Don’t Hesitate to Build Your Wealth
Investors often fret about the market environment and ask if they should invest now or hold off for a better time. For long-term investors, making regular contributions is more important than when the contributions are made each year. The table below shows there is not much gained by perfectly timing contributions each year.
30-YEAR OUTCOMES OF CONTRIBUTING CAPITAL ON SELECTED DAYS (S&P 500 TR INDEX 1990-2019)
Source: AthenaInvest, Inc. and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC
The chart summarizes the outcomes of making annual contribution of $10,000 over three decades encompassing a diverse array of market conditions. In the first scenario, each annual contribution is made on January 1st. The second scenario shows the result of contributing on the day of the market high for the year, “the worst time”. Finally, the third scenario shows what happens when the annual contribution is perfectly timed at the market low for the year, “the best time”.
If you simply make the investment on January 1st each year, the $300,000 contributed over the 30-year period will have grown to an impressive $1.7 million. Absolute perfect timing either way, best or worst day each year, results in a range from $1.4 to $1.8 million. Investing on exactly the right or wrong day every year for 30 years in a row is inconceivable.
This shows that making regular annual contributions and compounding are the main drivers of wealth, not the timing of the contributions. Sticking to a long-term plan and making regular contributions is the most reliable way to build wealth over time and, more importantly, contributions are squarely within an investor’s control.
From the Behavioral Viewpoint
What is going on?
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We have a hard time thinking long-term and are prone to recency and availability bias, where we give the endless supply of rhetoric, headlines, and short-term events more relevance and weight than they deserve.
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We are hardwired to be loss averse. By nature, we feel twice as bad about a loss as we do an equivalent gain and are constantly on the lookout for potential threats and want to believe we can identify and avoid every threat.
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We want assurance that our investments will not go down in value to avoid regret. The fear of initial loss literally outweighs any potential long-term benefits in our minds.
What can we do?
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Have a needs-based financial plan that separates short-term and long-term investments. For long-term investments make contributions as early and often as possible and withdraw funds as late as possible.
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Develop and follow a plan to invest pre-determined amounts at pre-determined times.
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For large lump sum or one-time contributions, invest 50% right away and the remaining 50% in 3 months to enter the market in a disciplined way and to mitigate random market events, emotional turmoil, and regret.
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Work with a professional financial advisor who can provide valuable guidance to help you stay on track.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND DISCLOSURES
The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. It should not be assumed that recommendations of AthenaInvest made herein or in the future will be profitable or will equal the past performance records of any AthenaInvest investment strategy or product. There can be no assurance that future recommendations will achieve comparable results. The author’s opinions may change, without notice, in reaction to shifting economic, market, business, and other conditions. AthenaInvest disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice or as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any AthenaInvest.
You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives and financial circumstances. You should consult with a qualified financial adviser, legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
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