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You can’t prevent a market downturn or guarantee that your investments won’t lose value. You can prepare: match your portfolio to your goals and time horizon, diversify, keep emergency savings accessible, and avoid making rushed changes in response to falling prices.
Start with your plan, not the latest market move
A falling market does not automatically mean you should sell. First consider why you invested, when you expect to need the money, and whether your portfolio still fits your financial situation and your willingness and ability to withstand losses.
Time horizon matters: money needed soon may be better suited to less volatile investments than money intended for a distant goal. There is no single stock-and-bond mix that fits everyone. The SEC’s asset allocation and diversification guide explains how horizon and risk tolerance inform allocation.
Reduce concentration with diversification
Spreading investments across asset classes and across holdings within each class can reduce the damage caused by a decline in one company, industry, or type of asset. It cannot guarantee a gain or prevent losses; a broad market decline can affect many holdings at once.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Do not assume a fund is diversified just because it is a mutual fund or ETF. A sector-focused fund may concentrate risk. Check its underlying holdings and the exposure it adds to the rest of your portfolio. Investor.gov’s guide to asset allocation and diversification discusses this distinction.
Keep emergency savings separate from long-term investments
Accessible savings can help cover unexpected expenses without forcing you to sell investments during a decline or borrow to meet immediate needs. The SEC-led World Investor Week bulletin dated October 5, 2026, offers three to six months of living expenses as an example savings goal—not a required amount or a fit for every household. The appropriate cushion depends on your circumstances.
Cash and other safe, accessible savings options trade potential investment return for availability, and may not keep pace with inflation. Investor.gov explains the purpose and trade-offs of emergency savings in Save for a Rainy Day.
Avoid trying to time the bottom
Selling in panic can lock in a loss, while trying to jump back in at exactly the right moment is difficult. SEC-led guidance cautions that short-term trading and chasing returns can result in buying high and selling during a decline.
Patient, periodic investing may help manage short-term price swings when it fits your plan and budget. It does not guarantee gains or recovery, and continuing contributions may not be appropriate if you need the cash, are dealing with high-interest debt, or cannot afford them. Revisit those priorities before investing more.
Rebalance deliberately, with costs in view
Rebalancing brings a portfolio back toward its intended allocation when market movements have changed its weights. You can review on a schedule or act when an allocation crosses a threshold you set in advance. SEC materials describe six- or twelve-month reviews as examples used by some experts, not a universal schedule; rebalancing is generally something to do relatively infrequently.
Before selling or buying to rebalance, consider transaction fees and possible tax consequences. The SEC’s asset allocation guide covers approaches to rebalancing and these costs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Watch for investment scams during volatility
Fraudsters may use market uncertainty to impersonate investment professionals or firms and press people to act quickly. Be skeptical of unsolicited offers, and independently verify a person’s credentials and a firm’s registration before sending money or sharing sensitive information. The SEC’s Investor.gov Tips for 2026 includes guidance on fees and impersonation scams.
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If you are unsure whether your allocation fits your time horizon, how to rebalance, or how fees and taxes affect a change, a registered financial professional can help assess your situation. Ask how the professional is compensated and what costs may apply. General education cannot account for every investor’s finances, obligations, or tax circumstances.
As Lori Schock, then Director of the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance, wrote in Investor.gov’s “Don’t Panic, Plan It!”: “Your first reaction during a time of market volatility may be to panic. Don’t. Instead, plan it!” That page is no longer being updated, so use it as background rather than current guidance.
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