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Home Guidance & tools Investing basics Understanding volatility and risk

Understanding volatility and risk

Important information - please keep in mind that the value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to an authorised financial adviser.

What is volatility and risk?

Read the video transcript

Investment ideas to prepare for volatility

Choose a risk level with PathFinder

If you're not sure what to invest in, PathFinder helps you choose a fund based on your risk preference.

Use PathFinder

The Fidelity Select 50 Balanced Fund

This fund has a medium-risk profile and a diversified spread of funds that invest in different asset classes, including bonds and gold.

Fidelity Select 50 Balanced Fund

Managing investments in uncertain times

What is volatility? And how can you deal with it?

Download Investing in uncertain times

Learn more about volatility

Risk and Return

Risk is about balancing the chances of a loss with the benefits of a higher return over time, while volatility – the ups and downs of the market – is an integral, often short-lived part of investing.

Learn more about risk and return

Explore regular saving

Making smaller investments at regular intervals can remove some of the worry about when to invest, and help you take advantage of changes in price.

Read about regular saving

Learn about diversification

Holding a diverse range of asset classes in line with your goals and risk tolerance will help minimise the impact of one on your portfolio.

Read about asset allocation
Go to investing basics home

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance, the performance of investments is not guaranteed, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. When investments have particular tax features, these will depend on your personal circumstances and tax rules may change in the future. This website does not contain any personal recommendations for a particular course of action, service or product. You should regularly review your investment objectives and choices and, if you are unsure whether an investment is suitable for you, you should contact an authorised financial adviser. Before opening an account, please read the ‘Doing Business with Fidelity’ document which incorporates our client terms. Prior to investing into a fund, please read the relevant key information document which contains important information about the fund.

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