The Stock Market's Ups and Downs: A Cautionary Tale for Investors The S&P 500's impressive track record of average annual returns has many investors feeling confident about their portfolios, but beneath the surface lies a more nuanced reality.
Beneath this optimism, however, lies a more complex situation. Since 1872, there have been 26 bull markets and 26 bear markets, according to Fidelity research.
This inherent unpredictability can catch even seasoned investors off guard, including those who have lived through multiple crises – the dot com bust, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the 2020 pandemic.