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The trouble with bear markets is that stock investors typically don’t know they’re in one until they’re in one. Investment advisers may also be taken by surprise. That’s why it’s crucial to have realistic expectations of the market, especially when it comes to volatility and risk.
Investors working with investment advisers ought to make time to talk about bear markets — when stocks drop at least 20% from their peak. The best time to talk about the worst, of course, is when stocks are doing well. To prepare, have a plan to adjust your portfolio allocation so that you can weather any adversity, and have Plan B and even Plan C in place in case plan A doesn’t work.
A bear market, when it comes, will feel like an attack on your financial security. To keep your footing and stay centered, reverse that old adage about sports and war: In a bear market, the best offense is a good defense.
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