If you play fantasy football, you probably understand the economic principle of scarcity. Generally, there are a limited number of draft picks participants can use to maximize the talent on their teams. So, it’s essential to know which positions and players offer the greatest value. If there are a lot of great quarterbacks and defenses available, then running backs, tight ends, or wide receivers may be the most valuable picks early in the draft. If you get a top player in a position that has little depth – a scarce and sought-after resource – you have a valuable asset.
Any time there is limited supply and high demand for a good or service, the principle of scarcity suggests the price will rise until it becomes too expensive to attract purchasers. Eventually, the price will settle when supply and demand reach equilibrium.[1] An interesting example of scarcity in today’s market is water.
The value of water and diamonds
Hundreds of years ago, in The Wealth of Nations (published 1776), Adam Smith discussed the paradox of diamonds and water when he asked:[2]
“What is it that determines the rate at which different products are exchanged? The word value has two meanings – one is value in use, the other is value in exchange. Water is extremely useful, but has almost no exchange value, while a diamond is largely useless but has enormous exchange value.”
The question was confounding back in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today, economists explain the disparity with marginal utility theory: Diamonds are rare, so each one is a prize. Water is plentiful, so an extra cup has little value.[2]
Water is a scarce resource
The water-diamond paradox is particularly interesting today because water is becoming scarce and diamonds, while still a potent symbol of love and status, aren’t nearly as rare as they may have been in the past. In fact, according to a variety of sources, gem companies aggressively control the supply of diamonds that come to market in order to maintain the perception of scarcity and keep prices higher than they might be otherwise.[3]
Water, on the other hand, is a finite resource that is in high demand. Most fresh water is used for agriculture and industry, including power production. About 8 percent goes to cities and homes for drinking, washing, and watering. It’s important to note that fresh water is not abundant. Of all the water on Earth, just 2.5 percent is fresh. Of that:[4]
• 10 percent is in lakes or rivers
• 30 percent is groundwater, some of which is deep in the earth and out of our reach
• 60 percent is in glaciers and ice caps
As populations around the globe have grown larger, demand for water has expanded and water scarcity has become a pressing issue. In fact, water scarcity is expected to be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. According to ScienceDaily.com, water scarcity, “…Affects every continent and around 2.8 billion people around the world at least one month out of every year.”[5] Last summer’s Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Ice Bucket Challenge focused some attention on water scarcity when it was replaced with a “Rice” Bucket Challenge in India, where many people suffer from a lack of sanitation and clean water.[6] Overall, by 2030, demand for water is expected to exceed supply by 40 percent.[7]
Although water remains relatively inexpensive in many developed countries, it has become more expensive in recent years. According to Circle of Blue (an organization founded by journalists and scientists to provide actionable information about the world’s water issues), the average cost for a family of four using 100 gallons of water per person per day (medium usage) has increased by 33 percent since 2010. In 2014, the increase is 6.2 percent, which is the smallest year-to-year change in the five-year history of the survey.[8]
Scarcity may create investment opportunities
While water scarcity is a cause for concern, it also creates opportunities for investment. In fact, during 2013, an expert cited by Barron’s said water is the oil of the 21st century. There are many ways for people to invest in the issue. There are companies that have the potential to benefit from water scarcity. There also are companies working on potential solutions to the problem. Investors could choose to purchase shares of infrastructure (pipes, pumps, and wastewater treatment), utilities (obtain, clean, and deliver water), or water technology companies (conservation, desalination, and other solutions). They also could diversify by investing in some combination of these companies.[7]
Water is just one example of a resource that is becoming scarce. Global population growth is taxing many types of natural resources and creating a variety of potential opportunities for investors including companies that focus on efficient use of resources, renewable energies, and agricultural technologies. As we look to the future, this issue will only rise in importance so it is crucial to have a bifocal perspective of what may impact your life now and in the near future.
Data as of September 22nd, 2014
Nick Hughes is a Wealth Advisor with Franklin Wealth Management, a registered investment advisory firm in Hixson, Tennessee. In addition to advising clients since 2007, he has contributed to articles for Market Watch and FinancialPlanning.com and is a regular contributor to the Franklin Backstage Pass blog.
Important Disclosure Information for the “Backstage Pass” Blog
Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investments. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Franklin Wealth Management), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Franklin Wealth Management. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Franklin Wealth Management is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of Franklin Wealth Management’s current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request.
