The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached another milestone today. The Dow broke through 20,000 as traders cheered.
For a little perspective here’s how the market reached past milestones.
A few points to remember. There have been long periods when the Dow treated investors like riders on a roller coaster: lots of swoops and slides only to end up where you began. During those periods people made money with astute stock selection, not by buying “Mr. Market.” We believe that those times will come again.
- It took from 1929 to 1954 for the Dow to regain its previous high.
- It took ten years – from 1972 to 1982 – for the market to break through the 1,000 level.
Keep in mind that the 1,000 point move in the Dow at the current level is just a little over 5% and is therefore not nearly as meaningful as a move from 1,000 to 2,000, a move of 100%. But it’s still an important psychological barrier that had to be broken for the market to move higher.
The move makes sense from both a technical and fundamental standpoint. Both retail and institutional investors are positive, as we have noted in the past.
The incoming Trump administration has moved with amazing speed to demonstrate their desire to increase the level of economic growth as a way of increasing job and wage growth. They have expressed policy preferences for lower taxes, reducing regulations that stifle business development, and have been encouraging companies to build their businesses in the United States rather than overseas.
The trend is clear. The only thing that could derail this train is a massive change in consumer sentiment or an external factor such as a war or other calamity. The latter are known as “Black Swan” events and we must always keep in mind that they can occur. We manage our portfolios with those possibilities in mind.
Eventually, valuations will get too high and the inevitable correction will occur. In the meantime, we enjoy the ride while keeping a close eye on events.
Investment Views
Dow Breaks the 20,000 level
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached another milestone today. The Dow broke through 20,000 as traders cheered.
For a little perspective here’s how the market reached past milestones.
A few points to remember. There have been long periods when the Dow treated investors like riders on a roller coaster: lots of swoops and slides only to end up where you began. During those periods people made money with astute stock selection, not by buying “Mr. Market.” We believe that those times will come again.
Keep in mind that the 1,000 point move in the Dow at the current level is just a little over 5% and is therefore not nearly as meaningful as a move from 1,000 to 2,000, a move of 100%. But it’s still an important psychological barrier that had to be broken for the market to move higher.
The move makes sense from both a technical and fundamental standpoint. Both retail and institutional investors are positive, as we have noted in the past.
The incoming Trump administration has moved with amazing speed to demonstrate their desire to increase the level of economic growth as a way of increasing job and wage growth. They have expressed policy preferences for lower taxes, reducing regulations that stifle business development, and have been encouraging companies to build their businesses in the United States rather than overseas.
The trend is clear. The only thing that could derail this train is a massive change in consumer sentiment or an external factor such as a war or other calamity. The latter are known as “Black Swan” events and we must always keep in mind that they can occur. We manage our portfolios with those possibilities in mind.
Eventually, valuations will get too high and the inevitable correction will occur. In the meantime, we enjoy the ride while keeping a close eye on events.
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