Be Prepared - What Should You Do When Volatility Surges?

Be Prepared - What Should You Do When Volatility Surges? The lack of sustained and pronounced volatility in this bull market has been curious, to say the least. During the first 100 trading days of the new year, the S&P 500 averaged just 0.56% in its range from a trading day’s high point to its low point. That marks the least volatile start to a year since 1970 (when records started for intraday trading). This market ‘lull’ is hardly the stuff of a wild or nerve-racking market – in fact, it is pretty much just the opposite. But, just as periods of high volatility and wild swings are undesirable, the same can often be said of very quiet and subdued markets. It gives the eerie feeling that a shock is building, like the unsettling calm before a storm. More... ------------------------------------------------------------------ [Don’t Let Market Surprises Sneak Up on You – Stay Up-To-Date with Zacks Stock Market Outlook report.]( Q1-2017 looks to be the best in over 5 years, but what does the rest of 2017 look like? What's the hottest sector? Which is the hottest industry in that sector? This information could prove very lucrative for investors, and today Zacks is making it available to you absolutely free. You'll also discover our views on: • Where the S&P 500 will be at year's end • Odds for Q4-17 and Q1-18 recession • Opportunities and dangers from the Trump administration • Two sectors that have just risen to "Very Attractive" • Future U.S. GDP growth, a top-of-mind fundamental • And much more. [IT'S FREE. Download Zacks' Newly Revised Stock Market Outlook Now >>]( ------------------------------------------------------------------ By early May, volatility in the S&P 500 as measured by the VIX had crossed below 10, which also meant reaching its lowest level in 10 years. The troubling stat follows: the VIX has closed below 10 on just nine occasions since 1990, but each of those times was followed by a declining 12-month stretch for the S&P 500. Is that bad news for the next twelve months? Planning for Any Outcome I’ve made the argument many times in this space that I do not think the next twelve months are due for a sustained decline (though I would argue that a correction is well within the realm of possibility). Volatility also tends to work in patches – periods of pronounced volatility followed by periods of low volatility, and on goes the cycle. That would argue for a potential period of higher volatility looking ahead, but that does not necessarily have to be a bad thing. Because remember, volatility works both ways. Many investors often associate volatility with declines, but stocks can also snap to the upside, making violent and rapid advances. In fact, that happens more often than the declines do. Either way, investors have the ability to control for volatility – and we all should take steps to do so. The best way to do this is through perhaps the most time-tested formula in the investing world: diversification. Assembling a portfolio of different sectors, asset classes, styles, market caps, and so on means assembling a portfolio with non-correlated assets. When some of those assets zig, others may zag, and that can help you control volatile swings while limiting downside and participating in upside. In what I expect is the latter stages of this bull market, it is my view that having a diversified portfolio now is paramount. Bottom Line for Investors Building a diversified portfolio from scratch can be a difficult and sometimes daunting task. It takes a lot of research and a lot of ongoing maintenance as market conditions change. At Zacks Investment Management, we have created various strategies that, pieced together, are designed to help investors build diversified portfolios – all under one roof. We have several strategies ranked by Morningstar as being in the top 7% of their respective asset classes as of March 31st, which places us in the top rankings amongst thousands of equity managers. We’re proud of this work, and we very much expect these results to continue. If you are an investor looking for ways to build a diversified portfolio that can help you generate desirable long-term results while also controlling for risk, you should consider doing that here with Zacks. We go beyond just giving you “cookie cutter” advice, instead providing a customized analysis for every client. Then use our independent market research and tools we’ve developed to design a customized investment portfolio based on your individual needs. Reach out to us today to learn about the Zacks Investment difference at 1-888-600-2783. In the meantime, to help you stay up-to-date on market trends and events that could affect your portfolio, you are invited to have an exclusive look into our market report. Today you are invited to [download it free of charge.]( This exclusive Special Report is a quick read but contains predictions that can help you assess your portfolio. You'll see our views on how investments may be affected by new perspectives and tumult in Washington. There is a multitude of predictions ranging from growth to unemployment, from odds for recession to long-term T-Note trends. You might take special note of today's hottest sector and the hottest industry within it. Actually, another sector just jumped from "Market Weight" to "Very Attractive," and if you made 50 guesses as to its top industry, chances are you wouldn't hit on it. This is a good place to start a search for short-term stocks while you weigh your long-term strategy. [Today This Report Is FREE: Download Zacks' Latest Stock Market Outlook Now >>]( Returns for each strategy and the corresponding Morningstar Universe reflect the annualized returns for the periods indicated. The Morningstar Universes used for comparative analysis are constructed by Morningstar (median performance) and data is provided to Zacks by Zephyr Style Advisor. The percentile ranking for each Zacks Strategy is based on the gross comparison for Zacks Strategies vs. the indicated universe rounded up to the nearest whole percentile. Other managers included in universe by Morningstar may exhibit style drift when compared to Zacks Investment Management portfolio. Neither Zacks Investment Management nor Zacks Investment Research has any affiliation with Morningstar. Neither Zacks Investment Management nor Zacks Investment Research had any influence of the process Morningstar used to determine this ranking. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. Zacks Investment Management, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zacks Investment Research. Zacks Investment Management is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm and acts as an investment manager for individuals and institutions. Zacks Investment Research is a provider of earnings data and other financial data to institutions and to individuals. This communication is for informational purposes only and nothing herein should be construed as a solicitation, recommendation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or product, and does not constitute legal or tax advice. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but we do not guarantee accuracy or completeness. Zacks Investment Management, Inc. is not engaged in rendering legal, tax, accounting or other professional services. Publication and distribution of this article is not intended to create, and the information contained herein does not constitute, an attorney- client relationship. Do not act or rely upon the information and advice given in this publication without seeking the services of competent and professional legal , tax, or accounting counsel. To unsubscribe from receiving Zacks Investment Management's Market Insight e-mail newsletter, [click here](. To contact us by mail: Zacks Investment Management Attn: Wealth Management Group 227 W. Monroe, Suite 4350 Chicago, IL 60606 [Zacks] You are registered to receive this "Zacks Investment Management" e-mail newsletter at {EMAIL}