Staying Invested During Uncertain Times

At the end of February, the American Association of Individual Investors reported the lowest level of bullishness from retail investors since March 2023, with less than 20% of respondents describing themselves as bullish and more than 60% pessimistic about the state of the markets.

This follows weaker consumer confidence surveys and mixed economic data. There are a number of reasons why investors might feel uncomfortable as markets work through the impact of tariffs, digest mixed economic data, and wrestle with high valuations. It's natural to feel uneasy during periods of market volatility; however, historical data indicate that investor sentiment alone doesn't typically dictate poor investment outcomes. Despite unsettling political and economic news, the stock market has historically rebounded from downturns, rewarding patient investors who maintain diversified portfolios.

Source: S&P 500 historical returns. The Associated Press.

Beacon Hill Private Wealth is an independent, fee-only, fiduciary investment advisor providing evidence-based wealth planning solutions that simplify our clients' financial lives. Founder Tom Geoghegan, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA® is also a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).      

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