Market Mayhem: What You Need to Know
Summary
TLDRIn this special episode of 'Wealth on', host Andrew Brill and portfolio manager Adam Johnson discuss the severe market sell-off on August 5th, 2024. They delve into the factors contributing to the downturn, including global economic concerns and algorithmic trading. Johnson emphasizes the historical context of market corrections, advising investors to view the situation as a buying opportunity rather than a cause for panic. He also addresses the impact of Warren Buffett's Apple share sale and the role of the VIX (Fear Index) in gauging market sentiment, ultimately encouraging a long-term perspective on investing.
Takeaways
- π The script discusses a significant market sell-off, highlighting the emotional responses and the importance of recognizing market corrections as potential buying opportunities.
- π Despite market fluctuations, the speaker emphasizes that corrections have historically been followed by new highs, suggesting a long-term positive outlook for stocks.
- π§ The host, Andrew Brill, and guest, Adam Johnson, discuss the impact of market news, such as Federal Reserve rate cuts and job reports, on investor behavior and market movements.
- π£οΈ Adam Johnson shares his personal experience of calming both his own and his investors' nerves during market downturns, advocating for a measured approach to investing.
- π Johnson points out that the Japanese market's drop acted as a catalyst for the global sell-off, illustrating how international events can influence local markets.
- π€ The conversation touches on the psychological aspect of investing, noting that emotional decisions are rarely correct and can lead to hasty, unwise moves.
- π The script mentions the VIX (Volatility Index), indicating that the day's spike was the third highest in history, suggesting extreme market fear.
- π‘ Adam suggests that market panic can lead to overreactions, creating opportunities for thoughtful investors to buy stocks at lower prices.
- π° The discussion includes the strategy of selling half of a position when a stock reaches its target price, allowing for profit-taking and reinvestment in other opportunities.
- π’ Adam runs numbers to reassure investors, pointing out that the average correction over the past five years has been 15%, and all have been buying opportunities.
- π΄ The script also addresses Warren Buffett's sale of half his Apple position, suggesting it as a prudent move rather than a signal of panic, and indicating he may reinvest the cash.
Q & A
What is the significance of the term 'corrections' in the context of the stock market?
-In the stock market, 'corrections' refer to a decline of at least 10% from the recent peak. Corrections are part of the market's natural cycle and are often seen as buying opportunities by investors.
How many corrections of 10% or more have occurred in the past five years according to the transcript?
-There have been 15 corrections of 10% or more in the past five years.
What is the average percentage of these corrections mentioned in the script?
-The average correction has been 15%.
What was the context of the market sell-off on Monday, August 5th as discussed in the transcript?
-The market sell-off was severe, with the Japanese market down 12%, and the U.S. market futures down as much as 6-8%, leading to a significant opening drop in the U.S. market.
Who is Adam Johnson in the context of this transcript?
-Adam Johnson is the portfolio manager of the Bullseye American Ingenuity fund, author of the Bullseye Brief investment newsletter, and a guest on the 'Wealth and Andrew Brill' show.
What advice does Adam Johnson give to investors during times of market panic?
-Adam Johnson advises investors to step back, take the long view, and recognize that volatility is part of investing. He suggests that such times can be opportunities to buy, rather than sell.
What is the VIX index, and what does it indicate when it spikes?
-The VIX index, also known as the Fear index, measures the market's expectation of volatility. A spike in the VIX indicates that investors are expecting higher market volatility and are buying options for protection.
What was the VIX index reading on the day of the market sell-off discussed in the transcript?
-The VIX index reading was the third highest in history, indicating extreme fear and uncertainty in the market.
What is the role of algorithms in the stock market, and how do they contribute to market movements?
-Algorithms can account for a significant portion of daily trading volume. They are programmed to make instantaneous decisions based on certain metrics and can contribute to rapid price changes, including sharp declines, by triggering sell-offs when expectations are not met.
What is the advice given by Adam Johnson to investors who are concerned about their retirement savings after a market downturn?
-Adam Johnson advises investors to recognize that markets fluctuate and that downturns are part of the investment journey. He suggests maintaining a long-term perspective and considering reducing stock holdings if volatility causes significant anxiety.
What is the significance of Warren Buffett selling half of his Apple position according to the transcript?
-The sale of half of Warren Buffett's Apple position is significant as it suggests that even seasoned investors take profits and rebalance their portfolios when stocks reach their target values. It also indicates that Buffett may be looking to deploy the cash into other investments.
