Market volatility continues to test client relationships. In mid-2025, 60% of investors said they were concerned about stock market volatility, while 73% expected it to continue or get worse through the year. Another 31% reported checking their accounts more often because of market swings.

For RIAs, this makes communication during volatility more important. Clients need clear context, planning reminders, and behavioral guidance before short-term concerns turn into emotional portfolio decisions.

How Can RIAs Use Behavioral Coaching During Volatility?

Behavioral coaching becomes more valuable when markets are unstable. Loss aversion is powerful, and clients often feel losses more strongly than gains. Without guidance, that can lead to selling at the wrong time or making changes that conflict with the long-term plan.

Industry research shows that behavioral coaching is one of the largest sources of advisor value, adding about 1.5–2.3% in annual net returns by helping clients avoid reactive decisions. 

Why Should RIAs Reconnect Clients to the Plan?

Historical context can help clients avoid focusing only on headlines. Since 1980, the S&P 500 has had an average intra-year decline of about 14%, yet still finished positive in 77% of those years.

For RIAs, this kind of context works best when it is tied back to the client’s actual plan. Instead of only explaining market history, advisors can show how the portfolio, cash needs, time horizon, and risk level still connect to the client’s goals. 

How Can RIAs Provide Better Portfolio Context?

Clients often react to broad market headlines before considering how those moves affect their own portfolio. RIAs can add value by putting volatility into the client’s actual context: portfolio positioning, liquidity needs, and progress against the plan.

This matters because 85% of high-value clients say more frequent or personalized communication would strengthen their confidence, and 88% say it would influence their decision to stay with their advisor.

What Overlooked Value Can Support Client Confidence?

Market stress also makes it more important to capture value that might otherwise be missed. This is where securities class action recovery becomes relevant. In 2025, settlements totaled about $8B, and more than $100B is projected over the next decade. Yet many firms have historically missed eligible recoveries because the process required manual tracking of cases, matching holdings, filing claims, and reconciling payouts.

Platforms such as 11th.com automate this workflow and help return recovered proceeds to client accounts. For RIAs, this is especially relevant in volatile markets: when every point matters, eligible recoveries should not be left unclaimed.

What Should RIAs Prioritize in 2026?

In 2026, RIAs should treat volatility communication as part of regular client service, not as a reaction to market stress. Behavioral coaching, planning discipline, portfolio-specific context, and proactive outreach all help clients stay focused when markets move sharply.

FAQ: 

How should RIAs talk to clients during market volatility?

RIAs should provide clear context, reconnect clients to their plan, and help prevent emotional portfolio decisions.

Why does behavioral coaching matter in volatile markets?

Behavioral coaching helps clients avoid reactive decisions, such as selling at the wrong time or changing strategy under stress.

How can RIAs help clients stay focused on the long-term plan?

RIAs can show how the portfolio, cash needs, time horizon, and risk level still connect to the client’s goals.

Why is personalized communication important during volatility?

Personalized updates help clients understand how market moves affect their own portfolio, not just the headlines.

What overlooked value can support client confidence?

Settlement recovery can help return eligible proceeds to client accounts, which is especially relevant when every point matters.