In general, the longer you stay invested, the greater your chance of making money. To help you maintain a long-term investment approach, it's imperative to develop an investment thesis.
Drawing from my experience in investing since 1995, it's sometimes easy to get shaken out of a particular investment. Or it’s easier for some people to just keep their money sitting in cash out of fear of financial loss. I get it. I’ve lost plenty of money before because there are no guarantees when you take risk.
I observed panic selling during the 2000 dot bomb and 2008 global financial crisis, affecting both stock and real estate sellers. More recently, I witnessed panic selling at the beginning of the global pandemic in 2020. The events lead me to try and allay fears with the post, “How to Predict the Stock Market Bottom like Nostradamus.”
Having a solid investment thesis, as long as it remains intact, will provide you with the courage and confidence to hold on for the long term.
The Importance Of Developing An Investment Thesis When Investing
Let me go through some examples of how having an investment thesis has helped me hold long-term and make more money overtime. Coming up with an investment thesis also helped me make a significant decision on a recent dilemma. At the end of this post, I'll also share what makes a good investment thesis.
If you are just starting out and are fearful of investing your hard-earned money, developing an investment thesis will help you take action. To beat inflation, you must continuously invest over the long term. If you don’t overcome your fear of investing, then you will likely fall way behind over time.
Please know that you don't have to be a great investor to make money. You just need to be a good-enough investor to significantly outperform a large part of the population that does not save and invest aggressively.
1) Heartland Real Estate Investment Thesis
In 2016, I published my post titled “Focus on Trends: Why I'm Investing in the Heartland of America.” My investment thesis was based on the anticipation that more people would relocate to lower-cost areas of the country due to advancements in technology and the increasing ability to work from home. Additionally, I believed that Trump's victory would contribute to increased interest, funding, and expansion in red states.
Given the uncertainty of which specific real estate investment deal to pursue, I opted to invest in a couple of funds that focused on acquiring real estate in the heartland of America. Now, eight years and $954,000 later, I have generally witnessed positive returns on my investments. Texas properties, in particular, have performed quite well since 2016. However, as I shared in my post on private real estate investing after eight years, there have also been some duds as well.
Investing for such an extended period has been relatively straightforward. In the realm of private funds, the expected distributions typically span between 5-10 years.
2) San Francisco Real Estate Investment Thesis
When I arrived in San Francisco in 2001, I was amazed by the affordability of real estate compared to New York City. Properties were priced 20 to 30% lower, offering more space for the same cost or a similar property for less.
At that time, compensation in the finance industry was comparable between the two cities at my level. My investment thesis was that prices in SF would catch up to prices in Manhattan due to a better quality of life and the growth of technology.
Didn’t Want To Miss Out On The Tech Boom
My firm played a role in taking Facebook and Google public in the early 2000s. As a result, I anticipated a resurgence in Web 2.0. Lacking the skills or connections to enter the tech industry, I opted to invest in tech stocks and acquire rental properties instead.
Overall, San Francisco property prices have shown positive performance. The excitement of living in a big city attracts billions of people. However, the city's reputation suffered post-pandemic due to hesitancy by officials to address criminal activities and remove drug dealers downtown.
Thankfully, to stay in power, politicians must address corruption, tackle crime, clean up the city, and provide tax incentives for businesses to thrive. Citizens discontented with criminal activities are likely to vote out ideological politicians and judges who harm the community. Consequently, there is potential for the city's image to be restored post 2024 election, leading to a recovery in real estate prices.
Deja Vu With Artificial Intelligence
Since 2023 there has been an extraordinary surge in tech stock prices. Fueled by substantial bonuses and robust portfolios, I anticipate that a portion of this wealth will flow back into San Francisco Bay Area real estate. Redfin reports that luxury home prices are reaching all-time highs, attracting a significant number of all-cash buyers.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is evoking a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of 25 years ago when the internet promised to revolutionize the world. Today, it is equally apparent that AI will shape the world in the next two decades.
Despite the likelihood that most of us won't secure lucrative AI jobs due to intense competition, there's an opportunity for ordinary individuals to invest in AI companies. Beyond public companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, private investments can be made through open-ended venture capital funds like the Innovation Fund.
I am personally adopting this approach by investing in both public and private AI-related companies. My goal is to allocate $500,000 to these companies over the next five years. This strategy not only positions me for potential gains but also serves as a hedge against the challenges AI might pose for our children in terms of job opportunities.
