Our Approach During Market Declines

Market declines are never comfortable. Even though they are a normal part of investing, they often trigger strong emotional responses that can make decision-making difficult. At Optimize, we believe that how we support you during these moments is critical to your long-term success.

We combine disciplined portfolio management with thoughtful, personalized conversations to ensure that you feel supported, informed, and empowered to make decisions that align with your plan, not the headlines.

Our Portfolio Management Process During Market Declines

During market downturns, we follow a structured, evidence-based approach to managing your portfolio. We do not react emotionally or make large, impulsive moves. Instead, we focus on:

• Disciplined rebalancing.
  As certain parts of your portfolio decline and others hold up better, we rebalance your portfolio to bring it back to your target allocation. This helps ensure you buy more of the assets that have declined in value, and trim assets that have held up, maintaining your intended risk level.

• Monitoring your portfolio’s alignment to your goals.
  We review your portfolio’s positioning within the context of your financial plan, ensuring that even during downturns, your investments remain structured to support your goals, your time horizon, and your comfort with risk.

• Assessing liquidity needs and upcoming cash flow requirements.
  We help ensure that your near-term cash needs are addressed, reducing the risk that you will need to sell long-term investments at unfavorable times.

How We Support Your Decision-Making Conversations

Beyond portfolio management, we believe the conversations we have with you during market downturns are just as important as the trades we make. During these periods, we:

• Provide calm, clear context.
  We help you see the bigger picture, reminding you that market declines are normal and that your portfolio is designed to weather these environments.

• Engage in open, empathetic conversations.
  We create space for you to share your concerns, process your emotions, and ask questions without judgment. These conversations are critical in helping you stay grounded in your plan.

• Focus on your personal goals, not the market narrative.
  We help you reconnect with your life goals, ensuring that decisions are made in alignment with what matters most to you, not in reaction to short-term market moves.

• Explore, but do not rush, adjustments.
  If you feel your portfolio no longer fits your comfort zone, we explore this carefully together, ensuring any changes are made thoughtfully, not reactively.

Staying Steady When Markets Are Unsteady

At Optimize, we see our role during market declines as a trusted partner who helps you stay steady, both in your portfolio and in your decision-making. By combining disciplined portfolio management with proactive, human-centered conversations, we help you avoid the costly mistakes that often arise during downturns and stay focused on your long-term success.

Market declines will test your patience, but with Optimize by your side, you have the support needed to navigate these periods with clarity, confidence, and discipline.