Investors are scared of the next “big one.”
U.S. stocks have fallen 50%-plus twice in the last 15 years. And after six years of stock market gains, most folks believe the next “big one” will happen soon.
After a volatile two weeks, the popular opinion is that it could be starting now. But history says something entirely different…
[ad#Google Adsense 336×280-IA]Based on the last 45 years of data, the recent fall in stock prices could mean double-digit gains over the next year.
Let me explain…
Between Thursday, August 20 and Monday, August 24, the S&P 500 fell 9%…
A crash like that is rare, to say the least. We’ve only seen three-day falls of that magnitude 16 other times since 1970.
The important question is this: What does a fall like this mean going forward?
Is this the start of the next “big one”? Or does this give us a contrarian opportunity?
History’s answer is simple… Although, it might be surprising. Stocks tend to do well after crashes like the one we just witnessed…
Of the past 16 occurrences of a 9%, three-day fall, stocks rose over the next week 75% of the time. And they rose over the next year 81% of the time.
The table below shows the full details…
Stocks have risen 4%, on average, one week after these occurrences. And one year later, stocks have returned 17.2%, on average.
You’ll notice from the table that these falls often bunch together. We saw four occurrences in October 1987, for example. However, the big picture remains the same even if we look at only the first of these bunched occurrences. Take a look…
Now, none of this means that stocks can’t fall further from here. But history says this likely isn’t the start of the next “big one.” And this is already working like we’d expect…
The S&P 500 is already up 4% since last Monday. History says those gains could continue piling up… and double-digit gains are possible – even likely – over the next year.
The S&P 500 fell 9% in three days. Since 1970, that kind of decline has been a good thing going forward.
Don’t be reckless… But this is one more reason to watch your stops closely and stay long.
Good investing,
Brett Eversole
[ad#stansberry-ps]
Source: Daily Wealth