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Volatility: A Feature, Not a Bug – Zoom out!

By: Jeff Bullock

A few of my brothers and I had a small venture for a number of years in the sports analytics industry. As part of our business, we developed a phone app to help basketball coaches track team statistics. One of my jobs during the development was to test the app over and over. I needed to not only make sure the key features were working properly, but also find any bugs that would be detrimental to the experience, or worse, make the app unusable. The key with any consumer product is to enhance the features and limit the bugs to create a great user experience.

How was the user experience for investors in the stock market the past few months?!

January, February, and March saw some of the biggest swings in recent market history. It wasn’t just that the market drifted down for a period, but we often saw multiple intra-day swings of over 1% in a single trading session. Whether it was the constant barrage of news coming out of Ukraine, or the Federal Reserve turning more hawkish due to runaway inflation, the market reactions were quick and sharp.

Reflecting on my basketball app experience, and looking at the high levels of volatility the stock market sometimes gives, it made me ask the following question:

Is stock market volatility a feature or a bug in the investing experience?

Below are a few key points to explore that may help us answer this question:

  1. Price Discovery: Markets move every day as they digest news and try and figure out how economic growth will affect individual companies. Since every investor has a different thesis on what will happen in the future, prices bounce around based on these outlooks. This natural volatility is called price discovery, and for long-term investors, can provide great buying opportunities. With this understanding, it’s more likely that volatility is a feature, not a bug in the investing experience.
  2. Pullbacks Are Healthy & Normal: The S&P 500, on average, experiences a 10-15% pullback at least once each year. Why? Because markets are always trying to predict future growth and are adjusting to the latest economic news. A pullback is the market’s way of cooling off if prices have risen too fast. What happened in January and February fits this profile exactly. In other words, what we just experienced is normal! Pullbacks are a feature, not a bug in the investing experience.
  3. Zoom Out: Did you know, after all that has happened in this first quarter, the S&P 500 is only down a little over 5% this year? That’s it! Did you know it is up 15% in the last 12 months? Did you know it is up nearly 100% in the last 5 years? Time is your friend with investing. Zoom out, look at the big picture.

Remember, price discovery and pullbacks are healthy and normal. These are features not bugs.

My best advice when experiencing price volatility: Zoom out and embrace it as a feature of long-term investing because it’s not a bug!

This blog is general communication being provided for informational purposes only.  This information is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities or investment advisory services.  It is educational in nature and not to be taken as advice or a recommendation for any specific investment product or investment strategy.  This does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.  Any investment or investment strategy mentioned may not be suitable for all investors or in their best interest.   Statistical information, quotes, charts, references to articles or any other quoted statement or statements regarding market or other financial information is obtained from sources which we believe reliable, but we do not warrant or guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of this information. All rights are reserved.  No part of this blog including text, graphics, et al, may be reproduced or copied in any format, electronic, print, et al, without written consent from Fidelis Wealth Advisors, LLC. Fidelis Wealth Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice.  Please be advised to consult with your investment advisor, attorney or tax professional before making any investment decisions.

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John Van Sant began his career in wealth management in 2005 and has spent more than 20 years in leadership roles focused on operational excellence, strategic growth, and advisor support. Prior to joining Fidelis, John served as President and CFO at Cascade Financial Management and as OSJ Principal with LPL and Apollon Financial.

As COO and CCO at Fidelis, John draws on deep industry experience and a passion for building advisor-focused platforms, systems, and processes that help deliver an
exceptional client experience. He currently holds Series 7, 24, 28, and 65 licenses.

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John holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from Johnson & Wales University. A proud husband and father of two daughters, he is an avid golfer, dedicated “Dance Dad,” and enjoys beach days in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where he now resides after many years in Colorado.

Karley Fidani, CPFA®

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Before joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors in 2022, Karley ran several local businesses, selling products both in the Castle Rock area and online. Her passion for entrepreneurship and finance led her to earn a degree in Financial Management from the University of Colorado Denver.

At Fidelis, Karley has specialized in assisting small business clients with their employer 401(k) plans. She has also taken on client-facing roles as advisor and paraplanner. Karley holds her Series 65 license and is a NAPA Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®). She plans to pursue the Certified Financial Planner® designation in the near future.

Karley is passionate about building relationships with clients and is dedicated to providing a thoughtful, valuable experience that brings them peace of mind.

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A Colorado native, Karley grew up in Castle Rock. She enjoys spending her free time riding her horse, Dante, hiking and mountain biking with her husband, and playing electric guitar.

Rilee Erickson

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Rilee began working in the financial services industry in 2017 as an associate specializing in property and casualty insurance, as well as life insurance.  Since joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors she has taken on a paraplanner roll, providing life insurance support, as well as client and operations support. She also hopes to obtain her own Certified Financial Planner® designation in the years to come. Rilee’s passion in the industry is helping people protect their family and their future.

 

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Rilee graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Horticulture Science. She is a Wyoming native, growing up on the family cattle ranch in Lander, Wyoming, and now resides in Green River, Wyoming with her husband and two boys. Rilee enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors and exploring the beautiful and rugged Wind River Range.

Tina Jessick

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Tina first began her accounting career in 2019 as an Intern at an accounting firm in Wichita, KS. She started working at Fidelis Wealth Advisors as an Administrative Assistant spring of 2025. Tina hopes to assist in helping clients achieve their financial goals long-term and looks forward to making a difference at Fidelis Wealth Advisors.

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Tina is currently attending Wichita State University in pursuit of two degrees in Finance and Accounting. She is a Kansas native, growing up in city known as the “Air Capital of the World”. She now resides in Castle Rock, Colorado with her husband and three kids. When she’s not running after her kids, she enjoys hiking, crafting, pottery, dance and baking.

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Fidelis Wealth Advisors has a strategic partnership with RIA Innovations, a Division of NWAM, LLC. RIA Innovations provides administrative support services for registered investment advisors nationwide. This service is under the direction of Nelly Mubashi, the Chief Operating Officer.

 

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