MY FAITH IS IN A HIGHER POWER: OUTLOOK AND OPPORTUNITIES

How are you holding up, emotionally? Financially?

I believe that next to God, the human spirit is the strongest, and I have faith in it. We will recover, we always do.  We can choose to operate in faith—or in fear—of the future. Optimism is the only long-term reality, and it’s based on trust in our God, our community, our family, and yes, even our financial strategy.  When times get tough, true success comes from long-term thinking and sticking to the strategy. As a financial advisor, I often comment to my Christian clients that the Bible says in Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters I will be with you. And, when you walk through the fire you will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze.” 

A financial advisor helps guide you to your goals and walks with you on the road ahead, even when the way appears dark or uncertain.

So what does faith mean for your family’s financial security and your goals?  Essentially, the hardest time to be opportunistic is, historically, the best time to be opportunistic.

2020 started off right where 2019 had left off, a banner year for stocks with the best performance since 2013. But market conditions quickly changed as the coronavirus pandemic spread globally and efforts to limit the contagion suppressed global demand.

Last year, bonds also performed well, posting their best returns in seventeen years. However, as the spread of the coronavirus gripped the nation and the world, economic activity paused, stock markets plunged, and the bull market, the second-longest in U.S. history, ended abruptly.

Given the uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, you may be wondering how markets will perform in 2020. In fact, there may be several questions you have about your investments this year, including whether there will be a recession and what to expect from the U.S. political elections. One way to think about the investment outlook is like a jigsaw puzzle, where several pieces fit together into a cohesive whole.

Like a jigsaw puzzle, economic conditions, corporate performance, the international backdrop and your investment decisions fit together to form a larger picture. However, it can be harder to see a pattern among the various pieces of our investment outlook. Key questions facing investors today are:

1. 1. Will there be a recession this year?
   2. Will interest rates go lower or even become negative?
   3. How long will the market slump last?
   4. Will global markets keep underperforming?
   5. What impact will politics have on the markets?
   6. What are the risks for our outlook?
   7. What are common mistakes to avoid?
   8. How do all the pieces fit together?

Many pieces in our investment outlook are interconnected. But now the bigger picture is starting to take shape.

Though the risk of a recession has risen in 2020, fueled by the unknown effects of a global viral pandemic, we think investing in the U.S. market continues to be attractive because of healthy initial conditions that preceded this global shock, namely solid consumer spending, a healthy labor market, low interest rates, modest inflation, and a highly accommodative monetary policy.

Headlines about market turbulence associated with the coronavirus, U.S. elections, geopolitical concerns, and slowing growth overseas may distract some investors, but remember that pullbacks can create opportunities to add quality investments at lower prices. Continue to focus on the things you can control. As volatile times come and go, focus on the bigger picture of your long-term goals and seek opportunities for a complete investment mosaic this year and throughout your investment horizon.

I will host a webinar for CCS families titled “Outlook and Opportunities—The Investment Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together” on Monday, April 13, at 10 A.M. and again at 4 P.M. Visit www.edwardjones.com/doug-dickerson and click on the event link to register for the webinar.