AI Facilitated My Property Decision
In my previous post, “Rent out, sell, or create a wellness center,” I detailed my dilemma regarding what to do with my old house. At 46 years old, with two young children and already managing four rental properties, the prospect of overseeing another rental didn't appeal to me.
Being a landlord can be burdensome, particularly when dealing with challenging tenants or constant maintenance issues. Such responsibilities take away time that could be better spent on more enjoyable activities, like playing tennis or spending quality moments with my kids.
After reading through the comments on my post, which provided diverse opinions on the course of action, I weighed the options and arrived at a decision to rent out the house and hold it for the long term. The deciding factor was the formulation of an investment thesis.
Why Renting Out Is Better For Now
My investment thesis revolves around the belief that owning a single-family home on the west side of San Francisco is a sound decision. Local economic catalysts, including the opening of a large school in the fall of 2024 and the $4 billion renovation of the UCSF Parnassus Hospital by 2030 (expected to create 1400 new jobs), indicate a positive trajectory for real estate on the west side.
Remote work is here to stay. In addition, there is a demographic transition from downtown on the east side to the west side. The final catalyst for my decision to rent out is the anticipated wealth generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) for employees and investors. As a result, I will suck it up as a landlord for the next 3-5 years and then reevaluate.
I spoke to Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise, and he believes we're past the real estate market as do I. As a result, holding onto my property and renting it out makes even more sense.
3) The Vision Pro Investment Thesis
I've owned Apple stock since 2012 and it has done well. With the S&P 500 surpassing 4,900, I've faced increasing challenges in finding compelling stock investments. However, when the Vision Pro was unveiled on February 2, 2024, my interest was piqued.
At that time, Apple had just reported somewhat soft quarterly results, causing a dip in the stock. I contemplated whether this could be the opportunity to further invest in the company. After dedicating several hours to researching the Vision Pro, I concluded that the answer was affirmative.
Apple's new Vision Pro is a significant accessibility tool for the visually impaired. Approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide experience some form of visual impairment. While an estimated 237 million face moderate to severe impairment. Among them, 40 million are considered legally blind or completely blind. This figure is expected to rise to 115 million by 2050.
Consequently, I believe the Vision Pro holds the promise of greatly assisting a substantial portion of the global population in enhancing their vision and interaction capabilities. Considering the critical importance of sight, the demand for this product should be relatively inelastic for the visually impaired. Furthermore, Apple is likely to enhance the product over time and reduce its retail cost. I can’t wait for version 2 and 3.
An Example Of How The Vision Pro Can Help The Visually Impaired
If you have regular sight or can correct your myopia or hyperopia with glasses or contact lenses, then you might take for granted your vision. Seeing a small screen on your phone or the 10-point font size on a menu is usually not a problem. For for those with visual impairments, it can be.
This Vision Pro commercial succinctly captures one of its many benefits for the visually impaired.
Apple is already an outstanding company with intelligent employees and an impressive product line. Further, it is cash flow positive with substantial cash reserves and a dividend payout. My confidence in investing in Apple stock aligns with my confidence in the S&P 500. However, I anticipate additional upside potential, particularly with the introduction of the Vision Pro.
Note: The definition of legally blind means the inability to correct your visual accuity to at least 20/200 with corrective lenses. Most people can correct their visual acuity to 20/20 to 20/40 with glasses or contacts. Legally blind usually does not mean complete blindness, as many people who are legally blind still have some vision.
America The Great: The Ultimate Investment Thesis
I harbor a home country bias as an American patriot. Residing in this country since 1991, paying six figures in taxes annually since 2003, witnessing my children's birth on American soil, and crafting over 2300 personal finance posts aimed primarily at aiding Americans in achieving financial freedom sooner—these experiences have fostered my deep connection and commitment to this nation.
I envision my final days in America, leaving behind a positive legacy. Consequently, my long-term outlook is bullish and biased on owning American assets.
The greatness of America, in my belief, stems from:
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Strong work ethic
- A stable democratic government
- A robust legal system safeguarding intellectual property and individual rights
- A formidable defense industry ensuring citizens' protection
- A stable world currency
- Generally thoughtful and kind people aspiring to assist others globally in attaining freedom
- A history of unity during times of crisis, exemplified by events like 9/11 and the pandemic
While acknowledging America's challenges—crime, poverty, socioeconomic injustices—I consider it unwise to bet against its long-term excellence. The collective willpower of our nation, I believe, will drive ongoing positive improvements.
