Setting sensible expectations for investment returns

Written by Communications at MASECO

“Man has the hardest job of all, the job of making decisions on incomplete data.” – Henry Kuttner

When market returns are kind, as they have been in recent times, it can be too easy to forget that bad times in investing will come along at some stage, leading to large and/or protracted falls in value. We hope markets are kind, but without a crystal ball no investor possesses any ability to accurately forecast the ‘whats, whens and hows’ of such downturns.

As your adviser, part of our role is to stress test your financial plan – using what we understand about markets – to ensure that your ability to achieve your financial goals is built on reasonable expectations. We recognise that markets give and take.

One important element of planning for the future is building a reasonable understanding of what a portfolio of investments can deliver. We follow a logical framework to achieve this, illustrated in the graphic below. Following such a framework helps us form central case expectations of future returns. The words ‘central case’ are important here – these assumptions sit at the centre of a wide distribution of possible outcomes.

Figure 1: A logical framework for setting sensible expectations for investment returns

Source: Albion Strategic Consulting

To illustrate the point that returns from stock and bond markets are not expected to come in straight lines, consider the figure below. We take the average calendar year return of global stock markets[1] from the past 30 years (1994 to 2023) – which was an impressive 9.4%, before inflation – and the volatility (a measure of how bumpy the ride was) over the same period of 18%. The figure shows one hundred 10-year simulations with the same average return and same volatility as inputs – perhaps the futures of one hundred alternative universes!

Figure 2: One hundred 10-year return simulations, growth of 100,000

Source: Albion Strategic Consulting. One hundred 10-year Monte Carlo simulations using arithmetic average return of Albion World Stock Market Index (https://smartersuccess.net/indices) from 1994-2023 (9.4%) and standard deviation of annual returns (18%), priced in USD in nominal terms.

Ultimately, an investor won’t know which one of an infinite number of possible paths they are on until after the fact. This is why it is important to make sensible expectations about the future returns markets could deliver, and crucially meet with your adviser on a periodic basis to see which path markets could be taking.

During tough times, this might mean curtailing spending or saving more – part of the role of your financial planner is to advise if and when this might be necessary. The longer one remains invested, the greater the opportunity for shorter term noise to subside and longer term expected outcomes to prevail. A financial plan built on sensible assumptions and maintained through time gives investors the best chance of achieving their financial goals.

[1] Data: Albion World Stock Market Index, https://smartersuccess.net/indices

Important notes

This is a purely educational document to discuss some general investment related issues. It does not in any way constitute investment advice or arranging investments. It is for information purposes only; any information contained within them is the opinion of the authors, which can change without notice. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.

Products referred to in this document

Where specific products are referred to in this document, it is solely to provide educational insight into the topic being discussed. Any analysis undertaken does not represent due diligence on or recommendation of any product under any circumstances and should not be construed as such.

• Nothing in this document constitutes investment, tax or any other type of advice and should not be construed as such.

• The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of MASECO as a whole or any part thereof.

• This document is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice.

• This document does not constitute a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any products or to adopt an investment strategy.

• Although the information is based on data which MASECO considers reliable, MASECO gives no assurance or guarantee that the information is accurate, current or complete and it should not be relied upon as such.
• Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

MASECO LLP (trading as MASECO Private Wealth and MASECO Institutional) is established as a limited liability partnership under the laws of England and Wales (Companies House No. OC337650) and has its registered office at The Kodak Building, 11 Keeley Street, London, WC2B 4BA.  The individual partners are Mr J E Matthews, Mr J R D Sellon, Mr A Benson, Mr D R B Dorman, Mr H Q A Findlater, Mr T Flonaes, Mr E A Howison and Ms A L Solana.  For your protection and for training and monitoring purposes, calls are usually recorded.

MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor.