If you’ve been investing for any length of time, you’ve probably heard someone say, “I wish the market would just settle down.”

Ironically, one of the greatest gifts the market gives long-term investors is volatility.

That may sound strange. After all, no one enjoys opening a statement and seeing lower account values. But after more than 35 years of helping clients through bull markets, bear markets, recessions, financial crises, pandemics, and everything in between, I’ve come to believe something that may surprise you:

Volatility is not the enemy. Poor decisions during volatility are.

Volatility Is Normal

Many investors think market declines are rare events. History tells a very different story.

Since 1928, the U.S. stock market has experienced:

• A 5% decline more than three times per year
• A 10% correction approximately once every year
• A bear market (20% or greater decline) roughly every 3½ to 6 years, depending on the measurement period. (wellsfargoadvisors.com)

In other words, volatility isn’t an exception—it is the price investors pay for earning the long-term returns that stocks have historically provided.

The market has never moved in a straight line, and it never will.

We Don’t Try to Predict Markets

One of the questions we’re asked most often is:

“Do you think the market is going up or down?”

The honest answer is that no one consistently knows.

There are thousands of economists, analysts, and strategists making predictions every day. Some will be right—but only by coincidence. The difficult part is being right twice: knowing when to get out and, even more importantly, when to get back in.

Our philosophy has never been to forecast markets or attempt to time them.

Instead, we focus on something much more valuable:

Taking advantage of whatever the market gives us.

Volatility Creates Opportunities

When markets decline, many investors see only losses.

We often see planning opportunities.

Depending on a client’s individual circumstances, periods of volatility may allow us to:

• Rebalance portfolios by selling investments that have held up well and purchasing quality investments that have become less expensive.
• Convert Traditional IRA assets to Roth IRAs while account values are temporarily lower, potentially allowing more assets to grow tax-free in the future.
• Shift assets among taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts in a more tax-efficient manner.
• Harvest tax losses in taxable accounts to offset current or future capital gains.
• Invest new cash at more attractive prices rather than after markets have already recovered.
• Review risk levels to ensure portfolios remain aligned with each client’s goals and comfort level.

None of these opportunities exist without some degree of market movement.

In many cases, volatility actually improves the long-term outcome for disciplined investors.

The Difference Isn’t the Market—It’s the Response

Two investors can experience the exact same market decline.

One becomes fearful, sells, and waits for “things to feel better.”

The other remains disciplined, rebalances, makes tax-smart decisions, and continues investing.

Five or ten years later, their outcomes can be dramatically different.

The difference wasn’t the market.

It was how they responded.

Experience Matters Most During Difficult Markets

Bull markets don’t require much advice.

Almost every portfolio looks good when markets rise.

The real value of a financial advisor often becomes most apparent during periods of uncertainty.

That’s when experience, discipline, tax planning, and thoughtful decision-making matter most.

Our role isn’t simply to manage investments.

It’s to help clients make better financial decisions when emotions are running highest.

Looking Ahead

Market volatility is inevitable.

Panic is optional.

While we cannot control what the markets will do next week, next month, or next year, we can control how we respond.

Over time, history has rewarded patient investors who stayed disciplined and took advantage of opportunities instead of reacting emotionally.

That remains our philosophy today.

Our approach is not to time markets or forecast the future. It is to build thoughtful plans, maintain appropriate liquidity, diversify intelligently, manage taxes, rebalance when appropriate, and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

Volatility is inevitable.

What matters is what you do with it.

With the proper plan and the proper advisor, volatility does not have to be something that derails your future.

It can be one of the tools that helps build it.

As always, if you have questions about your portfolio or would like to discuss strategies that may be appropriate for your specific situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to help.

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About Carver Financial Services

We manage $3.8 billion for families and business owners who’ve built real wealth and want to protect it. We’re ranked top 100 by Barron’s and Forbes. And our team has over 250 years of combined experience helping people navigate exactly what we’re talking about.

Most importantly: we work with people who get it. Who understand that headlines aren’t strategy. Who’ve built something real and want to build on it smartly.

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Carver Financial Services manages more than $3.8 Billion in assets as of June 2026 for clients globally. You can contact Randy Carver personally at randy.carver@raymondjames.com or (440) 974-0808.

Any opinions are those of Carver Financial Services and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.