Market volatility is not unusual and, it has been more subdued to date than previous episodes such the GFC in 2008-09.

Why volatility can be a blessing in disguise

Global sharemarket volatility has increased substantially since the middle of 2015, but actually, volatility is the norm; it's been the long preceding period of calm that was out of the ordinary.

If you want to invest outside your regular investment universe you need to give the strategy time to perform.

Make sure your stars align with a core and satellite

The 'new normal' is nothing to be particularly afraid of; as long as you take a more balanced approach to portfolio construction and consider risk and costs, you may find portfolios can weather extended periods of occasional low returns or cyclical volatility, writes Scott Pappas.