Prescription for Panic: 5 Key Takeaways from the Market Selloff

DEWITT, Mich. - March 13, 2020 - PRLog -- Stocks have had plenty of pullbacks over the past 10 years, but the velocity of this selloff resembles fear and panic more than economic or financial reality.

So what's an investor to do? For starters, we don't think this volatility will subside quickly, as coronavirus uncertainties will linger amid rising new cases and ongoing speculation over consumer reactions. At the same time, economic conditions are not in the freefall that this type of selloff seems to suggest.

Here are five takeaways to help you navigate this terrain.

1. This time is different.

Those are four dangerous words when it comes to investing. But market pullbacks are usually driven by economic weakness, monetary policy headwinds or financial market imbalances.

With the coronavirus, the biological nature of the threat is presenting more questions than answers. No one can predict the spread of this virus, but the market reaction appears to be pricing in a fairly severe scenario including quarantines, school closings, altered work schedules and limited travel that could produce a recession.

On the positive side, a collective evaluation of prior epidemics shows that economic and financial market impacts have historically been fairly short-lived.

2. But this time is certainly not different.

Market selloffs can raise emotions and fear, but they're common, even in the best of times. Headlines and panic can take the wheel for short spurts, but what shapes the longer-term outcome is the broader path for the economy, corporate profits and interest rates.

The economy and profits will take a noticeable virus-induced dent in early 2020, but as we progress this year, we think these fundamental conditions can resume much of their footing.

3. There is more volatility to come, but perspective provides a positive view.

Volatility can be truly painful if you let it drive you to a short-sighted decision. Perspective is particularly important in periods like this.

We suspect the economy can emerge from this without rate cuts, but the market's expectations versus ultimate Federal Reserve actions represent an additional source of potential volatility in the near term.

4. There's a solid foundation for an eventual rebound.

It's not clear that the panic has been exhausted, but we remain confident that a turnaround will eventually materialize. We could see a dramatic slowdown in GDP to start 2020, but the economy entered this situation on firm ground.

5. Diversification isn't flashy, but it helps.

Diversified portfolios have generally benefited in this selloff. Bonds have rallied, delivering solid gains to help offset recent equity market declines. And international equities have outperformed U.S. stocks during this pullback.