Outlines
π Market Volatility and Buying Opportunities
The speaker, Andrew Brill, introduces a special episode addressing the severe market sell-off on August 5th. He welcomes Adam Johnson, a portfolio manager and author, to discuss the situation. Adam shares that despite a significant downturn, historical data shows that corrections of 10% or more over the past five years have been buying opportunities, with an average correction of 15%. He emphasizes that markets fluctuate and advises against making emotional decisions to sell, instead suggesting a measured approach to investing, even in the face of panic.
π Identifying Opportunities Amidst Market Turmoil
Adam Johnson discusses the emotional response to market downturns and how investors react. He mentions specific stocks like Celestica and Nvidia, which saw significant drops but also opportunities for buying. Adam argues that such market movements present a chance for long-term investors to step in and purchase stocks at lower prices. He also touches on the importance of not letting short-term volatility dictate investment decisions, especially for those whose retirement savings are involved.
π Analyzing Market Indicators and Investor Behavior
The conversation delves into the analysis of market indicators, such as the VIX (Fear Index), which spiked to its third-highest level in history, only behind days during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis. Adam points out that extreme market reactions, like the worst open in four years, are often driven by emotional decisions rather than rational analysis. He uses examples like Warren Buffett's sale of half his Apple position to illustrate smart investing practices and suggests that current market conditions may be an opportunity for strategic buying.
π€ The Role of Algorithms in Market Fluctuations
Adam discusses the impact of algorithms on daily trading volume, noting that up to 75% of it is electronic. He explains how algorithms can exacerbate market fluctuations, particularly during earnings season, by instantly reacting to press releases and selling off stocks that don't meet certain metrics. This automated selling can lead to significant drops in stock prices. Adam advises investors to take a long-term view, recognizing that volatility is part of investing and that patience can lead to profitable outcomes over time.
π Long-Term Perspective and Market Recovery
In the final paragraph, Adam encourages investors to step back and take a long-term perspective, reminding them that volatility is inherent in the market and that good years can follow bad ones. He uses personal experience to illustrate that even after significant downturns, the market can recover and provide substantial returns. Adam suggests that the current market conditions may be signaling a bottoming process, indicating potential buying opportunities rather than reasons to sell.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Corrections
π‘Portfolio Manager
π‘Stock Market Implosion
π‘Volatility Index (VIX)
π‘Algorithmic Trading
π‘Earnings Reports
π‘Market Rotation
π‘Interest Rate Cuts
π‘Recession
π‘Buying Opportunity
π‘Long-Term Investing
Highlights
In the past five years, there have been 15 corrections of 10% or more, with an average correction of 15%, all of which turned out to be buying opportunities.
Despite market fluctuations, stocks have made new highs after almost every correction, indicating long-term growth potential.
Market sell-off on August 5th prompted a special episode to address investor concerns and market behavior.
Portfolio manager Adam Johnson emphasizes the importance of not reacting to market panic and considering it a buying opportunity.
The discussion highlights the emotional nature of market decisions and the need for a rational approach to investing.
Adam Johnson shares his personal experience of calming both his investors and himself during intense market fluctuations.
The transcript discusses the impact of Japan's market drop on global investor sentiment, leading to a 'straw that broke the camel's back' scenario.
Adam explains the rotation from AI stocks to small caps and the subsequent rate cuts announcement as initial triggers for market sell-off.
The weaker-than-expected jobs report and concerns over the Fed's delayed action contributed to market unease.
GDP growth figures and Atlanta Fed forecasts are used to argue against recession fears, suggesting ongoing economic growth.
Adam advises against making emotional investment decisions and encourages a long-term perspective.
The interview touches on the role of algorithms in market volatility and their influence on stock price movements.
Warren Buffett's sale of half his Apple position is discussed as a strategic move rather than a sign of panic.
The VIX (Fear index) spike to one of its highest levels in history is noted, indicating extreme market fear.
Adam suggests that the market's reaction to the VIX spike and the worst open in four years may indicate an overreaction.
The transcript concludes with advice for investors to take a long view, avoid short-term grading, and recognize volatility as part of investing.
The discussion encourages investors to step back, assess the situation rationally, and consider market dips as buying opportunities.
