Market volatility can feel uncomfortable, especially when your statement looks different than it did last quarter. But market ups and downs are a normal part of investing, and having the right perspective can make those swings easier to navigate.

This week, Regina breaks down 10 things to know about stock market volatility, including why big point drops are often a matter of perspective, how the VIX measures investor fear, and why patience matters when you're investing for the long term.

She also talks about how to think through your comfort level, why automatic retirement contributions can help during down markets, and what conversations to have with your advisor before volatility catches you off guard

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:46 - Understanding market volatility

2:06 - What can drive market reactions

3:16 - Building a strategy for volatility

4:37 - 10 things to know about volatility

4:43 - Putting market drops in perspective

5:20 - The VIX fear index 6:32 - Extreme fear is the exception

7:20 - Volatility in 2025

8:03 - Why patience matters

8:27 - Returns are rarely smooth

9:18 - Adjusting your portfolio

9:45 - Finding opportunity in volatility

12:05 - The market's historical perspective

13:15 - Planning before volatility hits

13:56 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.

CONNECT WITH REGINA

Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forgewealth

Email: [email protected]

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

This material was prepared by Hartford funds.

For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management