
By Ranald Hall
April 7, 2025
Market uncertainty is part of the investing journey. Whether it’s political headlines, trade tensions, or economic shifts, periods of volatility can tempt even seasoned investors to act. History shows that staying the course often delivers better outcomes than reacting in the moment.
When markets fall sharply, it feels like the logical thing to do is take cover, but reacting emotionally can lead to costly mistakes.
The pattern is clear: reacting to short-term events often means missing long-term gains.
Returns in the stock market tend to come in short, unpredictable bursts. Missing just a few of the best days can have a dramatic impact on your long-term results.
Let’s say you invested in the US stock market between March 2005 and March 2025:
What’s more, 7 of the 10 best days in the market occurred within two weeks of the 10 worst days. This isn’t a coincidence, fear and opportunity are two sides of the same coin.
That’s why the idea of “I’ll sell now and buy back when things are calmer” is so dangerous. It assumes you can sidestep the storm and time the recovery. You’re far more likely to lock in losses, miss the rebound, and end up worse off than if you’d simply held on.
If you feel the urge to act, focus on steps that support long-term stability:
Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is nothing at all. But when it comes to investing, patience is often your greatest advantage.
Get in touch with me at andrew.e.gray@sjpp.co.uk to arrange your session or request a complimentary copy of the template.
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Andy Gray Financial Adviser, GGFM | ||||
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Gilson Gray Financial Management is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services.
The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. Tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances. Tax advice is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Andy Gray is a dedicated Financial Adviser at Gilson Gray Financial Management, with a robust background in financial advisory and investment research. With a diverse career spanning financial services, property management, and ski instruction, Andy brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to his role, focusing on tailored financial strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals.