Market crash 2020: could further stock price declines be on the horizon?

The potential for further stock price declines after the recent market crash may dissuade some investors from buying high-quality businesses today.

However, predicting the stock market’s performance over a short time horizon can be problematic due to the wide range of inputs that can affect its prospects.

Therefore, buying companies while they offer wide margins of safety could be a shrewd move. They may be able to deliver impressive performance in the coming years.

Predicting a stock market crash

Trying to forecast when a market crash will occur is exceptionally difficult. For example, the recent pandemic was an unprecedented event that was not on the radar of the vast majority of investors. Trying to predict what happens next when risks such as a possible second wave and geopolitical challenges between the United States and China are ongoing may prove to be an equally difficult task.

Other crises such as the global financial crisis were also not foreseen by many investors. And, perhaps more importantly, the scale of recovery from them was not anticipated by most investors while the economic outlook was at its worst and stock prices were at their most attractive.

Buying undervalued stocks

Therefore, predictions about the prospect of a further market crash may prove to be of little value in the coming months. By contrast, a strategy that focuses on buying the best-quality companies in an industry that faces an uncertain future could be highly profitable. They may be in a strong position to survive a period of economic difficulty, and could even seek to expand their market positions through taking market share away from competitors.

Moreover, even if the stock market experiences a further downturn, its recovery prospects appear to be bright. The stock market has been able to produce annualised total returns in the high-single digits over the long run. It has also successfully recovered from even its very worst bear markets to rise to new record highs. Therefore, a strategy of purchasing stocks and holding them for the long term is likely to yield a higher return that that on offer via other mainstream assets – especially since interest rates are expected to remain low over the medium term.

Portfolio management

Of course, investors may wish to hold some cash over the coming months in case there is a market crash. Doing so may provide them with the opportunity to capitalise on short-term mispricings among high-quality companies.

However, in many cases, stocks appear to include wide margins of safety at the present time that reflect the risks they face during an uncertain period for the world economy. Buying a diverse portfolio of them now and holding them through what could prove to be a volatile period for stock prices may lead to high returns that improve your long-term financial outlook.

More reading

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• 2 great value ASX 200 shares I’d buy next week
• Consider these blue chip ASX shares for strong dividend yields
• How to turn $20,000 into $250,000 in 10 years with ASX shares

Motley Fool contributor Peter Stephens has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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