Jules van Binsbergen, a finance professor at Wharton, discusses market sentiment, savings goals, and preparing for lower rates of return. They also talk about the disconnect between the real economy and financial markets, whether the US stock market is lucky, and the dangers of institutional thinking.
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Quick takeaways
Stock markets have benefited from declining interest rates, leading to higher valuations, but the sustainability of high stock returns in a slowing economic growth environment is questionable.
Economic sentiment has predictive power for GDP growth and business cycles, influencing the labor market more than the capital market, although its predictive power for stock returns is limited.
Deep dives
The Impact of Declining Interest Rates on Stock Markets
The speaker discusses how stock markets have benefited from declining interest rates, leading to higher valuations. However, there is a concern about the sustainability of high stock returns, especially in a slowing economic growth environment.
The Predictive Power of Economic Sentiment
Research on economic sentiment shows that it has predictive power for GDP growth and business cycles. Surprisingly, economic sentiment influences the labor market more than the capital market. However, its predictive power for stock returns is limited.
Challenges with Target Date Funds
Target date funds, often used in retirement savings, come with a glide path, gradually reducing stock allocation over time. However, the lack of consensus on the right glide path and individual risk profiles poses challenges. The assumption of long-term returns of the stock market may also need reevaluation in the current low-growth, low-interest-rate environment.
Importance of Savings Rate and Diversification
Given the lower rate of return environment, it is advisable to save at least 20% of income, or possibly even 30%. Diversification across asset classes, including international investments and alternatives like real estate investment trusts, can help manage risk and enhance long-term growth potential.
Ricky Mulvey caught up with Jules van Binsbergen, a finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, to talk about market sentiment, savings goals, and how to prepare for periods with lower rates of return. They also discuss:
Disconnects between the real economy and financial markets,
Whether the US stock market is merely a “lucky survivor,”
And the dangers of institutional thinking – in investing and academia.