The Federal Reserve is Becoming the Problem
Posted on Saturday, May 14th, 2016
We have contemplated writing a blog titled “How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Fed”. We just cannot get ourselves over that line. The Federal Reserve has created and continues to promulgate a very dangerous position as capital is mal invested. It also continues to punish a generation of savers, fixed income retirees, insurance companies and pension funds. The zero and even, in the case of Europe and Japan, Negative interest rate environment is hampering all of these groups ability to operate.
In light of this low income environment, we are seeing larger amounts of Ponzi schemes and investment fraud out there. Salesmen are pitching hard on annuities and income oriented schemes. These schemes are being proffered as a way to get 7-8% income on your investments. There is no Golden Ticket. There is no Holy Grail. If you are being promised those levels of income off of your investments it comes with outsized risk. Please do your due diligence. Everyone from insurance companies to pension funds to individual investors are begging for income as central banks have suppressed rates. If someone promises you this run, don’t walk, in the other direction. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Annuities are increasingly being offered as a solution but they come with their own set of problems. You may think that you are offloading risk on the annuity provider but it may blow back at you. These insurance companies are having the same trouble you are generating income and returns. If central banks continue to suppress rates then these companies may find it hard to keep their promises or even stay in business. You will be taking the haircut along with paying their generous fees. There is no silver bullet out there folks. Just good old fashioned hard work, diligence and patience in your investing.
We have been a big proponent and holder of smart beta ETF’s. We have been overweight dividend focused ETF’s and low volatility. They have been generous providers of return so far this year as low volatility, dividend focused ETF’s and utilities have done quite well. When everyone wants in the room – we want out. We are contemplating exchanging those funds as they are now all the rage. They have over the years provided downside protection if markets falter. That may not be the case this time around. We will continue our due diligence. No decision yet. Just an early warning. Chasing yield is a very dangerous proposition. Do your homework and don’t fall for the latest fad.
According to Standard & Poor’s the S&P 500 is now down month and quarter to date while it has maintained a slight gain of 0.13% for 2016. The fourth year of US Presidents second term tends to have below average returns as the market is unsure of who will be the next leader of the free world. Once it becomes evident who the next President is the market will steady. While that outcome is decided it could be a rocky Summer but an opportunity filled Fall.
April is consistently one of the strongest months of the year and that helped returns. However, we are now entering the weakest part of the year from May until November and the election season is not going to help. I think that volatility may be even more pronounced and returns suppressed with Donald Trump in the mix. Not because of his polices or beliefs but because he is bringing a much broader audience to the game and the media is all a buzz. That talk show fodder may convince investors to keep their wallet attached to their hip until things settle down. We have faded the recent rally and continue to cull underperformers and reduce risk. It could be a volatile summer.
Not recommendations just information. Investing is not a game of perfect. It is a game of probabilities.
I think we aspire less to foresee the future and more to be a great contingency planner… you can respond very fast to what’s happening because you thought through all the possibilities, – Lloyd Blankfein
To learn more about us and Blackthorn Asset Management LLC visit our website at www.BlackthornAsset.com .
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. – Winston Churchill
Disclosure: This blog is informational and is not a recommendation to buy or sell anything. If you are thinking about investing consider the risk. Everyone’s financial situation is different. Consult your financial advisor.