When it comes to the stock market, there are no guarantees. If you’ve invested in the stock market as part of your retirement planning strategy, it’s good to be prepared. This means knowing the signs of a potential market downturn (insofar as such things can be predicted) and finding other ways to protect your portfolio.
Sure, the stock market has, according to the Official Data Foundation, had an average annual return of 10.56% over the past 70 years (in reality, it’s 6.71% adjusted for inflation). But it’s also seen its share of volatility that, for individual investors, has led to some substantial gains — and losses. The times you enter and exit, as well as how many market-adjustment events you endure, have a huge bearing on your success.
