How the Markets Performed in 2019 and Tips to Prepare for 2020

Another year is in the books. It’s almost time to turn the calendar to 2020. For many investors, this is the time to look back on the past year and make adjustments for the upcoming year.
 
The performance of your portfolio in 2019 depends on your allocation and your specific investments. However, generally speaking, investors enjoyed positive returns in 2019. Through November 22, the top market indexes had the following returns:
 
S&P 500: 24.60%1
DJIA: 19.88%2
NASDAQ: 29.41%3
 
Those positive returns haven’t come without a few bumps in the road though. The markets experienced a few sharp downturns in 2019, especially through the summer. Issues like the trade war between the United States and China have created uncertainty among some investors. 4 However, other developments, like interest rate cuts and strong corporate earnings, have helped extend the longest bull market in history.4
 
What’s in store for 2020? When it comes to investing, it’s impossible to predict the future, especially in the short-term. However, if you are concerned about market volatility, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure to risk. Below are a few action items to consider as we head into the new year:

Review your risk tolerance. 

Is your allocation aligned with your risk tolerance? If you’re like many investors, you may not actually know what your risk tolerance is. Risk tolerance is your specific ability to withstand volatility in your investments. Risk tolerance is unique for each person and is based on a wide range of factors, including your time horizon, your comfort level with risk, and your financial goals and needs.
 
Risk tolerance also changes over time. If you’re approaching retirement, you may not have the same tolerance you had when you were younger. Often, people who have decades until retirement have significantly more tolerance for risk because they have more time to recover from a loss. If you’re a few years away from retirement, you may be much more sensitive to a market downturn.
 
Now is a good time to review your risk tolerance and make sure your allocation is appropriate. A financial professional can use a variety of tools and methods to accurately gauge your tolerance for risk. He or she can then recommend specific allocation changes that may be more appropriate than your current investment approach.

Use risk protection tools.

Changing your allocation is one way to reduce your potential risk levels. It’s not the only option though. Using a “multi bucket approach” can be a way to weather the storm. A paper loss only becomes a realized loss if you liquidate an investment when it is down in value. With a multi bucket approach, you may have “bucket” of funds ear marked to access for extra income and emergencies, so you don’t have to touch your long-term investments during a down market.
A financial professional can help you identify strategies suitable for your specific situation.
 
 
Ready to develop your 2020 investing strategy? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Heritage Financial North. We can help you analyze your needs and develop a plan. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
1https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/index/spx
2https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/index/djia
3https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/index/comp
4https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/02/in-2019-almost-every-investment-worked.html
 
Advisory Services Offered Through Change Path LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Heritage Financial North and Change Path LLC are not affiliated. Licensed Insurance Professional. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. No information on this website is intended to provide and should not be relied upon for or construed as accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. Neither Change Path, LLC not its representatives give tax or legal advice.
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
19523 - 2019/12/3