The 2020 stock market crash could mean that buying the best stocks becomes even more profitable over the long run. While a decade of economic growth may have caused investors to overlook the risks posed by weak business models, companies with poor operating outlooks may now struggle to deliver rising share prices during what could be a more difficult period for the world economy.
As such, by following Warren Buffett's strategy of buying the best businesses in a specific industry, you could gain exposure to the most appealing investment opportunities available.
A quality focus after the stock market crash
Focusing on quality stocks may become even more important after the market crash. The uncertain economic outlook could mean that only those companies with sound finances and a dominant market position are able to survive the short run, and prosper in the long run. Therefore, it could be a good idea to focus your portfolio on those businesses that can extend their market share amidst difficult operating conditions.
Warren Buffett has always sought to purchase the most attractive businesses in a specific industry. For example, he has focused on buying those companies with the widest economic moats. This essentially means that they have a competitive advantage over their peers that enables them to deliver more impressive financial performance. An economic moat is subjective, but can consist of factors such as a unique product, brand loyalty or a lower cost base that, over time, produce strong profit growth.
Paying a premium for quality
Of course, the best stocks may not necessarily be the cheapest stocks – even after the recent market crash. Investors may currently be seeking to lower their overall risks, and could therefore reposition their portfolios towards the strongest companies around. This may lead to many of the best stocks trading at high prices relative to their weaker peers.
While this may dissuade some investors from buying them, it could be worth paying a premium price for stronger businesses. They may offer superior risk/reward opportunities to their sector peers, and could deliver higher returns in the long run. Therefore, in terms of value for money, more expensive stocks that are better quality may be more appealing.
Diversification
Even if you purchase the best stocks around after the market crash, it is still imperative to diversify. This not only reduces your risks through limiting exposure to a small number of holdings, it may also enable your portfolio to benefit from a wider spectrum of growth opportunities.
Since the outlook for the world economy continues to be uncertain, investors with diverse portfolios may generate smoother, and more impressive, returns in the long run. As such, now could be the right time to build a diverse portfolio of high-quality stocks.
