Disciplined Investing

What can you do when stock prices are volatile? That depends on your goals, how much risk is appropriate and when you’ll need to begin tapping funds. For many people, asset allocation anchors a disciplined approach to help them maintain a panic-free investment strategy, while dollar cost averaging may help to ensure this level-headedness continues.

Portfolio Makeup

If you haven’t figured out an asset allocation that works for you, consider doing so as soon as possible. Your asset allocation should provide a balance of risk versus potential reward that fits your risk profile, time horizon and goals.

Rebalancing

Equally important as determining asset allocation is rebalancing your portfolio periodically so that your asset allocation remains true. If your goals should change, you might consider altering your allocation in response, but stay the course otherwise. Understand that the more volatile the market is, the more likely your mix of stock, bond and money market mutual funds* may become unbalanced. Rebalance if this happens. Keep an eye on your investments, but don’t obsess over them.

Dollar Cost Averaging

One way to keep to your investment strategy and maintain the right mix of investments is to use dollar cost averaging** to purchase new shares of a chosen investment. When you use dollar cost averaging, you buy the same dollar amount of shares, which means you buy more of an investment type when prices decline and fewer when prices increase.

Stay on Track

If you have a long-term investment horizon, the right asset allocation and dollar cost averaging can help you stay on track.

* You should consider the fund’s investment objectives, charges, expenses, and risks carefully before you invest. The fund’s prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial representative, contains this and other information about the fund. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. Shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

** Investing regular amounts steadily over time (dollar-cost averaging) may lower your average per-share cost, but this investment method will not guarantee a profit or protect you from a loss in declining markets. Effectiveness requires continuous investment, regardless of fluctuating prices. You should consider your ability to continue buying through periods of low prices.