As we approach year-end, it is natural to consider what is on the horizon for 2020. One of the events taking place next year is the presidential election. Based on historical data, we know to expect some election year market volatility. This may lead you to ask, “How will the coming election impact my investments?”
Research assembled by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) shows it’s hard to anticipate how markets will react based upon an election outcome. Nevertheless, patient long-term investors have benefited from staying the course regardless of which political party has governed the White House. (See chart below.)
“Investing during an election year can be tough on your nerves, but it’s mostly noise and the markets carry on,” says veteran Capital Group Portfolio Manager Greg Johnson. “Long‑term equity returns are determined by the value of individual companies over time. So, it’s better to stay invested than sit on the sidelines.”
Stay the Course
Uncertainty about relations with China, talk of potential recession, and the coming presidential election will make for an interesting 2020. Don’t let the inevitable corrections that take place in the market – over which we have no control – unnerve you. Being patient and staying invested through market ups and downs is key to meeting your long-term financial planning goals. Do your best to tune out the noise and focus on the things in life you can control.
