Market volatility whereby there is high unpredictability of prices is usually likely to pose a challenge to investors. But it also opens up possibilities for those willing to weather the storm. As a whole, the management of investments during periods of volatility has to be well-considered. This article explains the concept of volatility and the ways through which it can be managed in finance.
The volatility of financial markets means the frequency and amplitude of price changes in a particular asset. Any asset that experiences changes in market price has some level of volatility. Fluctuations become larger and more repeated as the level of volatility increases.
Following is a structured method to protect one’s funding from market risks and downturns:
Another factor that can work against the result is volatility, explaining that one of the best ways to overcome this problem is to diversify. To achieve diversification, investors invest in wide categories of markets including equity, fixed income, property and other tangible resources. Portfolio diversions across classes for instance holding both local and foreign stocks or bonds also assist in minimizing risk.
Portfolio review and rebalancing are important in any market but even more so in today’s uncertain environment. This involves determining whether the structure of the portfolio has changed due to market conditions. And whether it is still appropriate to meet your goals and risk profile.
A popular strategy during turbulent periods is value investing aimed at identifying companies with healthy finances and solid performance during downturns. These companies are less vulnerable to poor economic conditions and can bounce back more quickly when they improve. Conservative sectors such as utilities, consumer staples, and healthcare are usually more reliable during turbulent times.
Volatility provokes investors’ emotions, making them act and make decisions that are not good for their portfolio. Thus, the long-term focus prevents panic and immediate sales of stocks during a crisis or a bear market. Over the past, it is evident that markets have bounced back, after experiencing fluctuations. Staying the course with a defined plan, thus, tends to generate more alpha than market timing.
Execution traders for instance could utilize cash secured put options or Inverse ETFs as a hedge against the downside. These tools can help to hedge possible losses in a portfolio, but one has to know how they operate.
Having cash or liquid investments during periods of fluctuation enables the investor to capitalize on possible opportunities. Bear markets make it easier for investors to acquire stocks cheaply for the future because they know that they will eventually re-bound one day.
Managing risks for investments during fluctuations is a combination of processes that offers possible ways of preserving assets, controlling risks, and being rational. Staying diversified, getting obsessed with quality, and being disciplined finally help the investors to survive such storms and prosper.