Goodbye 2020! New Year’s Day ushered in a whole new year and outlook. But, we already know that not much has changed so far in 2021. COVID-19 deaths continue to set records, many businesses stay closed and U.S. political turmoil is at its highest in decades. Humanity has been front and center the past year.
Despite all of this turmoil, the market continues to march higher. All of us have had some occasion in the past year to reflect on where we are, what we want and how we can organize our finances or home. For those invested in the stock market or who own their home, personal wealth has increased nicely. The market is looking forward to opportunities for greater government help to those in need and the opportunity for economic growth regardless of all the unnerving headlines.
For better or worse, 2020 was a year of those who have and those who have not. Have you heard of the “K” recovery? I had not heard of such a thing until 2020. The “K” recovery recognizes that there are many who are seeing prosperous growth and coming out of the COVID-19 situation with the opportunity to spend and generate economic growth. This growth represents the upward leg of the “K.” The downward leg of the “K,” however, represent areas of the economy that are suffering and not coming out of the recent economic environment positively. This dichotomy of haves and have nots can be seen in many areas, for example
- Sector Performance. The Technology Sector ETF (ticker XLK) rose 43.6% in 2020, while the Energy Sector ETF (ticker XLE) fell 32.7%.
- Industry Growth (See Chart Below). Technology, Retail and Software Services companies saw tremendous growth while Travel, Entertainment, Hospitality and Food Services suffered.
- Individual Jobs. For workers in Technology, Retail and software saw great opportunity for professional growth while individuals who work in the suffering industries of Travel, Entertainment, Hospitality and Food Services suffered job losses.
- Health. Many families have endured tremendous loss of life this year, while others have been relatively untouched by disease.
The suffering and discontent of humanity can be seen through the large numbers who want to protest and create upheaval. I believe those who have been on the “have” side of 2020 have a wonderful opportunity to step up and help others. There has never been a time when this has been more necessary. Food banks and shelters have a great need for help at this time. For anyone who has the means or time to give to these areas, now is the time. Even those who have lost their jobs may use their time to help others. In doing so they may even find they are helping themselves.
Whether you are Christian or not, this passage from Luke 12:48 has meaning in this environment:
“. . . From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
One may view this as naïve, but I truly believe that the more you give, the more you receive.
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce/Forbes
Performance Source: Koyfin
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