The coronavirus has returned volatility to the markets. Last week the major stock indices were either up or down 2-3% daily. Price declines in oil over the weekend rattled the markets on Monday with a historic 2,000 point drop on the Dow but we recovered more than half those losses on Tuesday. We certainly empathize with our clients’ natural worry over this . As your advisors, our job is to remain objective and not panic in regards to making portfolio decisions.
At this time the technical data is pointing to this being a correction as the strength of current economic data shows no sign of a recessionary bear market. There will be some economic fallout from the virus, but we must keep in mind that our economy is robust and diverse. Some sectors were hit very hard by the virus such as travel while other areas are benefiting due to the stock piling of consumer goods. Over the coming days and weeks we will be monitoring the economic data very closely and we will make changes to the portfolio if risks increase or buying opportunities emerge.