An Example
General Electric, or GE as it is known today, has a long heritage of innovation that extends well over 100 years and goes back to Thomas Edison’s first light bulb. GE has pioneered technologies in many areas that have spurred world-transforming changes and improved the lives of billions. For years GE was included in the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrials Average of blue-chip stocks.
An investor who received $1 million in GE stock at the beginning of 2003 might well have decided to hold that position based on GE’s glorious past. Let’s say that investor held it for 10 years, through the end of 2012. The GE stock would have grown to $1,205,343 in value.
General Electric
2003-2012
Data Source: Morningstar.
Now let’s say that investor hired a financial advisor at the beginning of 2013 who recommended selling the GE stock and diversifying that position more broadly. What would have happened if the investor resisted following that advice and continued to hold the GE stock—maybe because he was reluctant to pay taxes on the imbedded gains in that position?
By the end of 2022 the GE stock would have been worth only $752,089—a loss of $247,911 from its original $1 million value and a loss of $453,254 from its value at the end of 2012.
General Electric
2003-2022
Source: Morningstar.
What would have happened if, instead, the investor had followed the advisor’s advice, sold the GE stock, paid taxes on the imbedded gains, and invested in a broadly diversified portfolio?
The investor would have had a portfolio worth $1,677,6481 at the end of 2022, rather than the $752, 089 the investor had because he held onto the concentrated stock position. Quite a difference! And the volatility of the GE stock (as measured by standard deviation) from 2013 through 2022 was 33.51%, while the volatility of the globally diversified portfolio was only 14.51%--less than half that of the GE stock.
$1M Account Holding GE vs. Selling and Investing in Broad Index Fund
2003-2022
Source: Morningstar.
The investor would have been far better off financially and had a smoother ride in the process if he had followed the advisor’s recommendation of diversifying the concentrated stock position.
There is often a great temptation to hold onto a concentrated stock position, especially if it has performed well in the recent past. However, such a strategy involves great risk, which can be mitigated by liquidating the concentrated position and reinvesting in a diversified portfolio.
Granted, this is one example among many. But it starkly illustrates the risks associated with holding concentrated stock positions, even in companies with outstanding pedigrees that have been star performers in the past.
- We assume the investor paid taxes of 25% on the $205,343 gain when the investor sold the GE stock. We also assume the remaining amount was invested in a portfolio that precisely tracked the MSCI ACWI Index (All Country World) and payed an annual advisory fee of 1.50%, deducted monthly. An investor cannot invest directly in the MSCI ACWI Index (All Country World), but we make this assumption solely for purposes of this illustration.
The information contained herein does not constitute investment advice or a solicitation. This article is for dissemination of general information only. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Investments are not guaranteed and are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.