The anatomy of Nasdaq 100 drawdowns and investor psychology The anatomy of Nasdaq 100 drawdowns and investor psychology The anatomy of Nasdaq 100 drawdowns and investor psychology

The anatomy of Nasdaq 100 drawdowns and investor psychology

Equities 6 minutes to read
Peter Garnry

Chief Investment Strategist

Summary:  The Nasdaq 100 is currently in its 15th largest drawdown since 1 January 2003 down 10.9%. History suggests that the drawdown could last 121 trading days if this is an average drawdown in terms of its recovery profile. This we think would profoundly alter investor psychology as the new group of retail investors arriving at equity markets last year have never experienced slow grinding equity markets for very long. Our thesis is that growth investing and its near term support will hinge on the drawdown length and thus is a key indicator to monitor going forward.


Nasdaq 100 is 15 trading sessions into the current drawdown down 10.9%and our bubble stocks basket is down 27.9% since the peak. Listening to many growth investors, both professional and retail, it has been a violent move, and many has been taken by surprise, or at least, many had underestimated the interest rate sensitivity and given it much thought. While painful for many investors we could see our bubble stocks basket experiencing a 50% drawdown taking the basket’s total return index back to levels from September last year – if this happens it would entail a 32% decline in bubble stocks from current levels. Outsized gains typically come with subsequent volatility and potentially dramatic drawdowns. That is the lesson of history, and this is no different.

Source: Bloomberg

Every drawdown has its unique cause and comparisons should be made with great caution, but when you face a drawdown of meaningful size you need to get your statistical prior right. The current drawdown is the 15th largest since 1 January 2003, so while it has felt dramatic to many investors it is still a benign correction. The median and mean drawdown length of these 15 drawdowns are 121 and 157 trading days respectively, so the current drawdown could extend for 6-9 months if this is an average drawdown.

What is important to investor psychology is the drawdown length. This was one of the main reasons retail investors left the equity market after the dot-com bubble burst. Investors are impatient people despite many argue they invest for the long term. The drawdown after the financial crisis in 2008 and the subsequent unemployment rate was also detriment for retail investor participation. Even has late into the current bull market as 2016 and 2017 you can find many articles on where the retail investor is in equity markets, and whether they will ever come back. There are also many mentioning of young people and women nor participating.

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

But the last couple of years bull market, improving labour market dynamics, a larger focus than ever by media on technology stocks, the rise of crypto and Tesla, have pulled many young people and women into the game of equity investing. Many arrived during the rebound phase last year when many people were forced into lockdowns. This means that a lot of the new marginal buyer of technology stocks have never seen a drawdown and not a drawdown of proper length. Therefore our thesis is that if this becomes a lengthy drawdown in technology stocks due to higher inflation and interest rates, then it will alter the investor psychology of growth investing and many will become impatient and shift strategies or maybe even leave the market. It is only really fun when returns come fast and easy.

The chart below shows the 15 drawdowns and their recovery profile. The blue line is the recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic started the historic sell-off last year. This is still the fastest recovery ever in history from such a large drawdown that reached 27.7% at the bottom and a recovery that took many quant strategies and tactical asset allocation strategies by surprise. The orange line is the current drawdown and something we will be monitoring for some time as it shapes investor psychology.

Quarterly Outlook 2024 Q3

Sandcastle economics

01 / 05

  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Invest wisely in Q3 2024: Discover SaxoStrats' insights on navigating a stable yet fragile global economy.

    Read article
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain inflation and evolving monetary policies.

    Read article
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynamics echo 2021's rally.

    Read article
  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperform in Q3 2024.

    Read article
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities in Q3 2024.

    Read article
Disclaimer

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited prepares and distributes information/research produced within the Saxo Bank Group for informational purposes only. In addition to the disclaimer below, if any general advice is provided, such advice does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of trading any financial instrument as trading can result in losses that exceed your initial investment. Please refer to our Analysis Disclaimer, and our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement. All legal documentation and disclaimers can be found at https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/.

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service. Access and use of Saxo News & Research and any Saxo Bank Group website are subject to (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; and (iii) the Risk Warning in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group.

Saxo News & Research is provided for informational purposes, does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. No Saxo Bank Group entity shall be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information on Saxo News & Research.

To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, such content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication.

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments.Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Capital Markets or its affiliates.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Full Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)
- Analysis Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/analysis-disclaimer/saxo-analysis-disclaimer)
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited
Suite 1, Level 14, 9 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Contact Saxo

Select region

Australia
Australia

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-au/about-us/awards

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited ABN 32 110 128 286 AFSL 280372 (‘Saxo’ or ‘Saxo Capital Markets’) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms, Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Saxo Capital Markets does not provide ‘personal’ financial product advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. The Target Market Determination should assist you in determining whether any of the products or services we offer are likely to be consistent with your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website is not intended for residents of the United States and Japan.

Please click here to view our full disclaimer.