Equity and debt markets rebounded in the 2nd quarter as tariff panic receded. The largest selloffs typically present the best opportunities. Yet smaller waves of volatility — such as the Christmas holiday declines of 2018, the rising rate bear market of 2022, and the recent Trump tariff tirade — still present favorable conditions for a purchase or two. We are investors rather than traders. This means we make no attempt to call tops and bottoms. Rather, market declines allow us to acquire shares of businesses that have temporarily gone on sale. Conversely, after rapid price increases, we may trim holdings which have become too large in the portfolio at higher valuation levels.
Our activities naturally impact cash balances. The average cash position in our flagship EQR strategy went from 18% in November of last year to 9% in April and is now back at 12%. When volatility presents opportunity, we never think about overall market valuations. Instead, we focus on the price-to-value of the individual companies we own, or could own, and act accordingly. Cash is helpful for taking advantage of opportunities during market declines and can reduce volatility, yet adjusting cash balances is not how we think about protecting capital. Rather, cash is a byproduct of focusing on the three essential elements of capital protection and appreciation: quality, value, and diversification.
The way to achieve our foremost objective of protecting capital is to own quality companies, purchase them at reasonable valuations, and maintain a suitable level of diversification. Quality defines both the company and investment. The quality of a company is defined by the durability of the cash flows which produce its fundamental value. The enterprise must be well positioned, based on its products, markets, and competitive standing, to generate durable cash flows. The company must also have a modest or low level of debt if we are investing in its common equity. The quality of an investment is defined by the attractiveness of the price paid in relation to fundamental value.
We are relentless on these points in our equity investments: durable cash flows, modest levels of debt, and the right price. The ACR investment team forgoes many investments due to this discipline. This can reduce returns, not only during good times, but all the time. Attempting to protect from a depression, and not having one, means we never receive the benefit of this “insurance.” But that is okay with us. We care more about holding on to what we have than making a few extra bucks on top of a satisfactory return.
Proper diversification, the third essential element of capital protection and appreciation, represents quality at the portfolio level. Proper diversification is achieved when the overall portfolio return is protected from unexpected adverse results in individual holdings, industries, countries, or other risk factors. The right amount of diversification means enough to make up for mistakes and negative surprises, but not so much that we “deworsify” into lower quality or overvalued investments. In other words, a certain amount of concentration can be risk-reducing. Successfully executed, concentration has three benefits:
- Returns are enhanced by selecting investments with the highest probability of success
- Risk is reduced by avoiding mediocre and poor commitments
- Knowledge is improved by concentrating the analytical effort
Volatility vs. Risk
Protecting capital does not necessarily help investors avoid volatility. Volatility is not risk. It may (or may not be) a byproduct of risk. Volatility can be an element of risk at the investor level.
Risk at the investment level is the likelihood and potential magnitude of a permanent decline in the earning power of an enterprise, or the payment of a market price at purchase which is higher than fundamental value. Realized risk reduces fundamental principal value and investment return. Our goal is to protect against realized risk, not to mitigate volatility.
Fundamental principal value has two components:
- The original (or any subsequent) cash contributed to an account or fund.
- The ex-post level of cash income earned by our portfolio companies, which is either reinvested at the company level or paid out as a dividend.
Put another way, unspent cash income becomes principal value after it is earned and reinvested. Fundamental principal value is different from market value. Fundamental principal value is determined by cash contributions and company earnings. Market value is determined by market participants agreeing on a price when buying and selling. Ben Graham used to say that the market is a “voting machine” in the short run and a “weighing machine” in the long run.
We believe many investors are unwittingly focused more on avoiding volatility than protecting capital. The framework and methods are what matter. All investors should adjust their exposure to equity volatility based on two factors:
- Spending needs: Volatility is a risk if investor cash needs are not properly matched with investment cash flows.
- Volatility tolerance: Investors who cannot stomach temporary equity declines can adjust allocations, trading off potential return for comfort.
Misguided Attempts to Avoid Volatility
Investors often try to avoid volatility in ways we consider counterproductive. For example:
- Overemphasizing low-volatility equities narrows the selection universe and can lead to paying a premium.
- Defensive stocks are often favored in fear of a recession, but timing this correctly is speculative at best. The market has predicted nine of the last five recessions.
In our view, attempting to anticipate the next recession is speculation, not investment. Adjusting valuations and holdings based on prevailing conditions is smart. But repositioning in anticipation of a market decline is a guessing game. ACR avoided financials and housing stocks before the GFC because we understood their fragile state — not because we timed it perfectly.
Closing Thoughts
The economy appears sound today, but conditions can change quickly. Indeed, when conditions seem most benign, the markets may be most vulnerable. As always, the ACR team remains alert to risks and opportunities as economic events unfold.
Nick Tompras
July 2025
Equity and debt markets rebounded in the 2nd quarter as tariff panic receded. The largest selloffs typically present the best opportunities. Yet smaller waves of volatility — such as the Christmas holiday declines of 2018, the rising rate bear market of 2022, and the recent Trump tariff tirade — still present favorable conditions for a purchase or two. We are investors rather than traders. This means we make no attempt to call tops and bottoms. Rather, market declines allow us to acquire shares of businesses that have temporarily gone on sale. Conversely, after rapid price increases, we may trim holdings which have become too large in the portfolio at higher valuation levels.
