After months and months of headline whiplash, more and more wealth management clients are asking their advisors to build them portfolios that can absorb the bumps without forcing emotional decision-making.
Yep, to adapt the old Network quote, they are frustrated as hell and they are not going to take it anymore. As a result, they are asking their advisors to news-proof their portfolios.
Rex Berger, private wealth manager at Generation Capital Advisors, admits that the current market environment presents headline risk virtually every day. From geopolitical developments to policy shifts, he says the hardest part for his clients isn't the volatility itself but watching their portfolio values fluctuate in real-time alongside those headlines. That immediate correlation between news and net worth is what truly unsettles investors, according to Berger, who adds that the key is "preparation before turbulence hits."
“When markets get choppy, having a clearly articulated plan that shows exactly how short-term market movements fit, or don't fit, into their longer-term trajectory is invaluable. Clients who understand their spending needs are covered for the next three to five years through strategic liquidity positioning can view market downturns very differently than those who feel exposed,” Berger said.
Berger believes that options are excellent tools for building in buffers and establishing risk-off parameters when appropriate. He has had considerable success implementing collar strategies for corporate executives to lock in profits while protecting against downside risk, particularly for clients with concentrated positions or those approaching major liquidity events.
“These aren't speculative trades—they're thoughtful risk management overlays that give clients peace of mind during uncertain periods,” Berger said.
Beyond options, he has been increasing exposure to private markets and alternative investments for his high-net-worth clients. These investments don't mark to market daily, which inherently encourages the longer time horizon that wealth building requires.
“Not seeing those daily fluctuations is actually a feature, not a bug, it removes the emotional trigger that causes so many investors to make poor decisions at exactly the wrong time,” Berger said.
Elsewhere, Patrick Mundlin, market vice president at 49 Financial, says a resilient client conversation in 2026 isn't just about managing volatility, it's about helping clients understand that they have a plan, they've anticipated the risks, and their retirement income won't require them to make emotionally driven decisions when markets get choppy.
“What clients want most is confidence: that if there's a significant market pullback, the planning and framework we've accounted for this possibility. Clients increasingly want to understand tradeoffs, not just outcomes,” Mundlin said.
Mundlin adds that structured investments have become an important tool in his planning conversations, particularly for clients who are in a season of life where getting on base matters more than hitting home runs. These strategies seek to allow clients to protect a portion of their principal in exchange for capping some upside, addressing both the math of retirement income and the emotional reality of watching a portfolio move in volatile markets.
“The right approach always depends on the individual client's goals, timeline, and risk tolerance, but for many clients, knowing a portion of their assets is protected allows them to stay the course rather than make reactive decisions,” Mundlin said.
Finally, Mike Martin, vice president of market strategy at TradingBlock, believes that large swings across almost every asset class imaginable are the new normal. Furthermore, when he looks at all of the risks across the world, he finds it hard to believe the CBOE Volatility Index is as low as it is.
“To compete with inflation and the debasement of the U.S. dollar, I think all investors want to have some exposure to equities, regardless of age. It’s hard to break even, let alone get ahead, sitting in Treasuries. Over the long run, we all adapt. Investors need to put everything into context, understand the tradeoffs they’re making, and size positions in a way that allows them to stay invested through volatility,” Martin said.
Stressed Martin: “If you hedge every time you sense uncertainty in the market, the cost of that insurance will eat into your profits. Have a plan with hedging. Personally, I’m more likely to place a hedge around core events, such as elections, because those events can cause a seismic shift in the markets.”
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