Keeping Your Cool in a Panicking Market

The market appears to be crashing (in an orderly way) as I write this.

On the NYSE, New Highs = 1, New Lows = 1000. The VIX is over 55. Our MarketPsych Fear index is the highest ever.

If you're an active investor, what should you do?

Here's an NPR Marketplace interview with me about this.

1. First take a deep breath.
2. If you can't think clearly: go exercise, change your pace, play with your dog.
2. Now orient to where prices currently are. Forget about where you bought a position, or how much it is down. Right now, prices are what they are. And the first source of mistakes is being unable to come to terms with where things are right now.
3. Now, if your holdings are still hurting you, then take some action. You can't think clealy until you stop the bleeding. That doesn't mean sell everything. That means consider selling a small portion of a very painful position to relieve the pressure.
4. But now come back and consider that this is a historic time to find bargains in the market.

For example, if you believe that financial catastrophe is coming (and you have logical reasons for believing this), then gold is usually a good bet. Recently gold mining stocks have fallen in tandem with other stocks (yet their profits will be greater in an inflationary environment).

If you believe deflation is coming, consider this statement: "During deflationary environments, equities have performed poorly; however, high-quality fixed income has performed well." This powerpoint is a primer on managing investments during deflationary and inflationary environments.

Keep in mind that the best investments going forward will often be in stocks that you probably haven't heard of. And corporate bonds may perform better than stocks.

A stock screen looking for companies with high cash levels (and little debt) is sure to find some great opportunities in both stocks and bonds.

Distressed debt and preferred stocks currently have high yields, and you are likely to be very happy about owning these going forward. Also consider convertible bonds. A bond screener (such as at Yahoo Finance), can help you locate these.

If you've ever considered buying Google shares, it's cheaper now than in the past 2 years: $371/share. And they have $12 billion in cash to use to buy cheap and washed out companies.

Remember:

Tune in to your internal sense of balance first. Stabilize your mind first, and only then begin the process of sorting through the rubble.

In general, you don't NEED to do anything. However, sometimes inertia can cost you if you're not well-positioned.

And keep in mind that it's always good to keep cash available for bargain shopping.

Richard

Disclosure: I own several gold mining stocks as a short-term trade (but I don't believe financial catastrophe is coming).

The Destructive Power of Revenge: Bailout Plan Fails

Studies show that people will pay to punish others who have violated "social norms." That makes some sense, since it ensures that we all have an incentive stick to the rules. But what is more unusual is that many people will pay their own hard-earned money to punish others even if they are unaffected by the rule-breaking. They simply want revenge.

This revenge urge is even stronger in men, than women.

In fact, studies show that the neurochemical dopamine is released in the brain (reward system) of people who take revenge on others. They actually get satisfaction from punishing rule-breakers. This can be addictive, and it certainly feels pleasurable to them.

So to me it makes some sense (biologically, not economically speaking) that a majority of House memebers voted down the bailout plan. They seem willing to endure some economic pain for themselves and their constituents in order to have the pleasure of punishing "greedy Wall Street bankers" (in the parlance I've heard used by some, such as Senator Richard Shelby, on CNBC).

The problem is, the pain our economy and reputation is going to endure is likely to cost much more than $1 trillion (how many trillions in stock and bond market equity have already been lost?).

Trust and confidence in financial institutions is the grease that keeps the capitalist engine moving. Unfortunately many in Congress are saying, "we don't see anything wrong." Well, sadly, they will. The engines of credit have largely dried up, and the longer they remain dry, the longer it will take our economy to right itself again.

Banks have lost trust in each other, investors are losing trust in the markets to provide a comfortable long term return, and now we are all losing faith in the ability of government to solve major problems (some people never had that trust in government, and unfortunately they'll see that government is necessary to the smooth functioning of the economy if we don't get a bailout package soon).

I moonlighted in prisons as a psychiatrist several years ago, and I'll never forget the inmates I met who seemed "hard-wired" to be enforcers of rules. These guys would punish someone for a perceived infraction, such as disrespect (even non-verbal disrespect such as standing in the wrong place), with violence -- violence that usually landed them in "the hole" and added about 90 days to their sentence. Some of them couldn't seem to stop punishing other inmates for breaking prison "norms," and so I would see them for a psychiatric evaluation. Some told me, with self-confident righteousness, about the "high" they got from punishing rule-breakers.

