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VOLATILITY:  WHAT'S NORMAL?

  • Uncertainty surrounding the eventual economic impact of the coronavirus has driven market volatility higher.
  • It's useful to realize that volatility has been higher in the past and can still increase from here.
  • It's also helpful to understand that it is normal for market declines to occur at some point almost every year.

February of 2020 ended with a decline in the S&P 500 Index that quickly became a rout, pushing the index into correction territory. Economic uncertainties over the eventual impact of the coronavirus drove market volatility higher and punished the equity index with a vengeance. 

While analysts debated whether this would be merely a short pause in the market’s upward trajectory or the beginning of an extended downturn, investors worried about losses in their portfolios as the index retreated from its previous all-time high.

However, the first trading day of March saw the S&P 500 Index have its second-largest percentage gain in over ten years, a reminder that upticks in volatility can swing
the market in either direction.

Declines are a Normal Occurrence Although investors hope to see their portfolios generate gains, market declines are inevitable and occur, at some point, almost every year.  While some declines are more significant than others, even in years with notable declines that cause uneasiness for investors, the market can still generate positive returns.

In summary, while the coronavirus issue in addition to falling oil prices is the current focus of concern...when it passes, another issue will eventually arise.  Something always poses a potential threat to the stock market.  For this reason we believe that a Diversified Portfolio is one of the best ways to reduce risk and increase the odds that investors will remain focused and stick to their investment strategies in good times and bad.

This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice and is intended for educational purposes only.

There are risks involved with investing, including loss of principal. Diversification may not protect against market risk.

Information provided by SEI Investments Management Corporation (SIMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company (SEI).

Customized Investment Solutions:

How do your investments integrate with your overall financial plan?  When was the last time you rebalanced your investment portfolio?  Have you looked at all of your investments in one place? 

The TrueWealth Advising Team offers customized strategies focused on your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.  Whether the portfolio is curated and managed by a TrueWealth Adviser or a professionally managed investment platform; TrueWealth Advising Group can accommodate all types of investors.

The TrueWealth Advising Team advises individuals and business owners as to stocks, bonds, ETFs, CDs, mutual funds, fixed, indexed, and variable annuities, alternative investments such as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and more.  Many different types of accounts are available to our clients including qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 529, and UTMA/ UGMA to name a few.

Before opening an investment account, each client completes a Risk Profile with detailed questions about the investor’s attitude and reaction to risk and market volatility.  Additional information is requested regarding the overall financial plan, primary investment goals, tax rate, household expenses, liabilities and income.

Emotional reactions and assumptions can impact the bottom line.  A TrueWealth Investment Adviser’s critical role is to act as a coach when it comes to investor behavior.  Three common yet dangerous investor behaviors include:

Loss Aversion – investor is more concerned with avoiding loss than with acquiring gains. 

Herding – It’s easy to be swayed by peers and that can lead to rash financial decisions.  Going with the crowd (known as herding) can derail strategic plans and gains.

Deviating from Your Strategy – a long term plan requires discipline.  The average investor only retains their investment between 3-5 years.  Reacting to short term market conditions without considering long term ramifications can reduce portfolio returns.

TrueWealth Advisers are committed to proactive communication with their clients.  This includes phone calls, email correspondence, in person review meetings and regular account updates.  Rebalancing of accounts is of the utmost importance and is done on a regular basis for our investment clients.

We have a multitude of institutional investment platforms to choose from when it comes to client’s investable assets.  TrueWealth advisers also have the capability of choosing the optimal institutional strategist to oversee the client’s portfolio.  Several of the institutional strategists we have to choose from include:

  • American Funds (Capital Group)                                                
  • Morningstar
  • Blackrock
  • Brinker Capital
  • Russell Investment Group
  • Vanguard
  • Symmetry Partners
  • SEI