Parrott Wealth Management Annual Letter

Bill Parrott |

Logo, company name

Description automatically generated

 

Parrott Wealth Management Annual Letter

Despite political turmoil, Delta, Omicron, rising interest rates, increasing inflation, supply chain issues, and several corrections of 4% or more, the three major US indices produced significant gains last year, led by the S&P 500 as it climbed 27%. Stocks were resilient to the surprise of many astute market observers. Large companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Pfizer outperformed small-caps and international stocks by a wide margin. Bonds were negative as interest rates climbed, and most emerging markets fell because of exposure to Chinese securities. Here is a look at how various asset classes performed in 2021.

  • Real Estate = 36.59%
  • Small-Cap Stocks = 24.60%
  • International Stocks = 7.84%
  • Emerging Markets = -1.30%
  • Bonds = -3.90%
  • Gold = -4.15%
  • Oil = 49.65%

Though US Stock market valuation metrics are rich and extended, the market can still trade higher. Relative to US companies, international stocks offer tremendous value.

Philosophy

The root of what we do is financial planning. A financial plan helps us manage your account better because it focuses on your hopes, dreams, and fears. It gives us the confidence to make recommendations that benefit you and your family.

 

We believe in the buy-and-hold strategy of investing. Meaning, we don't make a lot of trades or changes to the portfolios, and we hold our investments through all types of market conditions - good, bad, and ugly because we have not found a better approach for investors to create generational wealth. Timing the market does not work, and it's like teaching a pig to sing. It's a waste of time, and it annoys the pig.

 

PWM Models

Our managed models performed well last year, producing gains except for our most conservative model, which is 100% bonds, and it dropped 1.29%. Our all-stock model climbed 24.26%. The models are diversified and built with funds managed primarily by Vanguard, Dimensional, and BlackRock and designed to take less risk than the market. For example, our all-stock model is approximately 20% less risky than the S&P 500.

Chart, histogram

Description automatically generated

China

We reduced our Chinese stock allocation significantly because of the actions of the Chinese government towards their publicly traded companies. At this point, we consider China uninvestable. We sold Vanguard's Emerging Markets Fund ETF (VWO) and transferred the money to the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex-China ETF (EMXC). The ex-China fund closed the year up 6.6%, while Vanguard's fund fell 1.3%. We will make a similar change with Dimensional's Emerging Markets Fund.

 

 

Bonds

Bonds finished in negative territory as they reacted to rising interest rates and escalating inflation. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Our bond exposure remains short-term, with maturities ranging from a few months to a few years, and we will stay short-term until rates rise further. If rates do rise, the impact on our bond portfolios should be minor. We continue to buy bonds for safety and diversification because stocks will fall eventually, and bonds will perform well when they do. Bonds are negatively correlated to stocks and still provide one of the best hedges for tumbling stock prices. We also are buying bonds for accounts with large cash balances since money market rates are near zero; they are the lesser of two evils.

Chart

Description automatically generated

Bitcoin

I continue to swing and miss when it comes to Bitcoin. The popular cryptocurrency soared 57% last year despite a year-end sell-off. I've been wrong on cryptocurrencies forever, and this trend likely continues for the foreseeable future because I don't understand it or have a clue about how it works. I don't consider it a currency because it's too volatile, so, by default, it's an asset class like gold or silver. Crypto experts love Bitcoin because it's not correlated to stocks, and it's an inflation hedge. However, lately, it rises when stocks rise and falls when stocks fall, meaning it's correlated to stocks. And since inflation has surged, Bitcoin has dropped. Also, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are only fourteen years old, and the last time we experienced significant inflation was more than forty years ago. Hence, it's too early to tell how it performs in an inflationary environment. According to crypto.com there are 10,586 coins, including Polkadot, Tron, and SafeMoon. As a comparison, there are currently 10,342 US publicly traded securities. And there's nothing to stop you, me, or my dog Cricket from launching a new crypto coin, so how do you pick the best one? I'm not sure it's possible. Historically, wealth created from nothing does not last.

Graphical user interface, chart, line chart

Description automatically generated

Working From Home Stocks

Last year was a boon for working from home (WFH) stocks, but not this year. As the economy reopened, companies like Peleton, Zoom, Docusign, Stitch Fix, and others fell back to earth. I wrote in last year's letter that "at some point, valuations will matter, and investors will focus on earnings, revenue, cash flow, and profits; until then, tread lightly and be careful with these high-flying investments." This year, DocuSign dropped 31%, Zoom fell 45%, Stitch Fix declined 67%, and Peloton crashed 76%. I'm sure a few WFH stocks recover, but they're still expensive, so my advice from last year still stands.

