As prices of everyday goods seemingly only continue to increase at a rapid pace, most are calling for this inflation to be long lasting. However, a look into one of the most accurate predictors, the treasury market, we can see that there may be a different story unfolding on inflation. While the bond market seems to be shaken, it is certainly not stirred by long-term investors.
“The price you pay determines your future returns” is an old adage in financial literature. This is a simple way of saying that when you buy at high prices, your future returns are lower. Conversely, when you buy at low prices, your future returns are higher. Buy low, sell high. It all sounds right, but is it true? Or is this phrase just an antiquated relic of times past when money did not grow on government balance sheets, and asset prices didn’t always go up? That is a fair question, but it is not a simple one.
We too live in a “pretending age”, where in-depth evaluations of important subjects are rare. Often, shallow analysis is passed off as game-changing discoveries instead of the fodder they are for title gazers. Such is the case with the recent obituaries published for the 60/40 portfolio. When it comes to investing, there is perhaps no issue more important than asset allocation. It is, in fact, the greatest determinant for portfolio returns over time. So with that in mind, let’s discuss the death of depth in the death of the 60/40 portfolio.
Having an idea of where you want to go is great, but it isn’t the same as knowing where you are going. Many investors can articulate where they want their portfolios to go, but very few can follow the directions to get to their destination.