The stock market crash after the Internet bubble destroyed portfolios -- and dreams. The Nasdaq alone fell from 5,000 to below 1,200 -- nearly an 80% decline. And that's only the average. Many stocks became essentially worthless. The tragedy wasn't in the numbers, though -- it was in the effect those losses had on people. Many investors were completely wiped out, losing money they'd been saving for years.
This really isn't the sort of pain you want to experience firsthand. That's why it makes sense for every investor to have a portfolio that is prepared for lean times. If a terrible day ever comes, you'll want to make sure you suffer only a flesh wound, not decapitation.
At Motley Fool Inside Value, we specialize in identifying stocks that not only outperform on the upside but can also survive a crash relatively unscathed.
Diversify now
Investors with technology-focused portfolios suffered the most a few years ago. There was almost nowhere in the sector to hide, with even the strongest companies suffering huge declines. STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) fell 80%, Celestica (NYSE:CLS) dropped 85%, and Solectron (NYSE:SLR) plummeted 95%. Even now, none of these companies is close to its pre-bubble high. And again, these were some of the strongest companies in the sector.
The moral of the story isn't that technology companies are risky but rather that diversification is a key component of a crash-resistant portfolio. While tech has been dreadful, the Vanguard REIT Index has more than doubled since 2000, and energy stocks have had outstanding returns recently. A diversified portfolio that included technology, real estate investment trusts, and oil would have prospered. Diversification also ensures that you get the full benefit of your stock-selection skills. The crash demonstrated that it's no condolence identifying the best-performing stocks in the worst-performing sector. Being the best of the losers doesn't make you a winner. But if you pick the best of each sector, you'll do quite well.
The Inside Value newsletter follows this diversification philosophy by recommending stocks in technology, finance, and many other sectors, and with market caps from $1 billion to $300 billion. Even our selection strategies vary: We're searching for undervalued growth stocks as well as cheap businesses poised for a rebound after suffering downturns or temporary bad news.
Buy cash
The problem with the companies that fell the most when the bubble burst was that they had neat ideas but didn't actually make any money. Even some of the most popular companies had this problem, such as Sonus Networks (NASDAQ:SONS), one of the hottest IPOs of 2000. Before the crash, Sonus was drowning in red ink, having never had a profitable year. But investors assumed that it would be a great investment because it was in the hot networking space and was showing strong revenue growth. Investors were willing to pay huge prices for a relatively untested company. That was a costly mistake.
Unprofitable companies have little flexibility in bad business climates and tend to do poorly in bear markets. In a panic, investors aren't buying dreams. They're sticking with consistent cash machines, steady blue-chip companies such as Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH) and Lowe's (NYSE:LOW). It's no coincidence that these two companies show spectacular long-term returns, unfazed by the last bear market. Businesses that earn gobs of cash don't have to raise money to survive. They can even take advantage of poor conditions to gain market share from weaker competitors. Such businesses tend to be crash-resistant.
At Inside Value, every single pick is a business that makes piles of cash and has a significant competitive advantage. Consequently, these companies position themselves well for a bear market or (worst-case scenario) even a market crash.
Be skeptical
One of the best ways to guard your portfolio against a market crash is by maintaining a healthy level of skepticism. Wall Street isn't a charity; it's a bunch of businesses focused on making money for themselves. Helping small investors make a profit is Item No. 382 on the list of Wall Street priorities, falling immediately below ensuring that the new assistant knows exactly the right amount of sugar to put in the morning coffee.
Be skeptical of analyst forecasts, whether they're predicting that oil will hit $110 a barrel or that Rambus (NASDAQ:RMBS) will break $125. While Rambus' price targets were trumpeted on TV before the crash, I haven't seen many apologies for the stock's subsequent performance. It's now trading at less than 20% of the price target set back then.
Rather than blindly trust the analysts, make sure you understand the companies you're buying. Understand the risks each business faces and the competitive advantages that will help the company overcome hurdles. Be particularly wary of high growth estimates, because analysts tend to be optimistic, and high growth is difficult to sustain. If the company fails to achieve overly ambitious growth estimates, the stock will be hammered. Finally, buy a stock only if, after conservative analysis, the company is trading at a bargain price. Stocks tend to return to their intrinsic value, so buying below that value provides significant protection in a crash.
We follow these techniques at Inside Value by performing our own research, starting with a thorough understanding of the company. As part of each recommendation, we not only describe what the company does but also discuss the competitive landscape and possible risks.
Foolish final word
So while a crash will have some negative effects on any portfolio, a few carefully chosen strategies can help you avoid the worst and give you the opportunity for big gains along the way. If you're interested in reading our recommendations, we offer a free, no-risk 30-day trial. This trial gives you access to current and past issues, a discounted cash flow calculator for determining the intrinsic value of any stock, dedicated discussion boards, and five special Inside Value reports. There is no obligation to subscribe, and you may just figure out a blueprint for a bear-resistant portfolio.
This article was originally published Sept. 28, 2005. It has been updated.
Fool contributor Richard Gibbons is scared of stock market crashes, large flying objects, and eerie music. He does not have a position in any of the companies mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
