When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And when the market gives you a downturn, make smart investment moves. While a market downturn can be a cause for concern, it’s important to remember that it can also present unique opportunities for investors who are willing to think outside the box. Recognizing the potential for undervalued assets, identifying market inefficiencies, and having a strategic approach allows you to turn a market downturn into a profitable venture.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how a market downturn creates opportunities and how you can make the most of them. In other words, let’s get ready to turn lemons into lemonade!
Step One: Stay Calm
It can be tempting to let your emotions dictate your investment decisions when the market takes a hit, but staying true to your investment strategy is key to avoiding further losses. Resisting the urge to panic and sell your assets and remaining disciplined during volatile market conditions increases the chances of mitigating risks and safeguarding your finances.
It’s vital to remember that downturns are temporary and markets will eventually recover. When the market shifts, this is the time to take a step back and evaluate your investments. This could involve analyzing the long-term prospects of a company, assessing its financial health, and determining if it’s undervalued in the market. By taking a rational approach and avoiding impulsive decisions, you can position yourself to benefit from a potential rebound.
Invest More
That’s right. It’s time to invest more. When the market is in a downturn, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos and overlook the potential opportunities that lie within down markets. While other investors are fleeing the market, savvy investors see an opportunity to buy low and potentially earn significant returns in the future. Whether it’s a solid company with strong fundamentals or a diversified mutual fund or ETF, opportunities can be found in every market. Adding money to your investments when the market is down will feel strange; however, good companies, and therefore markets, will recover.
Stick to the Plan
For the majority of investors, a downturn usually doesn’t have a long-term effect on their investing plan. Most of us are saving for retirement, college, or a similar milestone. When we build your investment account (and your retirement plan, for example), we take into account that the market will have some down years. In fact, statistics tell us that historically the market is up around 75% of calendar years and down 25%.
Another thing to watch out for is the “this time is different” thinking. The old adage “There is nothing new under the sun” is very true when it comes to markets and investing. Not only the U.S. markets but overseas markets have been through everything over the decades, from credit crunches, debt ceilings, high unemployment, terrorist attacks, etc. And the market is not some nebulous entity. It is the products and services of companies you and I use every day. We will always need food, clothing, shelter, vehicles, phones, computers, vacations, etc. The demand for all these things and more is not going away anytime soon.
Partner With a Professional
Collaboration with your financial advisor to prepare for the next bear market is a critical component to safeguard your financial future. The last thing you want is to worry about running out of money during retirement. Working closely with your advisor helps minimize your losses when the market takes a dip and make rational decisions that align with your long-term investment goals.
At Pinnacle Family Advisors, we provide valuable guidance on how to stay true to your investment strategy—even during volatile market conditions. Our goal is to help you identify potential risks and develop a plan to mitigate them, keeping your investment portfolio resilient in the face of a downturn. We also offer insights on how to increase profits and hedge against losses with your current retirement plan.
Don’t wait for the next bear market to hit before taking action. Schedule your complimentary introductory meeting by emailing me at [email protected], calling (417) 351-2942, or using my online calendar.
About Michael
Michael Vaughn is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Vice President at Pinnacle Family Advisors (PFA) with 21 years of industry experience. Before joining the PFA family, he served clients with investment management and retirement planning at The Mutual Fund Store for 14 years. Michael graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management and earned his CFP® certification in 2004. He also served 20 years in the Missouri National Guard, retiring in 2007 as a Major. He currently volunteers on the board of directors for Good Dads and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Michael is married to Lori and they have two daughters. To learn more about Michael, connect with him on LinkedIn.