Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives.
The entirety of the financial media and many on Wall Street believe a V-shaped economic recovery is in our future. While I hope they are right, it would be foolish to take such analysis and, quite frankly, unwarranted optimism, at face value.
If history teaches us one thing, it is that significant, life-altering events are rarely if ever followed by a quick return to normality. In this article, I raise a few considerations to make you reconsider popular economic narratives. The importance for investors to think outside of the box cannot be overstated. Or to put it another way, the parameters of “the box” have likely changed and, if so, we should be cognizant of those changes in our decision making.
If the future economic recovery does not resemble the “V” shape that the financial markets are depending on, the stock market may be even more over-valued than we think. To that end, consider the following graph showing where the S&P 500 could trade based on a range of historical valuations.
Short-term prognosis
The COVID-19 crisis may be short-lived. Although it seems as though progress is being made, there is nary a sign that a full-fledged cure or vaccine is at hand. Social distancing and mass closures of commercial enterprise appear to slow the exponential spreading of the virus considerably. While very effective in saving lives, those measures come with immense economic costs. The productive output of the global economy has ground to a near-total halt.
As the virus appears to have peaked in Asia and is starting to show signs of peaking in Europe, I am hopeful the U.S. will also peak shortly. Then what? From a health standpoint, the answer depends on whether a cure or vaccine is discovered.
If a cure or vaccine is found and can be produced, distributed, and administered quickly, then mandatory and self-regulated social distancing will end, and people will hopefully resume normal activities. This may be the rationale backing a V-shaped recovery, but normal may not be the same we knew before February 2020.
If the spreading of the virus is significantly curtailed, but there is no cure or vaccine developed, the outcome may be very different. Just ask yourself, are you ready to stand in a crowded elevator, hop on a packed train, or stand shoulder to shoulder with other fans at a sporting event or concert? In the bleaker scenario with no cure or vaccine, there will be some recovery, but most people will dramatically alter their everyday life. Such a change will radically reshape the outlook for human behavior on a vast scale.
As you consider those scenarios, also consider their respective economic impacts. The first scenario, a return to normal with a cure or vaccine, offers a higher probability of bringing about a V-shaped recovery. I, however, would argue for a U-shaped recovery as the damage already done is not easy to overcome so quickly. A U-shaped recovery entails a prolonged period of slow to negligible growth versus a V’s sharp reversal higher of growth
I fear that the second, no cure/vaccine scenario will look much more like an L-shaped stagnation.
Those two scenarios may help guide you in the short run, but left out of the discussion thus far is the long-term change to our psyches and the effect it will have on our economic behaviors and decision making.
Long term
In my daily discussions with neighbors, family, and friends, I am inundated with concern over economic wellbeing. Jobs are at stake, and for the more fortunate, pay cuts are likely. As if those concerns were not enough, most people have seen a sharp decline in the value of their investment portfolios and retirement savings accounts. Almost overnight, many people saw their financial stability weaken dramatically.
The economic and financial concerns brought on by the current day stresses we are harboring will play a big role in the future.
If you have ever known someone who lived through the Great Depression, you probably noticed that their economic and financial behaviors are not normal. Regardless of their financial standing, they tend to have considerable savings, of which a good portion resides in non-risky assets or cash. They also seek out the best deals and are never shy to pick up a penny or use a coupon. Some of these people are millionaires, but in many cases, onlookers would not have any clue by looking at their lifestyles.
These survivors learned that money for a rainy day is much more than a cute saying. A common motto during the Depression and one that survived long afterward was, “Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.”
The current economic crisis has some similarities to the Great Depression. Still, so far, it pales in comparison as the duration of current hardships is only measured in weeks, not years. The Depression raged on for an entire decade.
The longer this crisis continues, the more likely our economic and financial preferences will change.
This experience will remind us why rainy day funds are so necessary, the value of frugality, and in general, it could put our economic behavior back on par with more historical norms. These norms are not at all primitive as we are re-learning, they are wise, they are prudent, and they are critical.
This experience may not rival the Great Depression in impact, but understand the crisis is reviving valuable lessons that were long forgotten. Many people will rethink their consumption habits and many companies and governments will assess the risks of globalization when this crisis ends. The repercussions will be large.
Summary
The possible changes in our behaviors described above will not only affect the economy but will change investor behaviors. The longer the crisis rages and the deeper the market declines, the harsher and longer-lasting the lessons that will be imposed by the market. Buying shares at extreme valuations from companies that perpetually lose money will cease to be a badge of honor. Cash, Treasury bonds, active investment strategies and value may all come back into fashion.
Like everyone else, I have no idea what the future holds. The virus may be cured, and life may go on as if nothing happened. If so, great, but that is not the lesson that history teaches.
The COVID-19 crisis transforms our economic logic. This shift is healthy but demands a new logic for investing.
Michael Lebowitz is the founding partner of 720 Global and partner with Real Investment Advice. We assist our clients in differentiating themselves from the crowd with a focus on value, performance and a clear, lucid assessment of global market and economic dynamics. For more information about our upcoming subscription service RIA Pro, please contact us at 301.466.1204 or email [email protected].
Read more articles by Michael Lebowitz
Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives.
