There are several threats that are targeting portfolios right now in terms of volatility. The first is inflation, and investors need to make considerations like planning ahead for the near term for big financial costs. Advisors can also help investors with rising interest rates. Rising interest rates mean variable debt will become more costly so more payments are better in the short run, and locking in fixed rates could be smart before yields climb too high. Finally, concerning general volatility due to slowing growth, it really depends on demographics. For young investors, advisors should steer them through market difficulty by bringing their experience with it previously. For more seasoned investors nearer to retirement, investors should consider pivoting to safer assets in order to avoid sharp losses in market swings.

Finsum: There are intricate strategies or specific funds to help in terms of volatility that advisors should consider.

Direct Indexing is being heralded as the next big wave of investment products, as it gives investors the power to take advantage of tax-loss harvesting and customize it to their interests. However, the dual objectives that they propose could come to compete with each other and undermine investor interests. If investors maximize the tax-alpha they aren’t really aligned with their interests which younger investors are holding as a high priority. Riding a portfolio of all ‘greenwashers’ gives investors few options for tax purposes and deviates too far from the underlying index. The most effective solution might be for financial advisors to develop a better understanding of client interests rather than leaning on a magical new product.

Finsum: Some are calling direct indexing active management in disguise, but investors trying to capitalize on either customization or tax loss might still find it an attractive option.

China has another Covid-19 outbreak that could potentially shut down Beijing in the same way that the world saw a lockdown in Shanghai previously. This outbreak is sending a shockwave across all assets that are spiking volatility. The VIX hit its highest point since mid-March, and there was a mild reservation in the bond market. 10-year treasury yields spiked 14 basis points. Bonds and equities aren’t even the whole stories; everyone knows commodities are in a super cycle, but this outbreak is putting that at risk. A variety of different commodities' prices fell in response. Finally, Wall Street is starting to be concerned that a global recession is a possibility with Ukraine-Russia ongoing, Covid surging, and serious inflation risk.

Finsum: The yield curve is also starting to turn which could be really bad for equities markets.

Calling bond prices stubborn would be an understatement, and the bears have been continuing to pull investors out of the bond market in the mass exodus of outflows. The tides could be starting to shift, and the reasons are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Investing yield curves and recession indicators are flashing, which means investors will flock back to the bond market as a safe asset when equities fall. On the other side of things, if inflation is being driven by supply-side factors more than the Fed thinks, then inflation will fall dramatically, and less tapering will be needed to get there. This means bond prices could rise as yields fail to. Broad bond exposure is still a good idea with volatility rising.

Finsum: It’s been rough in the bond market the last few months, but there are economic reasons that could turn around.

Hedge funds have made it clear they are gonna short those not meeting ESG criteria, but the broader market is still willing to short Tesla because the bottom line means more. Despite all of its sustainability credentials investors are making bets against Tesla. Bill Gates took a big short position apparently, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk chirped back on Twitter, saying it's incompatible with their environmental concerns. All of this happens as Musk secured $44 billion to buy Twitter Inc. This isn't the first time Tesla is no stranger to short-sellers as sharks swarmed the brand for years as they thought they couldn't ramp up production to meet the actual demand. Tesla’s stock skyrocketed nonetheless.

Finsum: Short positions on these public favorites can be extremely risky poisons, there have been lots of strange rallies in the internet era.

Just after many Wallstreet firms were predicting oil prices to skyrocket passed $130 the jets have started to cool and oil prices are falling. Oil dipped below $100 a barrel this week and the two biggest factors are demand destruction and China’s latest Covid-19 outbreak. In the U.S. the Ukraine war and high gas prices are deteriorating the demand for commodities and demand is beginning to weaken which in turn affects energy prices. Demand will drop by 1.4 million barrels a day according to Rystad Energy. Additionally, the U.S. is a strong dollar is making it hard to purchase oil-backed goods abroad. China’s lockdown in Shanghai drastically reduces global demand and could be a threat in the intermediate future. If Bejing follows suit it could be devastating.

Finsum: Oil investors should watch out for Russia, which is starting to feel the pressure on its economy.

Global turmoil is on the rise, but just as threatening to domestic returns is skyrocketing wages in the U.S. Sure there were great returns last year despite higher wages and inflation, but what stocks are primed to succeed in this current environment? The first is Arcutis Biotherapeutics which has an important drug in stage three clinical trials, which Goldman says could be very profitable. Next is Tricidia another pharma company that has a high buy rating and a potential upside of 126% according to analyst Madhu Kumar of Goldman. Coupang is the final pick which is a South Korean e-commerce retailer. They showed impressively robust revenues when the economy reopened and has great operating leverage according to Eric Cha of GS.

Finsum: These could be potentially good candidates in the tumultuous markets we are seeing currently. 

You know what sounds nice, consistent diversified income with little risk, but the problem is finding those solutions is difficult if not impossible. Model portfolios have popped up in the last decade to tackle this very problem, but there aren’t great options with diversity. One of the biggest reasons is treasury yields are still drastically lower than in the pre-financial crisis era. Nonetheless, there are pretty consistent income options, but they are riskier than ever because regardless of the model equities, high-yield debt, and emerging market debt are all more correlated than they have been in decades which means these funds fail to diversify. The GFC and the covid pandemic put a focus on macro fundamentals that the Greenspan-put eliminated.

Finsum: Income models can come with their risks, particularly as markets are getting more volatile.

Direct indexing seems targeted at high-net-worth individuals. They have huge tax incentives, a decent fee structure, and usually high minimums, but there is just one problem: they don’t know about them. According to a survey by Parametric Portfolio Associates over half of high-net-worth are unfamiliar with direct indexing. This is odd because it's one of the fastest-growing market segments expected to grow at 12% each year over the next half-decade. The survey also finds that advisors that do recommend direct indexing, lean mostly on the tax structure and benefits that they can capitalize on.

Finsum: Investors need to be aware of the benefits of custom indexing, the tax benefits tend to outperform fees, so they can edge out traditional ETFs. 

There has been a mass exodus in the corporate bond market which is making fixed-income funds as attractive as they have been in a while. Outflows started 21 weeks ago and are hitting $28 billion according to Refinitiv Lipper. With investors fleeing this has created even more negative returns on top of inflation and interest rate pressure. Investors willing to hold bonds to completion, particularly in value sectors like banking are getting them at an ultra bargain. One reason we are seeing investors flee corporate bonds is yields have been climbing faster than treasuries but many see interest rate risk already priced in which could be enough to turn around the investment-grade bond market.

Finsum: Value sector bond ETFs could be a smart play, with commodities and financials being major players.