I advocate that everyone, globally, should find a way to own a piece of America, be it through the S&P 500 or U.S. real estate.
In 50 years, when our grandchildren become adults, they will appreciate our foresight in investing in America today. Despite inevitable economic fluctuations, with a well-defined investment thesis, we stand to accumulate wealth beyond our current imagination.
What Makes A Good Investment Thesis
A good investment thesis is a well-researched and articulated rationale behind an investment decision. It serves as a comprehensive guide that outlines the reasons and expectations for choosing a particular investment. Here are key characteristics of a good investment thesis:
- Clear and Concise: The thesis should be easily understandable and to the point.
- Supported by Research: Ground your thesis in thorough research, including fundamental analysis, technical analysis, and an understanding of relevant economic and market trends.
- Alignment with Goals: Clearly state how the investment aligns with your overall financial goals and objectives. Whether it's capital appreciation, passive income generation, or risk mitigation, the thesis should reflect your goals.
- Identifies Investment Opportunity: Specify the investment opportunity or opportunities you have identified. This could involve a specific asset class, industry, sector, or individual securities.
- Analysis of Risks: Acknowledge and assess the risks, challenges, and uncertainties associated with the investment.
- Time Horizon: Clearly define your time horizon for the investment. Specify whether it's a short-term trade, a long-term hold, or something in between.
- Competitive Advantage: Understand what sets it apart from competitors and how it plans to sustain or enhance that advantage.
- Financial Metrics: Include relevant financial metrics supporting your investment decision. This may include valuation ratios, growth rates, profitability, and other key financial indicators.
- Scenario Analysis: Consider different scenarios and outcomes. A well-thought-out thesis anticipates how the investment might perform under various circumstances.
- Adaptable and Dynamic: Recognize that market conditions can change. A good investment thesis is adaptable and allows for adjustments based on new information or changing circumstances.
- Exit Strategy: Clearly outline your exit strategy. Know under what conditions you would sell or reduce your position.
- Communication: Share your thesis with others to find any blind spots, like I am with this post. Others should be able to understand your rationale and analysis.
Having a good investment thesis won't guarantee success, but it's like a roadmap for your investments. Keep updating it based on what's happening in the market, and make sure you invest for the long term.
Investment theses can vary in quality, and sometimes you might get the investment right with the wrong thesis. The main thing is to have a good reason why you're investing, so you stick with it over time.
In 10 years, you'll probably end up with a lot more money if you're the kind of person who keeps investing for the long haul, compared to someone who doesn't invest or tries to time the market. Decide which situation you want to have in the future.
Reader Questions
Share an investment thesis you have about a particular investment you are bullish on. How can we convince more people to come up with an investment thesis and hold for the long-term?
Invest In Private Growth Companies
If you believe artificial intelligence will be an important economic driver, check out the Innovation Fund. It invests in the following five sectors:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Modern Data Infrastructure
- Development Operations (DevOps)
- Financial Technology (FinTech)
- Real Estate & Property Technology (PropTech)
Roughly 35% of the Innovation Fund invests in artificial intelligence. In 20 years, I don't want my kids wondering why I didn't invest in AI or work in AI.
The investment minimum is also only $10. Most venture capital funds have a $250,000+ minimum. You can see what the Innovation Fund is holding before deciding to invest and how much. Traditional venture capital funds require capital commitment first and then hope the general partners will find great investments.
Fundrise is a long-term sponsor of Financial Samurai and Financial Samurai is an investor in Fundrise.
Folks investing should have an Investment Policy Statement (IPS).
Scope & Purpose:
“The investment policy statement (IPS) will govern how the financial assets of ____________ are to be invested.”
RESPONSIBILITIES:
“__________ is responsible for coordinating updates to the IPS and responsible for monitoring the application of the IPS and shall notify ETFguide of the need for updates to the IPS and/or violations of the IPS implementation. _________ shall be responsible for approving the IPS and all subsequent revisions of it.
Changes in life circumstances including the birth of a child, retirement, disability, divorce, or family death will impact all future adjustments and responsibilities to this document.”
Research the subject and find a Financial Advisor (RIA) firm that prepares such IPS reports and go over your situation with them. Ron Delegge at ETFguide can prepare an IPS for you for a reasonable fee. You can find his firm online.
your quote sums up our last 40+ years of heavy real estate investing vs investing in equities.
“Since 1996, I’ve discovered that having a well-defined investment thesis increases the likelihood of consistently investing and holding onto investments during challenging periods.
