Five Smart Investment Moves After Election

By Xyla Joelle L. Fernandez

Nov 11, 2016 06:00 AM EST

Charles Ellis  known as the dean of American investment advisors, has words of wisdom for American investors. 

Recent analysis by Chicago-based Calamos Investments found that from 1991 to 2015, pre-election years - the year prior to a presidential election - historically have outperformed the other years of a presidential term, and election years have been historically weaker. Over the last 25 years, on average, there has been a -19 percent drop in market performance from pre-election years to election years. 

Yet, Ellis said, the market is still a good bet to be higher in the long term, longer than five years.

Here are 5 investment moves after election:

*Don't sell on a market's nosedive--fear of protectionist policies Donald Trump could enact in the next few years, balanced against what could also be a pro-business, pro-infrastructure agenda. Uncertainty, combined with the unforeseen reactions by the world community, probably means more volatility in the short term, Ellis said. 

If the volatility extends into months or years, your best bet is to keep up a regular program of investing.

*Don't fool yourself into seeing this as a market opportunity-Investors tend to forget that every time they make a trade, they are making it against a professional investor. If you try to buy specific stocks or groups of stocks now, you're trading against someone who has studied the market in much more detail and has decided it's time to sell. 

*If you don't have enough cash, consider shifting asset-Elli said that "you should have enough in cash so that you can calm down." He also said that a good rule of thumb is to have a six month to one year pool of cash. 

"Diversify your Portfolio--Trump's campaign was run on promises to take a hard look at trade agreements and pull back on some of the U.S.'s involvement in the world. But just because America pulls back on globalization doesn't mean globalization will stop. If you've focused on the U.S. economy with your portfolio, it could be time to expand your worldview and look to global stock and bond index funds, such as the Vanguard Total World Stock Index or the iShares Global 100 ETF.

*Don't focus on the first day of your retirement--If you are nearing 70, chances are good you will live to 85 or beyond; and you don't need all of your retirement assets on day one. Your portfolio will have time to recover from today's volatility. 

And of course above all this, you should be realistic. Always be aware that Ellis' view, the world is a more dangerous place. You may reduce your long term returns overtime but the lower risk could be worth it to you.

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