After a devastating crash earlier this year, the stock market made a stunning recovery in the months that followed.
However, the last few weeks have been rough on the market. The S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the Nasdaq have all slid into correction territory, each dropping by roughly 10% since early September.
While nobody knows for certain whether a bear market is around the corner or not, it’s wise to prepare for a market crash anyway. And there’s one investment that will give your savings the best shot at recovering from even the worst market downturn: S&P 500 index funds.
Image source: Getty Images.
S&P 500 index funds boast two major advantages: They provide instant diversification, and they’re extremely likely to bounce back from market downturns. Both of these perks can play in your favor if the market continues its downhill slide.
1. Instant diversification
When you invest in an S&P 500 index fund, you’re actually investing in 500 of the country’s largest companies at once. These organizations have a proven track record of success, making them more likely to survive tough economic times.
In addition, spreading your money across hundreds of different stocks can limit your risk substantially if the market continues to fall. Even if a few companies within the S&P 500 take a nosedive, it won’t cause your entire portfolio to plummet.
Of course, the S&P 500 itself could take a turn for the worse, and the index has already experienced a decline over the last few weeks. However, no matter what the market does, S&P 500 index funds are among the investments most likely to recover from a crash.
2. Almost guaranteed recovery
Nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to the stock market, but S&P 500 index funds are about as close as you can get to guaranteed recovery after a market crash.
As their name implies, S&P 500 index funds track the S&P 500 — so whatever the S&P 500 does, the index fund will mimic it. Historically, the S&P 500 has always recovered from every downturn it’s ever faced. Even after the Great Recession in 2008, as well as the unprecedented crash earlier this year, the S&P 500 managed to bounce back stronger than ever.
Again, nobody knows whether the current market downturn will get worse in the coming weeks or months, but even if it does, there’s a very good chance the S&P 500 will recover. There will always be ups and downs over the years, but in general, the S&P 500 has experienced a strong upward trend over time. That means even if the market crashes, it’s extremely likely your index funds will recover.
Is it the right time to invest?
S&P 500 index funds are long-term investments, and there’s never necessarily a bad time to invest for the long term. In fact, market downturns are one of the best opportunities to invest, because stock prices are lower, so you can get more for your money.
The key is to make sure you can leave your money alone for years or even decades after you invest. S&P 500 index funds do see positive returns over time, but like any investment, they are subject to volatility in the short term. So to make the most of your money, your best bet is to invest and then sit back and wait.
A market crash may be looming, but that doesn’t have to be a scary thought. By investing in the right places and taking advantage of S&P 500 index funds, you can give your money the best shot possible at surviving a market downturn.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was down more than 200 points in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the technology, base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets also fell.
The S&P/TSX composite index was down 239.24 points at 22,749.04.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 312.36 points at 40,443.39. The S&P 500 index was down 80.94 points at 5,422.47, while the Nasdaq composite was down 380.17 points at 16,747.49.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.80 cents US compared with 74.00 cents US on Thursday.
The October crude oil contract was down US$1.07 at US$68.08 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.26 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$2.10 at US$2,541.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was down four cents at US$4.10 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in technology, financial and energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also pushed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 171.41 points at 23,298.39.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 278.37 points at 41,369.79. The S&P 500 index was up 38.17 points at 5,630.35, while the Nasdaq composite was up 177.15 points at 17,733.18.
The Canadian dollar traded for 74.19 cents US compared with 74.23 cents US on Wednesday.
The October crude oil contract was up US$1.75 at US$76.27 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.10 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$18.70 at US$2,556.50 an ounce and the December copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.22 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2024.
The crypto market has recently experienced a significant downturn, mirroring broader risk asset sell-offs. Over the past week, Bitcoin’s price dropped by 24%, reaching $53,000, while Ethereum plummeted nearly a third to $2,340. Major altcoins also suffered, with Cardano down 27.7%, Solana 36.2%, Dogecoin 34.6%, XRP 23.1%, Shiba Inu 30.1%, and BNB 25.7%.
The severe downturn in the crypto market appears to be part of a broader flight to safety, triggered by disappointing economic data. A worse-than-expected unemployment report on Friday marked the beginning of a technical recession, as defined by the Sahm Rule. This rule identifies a recession when the three-month average unemployment rate rises by at least half a percentage point from its lowest point in the past year.
Friday’s figures met this threshold, signaling an abrupt economic downshift. Consequently, investors sought safer assets, leading to declines in major stock indices: the S&P 500 dropped 2%, the Nasdaq 2.5%, and the Dow 1.5%. This trend continued into Monday with further sell-offs overseas.
The crypto market’s rapid decline raises questions about its role as either a speculative asset or a hedge against inflation and recession. Despite hopes that crypto could act as a risk hedge, the recent crash suggests it remains a speculative investment.
Since the downturn, the crypto market has seen its largest three-day sell-off in nearly a year, losing over $500 billion in market value. According to CoinGlass data, this bloodbath wiped out more than $1 billion in leveraged positions within the last 24 hours, including $365 million in Bitcoin and $348 million in Ether.
Khushboo Khullar of Lightning Ventures, speaking to Bloomberg, argued that the crypto sell-off is part of a broader liquidity panic as traders rush to cover margin calls. Khullar views this as a temporary sell-off, presenting a potential buying opportunity.
Josh Gilbert, an eToro market analyst, supports Khullar’s perspective, suggesting that the expected Federal Reserve rate cuts could benefit crypto assets. “Crypto assets have sold off, but many investors will see an opportunity. We see Federal Reserve rate cuts, which are now likely to come sharper than expected, as hugely positive for crypto assets,” Gilbert told Coindesk.
Despite the recent volatility, crypto continues to make strides toward mainstream acceptance. Notably, Morgan Stanley will allow its advisors to offer Bitcoin ETFs starting Wednesday. This follows more than half a year after the introduction of the first Bitcoin ETF. The investment bank will enable over 15,000 of its financial advisors to sell BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC. This move is seen as a significant step toward the “mainstreamization” of crypto, given the lengthy regulatory and company processes in major investment banks.
The recent crypto market downturn highlights its volatility and the broader economic concerns affecting all risk assets. While some analysts see the current situation as a temporary sell-off and a buying opportunity, others caution against the speculative nature of crypto. As the market evolves, its role as a mainstream alternative asset continues to grow, marked by increasing institutional acceptance and new investment opportunities.