This is the dark side of "righteousness"-type thinking, which often fuels revenge. And I fear some of it may have leaked out from behind bars and into Congress. I hope not, but I'm beginning to wonder.

That's my 2 cents.
Richard

Managing Fear: A Primer for Investors

How do we manage our fear in these chaotic markets?

Below I'm reposting some questions from Asa Fitch, a reporter at www.thenational.ae in Abu Dhabi, followed by my responses.

The first assumption that is good to challenge is: "Is it good to buy on fear, or should we actually be selling on fear?"

>>> What's the prevailing thinking on this?

The truth is that most of the time it is a good decision to buy on fear. But sometimes, such as in the past year, it was bad to buy on fear (especially in financials, since they have dropped 90% since the overall fear level began to increase last year). Buying on fear in Japan for the past 18 years has also been bad.

This is why Warren Buffett has said: "We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful" And as Buffett knows, there is more to it than just the emotion.

In the short-term, it is almost always good to buy on fear. And if you are thinking of selling because you are afraid, wait several days before acting (the price will usually be better then).

As a trader, it is best to buy on decreasing fear. And if you know in advance what events are likely to decrease fear (such as the passage of the U.S. bailout), then it is good to buy on fear there.

So before learning to "stop" fear, we have to be sure that our fear is not justified. Sometimes we should be afraid! (E.g., the financial crisis last August was only the beginning).

>>> Are there psychological strategies investors can use to get past the overwhelming urge to move to cash?

Yes, there are several techniques they can use to manage fear:
1. Externalization -- see the fear around you so that you can distance yourself from your own fear. For example, look at how much fear others are experiencing by looking at the VIX (volatility index) or the MarketPsych Fear Index (www.marketpsych.com). Then recall the Warren Buffett quote above (in 2007 he was the world's richest person, so he clearly knows what he is talking about). This quote "reframes" fear.
2. Reframing -- remember that fear is a buying opportunity. Turn from a "fear frame" to a "opportunity frame." The traditional Chinese character for crisis is comprised of two traditional Chinese characters. The second (bottom) one is "opportunity," and the first (upper) is "danger." [Corrected by Kay McCharles - Thanks!]
3. Fear is an anticipatory emotion -- it is about the future, while panic is in the moment (right now). Someone might be afraid of jumping off a pier into the ocean, but they are still safe. When they are in the water, if they are sinking, then they aren't afraid anymore - they are panicking. So changing perspective to a long-term view can be very helpful. For example, deliberately think of how happy you are in your life/family/overall finances before panicking about one small position in the markets.
4. Fear biologically induces a short-term, minute-by-minute focus of attention. We need to break that and remember the big picture. Think of long term goals, remember the justification for your current trading strategy.
5. If you haven't backtested your investment or trading system over many historical periods and examples, then you should be afraid and should not continue to use it unless you test it during a period similar to the current one -- past crises.
6. Of course, most people are long-term investors, and for them the best antidote to fear is diversification across countries, currencies, and industries. You won't get rich quickly being diversified, but you will better manage risk and volatility.
7. Comparisons -- if you are a long term investor having trouble holding tight, look at how you are performing relative to the worst sectors and funds in the market. It could always be worse.
8. Relaxation techniques -- You can use deep breathing and meditation techniques to learn to let go of the stress inducing emotions.
9. Exercise -- this is perhaps the most important technique for reducing stress and clearing your mind. Be sure to elevate your heart rate and sweat for at least 20 minutes continuously. You are demonstrating to your body (and your mind) that you can control and work through physiological "stress" -- in this case "good stress" induced by exercise.
10. Diet -- eat more whole grains, fresh and steamed vegetables, and cut out refined sugars, fried foods, and creamy desserts. Also consider an Omega-3 supplement (best is filtered fish oil) to take every day.
11. Do one thing you enjoy every day.
12. Dramatically decrease your information consumption. Most people find that they are reading several newspapers and watching many newsfeeds and technical indicators during the market day. Cut down your information consumption to the most essential 3 sources or indicators. This will help clear your mind and reduce confusion.

