Insights + Resources

Market Timing and Your Investment Strategy

Jun 29, 2020

stopwatch stock market time
Don’t miss out on the “good days” while trying to avoid a “bad day”

Hindsight is 20/20. It’s only human to imagine what it might have been like to turn left instead of right on some fateful day. However, that sort of daydreaming is unhelpful when investing, especially when it leads you to  try timing the market.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve seen a great deal of volatility. But, in the two months since March 23rd’s record low, the S&P 500 has risen 33%. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, it shows how quickly market sentiment can change. 1,2

I prefer a disciplined approach to investing. I combine a person’s goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk with my own understanding of the overall economic landscape. It boils down to this: in timing the market to avoid the “bad” day, you risk missing the “good” days, too.

Missing even just a few of those “good days” can really add up.

A national investment firm looked at a $10,000 investment into the S&P 500 for 38 years. By missing only the five best days over that period, the investment grew to $458,476. Meanwhile, if the money remained in the account untouched, it would have grown to $708,143. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, but this illustration shows the long-term power of “time in the market vs. timing the market.” 3

As your financial professional, I understand that volatility can cause anxiety, and it can be tough to sit still when it’s happening. But as we’ve seen lately, it may sometimes be best to tune out the noise and trust the strategy that’s already established.

I always look forward to answering your questions, so if you have any, please reach out and let’s set up a time to talk. If you’d like, a recent Epic Market Minute video quickly discusses the importance of taking a few shots when you have a chance.

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