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When Too Much of a Good Thing Is Bad for Portfolios
What happens when growth stocks perform better than value stocks?
Letting dough rise for too long when making bread can weaken its structure, eventually causing the loaf to collapse. When seeking to make “bread” in terms of money, letting your winners run too long can lead to a lopsided portfolio. This increases the risk that your fortunes rise and fall based on the performance of one country, sector, company, or even one stock style.
Many portfolios include a mix of growth and value stocks, which don’t react the same way to market events—when one isn’t doing well, the other typically has been in favor. This diversification may help balance performance and manage risk.
Growth Style Has Won More Than Value Style
An often overlooked aspect of the stock market since 2009 is that it has rewarded growth stocks more than value stocks. If left unchecked, your portfolio may have changed over the past few years and actually increased in risk. That’s why it’s important to monitor your mix of growth and value stocks.
Source: Morningstar. Data as of 12/31/2019. Growth stocks represented by S&P 500® Growth Index. Value stocks represented by S&P 500® Value Index. The indices do not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, taxes or other expenses of investment. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Portion Control
Just as there are recommended portion sizes for a well-balanced diet, your asset allocation may have set a long-term mix of growth and value holdings. Say in 2009 you decided to split your stock mix equally between the growth and value styles and walked away. Over the next 10 years, your growth allocation appreciated more than your value allocation.
Rebalancing in Style
To avoid too much exposure to growth stocks, you could rebalance to get the percentages back to your original allocations. See the example below. In this case, you may be selling top performers and buying more undervalued investments—the definition of buying low and selling high.
Source: Morningstar. Data as of 12/31/2019, reflecting hypothetical portfolio values beginning on 1/1/2009 thru 12/31/2019. Growth stocks represented by S&P 500® Growth Index. Value stocks represented by S&P 500® Value Index. The indices do not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, taxes or other expenses of investment. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. This hypothetical situation contains assumptions that are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not representative of the performance of any security.
There is no assurance similar results can be achieved, and this information should not be relied upon as a specific recommendation to buy or sell securities. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Checking Your Dough
Your asset mix should be carefully allocated based on your age, risk tolerance, and goals for the future. Stay on track by periodically revisiting the original recipe you put in place.
Explore our growth and value mutual funds.
If you don't want to make these changes yourself, we offer asset allocation portfolios. These professionally managed, automatically diversified investment solutions come in a single portfolio—and may be a smart choice for long-term financial goals.
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Investment return and principal value of security investments will fluctuate. The value at the time of redemption may be more or less than the original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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Rebalancing allows you to keep your asset allocation in line with your goals. It does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk.
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Diversification does not assure a profit nor does it protect against loss of principal.
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The opinions expressed are those of American Century Investments (or the portfolio manager) and are no guarantee of the future performance of any American Century Investments' portfolio. This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice.
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American Century Investment Services, Inc., Distributor