>>>>> Should you put your foot back in the water slowly to avoid the inherent reluctance to get back in after a big loss?

Yes, but be careful not to invest in the same areas. Many people repeatedly get in and out of the same stocks as they go down. If you sold out of your positions, and want to get back into stocks, then be sure to buy something completely different. let go of the money you lost. If you "play revenge" with the market by trying to prove that you were initially correct, you will continue to lose money.

>>>>>> Should you keep some small portion of your portfolio in cash to satisfy this urge to get out?

Yes, everyone should have some cash in different currencies for investing during crises such as the current one. The cash takes some pressure off and allows us to realize that there are many opportunities in this market. Having cash and not borrowing on margin for investments keeps us from losing everything during times like
this.

I hope that helps!

Richard

Market Fear: The Poison and The Antidote

If behavioral finance teaches us one thing, it is that Fear trumps Greed. In fact, it's not even close. Fear is like the Harlem Globetrotters playing the Washington Generals. Sure, ostensibly it's a real contest, but despite the ups and downs along the way, we always know who's going to win in the end. The outcome is predetermined, inexorable.

(Authors Note: I used to use the Yankees and the Red Sox for this analogy. But then David Ortiz hit that home run off Mariano Rivera in 2004 and rendered my metaphor obsolete. A pox on your house, Red Sox Nation!!!)

Fear drives the market. Why? Because losing hurts more than winning feels good. Because the future is uncertain, and the default emotion in cases of uncertainty is fear. Because you're not paranoid, the Market really is out to get you, and fear is the greatest weapon in the Market's arsenal.

How do we fight our fear? With "reason"? Well, some people do. And by "some people" I am chiefly referring to Vulcans - the supremely rational beings from the eponymous planet who are not afflicted by such human weaknesses as emotion. (Then again, Vulcans mate only once every seven years, so you can see why emotions could be a big drawback.)

No. For most of us on Planet Earth, we are forced to fight the battle on an emotional level. Reason definitely helps, but only so far as it helps us reacquire our emotional equilbrium.

Fear is a poison. But there is an antidote - Control. Not actual control (which is irrelevant) but the belief that that you have control. Fear beats Greed. Perception beats Reality - at least where our emotions are concerned.

We have seen this play out recently on marketwide level with the recent actions of the Fed Charmain, Ben Bernanke. The market flagged due to fear. (It always does due to fear.) But the fires of fear were stoked in large part because one of the main sources of investors' (sense of) control is the Federal Reserve Board.

After months of hearing "Inflation remains our primary concern", investors began to wonder if the esteemed Dr. Bernanke really "got it". The Market was saying; "Does he understand our concerns? Does he even care?"

Investors were riding shotgun with the Fed Chairman on a dangerous road. They were concerned there may be a cliff up ahead, but they were even more concerned that the Fed Chairman was asleep behind the wheel.

The first shot of control was injected back in July when Chairman Bernanke acknowledged that the mortgage crisis (and credit crunch) were on his radar screen. (Whew! He's not sleeping after all.) The second shot of control came when he lowered the discount rate. (He's awake and he's willing to hit the brakes.)

People called his decision to lower the discount rate a "largely symbolic move". Exactly. Symbols are important, especially when the symbolic gesture tells people, "Relax. I'm on it".

The Market has been calling (or is it whining?) for an interest rate cut. And I, for one, think that would be splendid. But investors got something even more important. They got back their sense of control.

It's like the immortal words of Mick Jagger:

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need."

Bernanke's awake. It'll do for now.

MONEY-MONET!

I was on CNBC on Thursday, which I enjoyed immensely. (Clip here). They wanted a "shrink" to provide commentary of the current market psychology. We know people are jittery these days. How could they not be? But we also know that panic costs people money big time. So how do you get back to the proper perspective?

Well, start by checking out the picture above. What does it look like to you? If your answer is "not much", than you have something in common with the vast number of investors viewing the market's behavior the past couple of weeks.

