It’s hard to ignore the headlines and your neighbor’s Facebook posts lately. With the ongoing announcements on tariffs, pauses and exemptions — along with increased projections for a potential recession, 1 it’s natural to feel uneasy about what’s happening.
And then, in the midst of all that bad news, the S&P 500 posts its third-best day ever with a 9.5% rise on April 9, 2025. 2
As the media continues to crank out headlines, let’s bring a historical perspective to the conversation.
A Quick History – Volatility
As the market makes history, a quick glance backward provides us with three reminders about the true nature of volatility:
1. Volatility is Not New
Since the beginning of 1950, there have been 39 official corrections in the S&P 500 (a market pullback of 10% to 20%) or an average of one every other year or so. 3
2. Markets Have Weathered Numerous Crises in the Past
Markets, like people, are resilient and often come back from adverse events. Consider some of the events over the past 40 years, including Black Monday in 1987, the tech bubble burst of 2000, 9/11 and the global financial crisis of 2008-09.
3. Timing the Market Does Not Work. Time In the Market Does.
It’s nearly impossible to anticipate precisely when investments are at their highest high or lowest low. You might be able to achieve it once, but the odds of replicating such success are incredibly slim.
BONUS Quick History – The Big Days
Yes, market volatility can feel unsettling, but history shows us its upsides, too. A Fidelity report found that if you stayed fully invested in the S&P 500 from 1980 to 2022, a $10,000 investment would’ve grown to over $1.1 million. Yet, missing just five of the highest-performing days would have reduced that amount by 38%. Missing the top 50 days? It would leave you with just $76,104. 4
What You Can Do – Right Now
Uncertain times like these highlight the importance of staying proactive. Here’s how the team at Wealth With No Regrets can help you prepare your financial plan:
• Review your long-term goals to help make sure you’re on track for the future.
• Understand your risk tolerance for current economic conditions.
• Look for opportunities to preserve and grow your wealth, even in challenging markets.
Let’s Talk More
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need clarity on these updates. Happy to help you understand your financial situation in today’s financial climate. Reach out to our office to schedule a call.
Sincerely,
Barry
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“The only value of stock forecasters is to make fortune-tellers look good.”
– Warren Buffett
Disclosure: Wealth With No Regrets ® is an investment advisor in Georgia. Wealth With No Regrets ® is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration of an investment advisor does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC. Wealth With No Regrets® only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of Wealth With No Regrets’® current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses, among other things, Wealth With No Regrets’® business practices, services, and fees is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov These materials are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, any tax or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making decisions about your financial situation. Any reduction in taxes would depend on your specific tax situation. Investments in securities entails risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. It is important that you do not use email to request, authorize or effect the purchase or sale of any security, to send fund transfer instructions, or to effect any other transactions. Any such request, orders, or instructions that you send will not be accepted and will not be processed. Content prepared by Advisors Excel. This commentary reflects general trends, not the specific results of your portfolio. Every investment strategy should be personalized to your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
Sources:
1 Paul Davidson. USA Today. April 14, 2025. “Economy will likely slow to near-standstill or recession despite Trump tariff pause: Survey.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/04/14/economy-weak-growth-recession-2025/83048077007/. Accessed April 14, 2025.
2 Brett Schafer. The Motley Fool. April 14, 2025. “The Stock Market Just Had One of Its Best Days Ever: Here’s What History Says Comes Next.” https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stock-market-just-had-one-125800879.html. Accessed via Yahoo! Finance April 14, 2025.
3 Elizabeth Aldrich and Tessa Campbell. Business Insider. April 19, 2023. “What is a stock market correction? How to make sense of sudden drops in the market.” https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/stock-market-correction. Accessed April 14, 2025.
4 Lyle Niedens. Investopedia. Aug. 6, 2023. “New Report Affirms Old Warning: Investors Shouldn’t Try to Time the Market.” https://www.investopedia.com/new-data-affirms-old-rule-do-not-try-to-time-markets-7569835
