Globally and particularly in the US, equity markets saw a stunning comeback in 2023, which was a welcome respite from the poor results of 2022. The last surge since October has been rather steep and has been led primarily by large technology companies—that is, those capitalizing on the boom in artificial intelligence. It appears that investors are complacent, as evidenced by the extraordinarily low reading on the VIX index, which is a widely used indicator of market volatility. In a muted environment, investors are advised to tread carefully as volatility is expected to rise over the course of this year. Below are five investment strategies to consider during this time of great market uncertainty. 1. Diversification Sometimes it's best to focus on what's important. As the old saying goes, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Investing in a variety of asset classes, such as bonds, shares, and alternatives, is advised. Essentially, diversification serves as a powerful risk management tool, protecting against the inherent unpredictability of financial markets. This strategy not only reduces the overall risk of the portfolio, but can also significantly reduce the impact of market volatility on overall investment performance. Typically, damage to one asset class can be weathered (even if only partially) by other asset classes in the portfolio. 2. Take an Active Role In dynamic market environments, passive or beta investing may not offer the best approach to investment management, at least in the short to medium term. As uncertainty looms and market volatility increases, it is perhaps most important for investors to take an active role in managing risk within their portfolios. For example, you can try techniques such as using stop-loss orders or employing downside protection strategies such as purchasing put options. Unlike passive strategies, active approaches allow investors to take advantage of opportunities. The key is not only to apply risk reduction techniques, but also to develop a proactive mindset to make decisions that increase profits and minimize the risk of loss. 3. Use hedging techniques In times of market uncertainty, the concept of hedging serves as an effective tool to offset potential losses. Hedging techniques can provide protection against downside risk by establishing a position that benefits from adverse price movements. For example, purchasing a put option or implementing a bearish strategy allows investors to continue to take on potential upside risk while mitigating losses during market downturns. By incorporating these strategies into asset management, investors can not only protect their portfolios from potential losses, but also position themselves to take advantage of opportunities that arise during market turmoil. 4. Become an investment tactician Not all investment strategies need to be set in stone. Rather than sticking to a static asset allocation strategy, we recommend considering a tactical, dynamic approach that adjusts your allocation based on short-term market conditions. To be an investment tactician, you must take strategic actions to optimize portfolio performance in the face of market volatility. Therefore, a strategy of dynamically increasing asset allocation may yield short-term gains, followed by a return to strategic allocation if this step proves effective. 5. Exploring Factor-Based Opportunities Traditional investing methods are understandable given their lengthy history with asset classes like stocks and bonds, but it's also critical to recognize the opportunities that arise and adopt factor-based investing techniques. This approach represents a change in portfolio construction by focusing on specific factors such as value, momentum, quality, and even volatility. Factor-based strategies offer the potential to diversify portfolios and increase risk-adjusted returns by effectively combining some of the strategies listed above. Regardless of the strategy you use, successful investing requires a disciplined, long-term approach. Although it can be tempting to make impulsive decisions, it is wise to resist the urge to react hastily to market fluctuations and stay on track with your investment plans. By avoiding emotional reactions to market fluctuations, you can focus on achieving your long-term financial aspirations and goals.