The first quarter of 2005 was a rocky one for all markets. Yet the economy continued its respectable pace of growth during the quarter,and the unemployment rate continues to be low at 5.2%i .
So why did the markets sell off so dramatically? In some markets, valuations reached a peak and fundamentals began to change. That was especially true for REITs, where property prices peaked and interest rates began to climb. For other asset classes the answer was found in the double whammy of rising oil prices and rising interest rates. Many investors began asking themselves “is this a replay of the 1970s?” or, “can our global economic system withstand these types of price spikes?”
Bond market investors also saw falling prices and higher yields during the quarter. The Federal Reserve increased rates twice during the quarter, leaving the Fed Funds Rate at 2.75%, which is up 1.75% over the last 9 monthsii. Additionally, longer rates began to move back up during the quarter, with the 10 year Treasury note ending the quarter at 4.48%, up from 4.22%iii. This increase in both short and long term rates had bond price interest rates falling over the quarter.
International Equity markets continued to experience positive returns, but when those returns were converted back into dollars they were substantially reduced if not eliminated, due to the dollar appreciating over 4% against the Euro and the Yenviii. The strengthening of the dollar had the potential to whipsaw investors who may have over allocated to non-US markets, having become enamored by the extra return boost provided by the falling dollar over the past few years.
As discussed earlier, while performance in the markets was disappointing for the quarter, the economy continues to grow at an attractive rate. GDP Growth came in at 3.8% for the 4th quarter of 2004, and estimates for 1st quarter 2005 growth are around 3.8%ix. Unemployment continues to fall with the economy generating nearly 175,000 new jobs per month. So, while the markets may have reacted in the short term to rising oil prices and interest rates, the economy remains strong and growing. If the economy continues to grow as it has, we can expect the market to ultimately re-allocate capital to those companies which are part of this growth story.
In markets like we experienced during the First Quarter, we are again reminded of the importance of owning a properly diversified portfolio, and how important it is to have a capable, experienced investment team to navigate us through difficult times. As long term investors, we know that these periods arise from time to time, and that what is important is to stay the course, remain focused on our long-term goals and objectives, and resist the temptation to overreact to inevitable short-term market movements.
Endnotes:
i Bureau of Labor Statistics
ii Federal Open Market Committee
iii Bloomberg
iv Bureau of Labor Statistics
v Bloomberg
vi Standard & Poor’s
vii Standard & Poor’s
viii Bloomberg
iv Bloomberg
