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Selling stocks now likely means realizing losses.

In 2022, the S&P 500 dropped nearly 20%, marking its worst performance in 14 years. The Nasdaq 100 performed even worse, declining 28%. As markets tumbled, investor enthusiasm faded, leading to reduced trading activity and lower net inflows by the end of the year.

The cycle of euphoria and despair is a well-documented pattern in investing. During bull markets, investors feel invincible—every stock seems to rise, creating an illusion of skill. However, as the market declines, many investors initially attempt to "buy the dip," expecting a quick rebound. But when prices continue to drop, uncertainty sets in, leading to panic selling at the worst possible moment—the bottom.

How to Avoid Selling at the Bottom

The key to avoiding emotional investing mistakes is to adopt a disciplined, long-term strategy. Some key lessons include:

1. Ignore Financial Media Noise – Financial news focuses on current events but rarely explains market movements in real-time. While useful for staying informed, media should not dictate investment decisions.

2. Develop a Lifelong Investment Strategy – Investing is not a buffet where you sample different strategies. Pick one and stick to it—consistency is key.

3. Live Your Own Life – Vanguard founder John Bogle advised investors not to check their portfolios frequently. Investing should be about long-term growth, not daily stress.

4. Practice Contentment – More money does not always mean a better life. Upgrade your lifestyle cautiously and focus on financial security over short-term gains.

Embrace Compounding – If a stock drops 10%, selling might be a valid decision. But holding onto a stock after an 80-90% drop can be too painful to endure. Instead of speculative trading, focus on compounding returns through long-term investing.

[Compliance Note]

• All posts by Sellsmart are for informational purposes only. Final investment decisions should be made with careful judgment and at the investor’s own risk.

• The content of this post may be inaccurate, and any profits or losses resulting from trades are solely the responsibility of the investor.

• Core16 may hold positions in the stocks mentioned in this post and may buy or sell them at any time.