A refresh of an article we originally published on Endowus Insights in October 2018 that was re-published by The Business Times.
Markets are close to all-time highs despite uncertainty around COVID-19, trillions of dollars being printed to keep capital markets and companies afloat, a once FinTech darling (Wirecard) being struck with billions in missing money, a once travel staple (Hertz) filing for bankruptcy, and many more dramatic events unfolding every day.
As restaurants open and we see our friends for the first time in a couple of months, the markets and the age-old issue of market timing will undoubtedly come up in conversation.
We have just been on a serious ride. Using the MSCI World Index, which tracks global developed markets, as an example: in a matter of months we went from mid-Feb all-time highs, down over 35% in just over a month, and now back up almost 40% from the lows. We are now just under 10% less than where we started....