If the CBOE Volatility Index, better known as the VIX, is any indication of the volatility in stocks, the last three months have been tough for investors to handle from day to day. The VIX spiked in May to levels seen only once in the last eight years, suggesting daily moves in stocks will be well above average, and I share that view.

Because most indicators suggest we can expect more volatility in the coming months and because I share that view, it’s integral that investors build a portfolio with specific ETFs that can combat the daily swings in equities by using exchange-traded products.

The good news is that a slew of exchange-traded products now exist to manage volatility. My anti-volatility portfolio below consists of ETNs focused on VIX futures as well as a number of ETFs targeting gold, currencies, fixed income and even an actively managed one with diversified holdings that did relatively well during the second quarter’s volatility.

Playing VIX

If you’re fairly certain volatility will remain with us for a while and the goal is to make that bet and profit from it, two ETNs are now available to do just that.

The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (NYSEArca: VXX) seeks to replicate the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index by investing directly in VIX futures. The ETN will invest in the front-month and second-month contracts and roll out its holdings as each successive futures contract expires.

Investors who want an ETN that smoothes out volatility can turn to the iPath S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (NYSEArca: VXZ) that invests in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh month of VIX futures contracts. The ETN also keeps rolling positions to maintain exposure to the appropriate midterm contracts.

To give you an idea of how investors would have fared during the last big spike in volatility, I’m highlighting the time frame between April 12 and May 20. During that time, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEArca: SPY) lost 10 percent, while the VXX gained 75 percent and VXZ jumped 45 percent.

Currencies And Commodities

A spike in the VIX will often bring lower equity prices along with it as fear among investors increases.

The Rydex CurrencyShares Japanese Yen ETF (NYSEArca: FXY) has long been a safe haven during volatile and uncertain times. During the same time period, as mentioned above, the FXY gained 4 percent and is sitting just below a multiyear high. We own FXY for our clients as one of our volatility-hedge ETFs.

Commodity markets are not immune to volatility and can even experience more dramatic swings than equities.

However, one commodity in general tends to outperform during times of volatility—and that’s gold. The SPDR Gold ETF (NYSEArca: GLD) was able to gain 2.5 percent during the spike in the VIX during April and May.

Because gold is considered an alternative to equities and currencies, investors will flock to the precious metal during times of high volatility and uncertainty.

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