As the old saying goes, ‘time in the market is more important than timing the market.’ This lesson came to me the hard way during the first 10 years of my investing career.”
We were told many times that we would lose it all, go bankrupt, have to grovel to return to work & suffer the never ending torment of bad tenants & damages.
We could write a book on it all, as it definitely was not easy, but since 1998 (& retired) we have been free & clear on every property since, have no debt since & live comfortably between three homes during the year after selling our 4th, a FL home of 31 years, just before H. Ian hit.
love your articles & financial insight.
My California real estate thesis is this:
Despite numerous rent control efforts and the State’s (and most coastal counties’) hostility towards landlords, I think California residential real estate will be very lucrative for landlords assuming they have sufficient cash on hand to withstand vacancies, evictions, cash for keys, etc.
This is because rent control decreases landlord and developer participation in providing housing and thus leads to fewer units on the market. Fewer units on the market will increase rental prices.
Hi, like you I own and manage a few rental properties in the city, which is our primary income. Although the rental market here isn’t great, at least it’s stabilized. It’s like survive until 2025 and hopefully things will turn around in SF. These upcoming city elections, with a swell of moderate candidates will hopefully make a tangible difference in quality of life issues, which of course have hurt SF’s reputation worldwide.
I’m also bullish on the potential for the AI industry. But work from home is pervasive and I think downtown and soma are going to be challenged for several years. Also tech firms are less concentrated in the Bay Area now and getting more distributed in 2nd tier cities. The saving grace for SF is that many local neighborhoods are now more cleaned up and also have thriving foot traffic, if it’s the mission, inner sunset, etc. So I feel good about the future of good and established SF neighborhoods, which is where I own properties.
SF has roughly doubled in value every 10years, which is amazing. The first chart in this report is a good visual, https://www.bayareamarketreports.com/trend/3-recessions-2-bubbles-and-a-baby The main thing I need to wrap my head around is that I think the next 5-10 years will not have the amazing appreciation that we’ve had since the mid-late 90’s when I started investing. I honestly got used to that phenomenal rate growth, but I’m trying to set more modest expectations going forward.
How bullish are you on future SF appreciation? Do you think it will be anything like the last 30 years?
Cheers
The market may simmer this year. But I think it’ll eventually go up again by a rate of 3.5 to 5% a year. If you look at the historical cycles, there’s generally about 4 to 5 years of flat lining.
Given we’re already at a high base, the growth rate of appreciation won’t be as high as in the past. That said, I think there’s gonna be another renaissance of Wealth being created over the next 10 to 20 years with new tech / AI.
What the cost of building materials, labor, and restrictive building should help push real estate prices higher.
Yeah 3.5-4.5% SF real estate returns over the next 5-10 years is probably realistic. 7% is unlikely, which is what we’ve gotten used to :) Without that outsized 7% equity return, and holding my properties debt free (no leverage), keeping them long term vs selling and going into the stock market becomes a much closer call.
My cash on cash on my RE is 3.5-4%, plus 3.5-4.5% expected appreciation totals 7-8.5% total returns, which is roughly in line with s&p 500 long term returns. Tax treatment favors RE, but then again with stocks you don’t need to deal with tenants and repairs. But of course the main issue is transferring my RE equity into stocks is bloody expensive, with sales expenses and capital gains of about 37%. So I’m still better off holding the RE. My only issue is that I’m heavily RE weighed, with only a small stocks portfolio. My plan has been to dollar cost average excess RE profits into stocks to better balance my portfolio.
I’ll just have to see what transpires over the next 2-3 years to our fair city, plus evaluate the macro economic picture. I guess this “sell RE, buy stocks” dilemma isn’t such a bad problem to have. But nevertheless it’s nice to have a “safe space” (sic) such as this blog where wealthy people can freely cry about their problems…IRW anytime I bring this up to people it’s like, “wait, let me get the worlds smallest violin to play for you” :)
Innovation Fund vs going after AI public companies like the following that are already established and surging YTD. Thinking the latter might be more attractive and with less risk.
Nividia
TSMC
Arm
SoundHound
I don’t have thesis, only several points:
-Only buy S&P 500 index with lowest fee.
-No trading, hold for LONG time.
– Maximize all tax deferred accounts.
– No investment in a single company since I have no control over management.
I bought and didn’t look at my account for years . I just recently checked and saw that it has 13% compounding interest making me millionaire.
