What exactly is market volatility? Market volatility, in technical terms, refers to the standard deviation of stock market returns from the mean. Volatility is the fluctuations of the stock market in layman's words. What is the significance of market volatility? It is significant for three reasons. To begin with, market volatility is a measure of risk; the higher the volatility, the higher the market risk. Second, while volatility cannot be avoided, it may be managed. Your volatility plan will come in handy in this situation. Finally, there is an inverse link between stock market volatility and returns. Higher returns are associated with lower volatility, and vice versa. When the Nifty index is compared to the VIX, or volatility index, the dramatic surge in the Nifty after 2009 has been accompanied by a continuous and secular decline in the VIX. Similarly, the Nifty had reached a long-term bottom when the VIX reached a peak in 2008. So, how should you invest in volatile markets, given that volatility cannot be avoided entirely? Before we get started, it is our duty, as an online stock broker, to caution you about keeping your capital safe in a volatile market. However, if have advanced knowledge about a volatile market, you can make use of it to drastically improve your profits. That is why we have created a high-end online trading platform with the lowest brokerage for you to maximise your returns from the market. Here are five simple yet effective methods to manage a volatile market. 1. Stick to your financial strategy That is the first and most important thing to remember. If you look at the VIX chart over the last several years, you'll notice that it's been on a secular downward trend. However, if you look at the interim period, you'll notice that there have been at least 8-10 occasions when volatility has risen significantly. The main point is to stick to your long-term financial plan. This strategy is geared at your long-term objectives and has some built-in safeguards to deal with market volatility. The systematic investment plan (SIP), for example, is meant to take advantage of market volatility. SIPs are critical to ensuring that the power of compounding works in your favour because they are the foundation of your financial strategy. If you look at the performance of SIPs over the last 9 years, you'll notice that they've outperformed the index because they've taken advantage of market volatility. 2. Focus more on quality and less on risk This is in relation to your stock and stock mutual fund holdings. We usually add more mid-caps, small caps, sector funds, thematic funds, and so on when the markets are on a roll. When the markets are turbulent, never take on too much concentration risk. Second, look for stocks that have a history of strong levels of transparency and corporate governance. In a volatile market, they're your greatest bets. Third, concentrate on high-growth equities, high-margin enterprises, and industry leaders. In times of market volatility, they are the most likely to outperform. 3. Hedge with derivatives Futures and options are seen by many investors as a low-margin alternative to cash market trading. They are, in fact, great risk management tools. These derivative products should be used most effectively in volatile markets. When you're long on equities in a turbulent market, for example, you can use futures to lock in profits while still benefiting from roll premiums. Second, you can utilise put options to hedge your risk, as well as beta hedging with index futures to lower your portfolio's risk. If you're ready to be a little more daring and aggressive, volatility tactics like straddles and strangles can help you take advantage of tumultuous markets. In these uncertain times, you have a lot of options. 4. Make sure your asset mix is well-balanced When markets are volatile, how do you manage your asset mix? During volatile times, certain assets do not exhibit the same level of volatility as equities. When equities indexes are turbulent, for example, debt markets tend to be more stable. As a result, having debt in your portfolio gives stability and the security of a steady stream of income. Gold, on the other hand, usually benefits from macroeconomic volatility. In these turbulent times, increasing your gold exposure through gold ETFs or SGBs can be beneficial. The moral of the storey is to keep your asset mix varied to combat volatility. 5. If in doubt, don't do anything. Traders typically believe that there are only two trading methods to master: when to buy and when to sell. Actually, there is a third option: doing nothing. It is quite easy to be enticed into the market by the prospect of making money off a volatile market. The general guideline is that if you don't understand the market's undertone, you should stay out of it. Staying out at the correct time and doing nothing can be a crucial element of strategy in unpredictable markets. As a fast-growing online stock broker, we at Zebu always watch out for our investors and traders. If you choose to execute safe strategies during this volatile time, we back you up with the lowest brokerage possible. To know more about our state-of-the-art online trading platform and its features, please get in touch with us now
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