Market Volatility as Coronavirus Spreads

For weeks, the equity markets seemed to shrug-off the possibility of negative impact from a spreading coronavirus. But the tone changed this week, as the S&P 500 posted sharp declines early in the week as confirmed cases grew sharply across the world – particularly in developed economies like South Korea, Japan, Italy, and even here in the US.

While equities sold off sharply, the yield on the 10-year US Treasury fell to a record low and oil prices dropped below $50 a barrel – all signs of growing investor concern over demand and economic growth in the coming months and quarters.

In my view, volatility is likely to persist as investor attention is decisively shifted away from fundamentals (revenues and earnings) and towards the unknown (headlines). In short, however, I also think the fear of the coronavirus as a global pandemic is arguably greater, for now, than the actual economic impact it is likely to have. While I don't mean to downplay the seriousness of the outbreak, history suggests that the impact to growth and market performance – and the grip that the outbreak holds on global psychology and confidence – will be temporary. I'll be buying the dips when I can.