Chart, histogram

Description automatically generated

 

Deficits and Debt

I must balance my budget because I will eventually lose my business and home if I don't. The federal government, however, does not. Our government can print money and run a deficit forever, and it mostly has. Public, searchable records date to 1901, and the first deficit occurred in 1904 at $43 million, equivalent to $1.4 trillion today.[1] And since 1904, our government has run a deficit 76% of the time. In 1943, the budget deficit accounted for 27% of GDP; today, it's 15%.[2] The budget deficit fell below $100 billion for the first time in 1982.

Our government's last surplus was in 2000, before the Tech Wreck, where stocks fell 43%, and our country entered a deep recession. Before 2000, the previous surplus year was 1960.

Our current deficit is $3.12 trillion as our government sent stimulus checks to people in need and offered airlines resources to keep flying. During the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009, the budget deficit touched a low of $1.5 trillion when the government bailed out auto manufacturers, banks, and insurance companies; as the economy recovered, the deficit improved to a negative balance of $469 billion by 2015.

During times of economic pressure like wars, recessions, or pandemics, our country comes to the rescue and, as a result, runs a deficit. When the economy thrives, the government reduces or eliminates its debts. For example, in 1943, the budget deficit was a negative $55.5 billion as it financed WWII. By 1949, after the war and the troops returned home, the government produced a surplus of $10.5 billion.

What does this mean for the stock market? Not much. Since 1915, the Dow Jones has risen more than 48,000 percent. Deficits look scary, but they don't have much of an impact on stocks.

PWM Growth Indicators

Our "Starbucks card indicator" continues to percolate, showing signs of significant growth. This year we mailed 145 cards to our clients, up 20% from last year and more than 150% since we started doing it in 2017. If we examine traditional growth metrics like assets and revenues, PWM grew 36% last year, and our average annual growth rate for the past six years has been 41%.

Janet

Janet, our Director of Client Services, is celebrating her fifth anniversary with Parrott Wealth. She joined the firm on January 2, 2017. Janet is a tremendous asset to the firm and continues to make our back-office hum without issues. I'm encouraged because most of you bypass me altogether and contact Janet directly for assistance with your accounts. She was valuable last year as we transitioned from state to federal regulation.

Spencer

Our headcount grew by one last year as Spencer Engelke joined PWM. Spencer has been an outstanding hire, and he is currently working on obtaining the Certified Financial Planners designation and has already passed module one. Spencer's primary focus is on financial planning but occasionally assists me with trading.

SOAR Wealth Management

We launched SOAR Wealth Management in 2021 to help new, first-time, or emerging investors. Betterment manages the investment portfolios while we assist them with budgeting, debt management, and financial planning. The website is www.soarwm.com.

2022 Predictions

Last year, most of my predictions came true, so the pressure is on to replicate my success. If you want to review the previous year's results, email me at bill@parrottwealth, and I will forward you a copy. Here are my thoughts for 2022.

  1. The S&P 500 will rise 10%. It's not much of a prediction since the popular index has averaged 10.1% for the past 95 years.
  2. If the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, they will do so only once or twice.
  3. The rate of inflation will fall. It's currently 6.81%, and I believe it drops below 4%.
  4. Housing remains robust as apartment dwellers and millennials continue to buy new homes. The prices of vacation homes remain elevated as cash-rich investors diversify their assets beyond stocks and bonds.
  5. President Biden passes a watered-downed version of the infrastructure bill.
  6. China continues to crack down on publicly traded companies, billionaires, and Taiwan, further depressing its stock prices.
  7. The House and Senate flip to the GOP in the November elections.
  8. COVID is here to stay, requiring an annual booster similar to a flu shot.
  9. The Great Resignation continues as workers retire early because of COVID and stressful work environments. Individuals will leave the workforce to pursue their hobbies.
  10. Travel surges next year as people leave their COVID caves. Attendance at National Parks soars as people prefer to drive rather than fly.

Thank You

We appreciate you and your business. We know you have numerous firms to help you reach your goals, and we're thankful for the trust you placed in Parrott Wealth Management. We are blessed beyond measure.

As our firm grows, we're honored to work with second and third-generation clients. Last year, we opened several accounts for college students and recent graduates referred to us by their parents or grandparents. We are excited to help these youthful investors build solid investment foundations.

2022

May the new year bring you peace, prosperity, health, happiness, and rest. My prayer is that this year will be your best!

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Sincerely,

Bill Parrott

Bill Parrott

President and CEO

Parrott Wealth Management

Austin, TX

January 3, 2022

 

[1] YCHARTS US Government on-budget surplus or deficit – 1901 to 2020.

[2] FRED Economic Data – Federal surplus or deficit as a percent of GDP – 1930 – 2021.