Invest
3 ways to pandemic-proof a portfolio
There are a number of lessons high-net-worth investors can teach the rest of us about wealth preservation during a downturn, according to an investment specialist.
3 ways to pandemic-proof a portfolio
There are a number of lessons high-net-worth investors can teach the rest of us about wealth preservation during a downturn, according to an investment specialist.
In an opinion piece for nestegg’s sister brand InvestorDaily, Citi investment specialist Jonathen Chan said high-net-worth individuals are usually attuned to world events and will seek out defensive portfolio allocations that focus on wealth preservation.
“This prepares them well for periods of volatility, even unpredictable volatility like COVID-19,” he considered.
“Everyone can take a leaf from this book, as uncertainty is on the cards for the foreseeable future.”
He highlighted three main lessons that everyday investors can take from the high-net-worth investor playbook.
- Don’t try to time the market
For investors that try to time the market, COVID-19 “has been and continues to be a wild and sometimes scary ride”, Mr Chan said.
The opposite is true for long-term investors with an asset mix “that allows for absorption of volatility”.
According to the investment specialist, high-net-worth investors tend to be more cautious in their approach, as protecting their wealth forms a key part of their portfolio planning.
“Instead of chasing high returns but high risk opportunities, investments to them is about steadily growing their portfolio and limiting the downside,” he said.
- Diversification is the only free lunch
“In the wealth management industry we have a saying, ‘diversification is the only free lunch’. This saying has certainly proved true while navigating the impacts of the pandemic.”
Mr Chan has observed that Australians traditionally concentrate their investments in property, shares and cash: “The first two suffer in downturns, and the latter is certainly not king in the current low-interest environment.”
He advises that more asset classes need to be considered, particularly in times of volatility.
Noting a move by high-net-worth investors towards bonds, term deposits and hedged equities (structured investments), Mr Chan said these individuals have “managed solid portfolio performance at a time when risk in equities was escalating”.
While some investors would have made higher returns out of straight equities, the investment specialist argued they would have been the minority.
“Most investors tend to wait for more gains as equities rally, and get caught in the panic selling when markets suddenly fall,” he explained.
- Learn about and use different asset classes
“Australians are overweight to shares,” Mr Chan reiterated, while conceding that the benefits of holding shares is fast diminishing.
It’s why, again, the investment specialist touted the benefits of other asset classes – term deposits, corporate bonds and managed funds “just to name a few”.
From Mr Chan’s perspective, “investors should remember to not just dismiss an investment type because the returns seem lower than other asset classes – it’s about balance and risk”.
Another trend of high-net-worth individuals that is rising in popularity throughout the pandemic is diversification through holding investments in multiple currencies.
“This is to take advantage of the benefits of safe-haven currencies like the US dollar and the Japanese yen in times of high risk, and the strengthening of the Australian dollar as risk lowers,” he explained.
While it’s okay to heavily invest in the sharemarket, Mr Chan has advised that “it remains important to learn how to balance a portfolio with other elements, so that when trouble hits, the downside loss is manageable”.
About the author
About the author
Investment insights
Crude oil prices see an uptick amid the Ukraine conflict
Recent developments have led to a noticeable increase in crude oil prices, following Ukraine's targeting of several Russian oil refineries. ...Read more
Investment insights
Market turmoil brings opportunities for credit investors, Aeon Investments research reveals
New research conducted by Aeon Investments, a London-based investment company specializing in credit, has revealed a strong consensus among institutional investors on the potential value fixed income ...Read more
Investment insights
Investment in SMEs: Why they are the innovation leaders of tomorrow
The announcement that SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) will receive an additional 10% in government funding in 2024 has sparked interest among investors, recognising the central role SMEs hav...Read more
Investment insights
Investor frenzy marks February's trading period as BA Financial Capital Income Fund reports
The BA Financial Capital Income Fund (BA FCIF) has experienced a vibrant February with hybrid activity witnessing a notable surge. ...Read more
Investment insights
Exploring real estate investment trusts in Australia: A beginner's guide
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) offer a unique opportunity for investors to tap into the lucrative property market without the need to directly buy or manage properties. ...Read more
Investment insights
Family offices set for growth in acquisitions and investments
Family offices are preparing for an uptick in acquisitions and investments in response to more appealing opportunities in the market, reports a new study from Ocorian, a leading global service provide...Read more
Investment insights
Institutional investors predict a shift in the bonds and equities relationship
A new study from Managing Partners Group (MPG) reveals a significant shift in the perceptions of institutional investors and wealth managers regarding the correlation between bonds and equities. ...Read more
Investment insights
Capital One stands out with a significant number of AI patents among US banks
Capital One has risen to prominence in the US banking sector for its substantial focus on artificial intelligence (AI), holding 967 AI patents. ...Read more
Investment insights
Crude oil prices see an uptick amid the Ukraine conflict
Recent developments have led to a noticeable increase in crude oil prices, following Ukraine's targeting of several Russian oil refineries. ...Read more
Investment insights
Market turmoil brings opportunities for credit investors, Aeon Investments research reveals
New research conducted by Aeon Investments, a London-based investment company specializing in credit, has revealed a strong consensus among institutional investors on the potential value fixed income ...Read more
Investment insights
Investment in SMEs: Why they are the innovation leaders of tomorrow
The announcement that SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) will receive an additional 10% in government funding in 2024 has sparked interest among investors, recognising the central role SMEs hav...Read more
Investment insights
Investor frenzy marks February's trading period as BA Financial Capital Income Fund reports
The BA Financial Capital Income Fund (BA FCIF) has experienced a vibrant February with hybrid activity witnessing a notable surge. ...Read more
Investment insights
Exploring real estate investment trusts in Australia: A beginner's guide
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) offer a unique opportunity for investors to tap into the lucrative property market without the need to directly buy or manage properties. ...Read more
Investment insights
Family offices set for growth in acquisitions and investments
Family offices are preparing for an uptick in acquisitions and investments in response to more appealing opportunities in the market, reports a new study from Ocorian, a leading global service provide...Read more
Investment insights
Institutional investors predict a shift in the bonds and equities relationship
A new study from Managing Partners Group (MPG) reveals a significant shift in the perceptions of institutional investors and wealth managers regarding the correlation between bonds and equities. ...Read more
Investment insights
Capital One stands out with a significant number of AI patents among US banks
Capital One has risen to prominence in the US banking sector for its substantial focus on artificial intelligence (AI), holding 967 AI patents. ...Read more