As investors, you’ve worked hard for your money. Your emotions are tied to it because of the sacrifices you’ve had to make to save this money to secure your future. Those emotions are making you feel as if you need to do something to preserve your wealth because you see several likely changes on the horizon. We potentially have a president who proposes to raise taxes on high-income individuals and corporations. We also have an undecided Congress with runoff elections in January, which makes year-end tax planning difficult.
Just looking at the market moves, many investors bailed out of stocks and certain sectors before the election just because they were fearful of volatility. They also missed the sharp upswing that came right after the election, which no one saw coming. The market cannot be predicted even though it is run by humans with very human emotions. By the time herd mentality is detected, it is often too late to make a move.
We get it. It is a difficult position emotionally. Maybe some changes are appropriate, but if you have a financial plan in place, there is not likely a need for a lot of change. You don’t make sweeping changes to your financial plan or asset allocation based on thinking something might happen. You plan based on what you know.
At Henssler Financial, we employ a bottom-up approach to asset allocation. We apply strict financial strength criteria to the stocks available for investment. We narrow that scope further by looking at liquidity, growth, and relative value. Then we look at the individual stock’s fundamentals of financials, business risk, market share, and growth prospects. After this analysis, we construct a portfolio that we believe will weather current and changing economic conditions. These choices are strategic moves we make to help each investor realize their long-term goals.
This differs from a top-down strategy that is influenced by current events, current market trends, and speculating on what would happen, what might happen, or what could happen. We believe this puts investors at too much risk—especially those who are in retirement and depend on their investments to last.
Our strategy is not dismissive of the current economic environment or government status. We have a portion of the recommended portfolio allocated to tactical moves that aim to take advantage of the current environment. We are monitoring Industrial companies that would stand to benefit from developments in infrastructure expansion as well as Energy and Utility companies that are poised to benefit from their renewable energy exposure. We haven’t made any investment moves yet because we are looking for companies that fit within our fundamental analysis. We look for financially strong companies that could be long-term investments—not speculations.
We may sound like a broken record, but for investors who have a plan in place and a set investment strategy, the best advice we can give is to rebalance your portfolio. Sectors like Technology and Healthcare may have outgrown their specified weights, which can add unnecessary risk should something shift in the broader market. Make sure your asset allocation is in line with your Investment Policy Statement and remember to keep the money you need within the next 10 years for spending out of the stock market and in fixed-income investments that mature when you need the money.
No one cares about your money as much as you do, but following a plan and a set asset allocation designed for your unique situation can help take the emotion out of your investment decisions. If you have questions regarding your asset allocation or financial plan, the experts at Henssler Financial will be glad to help:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
This article is for demonstrative and academic purposes and is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
