Market Turbulence in Trump’s First 100 Days
President Donald Trump’s first 100 days saw the S&P 500 drop about 8%, its worst start since Gerald Ford’s era. Markets were rattled by surprise tariffs, with the index nearly falling 20% before Trump paused some measures. Recession risks have risen, and uncertainty around trade policy remains high.
Staying Calm During Volatility
Turbulent times test investors. While Trump aims to overhaul trade and revive U.S. manufacturing, rapid policy shifts have left markets uneasy. Still, similar uncertainty marked past crises like the 2008 recession and COVID-19—yet markets recovered.
The Case for Long-Term Investing
Data shows long-term investors fare best. Since 1936, the U.S. market hasn’t had negative returns over any 20-year period. Even with average intra-year drops of 15%, markets ended positive in 75% of years since 2004. Short-term trading, by contrast, often leads to losses.
Investment Strategy Depends on Your Timeline
Younger investors can afford to ride out volatility, while those nearing retirement may consider diversifying into safer assets like gold or Treasuries. Either way, staying invested over the long term greatly reduces the chance of losses.
Bottom Line
Market volatility is nothing new. Those who stay the course and invest for the long term are historically rewarded.