and MSCI Emerging Markets Index which returned -27.16%. As a result, investors may have asked questions like “why am I invested in international and emerging markets with everything going on outside the US?” We have already seen the tides turn a bit in Q4. Year-to-date performance as of the end of November reveals the Russell 3000 Index has returned -14.18% compared to -13.87% by the MSCI World ex USA Index and -18.95% by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. While we can’t predict what will happen going forward, evidence from the last few decades, as shown in Exhibit 1 below, illustrates the importance of being globally diversified.

Markets incorporate investor expectations. Whether it’s the next interest rate announcement from the Fed, the possibility of a recession, or the results of an election, markets incorporate expectations of investors into prices. Trying to time markets is a lofty endeavor and incorrectly timing markets can have costly consequences.

2022 has been a challenging year for many investors, but it also offers some key reminders. There are certain aspects of an investment journey that can’t be controlled such as what the market will do next. However, there are aspects that can be controlled such as developing a plan that meets goals and risk tolerances, staying disciplined, and avoiding investment decisions based on emotion. An investment approach built on sound evidence-based principles with a long-term focus can improve the likelihood of a positive investment outcome and ultimately improve the overall investment experience.

Sources:

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/qai/2022/09/22/is-this-the-worst-year-ever-for-bonds/?sh=4858c5312b4f

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ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value, and may trade either at a premium or discount to their net asset value. ETF shares trade at market price and are not individually redeemable with the issuing fund, other than in large share amounts called creation units. ETFs are subject to risks similar to those of stocks, including those regarding short-selling and margin account maintenance. Brokerage commissions and expenses will reduce returns.

Risks include loss of principal and fluctuating value. Investment value will fluctuate, and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. International and emerging markets investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks, including changes in credit quality, liquidity, prepayments, call risk, and other factors. There is no guarantee strategies will be successful.

Diversification does not eliminate the risk of market loss.