Tag: long-term investments

  • Is “Buy and Hold” Investing Strategy A Good Choice?

    Is “Buy and Hold” Investing Strategy A Good Choice?

    Is "Buy and Hold" Investing Strategy A Good Choice?
    Everyone would like to earn a lot, but everyone has a different way to do so. Why long-term investing is still the best chance?

    By Gorica Gligorijevic

    I’ve heard some people saying that the “buy and hold” investing strategy is dead. That was quite interesting because they said that in the context of coronavirus pandemic. This pandemic is changing the world and us personally for sure, but why are they so convinced that long-term investing is dead? I have to disagree. The strategy “buy and hold” will never die, and here is why. 

    But let’s have a more in-depth look at new investors’ psychology first. Who are they? They are under 40, worried for their capital, fearful of the future. The majority prefer short-term trading more than long-term investing because the current economic situation is so unpredictable. People are losing their jobs; unemployment is growing. On the other side of this is a great potential to profit from trading stocks. Their price fluctuates, changing every day, every hour, which is a great opportunity for profiting in trading.

    For example, let’s go back to February this year. Stocks dropped by more than 30 percent of their value after February 19th and touched the bottom in March. That was the sharpest downturn ever seen before. But what did happen in September? The major indexes are closed to record levels. That was a great rebound. Someone would say it was an excellent opportunity for traders, and such would be right. But what about buy and hold investing? How is it still a profitable strategy? Let’s not listening to the naysayers and try not to underestimate the investing strategy that rolls the capital. 

    You can find empirical proof that demonstrates the long-term advantage of the “buy and hold” investing over any other strategy. 

    But to appropriately benefit from this strategy, you’ll need to secure against main pitfalls that may appear.

    “Buy and hold” investing strategy doesn’t mean “buy and forget.”

    Traders-Paradise already wrote about the importance of maintaining the investment portfolio. As an investor, you MUST stay engaged with it. Long-term investing will not allow you to forget the improvements in your portfolio. For example, asset allocation is necessary from time to time. 

    It would be best if you stayed fully tuned into what’s happening in each of your holdings. By no means you cant allow to neglect it. You have to know what is going on with each of your holdings, and you must be ready to make all necessary adjustments according to current market conditions.

    Don’t buy what you know.

    It’s a stupid mantra and might lead you to significant losses. Many new investors load up on stocks from the companies whose products they use in everyday life. That’s completely wrong, especially if you keep them forever or at least several years despite the low earnings. I know that people are usually emotionally involved in their favorite products, but it doesn’t mean you have to buy their stocks if you like something to use. Just buy the favorite product and think twice about buying stocks. It would be best if you based your decision to buy stocks on the evaluation, a due diligence method that provides you a firm grasp of the company’s prospects. For example, what is the company’s competitive position? Do you know anything about that? What is the precise value of the company’s stock? 

    It is vital to avoid a blind spot when it comes to stocks that you think you know. I know you will ignore the negatives of the company because you fall in love with the stock. Nothing is wrong with love in your private life. It’s nice. But investing based on emotions is a dead-end path. It is more likely you’ll end up in losses.

    Have a plan

    Keep in mind, never buy stocks randomly to fill your portfolio. It would help if you built your investment portfolio based on an investment outlook. Always be ready to adjust your portfolio according to changes in the perspective. That means you’ll need a plan.

    I am not proposing an elaborate and exact outlook for growth in the next quarter, but you definitely need to understand the market. In light of the current pandemic, we all can see companies suffering due to social-distancing policies – for example, hotels, airlines, etc. But what we have to take into consideration? Fiscal and monetary stimulus. That could provide the economy to bounce back. This downturn or pandemic will not last forever, or we will learn to live with it and find beneficial opportunities to invest in. If you’re worried about what the shape of the recovery will be, forget it. In long-term investment, it doesn’t matter.

    What matters is the recovery will come and if you’re investing now, estimate the possibility for the company to withstand the next few months of this agony.

    And you must be flexible enough to adapt your positions if your outlook changes. That’s all. Can you see how the buy and hold investing strategy is the safest choice?

    The buy and hold investing strategy is the right choice forever. Please keep each of these in mind while creating your stock portfolio to boost your odds of profiting.

  • Defensive Stocks Are Excellent Investment But…

    Defensive Stocks Are Excellent Investment But…

    Defensive Stocks Are Excellent Investment But...
    Defensive stocks provide dividends and stable earnings but the low volatility may cause fewer gains during bull markets.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Several days ago, the website U.S.News posted an article about defensive stocks. As always, great and concrete suggestions.  You can find their suggestions with an explanation of why the proposed defensive stocks are best picks for this June.
    Here is one quotation about these stocks.

    “More conservative investors who value both capital appreciation and preservation of capital might look to these stocks.” was written The U.S. News. 

    This might mean this kind of stock is less risky than most of the stocks in the market.

    Further, in the same article, you’ll find a short description of what criteria investors should use when picking defensive stocks. For example, market capitalizations should be above $50 billion, such companies should have at least a 10-year track of continuous paying dividends, etc. All is followed by the list of these stocks that look like the best choice for June this year.