Transcripts
and I ran the numbers this morning just
to make sure uh I could say this with
confidence and I can um in the past five
years uh Andrew there have been um 15
Corrections and by corrections I sort of
said 10% or more right there have been
15 Corrections of 10% or more and the uh
average correction uh has been 15% so 15
uh moves of down 15% on average and
everyone ended up being a buying
opportunity some took longer than others
uh you know to come back but they were
all opportunities to buy and stocks went
on to make new highs after almost every
single one of those so for someone who
says gosh uh I have to go back to work I
can't retire no that's not accurate um
recognize that markets go up and markets
go down it's not a straight
line welcome to wean I'm your host
Andrew Brill this is a special episode
due the severe Market sell-off on Monday
August 5th it is the time of the Leo and
the market is definitely roaring in the
wrong
direction I'd like to welcome Adam
Johnson back to weam at is the portfolio
manager of the bullseye American
Ingenuity fund and author of author of
the bullseye brief investment newsletter
Adam thanks so much for taking a few
minutes today I know I know since Friday
you've been busy extremely busy calming
the nerves of investors watching the
stock market implode so I apologize for
my informal nature I didn't expect to be
here today but the stock market uh took
a little bit of a dump so what the heck
is going on Adam well I'll tell you by
the way it's it's not just uh my
investors nerves I've been calming it's
my own nerves I've been Cal I mean it's
been intense I woke up this morning to
as we all did um see Japan down 12%
imagine an entire Market down 12% to see
our futures um down as much as they were
um you know 6 7 8% and when the market
actually opened at 9:30 I looked on the
far side of my screen I had a number of
names down 15 to 20 per. uh it was
sobering and amazingly within 10 minutes
most of them were only only down six or
seven and over the course of the day uh
a lot of them have come back and now at
this point you know midafternoon I've
got again as I look at the screen uh 10
names that are green um and that's with
the Market's still down 800 so I think
what that does is speak to what happens
when people panic um and they react on
the open as opposed to what happens when
they say oh just hang on a minute let's
think about this let's talk this through
maybe some of these stocks shouldn't go
down as much as they've gone down and
maybe maybe we should even be buying a
couple of them so it's yeah it's been
quite a ride so far so what happened I
the Nik obviously started this off down
12% we've all read the news worst day
since Black Monday of
1987 what happened there so I think it's
a a combination of things and the Nik
was almost like you know the Japan index
was almost like the straw that broke the
camels back in other words if you go
back to uh last week we were all talking
about the rotation from AI stocks that
have run a lot to um uh small caps that
uh have still been stuck way under their
um old all-time highs that actually go
back to to like 2022 right um so where's
AI stocks have been running small caps
haven't been then we find out we're
going to get rate Cuts in September well
that's good for small caps so that
rotation was sort of the first thing I
think that happened the second thing um
was that uh fed share Jerome Powell
basically said yeah we are looking at um
September as as a point to start Ray
cuts and then point number three from
last week was when the um jobs report
came out weaker than expected and
everyone thought oh my gosh has the FED
wait waited too long I mean we've been
worried about um uh inflation should we
be worried about recession the answer is
no um GDP is still growing
2.9% and um uh even the fed the Atlanta
fed GDP now forecast which is
forward-looking still says we're growing
2.7 so how can you have a recession
which means the economy shrinking if
right now you're growing 2.7% right so I
I I don't think that some of these um
connecting of the dots actions that have
happened over the past week or so are
necessarily accurate but I do think it
explains uh why people were on edge here
why they sold on Friday and then add to
that the fact that in Japan which is
always the place to go to sort of hide
because the Japanese yen is so stable
since there's no inflation in Japan uh
for Japan to suddenly be off uh 12% I
think people here just said you know
what forget it we're out and that's an
emotional decision emotional decisions
are never correct um but I think that is
why why we're now so much on the open
and by the way starting early this
morning I was getting calls from Dubai s
Francisco Florida from clients saying
Adam should I sell um one client even
said you know if it's down another 5%
we're going to sell everything and I
said no that's when we buy so you know
you have to keep those motions in check
yeah I I was going to say that this
seems it seems to me knowing you a
little bit that this is a buying
opportunity so what you say to your
clients to calm them down is hey look
you know what we're this is GNA be okay
and let's let's put a little more money
to work here I mean celestica uh
celestica is now uh up two bucks on the
day I mean it was down $8 and it's only
a $46 stock right I mean coinbase down
22% are you kidding me um Nvidia was
down I think 177% Nvidia and by the way
I think Nvidia over at some point over
the next four quarters whether it's the
next four quarters or skip a quarter and
then it's the next four quarters
whatever I think they're going to earn
