Do You Need to Worry About a Market Crash?

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

No one knows if or when there will be another market crash. Anyone who could accurately predict the ups and downs of the market on a consistent basis would make an absolute fortune.

Even if the market's exact moves can't be predicted, you can be sure that the market will take a hit sometime in the future. In fact, if you're planning to hold investments for the next few decades, get ready for many crashes, of varying degrees. That's the way the market works. Successful investors, by and large, are those who are well prepared to ride out volatility.

Smooth out the ride

Naturally, you don't want your account to nosedive. So what should you do? If you are the kind of person who would sell out in the event of a huge collapse in the stock market, maybe it is better if you don't get in at all. On the other hand, if you have the tolerance to take on some level of risk, there are tools that can help to minimize the risk inherent in market volatility.

One tool to minimize market risk is diversification. By spreading your investments among different sectors, you minimize the chance of all your investments dropping in value simultaneously. Own some positions in equities (a.k.a. "stocks") and some in bonds, cash, or funds that invest in other areas, like real estate. By diversifying, you can lessen risk. Some money managers try limiting volatility in their investments by adjusting the amount of cash in their portfolios in line with macro-economic trends.

Do you have an investment account in the United States? If you are worried about its risk level or that it might lose value, call the office (02-624-2788) to discuss the risk level in your account. Also, subscribe to our free newsletter for tips on handling your money and managing risk at www.profile-financial.com.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.