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Investor’s Guide: Market Volatility
The market has faced many economic downturns over time. Historically, despite many periods of increased volatility, markets have remained resilient.
Market Volatility
Though we would love to live in a world where markets continually rise, this isn’t realistic. There will be times where we inevitably face periods of decline, either across the whole market or in specific sectors. Rather than panicking, it is crucial that we remain disciplined and focused, so that we are adequately prepared for whatever the market throws our way.
Below are some key strategies and reminders that can help to keep us calm when markets are testing our patience.
5 Principles For Successful Long Term Investing
Focus on the Long-Term
Keeping money in the market over the long run means investors get the full benefit from all up-market movements. Over the past 15 years, investors who stayed invested even during the worst periods ensured full participation during the best recorded days.
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Avoid timing the market
When markets decline, it’s tempting to sell and wait for stability before jumping back in. But it’s virtually impossible to know when markets will rebound. Trying to time the market by buying a GIC may sometimes look like a smart move, but your long-term investment performance will likely be worse than if you had simply stayed invested through the bad times.*
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Keep a well diversified portfolio
Deciding where to invest can be daunting; last year’s winner might be next year’s loser. That’s why a balanced approach, one that invests across many sectors and geographies, makes sense. By diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes, you can achieve greater consistency in returns, and ultimately protect yourself against market volatility.
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Avoid emotional investing
It’s not easy for investors to manage their emotions. They tend to panic and sell just as markets are set to rise and get excited and buy just as markets are set to decline. Although you can’t control market volatility, you can control your emotional responses. Your advisor will keep you focused on your long-term goals so you can resist the temptation to invest impulsively.
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Leverage Dollar-Cost Averaging
The concept of “buy low and sell high” sounds attractive, but it can be difficult to follow due to the unpredictable nature of short-term market prices. To take advantage of these changing prices, one effective investment strategy is dollar cost averaging.
Dollar cost averaging involves buying equal dollar amounts of a given investment on a regular basis. Rather than investing all your money at once, making a commitment to invest a smaller amount on a regular basis can lower your average cost per unit by purchasing more units at lower prices.
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Investor’s Guide
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.
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