Core Viewpoint - March has seen volatility in the S&P 500, which is down about 3% as of March 18, driven by negative market sentiment stemming from geopolitical uncertainties and economic factors [1] Market Overview - The decline in March is attributed to uncertainty surrounding the war in Iran, rising oil prices, elevated inflation, and a weak job market, contributing to investor anxiety [1] Investment Opportunities - Investors looking to balance their portfolios in volatile markets may consider exchange-traded funds (ETFs) designed to perform well in downturns [2] ETF Analysis - **Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF**: - This ETF has outperformed the broader market, up 8.3% year-to-date as of March 18, and has a 30% increase over the past 12 months with dividends reinvested [4][7] - It focuses on international stocks with high dividends and low volatility, holding about 185 stocks from 19 developed nations, with significant representation from Canada, Japan, and the U.K. [5][7] - **Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend ETF**: - This ETF is also performing well, up about 7.2% year-to-date, and has a one-year total return of 11% [8][11] - It includes approximately 115 large- and mid-cap stocks, primarily in utilities and consumer staples, with top holdings including Verizon Communications, Chevron, and American Electric Power [10] - **Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF**: - This ETF invests in companies producing essential consumer products, returning about 7% year-to-date and roughly 9.1% over the past year [12][13] - It tracks an index of around 104 consumer staples stocks, including major players like Walmart and Procter & Gamble [12]