Economic & Investment Laws

The Sentinel has postulated economic and investment laws that are fundamental to understanding investor behavior.  These simple but profound laws provide clarity to the investor in helping understand why or how certain events occur.  It also helps the investor understand strategies for maximizing profit and minimizing loss.  These laws are referenced in The Sentinel newsletter to fortify understanding of points made. 

Economic Law #1 - Credit = Confidence

Without confidence there is no credit.  A credit transaction requires a lender having the confidence of repayment, with interest, from the debtor.  Manifestations of extremes of confidence are evident with excessive credit creation.  Excessive credit creation leads to inflation which many identify as a rise in "prices".

 

Economic Law #2 -  Deflation is a lack of confidence

Conversely, deflation implies an absence of confidence which means less credit.  Less credit results from fewer loan originations, loan defaults, or loan payoff.  Any of these three conditions reduces the amount of outstanding credit.  The reduction of credit is fatal to a credit-based economy.

 

Economic Law #3 -  Inflation precedes deflation

Deflation cannot occur without a preceding inflation.  The greater the size of the inflation, the greater the ensuing deflation. 

 

Economic Law #4 -  Markets allow people to satisfy themselves by satisfying others

Economies are expressions of what people do. Participants in an economy act on their own behalf (what is best for them) in a manner that meets the satisfaction of others acting on their own behalf. The collective action of all of these participants is the Market. Therefore, the Market is a collection of many people acting on their own behalf for the benefit of others. 

Investment Law #1 -  Have a plan for taking profits

Most investors have no plan for taking a profit on an investment.  For example, after gaining in an investment position and then experiencing a fall in the initial profit, when does the typical investor exit the position?  Successful long-term investing requires systematic profit extraction.

 

Investment Law #2 -  Have a plan for taking losses

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of investing is to admit failure.  Investments fail.  The sooner this recognition occurs, the quicker an investor can cut their losses and move to other profitable ventures.  Investors often cling to the hope that their investment losses will return to at least a break-even point.  During a prolonged decline, this approach is fatal.