The Non-Existent "Holy Grail" of Investments

Written by Lance Roberts, courtesy of realinvestmentadvice.com

The financial markets offer a wide array of investment options to investors. These options range from simple brokered certificates of deposit to complex derivative instruments. This vast selection is a result of investors' demand for diverse financial goals, from exceeding benchmark returns to generating income to protecting against downside risk. Every investor dreams of enjoying all the potential gains without any of the potential losses. Some investment vehicles, such as indexed annuities, offer protection from downside risk but limit the potential for upside returns. On the other hand, if you invest in an index fund, you are exposed to both the full potential gains and the full risk.

The Search for the Perfect Investment Vehicle

A recent email from a reader sparked my thoughts on the elusive "perfect" investment vehicle and the quest for the "holy grail" of investing. The reader and his wife were exploring options for their emergency funds to earn a better return. Their requirements were simple: - A guaranteed minimum return of 4%. - The ability to withdraw cash without penalty when needed. - The option to reinvest all income. - An increase in the investment's value if bond yields drop as expected. At this point, I was ready to recommend a 10-year Treasury bond. At current rates, this investment would yield more than 4% and guarantee the principal. If yields drop, the bond's price would rise, reinvestment of income is an option, and the investment is highly liquid. However, their final requirement put a halt to my suggestion: "Oh, and one more thing, the dollar value of the account must remain stable at all times."

The Three Components of All Investments

In portfolio management, you can only have two of three components of any investment or asset class: - Safety – The return of principal without loss due to price change or fees. - Liquidity – Immediate accessibility without penalties or fees. - Return – Appreciation in the price of the investment. The only asset class that provides both safety and liquidity is cash. However, this safety comes at the cost of return. Equities offer liquidity and potential returns but can result in a significant loss of principal. Bonds can provide returns through income and safety if held to maturity, but investors must sacrifice liquidity for this safety. In essence, no investment can offer all three factors simultaneously. This principle applies to any investment vehicle you may consider, including Fixed Annuities (Indexed), Certificates of Deposit, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Real Estate, Traded REITs, Commodities, and Gold.

The Importance of Liquidity

Liquidity is the most crucial factor in any investment. Without liquidity, investing is impossible. Therefore, liquidity should always be a top priority when managing your portfolio. Holding extra cash can be beneficial. If the market conditions change, you can quickly adjust your portfolio's risk level. However, if the market conditions worsen, having cash can protect your investment capital from significant losses. Here are eight reasons why liquidity should be your primary focus: 1. We are speculators, not investors. We buy pieces of paper at one price hoping to sell at a higher price. 2. 80% of stocks move in the direction of the market. If the market is falling, most stocks will also decline. 3. The best traders value cash. They believe in "buying low and selling high." 4. Approximately 90% of our investment beliefs are incorrect. The two 50% declines since 2000 should have taught us to respect investment risks. 5. 80% of individual traders lose money over any 10-year period due to various factors. 6. Raising cash can be a better hedge than shorting. 7. You can't "buy low" if you don't have anything to "buy with." 8. Cash protects against forced liquidations.

Conclusion

It's important to note that I'm not suggesting holding 100% cash. Instead, I recommend maintaining higher cash levels during periods of uncertainty for stability and opportunity. With the current political, fundamental, and economic backdrop becoming increasingly hostile toward investors, understanding the value of cash as a hedge against loss becomes crucial. Chasing yield at any cost has typically not ended well for most investors. Perhaps Wall Street's insistence on remaining invested all the time has more to do with their fees than with your best interests. Lance Roberts is a Chief Portfolio Strategist/Economist for RIA Advisors. He is also the host of “The Lance Roberts Podcast” and Chief Editor of the “Real Investment Advice” website and author of “Real Investment Daily” blog and “Real Investment Report“. Follow Lance on Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In and YouTube. Tyler Durden Sun, 05/12/2024 - 09:05

Final Thoughts

This article sheds light on the complexities of investing and the importance of understanding the inherent trade-offs between safety, liquidity, and return. It's a reminder that there is no "holy grail" of investing, and that each investment vehicle has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you agree with the emphasis on liquidity over other factors? Share this article with your friends and spark a conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered to your inbox every day at 6pm.