Monitor your portfolio

Periodic adjustments will help keep your portfolio balanced and aligned with your objectives.

Don't "set it and forget it"

There will be market rallies and there will be corrections.

Because financial markets are dynamic and unpredictable, you can't expect your portfolio to perform exactly as planned. It takes close monitoring and periodic adjustments to help stay on track: The more you do so, the better you'll get at keeping your portfolio aligned with your objectives.

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3 steps to building a balanced portfolio

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What should you do when the markets get volatile?

Asset allocation (1:21)

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Pay attention to your asset allocation

Careful asset allocation is an important aspect of long- term investing. It could help you ride out market highs and lows by helping to minimize the potential impact of market fluctuations.Footnote ¹

Asset allocation also involves balancing your financial goals with your comfort with risk, which can help you keep your financial strategy on track. Higher risk usually means more volatile returns; lower risk usually delivers more conservative returns.

Changes in your life may warrant changes in your allocation. If you get married or divorced, buy a home or have a child, your tolerance for risk may change and your asset allocation should follow suit.

Learn:

Asset allocation: A sound investment strategy

Fine-tune your portfolio

Even the simplest asset allocation strategies need rebalancing on occasion. A good rule of thumb is to make adjustments, a process called "rebalancing," at least once a year to help keep you on track. Fine-tuning your portfolio quarterly can be worth the extra effort.Footnote ¹

Rebalancing your portfolio (1:23)

Who relies on Financial Advisors?Footnote ²

You don't have to go it alone

Investing involves a combination of knowledge, skill and time. With Merrill, resources are always there when you need them to help you manage your investments online.

If you want a personalized action plan, consider working with a Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor, who can assess your personal situation and assemble an appropriate mix of financial products and tools to help you pursue your investment goals.

What's next?

See our investing resources

Ways to invest

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Footnote ¹ Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Footnote ² Merrill Edge Report, Fall 2013. Respondent base 1,016 mass affluent respondents with investable assets between $50,000 and $250,000.

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With Merrill Edge Self‑Directed, get unlimited free online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimumsFootnote double asterisk **

Options contracts and other fees may applyFootnote asterisk *

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Footnote asterisk

Other fees may apply. Free and $0 means there is no commission charged for these trades. $0 option trades are subject to a $0.65 per-contract fee. Sales are subject to a transaction fee of between $0.01 and $0.03 per $1,000 of principal. There are costs associated with owning ETFs. To learn more about Merrill pricing, visit our Pricing page.

Footnote double asterisk

Merrill waives its commissions for all online stock, ETF and option trades placed in a Merrill Edge^® Self-Directed brokerage account. Brokerage fees associated with, but not limited to, margin transactions, special stock registration/gifting, account transfer and processing and termination apply. $0 option trades are subject to a $0.65 per-contract fee. Other fees and restrictions may apply. Pricing is subject to change without advance notice.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The performance data contained herein represents past performance which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance information current to the most recent month end, please contact us.

Net Asset Value (NAV) returns are based on the prior-day closing NAV value at 4 p.m. ET. NAV returns assume the reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions at NAV when paid.

Market price returns are based on the prior-day closing market price, which is the average of the midpoint bid-ask prices at 4 p.m. ET. Market price returns do not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

Returns include fees and applicable loads. Since Inception returns are provided for funds with less than 10 years of history and are as of the fund's inception date. 10 year returns are provided for funds with greater than 10 years of history.

Before investing consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the fund, including management fees, other expenses and special risks. This and other information may be found in each fund's prospectus or summary prospectus, if available. Always read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. Prospectuses can be obtained by contacting us.

Expense Ratio – Gross Expense Ratio is the total annual operating expense (before waivers or reimbursements) from the fund's most recent prospectus. You should also review the fund's detailed annual fund operating expenses which are provided in the fund's prospectus.

This material is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. Additional information is available in our Client Relationship Summary (PDF).

Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as "MLPF&S" or "Merrill") makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, a registered investment adviser, Member Securities Investor Protection (SIPC) popup and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp").

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").

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Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc.:

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