Well done. Don’t forget to capitalize on your investments by selling on occasion to buy things you want and improve the quality of your life. Otherwise, there’s really no point to investing in stocks.
Is there a fundrise equivalent for non-US citizens? Thanks in advance. Dave
Hi Dave, I’m not aware of one. You can just invest in a public real estate ETF like VNQ or one of the publicly-traded REITs like O. Just know they are more volatile.
Just to clarify, Innovation Fund is not currently open to new investors but has a “waitlist.”
Also what is happening with publically traded companies in the AI thesis seems to me to mean that not really necessary to take on added risk of start-ups. just look at recent performance of ARM SMCi and NVDA. and that is just a few. i will continue inverting in a broad 10-12 public stocks and sure to gain solid and not massive returns. i look at it this way, if a start up here or there will do 10x and some will bust, leaving you with overall 3-4 times return, then i am likely to better with the established companies in a sector where the revolution has just begun. smci is up 3x in just a month.
That’s weird. I just checked with Fundrise and the Innovation Fund is open to investors.
“The Innovation Fund is OPEN to new investors. It is possible this person is unable to make a direct investment into the fund if they are an existing investor who is not a Pro member. This is something we’re working on.
But to reiterate the fund is open to new investors.
If you select the Venture Capital investment plan during signup you can invest in the Innovation Fund.”
I’m an existing investor and don’t believe I’m a pro member. I’m able to invest in the Innovation Fund.
i’m an existing investor but not a pro member and i am not able to invest in Innovation fund so must fall into that segment. it is not provided as an option when i select “browse investments” in my account. i then read a review of the fund from late 2023, i will try to post, and it did say that it wasn’t open to all yet. it did said all you needed was $10 to start.
You should reach out to them and let them know.
ASH01 – What are the 10-12 AI public companies you are targeting besides Nividia, smci and ARM? Thoughts on TSMC & SoundHound? I tend to agree with your thesis. Why take on the private risk when the public companies should still be in their infancy in terms of AI growth.
As discussed earlier, here is my investment thesis which could be quite controversial:
1. A portfolio of 50/50 real estate vs. stock. The stock portion should not be lower but could be much higher. Holding real estate is mostly for pleasure/need and rent. Rental properties are all places i would want to live. Once pleasure part of real estate is no longer needed, should graduate to stocks or to rental units.
2. Stocks is a mix of SP500 and Tech i.e. Nasdaq 100, XLK, VOOG and also exposure to single high performing stock. No international stock. No bonds. Mostly automated invested to cost average. Real estate rental income is the security in case stock market crashes.
3. Flexible and nimble approach. Whenever the market is down, try investing more and don’t withdraw funds.
4. No investment in private funds, real estate funds, bitcoin and other cryptos which i dont understand and have no transparency. No need to complicate.
Sounds good. What’s your investment thesis though for your tech stocks?
It’s a good mantra to not invest in what you don’t understand.
I really enjoy investing private funds (VC, VD, real estate) as it forces me to invest for the long term ~10 years. The capital calls also keep me investing even when I might not want to.
I am excited about building out, my artificial intelligence exposure, and I have one from the invested in Ripple, which has turned out to be maybe a 20-40X return. Maybe I can cash out just in time to buy a new car in 2027, when my current car is 12 years old.
Here’s an example of an AI company one of my private funds (Kleiner) is investing in. I’m pumped! https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/06/ambience-healthcare-raises-70m-for-its-ai-assistant-led-by-openai-and-kleiner-perkins/
I’m also excited about the AI investments in the Fundrise Innovation Fund, like Databricks.
Sounds good. As for tech, i have a single stock exposure due to my employment which is doing better than market and is a great company that does good work. So thesis for that is don’t fix what is working. As for the rest, my strategy is similar to most here – i Invest in 15-20% of stock portfolio in QQQ and lesser to XLK and VOOG which are Apple, Microsoft heavy – i believe i get enough AI and other exposure through these since i dont know what the next big thing will be.
One last point. I am very bullish about US Stocks for the following reasons:
1. European markets are not performing. On surface, it appears cheap to buy however not a single tech company in the top 100 European companies.
2. China stock market is not performing. Significant decline and volatility. Could be the beginning of a Japan like deflation and decline.
