3 Factors That Have Led to an Uptick in Market Volatility During August

Three factors that have contributed to the uptick in volatility markets have been experiencing since the beginning of August.

Granted, the TSX Index is virtually unchanged since the beginning of the third quarter but you’d have to be living under a rock if you didn’t think the market has gotten decidedly more “choppy” over the past few weeks trading sessions.

Three factors that have led to increased risk and uncertainty among investors:

  • Lower interest rates, followed by an inverted yield curve
  • Extended trade talk fatigue and ongoing geopolitical tensions
  • A vulnerable, extended market during the slowest period of the calendar

Late last month, U.S. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell announced the Fed’s first rate cut going all the way back to 2008.

But while lower interest rates are generally viewed as providing a stimulus to the economy, investors came away from last month’s Fed announcement still unclear as to how far the world’s leading central bank would go to insulate investors.

That uncertainty has led to a lot of debate and discussion among investors since as to what the future interest rate policy of the Fed might look like, and with a lot still left to be determined, investors have been active in recent weeks re-positioning their portfolios in preparation for what could be coming next.

Last week markets even briefly witnessed a brief inversion of the yield curve, an occurrence that’s preceded seven of the last seven recessionary periods.

Then of course, there are the ongoing trade talks between China and the U.S. that have also led to a lot of uncertainty among business leaders and in many cases interfered with businesses ability to plan and invest for the future.

Meanwhile, the back-and-forth tariffs that have arisen from those trade talks have acted as a tax on consumers, essentially removing money from the system that could have been directed towards more productive purposes.

More recently, of course, we’ve seen protests in Hong Kong garner a lot of mainstream media attention while the inevitable exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union is yet another major geopolitical event that markets will need to digest later this year in October.

There’s really no telling as to how these developments could or will impact things but its also not hard to imagine how their looming effect would have the potential of contributing to more uncertainty for investors and the markets

Of course what doesn’t help in any of this is that its taking place at what is historically one of the slowest periods for the markets, August, outside of the winter holiday season.

Many investors take time off during the summer months – meaning that there’s less liquidity out there to take up the slack, so to speak.

Unfortunately, less liquidity leads to more volatility.

Long-term minded investors may want to use this as a good opportunity to buy stock in high quality, dividend-paying companies for as long as markets continue to stay depressed.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

No tickers found. You need to add tickers and save as draft before fetching disclosure

More on Stocks for Beginners

dividends grow over time
Stocks for Beginners

The Smartest Growth Stock to Buy With $2,000 Right Now

Do you have $2,000 to invest for the long term? These three TSX stocks have and will continue to deliver…

Read more »

The virtual button with the letters AI in a circle hovering above a keyboard, about to be clicked by a cursor.
Tech Stocks

Is OpenText Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

OpenText stock has fallen in the last few years, but that could mean this top tech stock remains an undervalued…

Read more »

man touches brain to show a good idea
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer REIT Stocks to Buy Right Now for Less Than $200

REITs have long been touted as some of the best dividend stocks out there if you want recurring, strong income.…

Read more »

grow money, wealth build
Dividend Stocks

3 Top High-Yield Stocks to Buy in November

If you want passive income, high yield dividend stocks are the clear choice. These are the best, and safest, out…

Read more »

Stocks for Beginners

Where will Loblaw Stock be in 5 Years?

Want a great food stock that can provide growth and income? Here's why Loblaw stock can offer that and more.

Read more »

A worker overlooks an oil refinery plant.
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Now

Infrastructure makes up everything we use, from the water we drink to the roads we drive. And these three infra…

Read more »

Sliced pumpkin pie
Stocks for Beginners

Ready to Invest With $2,000? 4 Stocks for November

Got $2,000 to start a new investment portfolio? Try these four high quality Canadian stocks for long-term wealth compounding.

Read more »

cloud computing
Tech Stocks

3 No-Brainer Tech Stocks to Buy Right Now for Less Than $1,000

Not all tech stocks are the risky investments that many think they are. Which is why we're focusing on the…

Read more »