    That simply imposed the topic, what are these stocks. Why buy them? How to choose? Where to look for them? 

    What are defensive stocks?

    A long time ago it would be very easy to answer. You could be easily trapped listening to some financial experts saying how defensive stocks are boring investments. Moreover, you could hear they are too conservative. It might be true, even today. These stocks come into utilities, healthcare, and staples sectors. Well, one could think: Yeah, these sectors are not excited, not at all, so why should I invest there. We would like to ask you something. Would you like to invest in some company that generates steady cash flow, pays dividends regularly? Yes? We didn’t expect any other answer.  Would you be surprised if we tell you that, for example, tobacco companies were viewed as defensive stocks?

    But recently, investors changed their views of what these stocks are. Today, you can see that some technology companies are considered defensive stocks. Even if the definition is changed, the purpose isn’t, these stocks still have to play well during the recession. Nevertheless, these stocks have, as it always was, to provide stable earnings and regular dividends no matter what condition is the overall market. Period! 

    Are the defensive stocks less risky?

    Since there is a constant demand for such companies’ products, these stocks seem much more steady and strong during many different aspects of the business cycle.

    And here is the confusing part for some investors, especially if they are beginners. They aren’t the same as defense stocks. Do you know what we mean? Defense stocks are stocks of the companies that are producing munition, guns, war jets, etc.

    Nowadays, companies with stable earnings growth, but also with innovative goods, pricing strength, are recognized as defensive stocks. Don’t be surprised if they can stir the waters. If we consider cash flow and the company’s power, nowadays Alphabet could be such a company, for example. 

    How to recognize defensive stocks

    When uncertain time in the market comes everyone would like to protect the investment portfolio, the capital invested. Especially if it is connected to high volatility. Investors are looking for stable investments during such rough times. They would like, for sure, to increase their exposure to these stocks. For example, giants like Coca-Cola are recognized as defensive stocks. Non-cyclical stocks are recognized as defensive stocks also.

    These companies have stable performances and the ability to overcome weak economic circumstances. They are also paying dividends. That might be a good reason to choose them primarily because dividends can mitigate the influence of the stock’s price dropping. These companies will rarely go bankrupt during the market downturn.

    When things in the stock market get insecure, why would you like to own any stock? Honestly, you could find more safe places out there to invest in. The answer is profit. Defensive stocks provide a higher dividend yield than you can get with safe-havens. For example, Treasury bills will never provide you such an amount in interest rate. Moreover, defensive stocks mitigate investors’ fears because they aren’t as risky as other stocks. Take a look at what investment managers do when uncertain economic times come. They are moving to defensive stocks.

    Better isn’t always the best

    Defensive stocks are better performers than the overall market during recessions, for example. But nothing is so perfect even these stocks. Due to their low beta, when everything is blooming in the market, they could perform below the market. Less risk, less profit, that’s it.

    For example, suppose a stock has a beta of 0,5 and the market falls for 2% in one week. Not a big deal, you’ll lose 1% of your investment. But what if we have the opposite situation and the price increases 2% in one week? Well, the defensive stock with a beta of 0,5 will increase by only 1%.

    Beta shows the stock’s vulnerability or risk. Defensive stocks have beta under 1 which means they are less volatile. A conservative investor, who is, by default, with less risk-tolerance type, will choose defensive stocks that will deliver stable returns.

    Advantages and disadvantages of Defensive stocks

    They are often suitable for long-term investors because they are less risky than other stocks. These stocks together have a higher Sharpe ratio than the entire stock market. With less risk involved, you could beat the market. What else we need to understand is that defensive stocks are better investment choices than other stocks. 

    But there are some disadvantages also.

    The low volatility of these stocks is one of them. This means smaller gains when the market is bullish. That could be the reason why some investors if not many, don’t like defensive stocks. These stocks usually cannot outperform the market in such a period. So, when investors need them most to profit more, they could betray them. There is one interesting thing about defensive stocks. When the market downturn is finished, some investors move to these stocks, but the truth is they had to do that earlier. After the market downturn is too late. The only thing that investors could catch is a lower rate of return. Think ahead of these stocks.

    Why should you choose to invest in them?

    For example, you don’t have a decent knowledge of the market condition. Also, if you are the risk-averse type of investor. Seeking for dividend-paying stocks is one of the reasons because these stocks provide regular dividends. Additionally, defensive stocks are a great choice when the markets are volatile. 

    These stocks managed to perform well even during the recessions. There are some goods that people will always need no matter what the economic situation is. For example, electricity, soap, or gas, everyone would need gas or soap even if the apocalypse is coming.

    To summarize, defensive stocks have beta lower than 1, they are less volatile, they provide regular dividends. The main drawback is that they usually couldn’t generate high returns. But during the recession, they are excellent as protection for your other investments. Beta indicates the stock’s vulnerability or risk factor. This kind of stock has beta lesser than 1 which implies that they are less volatile. A conservative investor who is afraid of taking risks can invest in defensive stocks that will give stable returns.
    These stocks are also recognized as non-cyclical stocks because they are not deeply associated with the business cycle. Here are a few types of defensive stocks. Such stocks are utilities, consumer staples, healthcare, gas, electricity, pharmaceuticals.