$4 doll and today it was trading at 92
which means uh on a PE basis um uh uh 92
divided by four it means it's trading at
a PE of 22 times same as where the
market was and yet it's Nvidia so you
can buy the market growing 10% or you
can buy Nvidia for the same valuation
and it's doubling its earnings I mean
come on so there there were um a handful
of uh and still are as I look at the
screens uh only a few hours you know
after the that that crazy open uh a lot
of stocks that just got way too cheap
and that's when thoughtful longterm
investors uh step in you don't have to
be a hero you don't have to buy a lot
but you know buy little just you know
buy one and if it works buy another by
you know just and and you sort of get
your into the groove so what do You' say
to the person who's this is their
retirement savings and all of a sudden
they they wake up and they're like oh my
God I have to go find a job yeah well no
fortunately they don't um there have
been and I ran the numbers this morning
just to make sure uh I could say this
with confidence and I can um in the past
five years uh Andrew there have been um
15 Corrections and by corrections I sort
of said 10% or more right there have
been 15 Corrections of 10 10% or more
and the uh average correction uh has
been 15% so 15 uh moves of down 15% on
average and everyone ended up being a
buying opportunity some took longer than
others uh you know to come back but they
were all opportunities to buy and stocks
went on to make new highs after almost
every single one of those so for someone
who says gosh uh I have to go back to
work I can't retire no that's not
accurate um recognize that markets go up
and markets go down it's not a straight
line' be nice if it were a straight line
but you know it's just not and and and
if that volatility makes one of our
viewers or listeners uh nervous then I
would say then reduce your Holdings of
stock and keep a little more cash on
hand or put it into government
securities um but you know volatility is
just part of being a stock investor this
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weon we've seen the stock obviously
Friday was a terrible day for the market
this morning was also not so good
Market's still down 800 plus points yeah
are you seeing somewhat of a bottom you
you are a stock picker you look at the
graphs and charts is this somewhat of
the bottom or you think there's more to
go yeah I think so and tell you why
there are a couple of things I look at
first of all um this morning was the
worst open in four years okay so you
don't see that very often I'll tell you
what else you don't see very often uh
the volatility index the vix also called
The Fear index which is a measure of the
prices being paid to go out and buy out
the money options on the market uh the
vix is used as an input for setting
those options prices so when the vix
spikes that tells you everyone's buying
options because they're scared today was
the third highest reading of the Vicks
in history Andrew you have to go back 40
years there were only two other days
when the vix spiked as high as it did
this morning number one was uh one of
the days in March of 20120 during covid
uh the big Panic day if you remember
that day it was horrific um and another
is a day back in 2008 during the uh
great financial crisis only two days in
history has the vi SP uh Spike more than
it did today so when I hear statistics
like that coupled with the worst worst
open in four years it makes me think
that you know emotions have just gotten
the best of us and then I I see
wonderful names on the side of my
computer you know down 17 18 19 20% I
mean come on so I don't know if you can
hear the sirens but I do I do someone's
someone's not happy about the market
today yeah they're trying to rescue all
of us who are along um but um yeah when
I start things like that and then when I
think about valuations of a company you
know like Nvidia um I think you know
hang on this is time to buy and by the
way one of the other things kind of
bugaboos that I think bothered people
today was the headline Warren Buffett
sells half his Apple position well to be
clear Apple accounted for
60 60 60% of his portfolio I mean I
can't believe Warren Buffalo would be so
irresponsible as to have let Apple
become so big so he sold half it's still
30% of his portfolio which I think is
way too big I don't even have stocks
that are 15% of my portfolio 678 that is
Max Max Max um and they're only a
handful of stocks I've ever owned that
have gotten that big Nvidia is one of
them um so you know that was a headline
that freaked people out oh my gosh Mr
Buffett selling Apple I I I should sell
everything no he was doing what smart
people do a stock gets to your target
you sell half that's what I do when a
stock gets to my target I always sell
half and then I have some money that I
can go deploy into a couple of new names
that I have found yeah I I I did see
that headline it was one of my questions
because he sold off half of his Apple
sitting with 200 over 200 billion in
cash that's ready to go to work some
tells me that Warren Buffett's going to
put that money to work relatively soon
because with a a day like today why not
you might as well make chunks of money
with that money right off the B I mean
it's crazy when I look at some of the
names uh where they were this morning
versus just where they are a few hours
later uh this morning and pardon the
expression this morning was a puke
people just you know they get get me out
and they just throw it out throw it out
and and I'm sure there were um a lot of
Market uh Market orders on the open
