Jeremy Schwartz, Global Chief Investment Officer of WisdomTree, discusses the enduring appeal of equities as a long-term investment. He explains how stocks can outperform other assets like bonds and gold, especially when holding for 7-10 years. Schwartz also highlights the importance of diversification and dollar-cost averaging to weather market downturns. He further addresses the psychology of investors during sell-offs and the resilience of stocks against inflation, offering insights on navigating volatility for lasting success.
Stocks historically outperform other asset classes with average annual returns of 6.5% to 7% above inflation, making them essential for long-term wealth accumulation.
During market downturns, increasing stock allocations rather than panic selling offers a strategic advantage, allowing investors to capitalize on lower prices and future growth.
Deep dives
The Importance of Long-Term Investment in Stocks
Stocks have historically provided the best long-term returns compared to other asset classes such as real estate and bonds, offering an average annual return of 6.5% to 7% above inflation over the long haul. This makes equities not just advantageous but vital for investors focused on wealth accumulation over decades. In a landscape of high inflation, stocks serve as an effective hedge, as increases in revenue and profits tend to drive stock prices up correspondingly. Thus, adopting a long-term perspective of around seven to ten years is crucial for investors aiming to benefit from equities' robust performance.
Strategies for Navigating Market Volatility
During bear markets, it is often more beneficial for investors to consider increasing their stock allocations rather than selling off, as the odds of stocks outperforming cash grow significantly over extended time horizons. When markets experience downturns, viewing equities as 'on sale' encourages investors to take advantage of lower prices rather than panic selling. Regularly contributing to one's portfolio, such as through dollar-cost averaging, helps mitigate the emotional impacts of market volatility. This approach is especially pertinent for younger investors, who possess longer timelines to recover from downturns and capitalize on future growth.
The Case for Diversification and Risk Management
Diversification remains key in stock investment, allowing investors to mitigate the risks associated with picking individual stocks. Historical data shows that broad market acquisitions tend to yield better outcomes by allowing the strongest performers to rise over time. Moreover, while gold and other investments can provide inflation hedges, they generally do not match the long-term wealth accumulation potential of stocks. Understanding the risks, such as short-term volatility and geopolitical uncertainties, enables investors to maintain a balanced approach and reap the rewards of equities over the long term.
Are equities the best long-term investment? If so, is that always true? In this episode of At the Money, Barry Ritholtz speaks with Jeremy Schwartz about why you should, or should not, go heavy on stocks. Schwartz is Global Chief Investment Officer of WisdomTree, leading the firm's investment strategy team in the construction of equity Indexes, quantitative active strategies and multi-asset Model Portfolios.
Each week, “At the Money” discusses an important topic in money management. From portfolio construction to taxes and cutting down on fees, join Barry Ritholtz to learn the best ways to put your money to work.