Tips to stay on track despite market volatility.

No one knows which way the markets will move in the future, but you can limit your exposure to risk.

Follow these 3 steps to help give yourself the best chance of investment success in the face of market volatility.

1. Diversify

   A great way to prepare your portfolio for volatility is to choose an asset allocation that makes sense for your goals.

   Diversification helps you avoid 2 investment traps:

   • Investing too conservatively: If you hold all your assets in cash, you risk being unable to keep up with inflation. You also miss out on the potential for your portfolio to grow.
   • Investing too aggressively: On the other hand, if you invest everything in stocks, the stock market could experience a downturn, just when you need the money.

   A mix of investment types allows you to create a portfolio with the appropriate amount of risk for you. A long-term investment plan should include a mix of:

   • Stocks, which can help your portfolio grow when the market is strong.
   • Bonds, which can help provide stability during market downturns.
   • International investments, which can give you access to markets that may be generating positive performance when others are falling.

   As your withdrawal date gets closer, it’s a good idea to shift your investments away from potentially volatile stocks and into more stable investments (bonds and cash), which leads us to the next step.

2. Target Enrollment Portfolios automatically adjust your asset allocation.

   Target Enrollment Portfolios are a simplified approach to investing for higher education expenses. We have designed these investment options to allow you to select a portfolio based upon your risk tolerance and your beneficiary’s anticipated year of enrollment in school or an eligible program. For example, if you expect your beneficiary to attend college beginning in the year 2036, you may consider the Target Enrollment 2036 Portfolio. You may also consider a Target Enrollment Portfolio with an earlier target enrollment date if you are a more conservative investor, or with a later target enrollment date if you are a more aggressive investor. The asset allocation in these investment options is automatically adjusted quarterly over time to become more conservative as your beneficiary gets closer to enrollment.

3. Invest consistently.

   It’s not very comforting to invest when the markets are volatile, especially if you check on your accounts often. It can seem as if you’re losing the money you’re contributing. In turn, you may feel the urge to move to lower-risk investments or to stop saving altogether.

   This type of reactive behavior might save you from the worst trading days, but it could also keep you from investing on the best days. In many cases, timing the market for reentry simply results in selling low and buying high.

   Instead, focus on what you can control—investing consistently. Consider setting up recurring contributions that will move money from your checking account to your 529 account automatically.

   Contributing to your NY 529 Direct Plan on a regular basis is a notable way to help reach your college savings goals.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

Please remember that all investments involve some risk. Be aware that fluctuations in the financial markets and other factors may cause declines in the value of your account. There is no guarantee that any particular asset allocation or mix of funds will meet your investment objectives or provide you with a given level of income.

Investments in bonds are subject to interest rate, credit, and inflation risk.

Investments in stocks or bonds issued by non-U.S. companies are subject to risks, including country/regional risk and currency risk.