Our activities naturally impact cash balances. The average cash position in our flagship EQR strategy went from 18% in November of last year to 9% in April and is now back at 12%. When volatility presents opportunity, we never think about overall market valuations. Instead, we focus on the price-to-value of the individual companies we own, or could own, and act accordingly. Cash is helpful for taking advantage of opportunities during market declines and can reduce volatility, yet adjusting cash balances is not how we think about protecting capital. Rather, cash is a byproduct of focusing on the three essential elements of capital protection and appreciation: quality, value, and diversification.
The way to achieve our foremost objective of protecting capital is to own quality companies, purchase them at reasonable valuations, and maintain a suitable level of diversification. Quality defines both the company and investment. The quality of a company is defined by the durability of the cash flows which produce its fundamental value. The enterprise must be well positioned, based on its products, markets, and competitive standing, to generate durable cash flows. The company must also have a modest or low level of debt if we are investing in its common equity. The quality of an investment is defined by the attractiveness of the price paid in relation to fundamental value.
We are relentless on these points in our equity investments: durable cash flows, modest levels of debt, and the right price. The ACR investment team forgoes many investments due to this discipline. This can reduce returns, not only during good times, but all the time. Attempting to protect from a depression, and not having one, means we never receive the benefit of this “insurance.” But that is okay with us. We care more about holding on to what we have than making a few extra bucks on top of a satisfactory return.
Proper diversification, the third essential element of capital protection and appreciation, represents quality at the portfolio level. Proper diversification is achieved when the overall portfolio return is protected from unexpected adverse results in individual holdings, industries, countries, or other risk factors. The right amount of diversification means enough to make up for mistakes and negative surprises, but not so much that we “deworsify” into lower quality or overvalued investments. In other words, a certain amount of concentration can be risk-reducing. Successfully executed, concentration has three benefits:
Volatility vs. Risk
Protecting capital does not necessarily help investors avoid volatility. Volatility is not risk. It may (or may not be) a byproduct of risk. Volatility can be an element of risk at the investor level.
Risk at the investment level is the likelihood and potential magnitude of a permanent decline in the earning power of an enterprise, or the payment of a market price at purchase which is higher than fundamental value. Realized risk reduces fundamental principal value and investment return. Our goal is to protect against realized risk, not to mitigate volatility.
Fundamental principal value has two components:
Put another way, unspent cash income becomes principal value after it is earned and reinvested. Fundamental principal value is different from market value. Fundamental principal value is determined by cash contributions and company earnings. Market value is determined by market participants agreeing on a price when buying and selling. Ben Graham used to say that the market is a “voting machine” in the short run and a “weighing machine” in the long run.
We believe many investors are unwittingly focused more on avoiding volatility than protecting capital. The framework and methods are what matter. All investors should adjust their exposure to equity volatility based on two factors:
Misguided Attempts to Avoid Volatility
Investors often try to avoid volatility in ways we consider counterproductive. For example:
In our view, attempting to anticipate the next recession is speculation, not investment. Adjusting valuations and holdings based on prevailing conditions is smart. But repositioning in anticipation of a market decline is a guessing game. ACR avoided financials and housing stocks before the GFC because we understood their fragile state — not because we timed it perfectly.
Closing Thoughts
The economy appears sound today, but conditions can change quickly. Indeed, when conditions seem most benign, the markets may be most vulnerable. As always, the ACR team remains alert to risks and opportunities as economic events unfold.
Nick Tompras
July 2025
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
ACR Alpine Capital Research LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. For more information, please refer to Form ADV on file with the SEC at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Registration with the SEC does not imply any particular level of skill or training.
Unless otherwise noted, all statistics highlighted in this research note are sourced from ACR’s analysis.
It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the examples discussed. You should consider any strategy’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before you invest.
This information should not be used as a general guide to investing or as a source of any specific investment recommendations and makes no implied or expressed recommendations concerning the manner in which an account should or would be handled, as appropriate investment strategies depend upon specific investment guidelines and objectives. This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to invest.
This information is intended solely to report on investment strategies implemented by Alpine Capital Research (“ACR”). Opinions and estimates offered constitute our judgment as of the date set forth above and are subject to change without notice, as are statements of financial market trends, which are based on current market conditions. There are risks associated with purchasing and selling securities and options thereon, including the risk that you could lose money. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but no guarantee is given as to its accuracy.
The investment outlook represents ACR’s views on the economic factors that may affect the global capital markets. There can be no guarantee that these factors will necessarily occur as ACR anticipates, nor that if they do, they will lead to positive performance returns. There can be no assurance that any objective will be achieved.
The Equity Quality Return (EQR) Total Accounts Composite consists of equity portfolios managed for non-wrap fee and wrap fee clients according to the Firm’s published investment policy. The composite investment policy includes the objective of providing satisfactory absolute and relative results in the long run and preserving capital from permanent loss during periods of economic decline. EQR invests only in publicly traded marketable common stocks. Total Return performance includes unrealized gains, realized gains, dividends, interest, and the re-investment of all income. Pure Gross returns are gross of all fees and do not reflect the deduction of transaction costs in wrap portfolios. Pure Gross returns are supplemental information. Net of ACR Fee returns are Pure Gross returns reduced by 1.0% per annum, which is the standard management fee for the Equity Quality Return strategy. Please refer to our full composite performance presentation with disclosures published under the Strategies section of our website at https://acr-invest.com/eqr-advised-sma-composite/
The S&P 500 TR Index is a broad-based stock index that includes dividend reinvestment and has been presented as an indication of domestic stock market performance. It is unmanaged and cannot be purchased by investors. See EQR’s full composite presentation at www.acr-invest.com/strategies/eqr-advised-sma-composite
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