The photo above is a painting by Claude Monet. Monet was the founder of a new style of painting, French Impressionism. The style is marked by, among other things, "open composition" and "visible brushstrokes". What that translates into (apparently) is "make a bunch of dots and the dots become a picture."

Here's the thing to remember: A portfolio is like a Monet. If you get too close to a Monet, all you see is a bunch of dots (a phenomenon comically illustrated in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off when he goes to the art museum). The same is true with our portfolios. When we get too close, we see nothing but a bunch of dots. It's data devoid of context. The picture makes no sense, and when it comes to our investments, that's scary.

The key to appreciating a Monet or a portfolio is viewing it from the right distance.

(Waterlillies)

This means resisting the constant pull to look at our investments from a weekly... daily... (minutely?) framework. If you look at a chart of the past month, it will provide a frighteningly volatile picture of big ups and bigger downs that may induce a feeling of motion sickness. If you look at a chart of the past 20 years, it is much more likely to produce what Glenn Frey would call a "peaceful, easy feeling". Volatility is not the same thing as risk, if you have the right time horizon. Perspective is everything.

I'm speaking of course not only about the distance of time, but of emotional distance as well. When we get "too close" emotionally to our portfolios the result is the same. This is one reason why working with a financial advisor (or failing that, an investing confidante) can be so valuable. Sometimes we need someone to tell us, "Take a step back".

Like Sisyfus rolling his stone up the hill in Hades or me organizing my desk, it is a neverending battle because, as humans, we are constantly, unconsciously and inexorably and being drawn into a short-term focus. (It's happening right now. Seriously. It is.) That's the side effect of paying attention to our world and we can't help it. But if we can make ourselves aware of it, and that gives us a fighting chance.

How do you keep yourself aware?: Reminders. Whatever works best for you. One option would be to get yourself a Monet print to hang in your office. They're cheap, they're easy to find, and they make a nice reminder of how we can't appreciate our portfolios if we don't have the proper distance.

Plus people at work will think you're "classy". Which is nice.

CNBC INTERVIEW and Waiting 'till the Fat Lady Sings

NEWS FLASH: Marketpsych Managing Director Frank Murtha on CNBC today!!! See the video here.

Market fear is spreading, and that's a good thing.

This afternoon a stranger sitting next to me on the subway asked me how the market was doing today (someone who didn't know I work in finance). When anonymous strangers stop staring straight ahead, and start nervously inquiring after the health of the stock market, then it's about time to search for bargains. I figured that experience was the opposite of knowing it's time to sell when you shoeshine boy (or cab driver, or doorman) is offering you stock tips.

As predicted in my last blog post - shameless self-congratulation :) - the market would drop, bounce, and then drop again on greater fear. Below is this morning's market fear chart. Notice how investor pain has risen well above March's pain levels (this is a 7 month chart).

The sell-off will continue, in fits and starts, until the full depth of the (1) subprime mortgage defaults and (more importantly) (2) Credit (and thus liquidity) squeeze on borrowers is comprehended. As long as there is uncertainty, the markets will not rest, and the relief rallies will be only brief and tentative.

If the extent of overextended borrowers (and subsequent defaults) turns out to be as bad as the Chicken Little's are claiming (unlikely), then the market may not rally until congressional legislation is passed and it's ramifications are fully understood (not a good thing in the short-term). Such legislation would be intended to prevent further profligate borrowing by debt-weary consumers. And better credit monitoring and preparation for liquidity crunches (higher reserves) by financial institutions. As long as interest rates remain low, the expansion should continue with only minor economic consequences. It's just a waiting game now -- to see what the fallout will be, and then it will be time to buy.

Ah, but that's idle speculation of a nervous mind. We have had a pattern of profitable buying on dips recently (past 4+ years), and it's possible that many have become seduced by the ease with which they made money -- letting their guards down. That could end badly, or it could keep on. In any case, it will be safe to buy dips when the cards have all fallen and the hands are turned. We need capitulation, panic, and consequences. Then the liabilities of the losers will be known, and the mess can be cleaned up.

Happy Investing,
Richard