📊Navigating Investment Performance
A Comprehensive Guide to finally answer the constant question echoing in the investor’s mind, "How am I doing?"
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Navigating Investment Performance: A Comprehensive Guide
📊Alfa Hedge Portfolio Update 23-09-22
Navigating Investment Performance: A Comprehensive Guide
Investing can often feel like navigating through uncharted waters, with the constant question, "How am I doing?" echoing in an investor’s mind. This article delves into the intricacies of assessing investment performance and offers a beacon of light for those seeking to make well-considered assessments.
1. Choosing the Right Benchmark
It’s no secret that using a single-asset-class benchmark like the S&P 500 can be like comparing apples to oranges, especially if your portfolio is a diverse mix of assets.
But, in the end, It’s what the investor does.
Creating a custom benchmark that mirrors your portfolio’s asset allocation would be a step in the right direction, but is It possible to the common investor do this? No. So, beat the S&P should be the target of every portfolio.
2. The S&P 500 Index: A Psychological Anchor in Investor Performance Tracking
A recent text written by Morningstar evaluating investor performance, suggesting the use of custom benchmarks, assessing asset allocation reasonableness, and employing various tools for goal tracking.
While the logic presented makes sense and offers a nuanced approach, there is a counter-argument to be made.
This article will explores the idea that, despite the diversity in portfolios, investors should always use the S&P 500 Index to track their performance due to the psychological difficulty in accepting a performance lower than this benchmark.
The Psychological Anchor: S&P 500 Index
Acceptance of Underperformance
Investors, regardless of their portfolio composition, often find it challenging to accept a performance lower than the S&P 500 Index.
This index serves as a psychological anchor, representing a standard of success in the investment world.
Simplicity and Clarity
While the creation of custom benchmarks and assessing asset allocation reasonableness are logically sound practices, they introduce complexity.
The S&P 500 Index, on the other hand, offers simplicity and clarity. It provides a clear, singular point of reference, eliminating the need for intricate calculations and assessments, thus reducing the cognitive load on the investor.
Diverse Investor Needs: A Challenge to Customization
Morningstar points out that investors have diverse needs and varying levels of understanding, necessitating different approaches and tools.
However, this diversity can also be a stumbling block. The process of creating custom benchmarks and assessing asset allocation can be daunting for many, leading to potential misjudgments and inaccuracies.
The S&P 500 Index, being a universal benchmark, mitigates this risk by offering a standardized point of comparison.
Holistic Approach: The Paradox of Choice
While employing a range of calculators and methodologies is beneficial for a holistic view, it also presents the paradox of choice.
The availability of numerous tools and calculators can lead to confusion and indecision, potentially resulting in suboptimal choices.
Relying on the S&P 500 Index eliminates this dilemma by providing a consistent and universally recognized benchmark.
Bottom Line
While the nuanced approach of using custom benchmarks, assessing asset allocation, and employing various tools has its merits, the psychological aspects of investing cannot be overlooked.
The S&P 500 Index serves as a psychological anchor for investors, offering simplicity, clarity, and a universal point of comparison.
The challenges posed by diverse investor needs, the paradox of choice in a holistic approach, and the pursuit of portfolio simplicity and cost highlight the importance of considering the psychological comfort and reassurance provided by the S&P 500 Index in investor performance tracking.
📊Alfa Hedge Portfolio Update 23-09-22
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