How to Diversify in the Time of Market Volatility
While most investors have faced the brunt of volatility, those with well-diversified portfolios have managed to minimize their losses.
Today, we will talk about investors who didn’t pay enough attention to diversification. And also have a skewed portfolio of market investments.
With their funds stuck in the markets, is it too late for them to diversify? Definitely not.
In this article, we share a few ways in which you can diversify your existing portfolio. And reduce the overall portfolio risks even in the time of market volatility.
Diversification
If you ever had any doubts about the benefits of portfolio diversification, then it is time to put them to rest.
Before going into portfolio diversification, let’s understand the difference between diversification and hedging. This is important because, during a crisis such as a pandemic, hedging can be a counterproductive ploy. To understand this, let’s look at the concept of correlation.
Correlation
Correlation shows how two variables are related. In investing, correlation means two securities that move either in the same direction or in the opposite direction at the same time.
| Example 1: Inflation rates and the rent of a property.
When inflation rates increase, the prices of commodities increase too. Overall, things are expensive. During such times, rents increase too. Hence, inflation rates and rents are positively correlated – when one increases, the other increases too. |
Example 2: Interest rates and bond yields.
Typically, when interest rates increase, bond yields decrease and vice-versa. Hence, they are negatively correlated. |
| There is also a third category called no-correlation where the performance of one variable does not affect the other. | |
How Does Correlation Apply to Diversification?
When you diversify your investments, you must try to invest in securities that have no correlation with each other. That means even if one security falls, it does not impact the returns of other investments in your portfolio.
Many investors confuse market diversification with hedging. While hedging is beneficial, too, at a time when the economy is under stress due to pandemics, hedging can be risky.
This is because securities tend to become more correlated than normal. So, in a normal market, if two securities have a negative correlation, then they might become positively correlated during such times. This could disrupt your hedging strategy. Hence, to reduce risks, ensure that you diversify by investing in securities with no correlation.
Now let us see the tips for how to diversify mutual fund portfolio in the current market volatility.
Tips to Help You Diversify During the Market Volatility
1. Avoid Investing a Lump Sum Amount
Now that we are clear about diversification, the first thing you need to do is avoid investing in a lump sum. Low market prices might seem lucrative and tempt you to invest in a lump sum. But, assuming that the markets have hit rock bottom can be counterproductive.
The markets are highly unpredictable as the outbreak of Covid was unprecedented. Therefore, if you try to time the markets and invest in a lump sum and the markets fall further, you could suffer huge losses. Even if you have a lump sum amount to invest, you must invest gradually while observing how the situation evolves.
2. Invest in Mutual Funds via Systematic Investment Plans
SIP or Systematic Investment Plans are inherently designed for volatile markets. They ensure that you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of the market conditions. Hence, over time, you benefit from Rupee Cost Averaging. That is, your average purchase price comes down, and you have a better opportunity to earn handsome gains. It also saves you from entering the markets at the wrong time.
SIPs can be a great way to diversify your portfolio without the risk of entering the market at the wrong time. With regular investments, even if the markets fall further, you benefit. As more units are allotted to you for the same amount. With a long-term investment horizon, this could mean handsome gains.
3. Invest in Equities For A Longer Horizon
So, we assume that you are clear about investing in a few things. One is investing in securities having a low correlation, considering SIPs and avoiding lumpsum investments.
The next important aspect of diversification during market volatility is the investment horizon.
Volatile markets are dangerous for short-term investors. If you look at the past performance of the markets, you will see that while markets have always been volatile. They have recovered from crashes and huge correction phases. While past performance is not a guarantee of future performance, the inherent nature of the economy and markets is to bounce back.
4. Diversify in Different Ways
In investment circles, we call it diversifying a diversified portfolio. Let’s say that you decide to invest 40% of your portfolio into equity mutual funds, 30% into debt funds, 20% in stocks, and 10% in term deposits (portfolio NOT a recommendation). So, this is diversification level 1.
- Equity Funds Diversified Across Market Capitalizations
Prudence dictates that you invest in companies with strong fundamentals when the markets are volatile. But, if your portfolio is already heavily invested in large-cap stocks or blue-chip stocks, then you must look at a fund that offers good quality stocks in the mid-cap and/or small-cap segment.
- Equity Funds Diversified Across Geographies
This is highly relevant in the current scenario. In a pandemic, some areas are worse-affected than others. This means that businesses that have a base in those areas or who depend on the area for materials, labour, or any other aspect necessary for their operations, will suffer heavy losses.
In fact, some businesses might find it difficult to recover at all!
On the other hand, areas that are not affected so badly will have businesses that will recover quickly and might even make good profits.
Hence, try to look for funds that invest in companies spread across the length and breadth of the country so that your investment portfolio doesn’t get impacted due to geographical concentration.
- Equity Funds Diversified Across Various Market Sectors
Currently, most sectors are badly hit. While you might feel tempted to speculate, a better way to approach it would be to ensure that you invest across most essential services sectors like banking, insurance, health, etc. Look for sectors that have been strong and have the resilience to recover quickly once the economy turns around.
5. Diversify Your Debt Investments
Usually, most investors tend to focus more on equity when it comes to diversification. With debt investments, they either choose a debt fund that is secure or invests directly in some debt instruments without thinking about the correlation between them.
In the current market and economic conditions, it is important to diversify your debt investments too. There are various debt funds available for diversification. These include income funds, dynamic bond funds, liquid funds, credit opportunities funds, short-term funds, and ultra-short-term funds.
Analyze your debt portfolio and invest in funds that have no correlation with your existing investments.
Summing Up
If you believe that the markets are volatile and that they will recover sooner or later and you can stay invested, then avoid all urges to sell your investments and book the loss. Instead, focus on creating a diversified portfolio that can benefit from the current market conditions and generate amazing returns when the markets recover.
One last thing – remember the three pillars of a successful investor and never lose sight of your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
Whether it is about redeeming investments or entering the markets because they are at rock bottom, ensure that you stick with pillars. We hope that this article helps you create an investment strategy that works for you in the long run. Stay safe and God Bless!
Disclaimer: This blog is solely for educational purposes. The securities/investments quoted here are not recommendatory.