Where Does the Money Go When the Stock Market Crashes

Where Does the Money Go When the Stock Market Crashes: Safehaven Assets

July 1, 2024

The Fear Index (VIX): Quantifying Market Turbulence

The Chicago Board Options Exchange’s Volatility Index, commonly known as the VIX or “Fear Index,” serves as a crucial barometer of market sentiment during times of crisis. This real-time market index provides a 30-day forecast of expected market volatility, offering invaluable insights into investor psychology and market risk.

During periods of market turmoil, the VIX often experiences significant spikes:

– In the 2008 financial crisis, the VIX reached an unprecedented high of 80.86, far exceeding its typical average of around 20.
– This extreme reading reflected the panic and uncertainty gripping investors as major financial institutions teetered on the brink of collapse.

The VIX’s behavior during market crashes underscores its inverse relationship with stock market performance. As Nobel laureate Robert Shiller notes in his book “Irrational Exuberance,” heightened fear and uncertainty can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies in market behaviour, amplifying downward trends.

Gold and Precious Metals: The Timeless Safe Haven

Gold has long been regarded as a store of value and a hedge against economic uncertainty. Its performance during market downturns often justifies this reputation:

– During the 2008 financial crisis, while the S&P 500 plummeted 38.5%, gold prices rose by approximately 5.5%.
– In severe market stress, gold can outperform even more dramatically. For instance, during the stock market crash in 1987, gold prices surged by nearly 25% in the aftermath of the market crash.

The appeal of gold during market turmoil is rooted in its perceived stability and intrinsic value. As former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan once remarked, “Gold still represents the ultimate form of payment in the world. It’s always accepted.”

Other precious metals, such as silver and platinum, often follow similar trends to gold during market downturns, albeit with some variations:

– Silver, often called “poor man’s gold,” tends to be more volatile but can also see significant gains during market crashes.
– Platinum, while traditionally valuable, can be more susceptible to industrial demand fluctuations, potentially limiting its safe-haven status in specific scenarios.

Understanding the behaviour of these assets during market crashes is crucial for investors seeking to build resilient portfolios. As legendary investor Warren Buffett advises, “Predicting rain doesn’t count. Building arks does.” In the context of market crashes, diversifying into safe-haven assets like gold and other precious metals can serve as a form of financial ark-building, helping to preserve wealth when traditional equity markets falter.

Government Bonds: The Steadfast Safe Haven

Government bonds, particularly those issued by economically strong nations, serve as a crucial safe haven during market crashes. Their appeal lies in the perceived safety and reliability they offer investors seeking shelter from market turbulence.

During economic crises, a phenomenon known as “flight to quality” occurs. This behavioural pattern, driven by loss aversion – a cognitive bias identified by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman – pushes investors towards assets perceived as less risky. As Robert Shiller, another Nobel Prize-winning economist, notes in his book “Irrational Exuberance,” this herding behaviour can significantly impact asset prices.

Historical data supports this trend:

– During the 2008 financial crisis, the yield on 10-year US Treasury notes fell from 4.02% to 2.08%, indicating a surge in demand and price.
– In March 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 10-year Treasury yield hit an all-time low of 0.318% as investors rushed to safety.

The stability of government bonds during market downturns can be attributed to several factors:

1. Government backing: Bonds from stable economies are considered virtually risk-free.
2. Regular income: Interest payments provide a steady cash flow, appealing during uncertain times.
3. Negative correlation: Bonds often move inversely to stocks, offering portfolio diversification.

However, behavioural economist Richard Thaler warns against overconfidence in any asset class. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s cognitive biases when making investment decisions, even with seemingly safe options like government bonds.

Consumer Staples Stocks: Resilience in Necessity

Consumer staples stocks represent companies producing essential goods that maintain relatively stable demand regardless of economic conditions. This sector’s resilience during market downturns is rooted in behavioural economics and consumer psychology.

According to behavioral economist Dan Ariely, people tend to exhibit “loss aversion” during economic uncertainty, cutting back on discretionary spending while maintaining essential purchases. This behaviour underpins the stability of consumer staples stocks.

Critical aspects of consumer staples’ performance during market crashes include:

1. Stable demand: The essential nature of products ensures consistent revenue streams.
2. Dividend reliability: Many consumer staples companies are established dividend payers.
3. Defensive characteristics: The sector often outperforms during economic downturns.

For instance, during the 2008 financial crisis, while the S&P 500 fell by 38.5%, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) declined by only 28.4%.

However, behavioural finance expert Meir Statman cautions against the “affect heuristic” – the tendency to make decisions based on emotional associations. Investors might overvalue consumer staples stocks during crises, potentially leading to overvaluation.

Cryptocurrencies: The Digital Wild Card

Cryptocurrencies represent a new and volatile asset class that has shown promise and peril during market downturns. A complex interplay of technological, economic, and psychological factors influences their performance during crises.

Behavioural economist Hersh Shefrin highlights the role of “representativeness bias” in cryptocurrency investments. Investors may overestimate the likelihood of cryptocurrencies replicating past performance, leading to potentially irrational investment decisions.

Key observations on cryptocurrencies during market crashes:

1. Volatility: Cryptocurrencies can experience extreme price swings, even during broader market turmoil.
2. Correlation shifts: Initially seen as uncorrelated to traditional assets, cryptocurrencies have shown an increasing correlation with stocks during recent crises.
3. Liquidity concerns: Cryptocurrencies can face liquidity issues during severe market stress, exacerbating price movements.

For example, during the March 2020 crash:
– Bitcoin initially fell over 50% but recovered faster than traditional markets.
– However, its correlation with the S&P 500 increased significantly during this period.

Crypto expert Andreas Antonopoulos argues that cryptocurrencies’ long-term potential lies in their ability to serve as a hedge against systemic financial risks. However, he cautions that their short-term behavior during crises remains unpredictable.

As the cryptocurrency market matures, its role during market downturns continues to evolve, presenting opportunities and risks for investors navigating turbulent economic waters.