Stocks and Bonds Both Decline More Than -10% During 2022

Chart of the Month
Written By Jonathan M. Elliott, CPWA®, CRPC®, CDFA®, ChSNC®, CPFA™, RMA®
Scatter Plot of Stocks and Bonds Total Returns Since 1989

Scatter Plot of Stocks and Bonds Total Returns Since 1989

The scatter plot below compares annual stock and bond returns since 1989. The dots represent the intersection of the S&P 500’s total return and the Bloomberg U.S. Bond Aggregate’s total return for each calendar year. The analysis highlights the challenging and unusual start to 2022. The ‘YTD 2022’ dot is the only dot in the lower left quadrant, with stocks and bonds both declining more than -10% this year. If 2022 ended today, it would mark the S&P 500’s third worst and bond’s worst year since 1989.

How unique is the current market environment? You will notice that every year since 1989, except for 2022, it is outside the lower left quadrant. This chart indicates it is rare for both stocks and bonds to produce negative returns during a calendar year. Why are stocks and bonds declining together? The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates and shrinking its balance sheet by selling bonds, which pressures both stock and bond valuations. On the credit side, most bonds pay a fixed interest rate, which means bond prices must decline to offer a higher interest rate. On the equity side, interest rates represent the cost of money and are used as an input to value company shares. A higher interest rate typically decreases stock prices.

This year’s parallel stock and bond selloff highlight the importance of portfolio diversification across asset classes and within asset classes. When you diversify your portfolio, you aim to invest in different asset classes that may react differently to the same event. The same principle applies to stocks and bonds. On a price return basis, S&P 500 Growth stocks are down -25.5% through May 11th, while S&P 500 Value stocks are only down -8.4%. In the corporate investment grade bond universe, Long-Duration (+10 Years) bonds are down -22.1% through May 11th on a price return basis, while Short-Duration (1-5 Years) bonds are only down -6.1%.

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Jonathan M. Elliott, CPWA®, CRPC®, CDFA®, ChSNC®, CPFA™, RMA®

I am currently the Managing Partner for our independent investment advisory firm, Optima Capital Management. Together with my business partners, Todd Bendell CFP® and Clinton Steinhoff, we founded Optima Capital in 2019 as a forward-thinking wealth management firm that serves as an investment fiduciary and family office for high-net-worth individuals and families. In addition to being the Chief Compliance Officer, my role at Optima Capital is portfolio management. I have over 18 years of experience in managing investment strategies and portfolios. I specialize in using fundamental and technical analysis to build custom portfolios that utilize individual equities, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). I began my financial services career with Merrill Lynch in 2003. At Merrill, I served in the leadership roles of Market Sales Manager and Senior Resident Director for the Scottsdale West Valley Market in Arizona. On Wall Street Magazine recognized me as one of the Top 100 Branch Managers in 2017. I am originally from Saginaw, Michigan, and a marketing graduate from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. I am a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional. The CPWA® certification program is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers who work with high net worth clients, focusing on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. In addition, I hold the following designations - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), and Retirement Management Advisor (RMA®). In the community, I am a member of the Central Arizona Estate Planning Council (CAEPC) and serve as an alumni advisor and mentor to student organizations at Arizona State University. My interests include traveling, outdoors, fitness, leadership, entrepreneurship, minimalism, and computer science.

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