Over the long term, stocks are not much more volatile than any other asset and have always generated the best returns. If your goal is current income or short-term stability, then more conservative bond or money market funds represent a better solution, despite the fact that alternatives may boast higher returns. Pick your course and stick to it. Make sure you are evaluating the performance of your money in the appropriate time frame. If you are investing in stocks for a period of more than five years, don't get too concerned by a few negative quarters.
Stocks decline from time to time.
It's normal and should be expected. In fact, it's usual a good time to add more money. Instead, use an investment vehicle that has lower short-term volatility, like a balanced fund, a bond fund, or Treasury Bills or Certificates of Deposit. The companies we hold in client portfolios represent excellent businesses and, we believe, offer the potential to make money in a flat market. Whatever your objective and whatever course you have mapped out to achieve it, there will always be some other course that seems better at the time.