Tune out the market noise

"Stocks at record highs despite uncertain geopolitical landscape"

"Shares plunge as coronavirus outbreak renews investor fears"

"Markets enter correction territory after worst loss since GFC"

You would have seen these headlines or similar over the last few weeks. It's evident that investment markets are on edge. We've experienced an unprecedented bull run on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), bolstered by low interest rates and now, investors and commentators alike are naturally questioning if this rally is at an end given the emerging economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus.

The virus outbreak is certainly having a dramatic impact as it hits different regions of the world. The epidemic has caused the ASX to drop 10 per cent and the S&P 500 experiencing the fastest correction in history. However, in the following days, shares started to surge and drop again as hopes for stabilisation began to surface and dissipate. Undoubtedly though, we will continue to experience these ups and downs.

So what do you do when market volatility increases, share values begin to tumble and rise, and media coverage intensifies?

Focus on what you can control. It's natural to be nervous but it's also crucial to tune out the noise, focus on the long term and stay the course.

The graph below shows the trajectory of a portfolio based on four different investment decisions taken at the end of December 2018 when the market experienced a downturn.

It's an important lesson in investor behaviour.

Source: Vanguard US calculations, based on data from FactSet, as of February 28, 2019.

Although the portfolio would have lost 5.7% since 1 November 2018, by staying the course and not selling at the market low, investors who remained in their asset allocation ended up gaining back 4.2% in just two months.

If the investor cashed out in December and then reinvests just a few days later, the value of their portfolio is still not as high as if they had remained.

Cashing out in December would mean the portfolio is nearly $100,000 less than what it could have been by February 2019.

By not sticking to your financial plan and losing sight of your goals when markets are volatile and emotions begin to dominate decision-making, you are potentially forfeiting not only the opportunity to regain and increase portfolio value, but also what is likely years of hard work and patience.

Emotionally reacting to market noise might be difficult to avoid but the downsides of succumbing to it should be carefully considered before you cash out or change investment tack.

It's also always a good idea to consult your financial adviser in times of market downturn for both reassurance and perhaps, rebalancing.

As the humble Vanguard adage goes, "stay the course" in good times and bad. It cannot insure you from adverse market movements, but by having a diversified portfolio it does position you to ride out market storms and not be blown off the course you set in your financial plan.