The volatility of recent markets forces us to remind The Southern Company employees to be proactive about portfolio management,' says Michael Corgiat, a financial expert with the Retirement Group. Regular portfolio reviews and rebalancing could protect retirement savings against sudden market downturns and help you stay on track with your long-term financial goals,' he added.

With all the volatility in the markets, The Southern Company employees need to create a resilient investment strategy, says Brent Wolf of the Retirement Group. A diversified portfolio that can ride economic cycles is essential for retirement financial security,' said Dr.

In this article we will discuss:

1. Market Volatility and Retirement Savings: Market fluctuations and how they affect retirement income challenge retirees. Factors

2. driving Market Volatility in 2026 & 2026: Exploring how the pandemic, economic policies and global events shaped market

3. changes. Strategies for Investors During Volatility: Advice on diversification and holding investment strategies during turbulent times.

During the extremely volatile first 100 trading days of , the constituent equities of the S&P 500 continued to fall, and the benchmark index entered a bear market on June 13, - a decline of at least 20% in stock prices. The S&P 500 was down 21.8% from its January 3 peak and the tech-heavy NASDAQ, already in bear territory, was down 32.7% from its November 19, zenith.

Some investors nervous about the future of their portfolios seem to have gone defensive and sold riskier assets like growth-oriented technology stocks.

What drives market volatility? In , companies throughout the US, including The Southern Company, dealt with unpredictable demand shifts and supply shocks from the pandemic. Near zero interest rates and trillions in pandemic relief bolstered consumer spending, economic growth and record corporate profits. Profits from S&P 500 companies in were 75% higher than in and 33% higher than in - a nearly 29% total market return. (3-4)

In early , however, investors feared that a planned loosening of monetary policy - meant to cool stubbornly high inflation - would choke economic growth and cause a recession. Demand, supply-chain issues and a labor shortage in the spring of 2026 drove prices up and wages went up. China's COVID-19 lockdowns impacted product supplies in the first quarter of 2026 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine pushed already high world food and fuel prices skyrocketing. May saw the fastest annual rate of increase in forty years, 8.6% (5).

The seemingly unstoppable acceleration of price increases puts pressure on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which meets June 14 and 15, to act aggressively against inflation. In May, the federal Open Market Committee raised the benchmark Federal funds rate by 0.5% (from 0.75-1.0%). That's the first half-percent increase since May and Fed forecasters expect more. (6)

High interest rate bond yields rise and higher returns from lower-risk bond investments make higher-risk stock investments less attractive. Stock investors also buy a component of a company's future cash flows that lose value in an inflationary environment. Higher financing costs may also depress the purchasing power of consumers and profits of debt-intensive businesses.

The downside of domination The S&P Information Technology Sector Index has fallen 29.2% more than the S&P 500 as a whole from its January 3 peak. Also, like most benchmarks, the S&P 500 is weighted by market capitalization - the value of a company's outstanding shares. This gives the largest companies - mostly technology - a disproportionate drag on index performance. As at May 31 the information technology sector had 27.1% of the market capitalization of the S&P 500, followed by 14.4% for health care and 11.2% for financials, the next two largest sectors. The four most valuable companies are Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet & Amazon; Nvidia is ranked ninth while Meta dropped to 11. (7)

The past few years saw tech stock gains lift the market. However, falling share prices of these companies dragged down broader stock indexes. In analyzing market data through May 17, just eight of the largest U.S. companies accounted for 46% of the losses (total return) of the S&P 500. (8)

Those famous technology companies have grown into huge multinational corporations affecting every day life. Some companies are so dominant in their fields - social media, smartphones, online search and advertising, e-commerce and cloud computing - that antitrust investigations and calls for tougher rules have been made in the US and abroad. And they do have plenty of cash on board to help them weather an economic slowdown better than their smaller rivals (8).

Takeaways for investors Stocks are often spread across the eleven S&P 500 sectors. Yet a once-diversified stock portfolio can become overly concentrated in a sector that has outperformed the market as a whole over time. TECH-sector equities posted huge total returns of about 50% for , 44% for and 35% for ; therefore, some The Southern Company employees and retirees may wish to rebalance if they are overexposed to this volatile sector. This involves selling some investments to buy others. Remember that the sale of investments from a taxable account may be taxed. (10)

Should you feel lost after more than five months of market volatility? our The Southern Company clients should get perspective. Several market analysts see recent price declines as a painful but long overdue repricing of equities at overpriced valuations and a reality check from dwindling growth expectations. That ratio of forward price to earnings (P/E) ratio of S&P 500 companies fell from 23.3 at the end of to 17.8 in May , closer to the 10-year average of 16.9.11-12.

It could be some time before investors can assess how the economy and corporate profits will fare with rising inflation and higher borrowing costs - and the stock market does not like uncertainty. Downward economic data and company earnings reports could fuel volatility in the months to come.

If you have a sufficiently diversified, all-weather investment strategy, sticking with it is often the best course of action amid grim headlines. When the market goes down, panic and leave it - you can't profit from its upswings. And if you still invest regularly to fund a long-term goal like retirement, a market decline could let you buy additional shares at a discount.

Stocks' return and principal value vary depending on market conditions. If sold, shares might fetch more or less than their original price. Investments that seek greater return usually involve greater risk. We recommend diversification as a risk management technique to our The Southern Company clients. But that does not mean diversification guarantees a profit or protects against investment loss for The Southern Company employees. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of stocks representative of the U.S. stock market in general. An unmanaged index does not represent any investment performance.

No one can own an index directly. The past does not predict future performance. The real results will differ. Dollar-cost averaging does not guarantee or prevent a profit or loss. These programs involve ongoing investments in securities irrespective of price movements. The Southern Company employees and retirees should ask themselves whether they can afford to keep buying during low and high prices. But this may be a good way for investors to get shares to fund long-term goals.

A stock market investment is like planting a tree in your backyard. Just as you choose the location, type of tree, and soil conditions for your tree, you choose your investment strategy, stocks, and market conditions. And you also need to water and fertilize your investment just as you would your tree. With patience and an investment that grows over time, you can enjoy a healthy tree that produces shade and fruit for many years to come, just as your investment can provide retirement for you and your family.

A Roth IRA conversion decision hinges on your full tax picture, including the employer benefits The Southern Company provides. According to publicly available information, The Southern Company maintains an active defined benefit pension plan, which provides retirement income based on factors such as years of service and compensation history. The Southern Company also offers retiree healthcare benefits to eligible employees, which can provide meaningful coverage for those who retire before reaching Medicare eligibility at age 65. Because the specifics of your pension formula, vesting schedule, and benefit eligibility depend on your individual employment history and plan documents, We encourage you to review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or speak with The Southern Company's HR or benefits team for the most current details.

Sources:

3. Barry, Kevin. '401k Savers 'Stay the Course' Despite Market Volatility.'  401k Specialist Magazine , ,  www.401kspecialistmag.com/401k-savers-stay-the-course-despite-market-volatility/ .