When Investing Strategies Differ

There are certain things all investors may consider doing when equity markets are volatile. For example, if you own a stock that has underperformed its peers, find out why. Management changing direction may make the holding less appealing than in the past, or perhaps peers have passed this company by. Maybe the company is negatively affected by the economy, but is poised to recover when the economy does.

Steps to Take Depending on Your Age

But there are other things to consider that are appropriate for investors of different age groups. Younger investors may stay the course, as time typically helps even out short-term volatility (although past performance won’t guarantee future results).

More seasoned equity owners without the time needed to recover from short-term volatility should review their portfolios to ensure they are positioned appropriately for their time horizons. As stock prices consistently gained over the past few years, it was easy to think that rising prices would never stop. Well, they did and investors who were caught with a high percentage of equities in their portfolios lost the most during the decline.

Tips for Investors of All Ages

Resist the urge to make it all back at once with even riskier investments. Consider keeping stocks poised to rebound as inflation and interest rate hikes subside, while holding on to those with a profitable history in recovering markets. And make sure that your portfolio consists of investments that are appropriate for your situation.