From Fear to Hope

How Stocks Perform After Deep Drawdowns

17 November 2022

4 min read

After a tough year for equities, is a recovery imminent? While nobody can predict when the market will bottom, we do know what happened after sharp downturns in the past. Patient investors can find comfort knowing that strong recoveries are common after sharp drawdowns.

Stock market volatility continues to rage, even after recent glimmers of hope. Despite recent gains, the S&P 500 was down by 15.1% this year through November 15. Outside the energy sector, there have been few places to hide in equity markets, with sharp declines across Europe, Asia and emerging markets.

Setting the Stage for a Healthier Recovery

Severe stock market drawdowns are always unsettling. But they often set the stage for a healthier recovery. That’s why market downturns are commonly known as “corrections.” Share values are reset to better reflect a company’s long-term earnings expectations. This process can be volatile, especially when share prices in parts of the market are unreasonably high and when the earnings outlook is extremely uncertain. Both conditions have been present this year.

But what happens after a drawdown is encouraging. Following sharp US market declines since 1950, equities typically roared back with gusto. From the low point in eight US market downturns of more than 20%, equities delivered a 51.1% forward return after one year on average, and a three-year return of 82% (Display). Five and 10 years later, investors also enjoyed handsome gains.

Sharp US Equity Declines Have Usually Been Followed by Strong Recoveries

A table listing S&P 500 peak-to-trough declines of More than 20% since 1950 and returns one, three, five, and ten-years after the trough.

Past performance and current analysis do not guarantee future results.
As of September 30, 2022; Forward returns are cumulative and from the identified trough date
Source: Bloomberg and AllianceBernstein (AB)

Skeptics might argue that conditions today are extraordinarily bad. While we agree that there is plenty of uncertainty, bad conditions are what drive sell-offs, and their underlying circumstances are often different when they occur. Today, inflation and its knock-on effects are challenging economic growth. Higher energy prices, rising global yields and roughly two years’ worth of global central bank tightening are filtering down to economic activity with a lag. It would be foolish to declare that the coast is clear.

This Isn’t the First Massive Market Shock

But take a closer look at the episodes listed above. For example, the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000–2002 and the global financial crisis in 2007–2009 dealt massive shocks to markets and economies—and were terrifying moments in financial history. Yet investors who maintained an appropriate exposure to equities in their portfolios were ultimately rewarded. There are still many good reasons to stay invested in stocks.

To be sure, the fear factor is a deterrent. So, we looked at how stocks performed after moments of extreme pessimism, as measured by the University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment. Here, too, when consumer sentiment dropped to a low point, stocks did well in the aftermath. In November 2008, consumers were stunned by the collapse of equity markets, the US subprime mortgage crisis and the demise of major financial institutions. Yet pulling out of equities would have been a poor decision. The S&P 500 advanced by 25% over the next year and 49% over the next three years (Display). Today, the Index of Consumer Sentiment is at 59—below the average low point in prior crises.

Prior Times of High Fear Have Proven Rewarding for Contrarians

Bar chart shows S&P 500 returns one and three years after a trough in consumer sentiment.

Historical analysis does not guarantee future results.
As of September 30, 2022
Source: Bloomberg, S&P, University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment and AB

In fact, moments of extreme pessimism often turned out to be a favorable entry point for investors with longer time horizons. Today, valuations may be nearing a low point, based on our analysis of the relationship between US stock multiples and interest rates. And as we gain more clarity on how earnings are holding up amid escalating economic stresses, portfolio managers can identify companies with stronger recovery potential. In our view, pockets of relative value can now be found in equity markets, regardless of market capitalization, style or geography, particularly in companies with quality businesses.

Conquering the Fear Factor

Investors who abandon a well-thought-out investment strategy at the wrong time may end up worse off. Reducing equity allocations now means locking in losses and forfeiting recovery potential. And since it’s almost impossible to time inflection points in the market, we believe maintaining a strategic allocation to equities is essential. Missing just a few of the best days of a recovery can be very costly to long-term returns, our research shows.

In times like these, it’s not easy to shift an investing mindset from fear to hope. But we believe active investing approaches that aim to steer away from vulnerable companies and to find those with durable businesses can help investors feel more comfortable with an equity allocation today. With a clear strategy that emphasizes quality stocks, investors can gain confidence that an equity allocation is appropriate for individual risk appetites—and be positioned to unlock return potential in better times.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams. Views are subject to revision over time.

About the Author

This website is only directed at persons residing in Singapore. Persons resident in territories other than Singapore should not access this website. This website is not directed to any person in any jurisdiction where (by reason of that person's nationality, residence or otherwise) the publication or availability of this website is prohibited. Persons in respect of whom such prohibitions apply must not access this website. It is your responsibility to be aware of and to observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction. By accessing this website, you are representing and warranting that the applicable laws and regulations of your jurisdiction allow you to access the website, and that you have agreed to the terms of use.

This content is provided on an "AS IS" basis. No representation or warranty, whether express or implied, is made with respect to the accuracy, validity or completeness of this content, and any liability for errors or omissions in such content is expressly disclaimed. This content may contain projections and other statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of countries, regions or markets. These statements will necessarily only be predictions, and actual events or results may differ. You should make your own assessment of the relevance, accuracy and adequacy of the information provided and make such independent investigations as you may consider necessary or appropriate. Any opinion or views offered are made on a general basis and are not to be relied on as advice. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this publication. Accordingly, neither AB nor any of its affiliates, associates, directors, connected parties and/or employees accept any liability whatsoever for any loss, whether direct or indirect, that may arise from the use of the information or opinions provided.

AllianceBernstein (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. is the management company of the Portfolios and has appointed AllianceBernstein (Singapore) Ltd. (Company Registration No. 199703364C) as its agent for service of process and as its Singapore representative. AllianceBernstein (Singapore) Ltd. is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This advertisment has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

The information contained here reflects the views of AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates and sources it believes are reliable as of the date of this publication. AllianceBernstein L.P. makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this publication. This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

AllianceBernstein L.P. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. It does not take an investor’s personal investment objectives or financial situation into account; investors should discuss their individual circumstances with appropriate professionals before making any decisions. This information should not be construed as sales or marketing material or an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument, product or service sponsored by AllianceBernstein or its affiliates.

The contents of this site are general in nature, for general information only and prepared without consideration given to the specific investment objective, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person. This site contains the views and opinions of particular individuals and may not necessarily represent views expressed or reflected in other AB communications, strategies or funds. Reliance should not be placed on these views and information when making individual investment and/or strategic decisions.

Past performance, historical and current analyses, and expectations do not guarantee future results.

Investment involves risk. The information contained here reflects the views of AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates and sources it believes are reliable as of the date of this publication. AllianceBernstein L.P. makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this publication. This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. AllianceBernsteinL.P. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. It does not take an investor’s personal investment objectives or financial situation into account; investors should discuss their individual circumstances with appropriate professionals before making any decisions. This information should not be construed as sales or marketing material or an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument, product or service sponsored by AllianceBernstein or its affiliates.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams.