PHONE: 414-223-1099 TOLL-FREE: 1-800-236-1096
SEND US A QUESTION OR COMMENT FOR OUR NEXT SHOW

2011, Not Normal

By Bob Landaas

In normal years, stock prices are driven by corporate profits. As profits go up, stock prices eventually follow and head higher.

When the Standard & Poor’s 500 set a record for profits in 2007, the Dow Jones Industrial Average went to 14,000. We’ll finish 2011 with profits at 10% above the existing record and a 17% increase from 2010. So it’s very surprising to see stock prices effectively flat for the year.

It’s unusual for markets to be driven by macroeconomic events for more than a month or two at a time.

Since last spring, the markets have been fixated on the events in Europe. Expectations recently suggest that Europeans are close to solving the short-term part of the problem with the creation of the stabilization facility fund.

The longer-term problems are much more intractable, however. The debt problems in Europe are primarily driven by unrealistic pensions for current and future retirees (as opposed to the problems in the United States, which are based on unrealistic assumptions about Medicare).

As many of you know, the U.S. recovery from the Great Recession was the first in our history that was led by the emerging markets. Much of the growth the last three years has been driven by countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Korea and Indonesia. Those countries represent approximately half of the world’s population. They’re growing at rates considerably higher than the 2% rate in the United States.

Beyond the immediate problems in Europe, I worry about sustainable growth rates in the developing world. Recent indications are pointing to a manufacturing slowdown in China along with lower real estate values. Brazil (the economic powerhouse of Latin America) has also shown signs of economic weakness. Should these trends continue, it could potentially weigh on the markets in the new year.

At some point, the markets will go back to the fundamentals of earnings and interest rates.

Recent estimates suggest that corporate profits in the United States will climb another 10% in 2012. This bodes well for equity markets in the near- to medium term.

Many investors were surprised by a strong performance in bonds for the year, led by municipal bonds and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. It’s unlikely that bonds will continue to outperform stocks moving forward.

Correlation theory performed well this year as strength in the bond market offset the weakness in stock prices in many portfolios.

We had good news on inflation this year with consumer price growth staying well below long-term averages and year-over-year core inflation running within the Federal Reserve’s comfort level.

Dire warnings of much higher interest rates and higher inflation never materialized as the U.S. economy stayed relatively weak.

The summer of 2011 was the first opportunity for many economists to assess the strength of the U.S. economy without the help of stimulus spending or quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve. In layman’s terms, it was the first chance to assess the health of the patient without the benefit of life support.

Although the economy weakened through the third quarter, it has become apparent since then that economic growth continues to strengthen as we head into the new year. We’ve had good news on job creation recently as first-time claims for unemployment insurance continue to decline, along with a drop in the unemployment rate.

As we go into the new year, investors will need to stay focused on building balanced portfolios that provide the dual functions of short-term stability along with potential for long-term growth.

I remain steadfast in my belief that most investors are best served with a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds. Numerous studies over the years support this strategy. My own experience in managing money since the mid-1970s has further reinforced the importance of risk control along with opportunities for growth.

Best wishes to everyone for a happy holiday season and for a healthy and prosperous new year.

Bob Landaas is president of Landaas & Company.

initially posted Dec. 22, 2011

More Money Talk

Landaas newsletter subscribers return to the newsletter via e-mail.


Text Size:  A  A  reset

No client or potential client should assume that any information presented or made available on or through this website should be construed as personalized financial planning or investment advice. Personalized financial planning and investment advice can be rendered only after engagement of the firm for services, execution of the required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures.
Landaas & Company performs investment advisory services only in those states where it is licensed, or excluded or exempted from state investment advisor licensing requirements. All responses to inquiries made by prospective customers to this internet site will not be made absent compliance with state investment advisor and investment advisor rep licensing requirements, or applicable exemptions or exclusions from licensing.
Please contact the firm for more information.
MEMBER FINRA MEMBER SIPC MSRB REGISTRANT

Powered By: mindspike design
ADDRESS: 411 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE, 20TH FLOOR MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
© 2024 Landaas & Company