Investing in mutual funds can be a great way to become wealthy, but what do you do when the market crashes? Market crashes are inevitable in investing, and the way you approach them can determine whether you’re successful in the long run or not. If you’re an inexperienced investor or concerned about your mutual fund holdings during a recession, this guide will confidently walk you through the downturn.
Table of Contents
Learning Market Crashes and Market Corrections
A market crash refers to a rapid and sharp decline in stock prices, which is frequently brought on by economic or geopolitical factors. Not all declines, though, are crashes. Other times, the market experiences a market correction, which is a more orderly decline of 10% or more to correct overvalued stocks.
Example: Consider the stock market like a shopping mall. When the stores become too crowded with expensive goods, less are purchased, the shop owner then cuts the prices so that buyers return again. The price reduction is like a market correction—it makes investments more appealing for future expansion.
Stay Calm and Avoid Panic Selling
When markets go down, everyone gets scared, and most investors start panic selling. Panic selling due to fear locks in your loss and keeps you from profiting when the market bounces back. Instead, remain calm and have faith in your investment time frame.
Investment Horizon Matters
Your investment horizon—the amount of time you have until you need the money—plays a big part in managing market volatility. If you have a long-term perspective (5-10 years or more), short-term declines shouldn’t concern you. Historically, markets always come back stronger.
Diversify Across Asset Classes for Portfolio Protection
Diversification is the process of spreading your investments across various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and gold. A diversified mutual fund portfolio can minimize risks during economic slumps.
Example: Compare your investments to a cricket team. You won’t depend on batters alone; you have to have bowlers and all-rounders to win the match. Likewise, your portfolio needs various asset classes to keep the balance during the ups and downs of the market.
Think about Defensive Stocks and Liquid Funds
At times of uncertainty, defensive stocks are more stable than any other sector. They are from industries like healthcare, consumer goods, and utilities, which deal in products and services that are essential to people and continue to be used by them regardless of economic conditions.
For instance, irrespective of how poorly the market condition becomes, there is always a need for medicines, simple household necessities, and electricity. This steady demand keeps these industries strong even amidst economic recessions. Investing in defensive stocks among your mutual fund holdings can be a buffer, minimizing overall risk when markets get extremely volatile.
If you see market volatility approaching, another astute move is to keep a portion of your funds in liquid mutual funds. These funds invest in short-term, low-risk instruments like treasury bills and commercial papers that provide ready access to cash at all times. In contrast to the equity investments that need time for the market to pick up, liquid mutual funds enable you to withdraw funds at short notice without incurring long-term losses.
This makes them a great option for maintaining liquidity, ensuring that you have cash available for emergencies or potential investment opportunities when the market corrects itself.
Take a Look but Don’t Panic Over Your Portfolio
It’s always a good idea to check your investments from time to time, but getting derailed by daily wavers can cause undue stress. Rather than making hasty decisions, be patient & check your investments to see if they remain in line with your goals.
When to Think About an Exit Strategy?
An exit strategy is important, but leaving at the wrong moment can cost you. Only sell investments if:
- Your target has shifted.
- A specific fund is persistently lagging behind its comparison index.
- You need quick cash for your reasons.
- Otherwise, hold on and wait out the slump.
Market Crashes Are Opportunities in Disguise
Smart investors see crashes as times to purchase high-quality mutual funds at lower prices. This technique, buying the dip, can provide high returns if markets turn around.
Example: Suppose your favorite sneakers, which are normally Rs.1000, come on sale for Rs.700. You know they are of high quality and will cost Rs700 again. Wouldn’t you purchase them at the lower price? Same principle applies to investment at a market correction.
Key Takeaways
- Be patient, and don’t panic sell. Market corrections happen.
- Think about your investment horizon. Short-term losses are not important in the long term.
- Diversify between asset classes. This lowers the overall risk.
- Invest in defensive stocks and liquid instruments. They offer stability and liquidity.
- Make use of market crashes as an opportunity to buy. If you invest sensibly, you can profit from the recovery of the market.
Also, Check – What Is a Stock Market Correction?
Conclusion
Investing in mutual funds needs to be done with patience, particularly during a down economy. Crashes in the market can be unnerving, but they are part of the investment cycle. Rather than respond with panic selling, stay calm and keep sight of long-term objectives, diversify by class of asset, and hold on to liquidity in case of need. Market corrections usually mean a chance to buy quality investments cheaply. By adhering to your investment horizon, tactfully adjusting your strategy, and refraining from hasty decisions, you can ride downturns successfully. Don’t forget, patience and a well-formulated plan will always remain your best friends in achieving financial prosperity through mutual fund investments.
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How many months or years typically pass before a market recovers from a crash?
While each crash is unique, the historical record is that markets will rebound in a matter of months to a couple of years. Just be patient!
Will mutual funds evaporate to zero in a market crash?
Extremely unlikely! Mutual funds have many stocks and bonds that are diversified across different holdings, which makes the prospect of complete devastation very unlikely.
Should I sell my investments and put everything into reasonably safer options, such as fixed deposits, when the crash happens?
Not necessarily! Anytime you switch your investment in a panic, you only lock in losses. Assess your risk tolerance and long-term objectives. Diversification and patience are often better than knee-jerk reactions.
Can the market crash become a chance to invest more?
Absolutely! Crashing markets are often good opportunities to acquire quality mutual funds at lower valuations, so if you have some spare money for investing, go ahead! It is a good idea to invest during a crash to enhance your returns later.
Disclaimer – This article is for educational purposes only and does not intend to substitute expert guidance. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read the scheme-related document carefully before investing.
Assistant Vice President – Research & Analysis
Akash Gupta heads the Research & Analysis department at BFC CAPITAL, where he combines in-depth market insights with strategic analysis. He holds multiple certifications, including:
- NISM-Series-XIII: Common Derivatives Certification
- NISM-Series-VIII: Equity Derivatives Certification
- NISM-Series-XXI-A: Portfolio Management Services Certification
- IRDAI Certification
With his expertise in equity, derivatives, and portfolio management, Akash plays a key role in providing research-backed strategies and actionable insights to help clients navigate the investment landscape.
