personal finance  |  april 14, 2023

How to Help Protect Your Investment Portfolio During Volatility in the Stock Market

Consider these five ways to be better prepared during periods of stock market volatility.

 

Key Insights

  • Thoughtful planning can help investors feel more secure in times of stock market volatility.

  • Investors can’t control the stock market, but they can control how they prepare and react, no matter their current circumstances.

  • An investor should evaluate their options, knowing that they may need to be more flexible about their future plans should the stock market turn.

Judith Ward, CFP®

Thought Leadership Director

We are all aware that making impulsive investment decisions amid stock market volatility is never a recipe for success. Instead, planning ahead, being patient, and considering smaller adjustments along the way can help keep financial goals on track. During times of stock market volatility, it’s important to focus on the things that can be controlled.

Here are five of them:

1. Focus on the Long Term

When investing for longer-term goals, understand that whatever is happening in the headlines may not be happening in an investor’s account—especially if they have an investment portfolio that is more diversified than a general stock market index. Next, consider how time smooths out market fluctuations, which can help investors put any concerns into context.

For instance, the S&P 500 Index has experienced double-digit annual losses in 14 of the last 95 years (through 2022). And while one-year returns may fluctuate dramatically, keep in mind that over any rolling five-year period during that time, the S&P 500 has only experienced double-digit losses seven times, most recently in 2004 and 2008.

And stocks have never lost ground, double digit or otherwise, in any rolling 15 calendar year period since 1928.* (See “Look at the Stock Market Through a 15-Year Lens.”) Therefore, for a long-term goal, investors can feel more confident holding on to stocks, even if they experience short-term declines. Past performance cannot guarantee future results. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Look at the Stock Market Through a 15-Year Lens

Remaining invested through downturns and corrections may allow investors to take advantage of long-term growth potential.

Staying invested through downturns allows investors to take advantage of potential long-term market growth.

Sources: T. Rowe Price, created with Zephyr StyleADVISOR, and S&P. See Additional Disclosures on last page. Price return calculations include dividends and capital gains. Annual returns began in calendar year 1970. Rolling 15-year data began in 1970. Past performance cannot guarantee future results. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Chart is for illustrative purposes only.

2. Asset Allocation

Investors may not be able to control the markets, but they can control their asset allocation. Stocks have the most growth potential over the long term, but they are also more affected by short-term volatility. When investors are in their 20s, 30s, or even 40s, they have time on their side, which will allow them to withstand and bounce back from volatility. An investment portfolio that’s 80% to 100% stocks could be reasonable. As they get closer to retirement, they should start to introduce more bonds into the mix. Generally, bonds provide a buffer to dampen short-term market fluctuations, resulting in a more balanced investment approach.

The key consideration when determining an asset allocation is how an individual’s investment mix will impact their lifestyle in the near term. Some people may feel the need to take some kind of action following a stock market downturn. If an investor has an asset allocation appropriate for their time horizon, the best action may be to be patient.

One way to assess an investor’s current allocations is for them to ask themselves: If my investment portfolio value dropped significantly today, would it impact my current lifestyle? The answer to this question can help investors put together an appropriate asset allocation for their circumstances. For example, for those with many years until retirement, that answer may be “no.” For those closer to or in retirement, a significant drop could be concerning, and they might need to pull back on stocks and add bonds to their investment portfolio.

3. Saving and Spending

Another factor investors can control is how much they’re saving and spending. When they’re in the earlier stages of saving for retirement, a stock market downturn can be their friend. Investors should continue investing as much as they’re able to—since they’re buying shares at lower prices. This may require some discipline and patience, however, as historically, it has taken three to five years for stocks to recover from a bear market. Automating contributions can help investors keep their savings on track by reducing the likelihood that they’ll make sudden changes in response to stock market conditions.

If an investor is planning to retire soon or already in retirement, their spending is a powerful lever that can help them weather a down stock market. Small spending adjustments could garner a large payoff. Investors should assess their budget and determine where they might be able to cut expenses or put off larger purchases if the markets take a turn.

Sample Asset Allocations By Age

As an investor nears retirement, they should consider shifting away from stocks to more bonds and cash.

In evaluating equity exposure, consider other assets, income, and investments (e.g., equity in a home, Social Security benefits, individual retirement plan investments, savings accounts, and interests in other qualified and nonqualified plans) in addition to interests in a particular plan or IRA.

These allocations are age-based only and do not take risk tolerance into account. Our asset allocation models are designed to meet the needs of a hypothetical investor with an assumed retirement age of 65 and a withdrawal horizon of 30 years. The model asset allocations are based upon analysis that seeks to balance long-term return potential with anticipated short-term volatility. The model reflects our view of appropriate levels of trade-off between potential return and short-term volatility for investors of certain ages or time frames. The longer the time frame for investing, the higher the allocation is to stocks (and the higher the volatility) versus bonds or cash.

Limitations: While the asset allocation models have been designed with reasonable assumptions and methods, the tool provides models based on the needs of hypothetical investors only and has certain limitations: The models do not take into account individual circumstances or preferences, and the model displayed for your investment goal and/or age may not align with your accumulation time frame, withdrawal horizon, or view of the appropriate levels of trade-off between potential return and short-term volatility. Investing consistent with a model allocation does not protect against losses or guarantee future results. Please be sure to take other assets, income, and investments into consideration in reviewing results that do not incorporate that information. Other T. Rowe Price educational tools or advice services use different assumptions and methods and may yield different outcomes.

4. Cash Contingency

Another thing investors might want to consider is the idea of a contingency—starting to build up some money on the side. For those in the workforce, we typically suggest an amount that’s equal to three to six months of your expenses. Think of it as a personal safety net. Should an investor lose their job or come upon unbudgeted expenses, they won’t have to raid their retirement savings or rack up credit card debt to make ends meet.

Retirees may view their needs for available cash differently. A cash contingency could be used as an alternative to fund living expenses if there is an extended down stock market. Investors can draw from this account instead of having to sell investments at an inopportune time, locking in a loss. Considering that a 60% stock/40% bond investment portfolio recovered within two years during the last two bear markets, it may be reasonable for retirees to have one to two years of living expenses in a contingent cash account.

5. Flexibility and Preparation

It’s important for investors to consider all of their options and think of ways in which they’re willing to be more flexible. Should the market turn and they’d planned to retire, could they continue to work for a couple more years? If newly retired, could they find part-time work to supplement their income? And, if the downturn was strong and sustained, leading to a weak economic environment, would they be prepared if they were to lose their job? For all these reasons, they should keep up with connections, continue to build a network, and refresh their résumé.

We might not know when a downturn may occur or how long it may persist, but having a plan in place and being willing to make small adjustments can help investors maintain control and manage their finances through these periods of uncertainty.

*Source: Standard & Poor’s and FactSet Research Systems Inc.

Additional Disclosures

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Important Information

This material has been prepared for general and educational purposes only. This material does not provide recommendations concerning investments, investment strategies, or account types. It is not individualized to the needs of any specific investor and is not intended to suggest that any particular investment action is appropriate for you, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for investment decision-making. Any tax-related discussion contained in this material, including any attachments/links, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding any tax penalties or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to any other party any transaction or matter addressed herein. Please consult your independent legal counsel and/or tax professional regarding any legal or tax issues raised in this material.

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