We’ve fielded a few phone calls from clients in the past few weeks confused about why their statements are not reflecting the same rate of return of the S&P 500 which they’re hearing about in the news.
We’re not surprised by the observation.
The S&P 500 has been having a banner year so far! US equities have been our best performing asset class. Actually, it’s one of the few asset classes that has maintained a positive trend over the last few months. While almost all other asset classes have been struggling to show any gains, such as commodities, bonds, real estate, and some foreign holdings, the US equity market has been surging ahead.
It’s as if the US equities were the last ones at the party and didn’t notice that everyone else left the room until the music was shut off!
You are correct. Your portfolio is not reflective of what you see in the headlines, and has not surged ahead like the US equities as measured by the S&P 500. But, then again would you want a portfolio consisting only of US stocks? What if the Fed raised interest rates or stopped buying up bonds? Would you be fearful that a market correction could occur, wiping away all of your gains (or most of them)?
In effect, a portfolio consisting too much of any asset class would be, as a result, taking on excess risk. We work with our clients to diversify their portfolios to lower risk and volatility. In case some asset class declines, the other asset classes can support the ones in declines. We are maintaining diverse portfolios for our clients in order to spread risk out and try to minimize volatility.