3. US is the center of AI and innovation.
4. Stock ownership, although at historical highs is still low among Americans being at approx 56%.
In couple years, i think everyone will want a piece of the US companies. Already evidenced by the fact that Shiller CAPE after 80s is much higher than historically has been. Could this lead to a bubble? Definitely – but it could well last 10-20 years and the fundamentals could also catch up in the meanwhile either due to AI generated earnings or something else and optimism pays when investing!
My best thesis was investing in semiconductor stocks. Roughly 5 years ago I noticed how almost everything needed a chip. My thesis proved itself out during the pandemic. You couldn’t get a car, dishwasher or any smart device because chips weren’t available. I bought AMD, NVDA, and Intel. 2 of them worked out pretty good. I was banking on the cloud and data centers to boom. That part worked out okay. I didn’t see any of the AI craze coming which has been hugely beneficial. Decent thesis and a ton of luck!
Nice! But what about the future?
Take a little profit and hold the rest for another 5 years. I realize we’re right in the middle of AI mania but everything I read and watch tells me we’re still in the early days of AI.
No matter what happens we’re still going to need more chips to power all our future ambitions
so interesting how almost nobody but nvda saw the AI craze coming. that one earnings report by them set this whole thing off about a year ago. such an interesting phenomenon. AI has been talked about for many years but then suddenly companies decide to try to make a product of it in a massive scale. nvda explosion in earning was because companies suddenly ordered their chips.
Yup, I spend hours a day watching cnbc, reading blogs and doing research and I truly didn’t know what AI could do or how much money companies could make off it. Luck is definitely a factor.
VTI + VXUS + long haul = chill
Agree, but it’s hard to retire earlier by just investing in the total stock market. There are two levels of wealth, the top-tier wealth did not get there by investing in ETFs or index funds.
100% agree with you on that front! BUT I do personally believe that 95% of people will accumulate more wealth through regular and automated index investing over time vs. active investment strategies such as picking 1:1 stocks. I would guess you also have a sizable audience base that loves the content but also leans toward simple investing strategies over the long haul and not constantly stressing about achieving the top tier of wealth. The content here can sometimes make you feel behind, overly stressed that you’ll never have enough, and stuck stressing about the future. I personally have to step back and remember it’s really about regular investing (in your strategies of choice) + time in the market and not timing the market. Which I personally think is a sound investment thesis! Love the content though to be clear. It’s really helped me think about allocation percentages and mortgage payoff strategies.
Yes, good points. For most people, buying a primary residence and regularly investing in an S&P 500 index fund is a great long-term strategy.
Personally, I like to always be challenged bc it’s fun. Even if I fail, I will likely have accumulated more than if I hadn’t pushed myself.
From my coaching days, the players who advance the most are pushed the hardest.
But good reminder to press the easy button once in a while for readers who may be burning out or feeling behind.
I love your clear and specific convictions in your investment thesis. That’s something I need to work on. Very cool on the Apple Vision Pro. I don’t have anything specific in my own investments. Although I do believe in long term real estate, stock, and tech exposure. Thanks for the list of steps on creating an investment thesis.
I’ve been investing since the mid-1980s. Every time I’ve evaluated my portfolio against a portfolio of index funds using backtesting of 5 years and more, the index funds (with expenses deducted) have beaten my portfolio’s performance over a 5+ year time horizon. I’ve finally realized that I have a lot more money today if I’d purchase a mix of three low-cost, passively managed index funds. My latest lesson occurred during the latest 5 year period in which my portfolio performed well. It did what it was designed to do (mitigate losses during down markets like 2022). I was only down 2% that year. Unfortunately, if I had invested in a mix of SCHD (50%), SCHG (25%), and SWPPX (25%), that portfolio would have crushed my performance by a wide margin. Yes, it lost more money in 2022 (around 14.75%) but dramatically exceeded its performance in the other four years. I’m done trying to be smart. I’m buying a mix of passive ETFs and accepting the market risk.
Thanks for posting that. You basically stated my “investment thesis”:
1. My assets must grow in order for me to keep up with long term inflation
2. Over the long haul it’s very difficult for me to outperform the market
3. Figuring out my my risk tolerance and indexing accordingly is probably my best bet
No different than you, it’s taken since the mid 1980’s for this reality to really set in…
Those are great points Vaughn. Keep the focus and stay invested for the long term!
Active funds underperform their benchmark passive index >95% of the time after 10 years. With retail investors its over 99% with average underperformance by 4% *annually*. The 1% that crush due to lucky pick with concentration are the reason people still do it, but I’d rather have a 99x higher chance to have a +4% CAGR *and* barely think about it.