The markets have been highly volatile of late, which can be a bit surprising for anyone who has never experienced a bear market before. 2008 was not the same as this time around, and it’s hard to predict how long your investments might last in such conditions – especially if you trade on short term trends rather than fundamentals like most professional investors do!
Perhaps you’re “long” volatility, meaning you thrive on sharp price swings. But again, perhaps this level of volatility–one in which futures hit limit-down well before the stock market even opens–is a bit too turbulent, even for your taste.
Every year, numerous people decide to invest in stocks. For most people, it is a good choice. For some, it ends up being one of the worst choices ever made. Contrary to what many others believe, the correct thing to do when an economy is threatened by recession or depression is not to abandon ship and run into gold or other safety assets that appear bright in even the darkest moments. Instead, savvy investors know that if they are patient enough, eventually, there will be a market recovery.
Avoid panic selling
The first lesson any investor should learn about trading in a bear market is to avoid panic selling when share prices drop rapidly. This often refers to natural disasters or terrorist attacks but can also simply refer to bad news coming from a company’s head office. Investors who take action and sell their stock immediately after hearing about such events risk making the same mistake dozens before they have made and end up losing out on significant gains if they get out of the market at an inopportune time.
For seasoned investors, this means one thing: holding onto stocks during even the worst bear markets is often a good idea. However, it is essential to note that there are certain occasions where getting out of stocks may be necessary – especially when facing margin calls or other similar situations.
This usually occurs when shares suddenly lose balance and become practically impossible to keep afloat without brokerage loans. All experienced traders know that being safe during times of crisis can mean cashing being disclosed about a publicly-traded company. If an investor is selling their stock at low prices, they are only hurting themselves. The best thing to do is take a step back and let the dust settle before making any hasty decisions.
Patience and common sense
What separates good traders from bad ones is those good traders have both patience and common sense. Instead of predicting short-term market swings, all investors should focus on purchasing shares when they are cheap and selling them when they go up in price. This does not mean buying high and selling low – it means keeping calm during times of volatility, which can be difficult for some investors but rewarding for those who manage to stick with their trading strategies no matter what happens.
Time in the market
Prices tend to rise again eventually. Focus on buying cheap stocks instead of timing the market. Holding onto your investments through difficult times builds market knowledge and advises against rash decisions. Time in the market is more important than timing the market. Only a tiny percentage of people can successfully time the market-Panic selling causes prices to drop even further, bringing losses to those who panic sell.
Research what stocks to buy and sell by looking for promising companies and reading company updates -Buy shares when they are low and sell high. This is true even during times of volatility and doesn’t mean buying high (buying at a high price) or selling low (selling at a low price). Investors need to be patient, calm, and rational when making financial decisions because panic sales only result in significant losses.
Bottom line
Investing in stocks is not an exact science – it requires a bit of intuition and market understanding, which comes with time. Patience is the key to making money, whether there are ups or downs, because eventually, whatever happens, there will be good days for investors.