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5 Insights for Navigating Banking Crises in Q2 and Beyond

In times of market uncertainty, investors often turn to sayings such as “those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” and “history never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” When it comes to the day-today headlines, both quotes are relevant given the long history of banking crises and market swings.
This is because our clients must deal with innumerable challenges over the course of their financial lives. In just the last few years, portfolios and financial plans have been tested by the pandemic, the highest inflation rates since the 1980s, global conflicts, political uncertainty, asset bubbles, swiftly shifting monetary policy, and much more. Even when times are otherwise calm and markets are steadily rising, including from 2009 to 2020, investors and the media always find reasons to be worried. So, while it’s important to understand the individual issues, it’s perhaps more important to maintain a broader perspective based on the lessons of history.
Of the various challenges investors face today, the banking crisis was perhaps the biggest unforeseen event. It’s now clear that FDIC-insured banks hold bonds that are worth hundreds of billions less due to rising interest rates. Banks such as Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank had customers concentrated in specific industries, such as tech and crypto, that made them susceptible to liquidity problems and bank runs. In Europe, Credit Suisse may have had strong capital and liquidity ratios, but ongoing problems made it susceptible to a bank run.
The reality is that the banking crisis will take time to play out. Although our clients are accustomed to a rapid news cycle, it often takes time for cracks to form, problems to be identified, events to play out, solutions to be implemented, and finally for the system to stabilize.
Many historical examples underscore this. During the global financial crisis for instance, the housing market had already begun to falter by 2006. Bear Stearns failed in March 2008, but the Lehman collapse didn’t occur until September. During the 1998 Asian currency crisis, the first signs of trouble occurred with Thailand in July 1997. The hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management wasn’t bailed out until September the following year. In some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic is the exception given how quickly it reached the U.S. and induced an economic lockdown, but it’s also the case that three years later, we are still experiencing aftershocks.
So, there are always reasons to be on the edge of one’s seat. However, we have reasons for optimism too. The market, economy, and the financial system have been more resilient so far in 2023 than many expected. The job market has been surprisingly strong despite layoffs in tech. Inflation has improved markedly across key areas such as energy and goods. Interest rates rose swiftly early in 2021 and throughout 2022 but have stabilized more recently with the 10-year Treasury yield ending the first quarter at 3.47%. Even the stock market has improved with the S&P 500 having gained 7.6% and 7.5% across the last two quarters.
History shows that markets often turn around when investors least expect it. To put it more strongly, longterm investors are often rewarded precisely because they are willing to accept and manage risk when others are not. On the flip side, we will be laser focused on anticipating another shoe to drop during this crisis. Below, we highlight five important insights to guide our clients through the coming months.

1. Regional bank stocks have struggled as financial conditions have tightened

It’s no surprise that bank stocks have struggled across markets. In the U.S., this is due to regional banks as the crisis that began with Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank plays out. The FDIC, Treasury Department, and the Fed have stepped in to stabilize the system, as have their European counterparts.

The accompanying chart shows the performance of U.S. and European banks. Perhaps most striking, however, is that the MOVE index of bond market volatility jumped to its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.

Fortunately, the situation has stabilized as the initial bank run has calmed. Ironically, this has allowed interest rates to fall which will likely reduce the unrealized bond losses at banks that helped create this situation in the first place.
While there are specific circumstances underlying each of these bank failures, financial instability tends to occur when monetary policy and credit conditions tighten. This is partly because many banks had grown accustomed to high levels of liquidity supporting deposits and their aggressive customer acquisition practices. Thus, it will take time for the banking system to stabilize as the world adjusts to tighter financial conditions.

2. Balanced portfolios have benefited from both stocks and bonds this year

Although only a quarter has passed, markets are already performing much better than last year. This is because interest rates have been more stable and inflation has improved, supporting both stocks and bonds which returned 7.5% and 3.2%, respectively, through the end of the first quarter. A hypothetical 60/40 portfolio generated 5.1% over this same period, underscoring the continued importance of diversification and long-term thinking.

3. Financials have struggled but tech-related sectors have rebounded

4. The Fed is expected to slow its pace of rate hikes or to cut rates

5. It's important to stay invested and take advantage of attractive valuations

Ultimately, investors should focus on the long run and not overreact to daily headlines. In particular, valuations within some sectors are attractive with the overall market still richly priced. The accompanying chart highlights that staying invested, or taking advantage of better market levels, is often rewarded. History shows that waiting for the next pullback often results in missed opportunities both in terms of returns and the length of time investors need to wait.

The bottom line? While there are ongoing challenges, this is always the case for investors. Staying focused and holding diversified portfolios is still the best way to achieve long-term financial goals.

Dover Advisors, LLC (“Dover”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Dover and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. For additional information, please visit our website at https://doveradvisors.com/.

Copyright (c) 2023 Clearnomics, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of the information and opinions contained herein. The views and the other information provided are subject to change without notice. All reports posted on or via www.clearnomics.com or any affiliated websites, applications, or services are issued without regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any specific recipient and are not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future results. Company fundamentals and earnings may be mentioned occasionally, but should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold the company’s stock. Predictions, forecasts, and estimates for any and all markets should not be construed as recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security–including mutual funds, futures contracts, and exchange traded funds, or any similar instruments. The text, images, and other materials contained or displayed in this report are proprietary to Clearnomics, Inc. and constitute valuable intellectual property. All unauthorized reproduction or other use of material from Clearnomics, Inc. shall be deemed willful infringement(s) of this copyright and other proprietary and intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, rights of privacy. Clearnomics, Inc. expressly reserves all rights in connection with its intellectual property, including without limitation the right to block the transfer of its products and services and/or to track usage thereof, through electronic tracking technology, and all other lawful means, now known or hereafter devised. Clearnomics, Inc. reserves the right, without further notice, to pursue to the fullest extent allowed by the law any and all criminal and civil remedies for the violation of its rights.

Ned Abbe
Co-CIO
Jess Ellington
Co-CIO
Important Information:

The views expressed in this commentary are subject to change based on market and other conditions. These documents may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not consider any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability, or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such. Risk associated with equity investing include stock values which may fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Although bonds generally present less short-term risk and volatility risk than stocks, bonds contain interest rate risks; the risk of issuer default; issuer credit risk; liquidity risk; and inflation risk.

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