5 Assets That Investors Must Have To Navigate Through Volatile Markets

Global jitters spilled over into the markets as US President Donald Trump’s tariff shock triggered a massive selloff. Indian benchmarks – the Sensex and Nifty – logged their worst session in over 10 months on Monday, wiping out lakhs of crores in investor wealth. With all major sectors in the red and the volatility index surging, it became clear that no market was immune to global policy tremors. Hence, spreading your investments across multiple asset classes is key to protecting your wealth and staying afloat in times like these.

When markets turn volatile, gold continues to shine as a go-to asset. It has long been considered a reliable hedge against inflation and global uncertainty. You can invest in physical gold, gold ETFs – and this asset class offers a cushion during market corrections.

Real estate brings physical security and rental income. It has traditionally been a favoured long-term asset, especially in India. For those wary of large capital commitments, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) provide a way to invest in real estate with lower ticket sizes and high liquidity. According to SEBI, REITs allow individual investors to earn returns from income-generating real estate without actually owning the property. While real estate has seen ups and downs, its value stability over time remains intact.

When markets are shaky, having cash or money in liquid funds helps you stay prepared. You can use it in emergencies or to grab good investment deals when prices drop. Options like high-interest savings accounts or liquid mutual funds are easy and safe. Liquid funds are becoming popular because they offer quick access and steady returns.

Blue-chip stocks are shares of big, well-known companies that are leaders in their industry. These companies usually have strong financials, a proven track record and give regular dividends to their shareholders. They are seen as safe and stable options, especially during market ups and downs.

You can invest in blue-chip stocks directly or through large-cap mutual funds, which pool money to invest in top companies. They may not give very high short-term returns, but they offer steady growth over time.

Government bonds like G-Secs (Government Securities) and T-Bills (Treasury Bills) are some of the safest investments you can make. They are backed by the Indian government, so there’s very little risk of losing money. In return, they give you fixed returns, which is great when markets are uncertain.

Earlier, only big institutions could buy these easily, but now anyone can invest directly through the RBI portal.