Recent market volatility: Keep Calm and Carry On
If you’re following the news, you know that financial markets across the globe have experienced increased volatility in recent weeks from international trade concerns, protests in Hong Kong, and political uncertainty in countries like Italy, Argentina and the United Kingdom.
The volatility was exacerbated this week largely due to the inverted yield curve - which is when certain intermediate and long-term Treasuries yield less than short-term Treasuries. In this case, the concern was raised due to the yield on two-year Treasury notes being slightly higher than that of the 10-year Treasury note.
As your financial advisors, we appreciate how unnerving it can be to watch this type of volatility, especially for retired clients. Then, we top it off with 24-hour media coverage (made for traders and not investors). While the headlines may spark fear about your investments, it’s important to keep in mind that volatility is a natural and expected element of investing. It can seem like the markets have been tumbling for months, when actually, the S&P 500 sits just about 5% lower than its record high.
While we know this is uncomfortable and it doesn't feel good to see potentially lower account balances, the best way to manage negative worries about market declines is to maintain your long-term outlook, with a diversified portfolio across multiple asset classes. History shows us that the market generally does recover from these dips. As always, we are closely monitoring market conditions, and we're here to help with perspective or reassurance if you want to discuss your portfolio or any other concerns.