which is why so many of those names open
down as far as it you know again I keep
saying it coinbase down 22% on the open
you know that's just basically uh
coinbase falling to a point at which
finally there's some bids so you know
what you throw a bid in down 22 boom you
get hit and all of a sudden the selling
wave is over because you know when
selling is exhaustive by definition it
exhausts itself when it's that extreme
um and the other thing is you know
people like me say we down 22 that's
stupid buy it you call your trade and
say go buy a little you know how much
yeah go go go buy a little go buy you
know half a percent you know half a
percent of capital um and you know
because you always have your shopping
list on the side of your desk and you
know what are the four or five names if
you know right here if they really get
bad you know you know you're ready to go
great go put a little Capital to work
just to comp people's nerves even
further Adam how much is this is this
the algorithms where when a stock starts
going down there's an automatic computer
that says and it's not a person it's not
someone like like you who speaks to
their clients it's someone whose
computer saying uh oh this is down X
percent sell and then the next computer
says sell and all of a sudden that two
or three% is 15 22% like you said it's
they're all algorithms that are running
a lot of this money not a person yeah
well uh pretty telling that the New York
Stock Exchange which for decades
actually a couple centuries was the home
of open outcry right where guys are
shouting across you know buy me this
sell me that right um uh the home of
open outcry and their own study has
concluded that as much as 70 to 75% of
daily volume is electronic and that's
the algorithms and you and I have talked
about this before but for the benefit of
those who are say watching for the first
time or need to hear it again uh what
happens especially during earning season
is that algorithms computers are
programmed to instantly read a press
release on a on a big company name you
know take an Intel or a Microsoft or
something liquid right and look at uh
678 metrics um uh earnings are expected
to be 34 cents revenues are expected to
be 28 billion uh gross margin is
expected to be 58.6 whatever and the
computer Compares what's in the press
release because it can read it
instantaneously to um what the
expectation is and if any one of those
metrics doesn't measure up the computer
instantly shorts the stock and you no
longer need a plus tick so it's not
though the stock has to tick up before
you can short it the stock can fall fall
fall fall and keep shorting shorting
shorting shorting and pushing it down
and and so selling but gets selling and
that's why on some of these earnings
reports like Intel last week you know
the stock was down 29% on earnings it
wasn't a great earnings report but 29%
wow um you know snowflake the quarter
before that Delta Airlines UPS Ford um
they've all struggled with earnings um
because you know one or two metrics
didn't measure up up and that's the
algorithms so people need to recognize
that and uh and not get caught up in it
so the last word Adam you know a day
like today I almost texted my son this
morning said don't even look just don't
even look forget about it don't worry
because everything was red red red until
this afternoon when things started to
turn a little bit what's your advice to
the the investor who's just like seeing
their their portfolio down 10% 8% over
the last few days yeah uh step back and
take the Long View and recognize that
volatility is a part of investing and um
you know back in uh
2022 the NASDAQ was down
35% and I know because I was down more
than that and it was awful and then last
year I had my best year ever and was up
more than that quite a bit more and so
just recognize that there are good years
there are bad years but what you want to
is make money over time and in fact two
days out of three if you just have long
enough to wait uh the market is up so
the the odds are in your favor by a
factor of two if two out of every three
days are up by definition you should be
uh long stocks over the Long Haul uh and
by Long Haul uh that could be a year it
could be five year it could be 10 years
but uh don't grade yourself week to week
or even month to month Take the Long
View I wish I had those odds at the
crafts tables you know I did a an
interview a couple weeks ago and I
looked at the vix and it was at 12 point
something this morning I I was curious
46 and change so yeah you're right it
was 4X what what it uh what it what it
had been so the volatility is definitely
there yeah oh yeah the third highest
spike in history I I would argue that
that defines today as an historic day
and this morning's epic uh selloff on
the open as um as something that we
should all look at think about respect
and realize it's probably more of an
opportunity to buy than to sell you
rarely see moments like this and
generally speaking they tend to mark um
if not a bottom on that day uh a
bottoming process which you know could
mean that uh we're sideways for a couple
of days and then you come up it could be
later this afternoon but whatever I
think today was a was a signal that um
it was climactic and there's a bottoming
process that's going to be associated
with it perfect well I you you've helped
calm my nerves a little bit I hope you
you calmed everyone's nerves and uh keep
up the great work Adam thanks so much
for joining me on on such short notice
oh you bet Andrew my pleasure anytime
that's a wrap on another discussion here
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