How low can stocks go? Updated risks and values for March 6th

How low can stocks go? Updated risks and values for March 6th     

Bottom Line: In case you're new to this series, the purpose of this story is to inform you as to what's possible in a near worst-case outcome for the financial markets. The reason is to understand what's possible, though unlikely, so you can plan soundly for your financial future unemotionally. Too often when we have a rare short-term downturn in the markets - it's too late to offer up information that might have been helpful ahead of time. This week's edition of "how low can stocks go" goes as follows...re the Dow, S&P 500 & Nasdaq stand against their all-time high levels:                

  • DOW: off 6.5% (down 3.1% vs last week)   

  • S&P 500: off 2.2% (down 2% vs last week)   

  • Nasdaq: off 2.3% (down 1.2% vs last week)   

Well it's not boring anymore is it? We've had a correction (decline of 10% or more) in every major index but earnings have grown nearly 15% year over year to record levels - and the best is still yet to come as fundamentals are still improving and tax reform's impacts are just starting to be felt in the economy. This is a reminder of why it's so important to have a solid plan in place and not make emotional decisions. If you did and attempted to time the market you've probably made some very expensive mistakes.   

Here's the 2018 year-to-date performance:          

  • The Dow is up .6%, the S&P 500 is up 1.8% & the Nasdaq is up 6.2%  

Despite the whirlwind activity, the correction, etc. we're still sitting on across the board gains in 2018. The Nasdaq having is an exceptional start to the year. As far as how low stocks could go...? If only market fundamentals mattered here's what we'd want to consider regarding the S&P 500 for example.                

  • S&P 500 P\E: 25.13             

  • S&P 500 avg. P\E: 15.69                

The downside risk is 38% based on earnings multiples right now from current levels. That's 2% less risk compared with this time last year on a fundamental basis alone (and 4% less risk than just last week). We're seeing earnings season once again deliver & with the recent selloff the fundamental story hasn't changed – valuations are just a touch lower.  

Now, as always, I don't expect that type of selloff to occur (38%) but it's always important to ensure that you're positioned for negative adversity. If a short-term decline at the levels wouldn't affect your day-to-day life, you're likely well positioned to continue to take advantage of investment opportunities. If that size of selloff would rock your world over the short-term, that's when you should probably seek professional assistance in crafting your plan (that balances your short-term needs with long-term objectives).      


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