DALLAS
While the market moves and minute-by-minute headlines on cable news and social media can be alarming, David Spika, chief strategic investment officer of GuideStone®, indicated that volatility witnessed this week in the market at this point of the economic cycle would be expected.
“Stocks rallied in 2019 based on several factors, with Federal Reserve rate cuts being most prominent,” Spika said. “Corporate earnings growth and an improved global economy are the most important factors that would be necessary to continue this long-running market rally. While not impossible, the likelihood for that is diminished for several reasons. The age of the economic cycle, 11 years, is several years longer than the historical average. Additionally, the fears of coronavirus further slowing economic growth, and putting additional pressure on corporate earnings, means stock volatility will likely increase, and we may see more days with significant swings in the market. Finally, note that on average the market suffers a 10% decline during presidential election years, and this election cycle is likely to be more disruptive than most. As a result, investors should be cautious as they face many uncertainties during 2020.”
In the United States, Monday (February 24) the Dow Jones industrial average dropped more than 1,000 points, wiping out all the gains the market had made so far in 2020. The S&P® 500 Index, a broader measure of the market, fell more than 100 points, or a little over 3.35%. On Tuesday (February 25), markets continued the sell-off. The lower markets were largely prompted by fears that the coronavirus will slow economic output, especially in Asia.
Fears surrounding the coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19, helped drive stocks lower. South Korean officials are racing to contain the largest outbreak outside of China, and a Spanish resort was locked down after an Italian doctor in the Canary Islands tested positive for the virus. Worldwide, the World Health Organization reported February 24 almost 80,000 confirmed cases of the virus with more than 2,600 deaths. Almost all of the deaths thus far have occurred in China.
Spika noted that GuideStone’s managers have taken some gains in the mutual funds following these powerful market advances, which is prudent to do given the age of the cycle.
“Retirement plan investors, especially, need to stay focused on their long-term plan and asset allocation for their retirement needs,” Spika said. “Market fluctuations always occur, but a long-term focus and a diversified investment approach have historically been rewarded by the markets.”
Retirement plan investors concerned by the market’s moves should look at their portfolios and ensure they are not overweight in certain categories and underweight in others, which could exacerbate the effects of a market decline. GuideStone participants can receive help with their long-term investment allocations by accessing the resources on the Retirement Planning and Guidance page (GuideStoneRetirement.org/InvestmentAdvice), which include GuideStone’s Investment Recommendation tool.
“We never encourage anyone to try to time the market,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “If you are prompted to make allocation changes, only do so after considering your diversification, time horizon and risk tolerance. Once those are reviewed, then you can consider making strategic, focused changes, if needed. It’s important, though, that changes be driven by a careful consideration of the facts and not the emotions of the moment.”
GuideStone experts recommend four basic principles for retirement plan investors:
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Roy Hayhurst is director of denominational and public relations services for GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention®.
Media Contact
Roy Hayhurst
Director of Denominational and Public Relations Services
GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention®
Roy.Hayhurst@GuideStone.org | (214) 720-2141
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