Today, the market surged nearly 3,000 points in response to the Trump campaign’s announcement of a 90-day pause on proposed tariffs. For many investors, this rally came as a shock—especially those sitting on the sidelines, waiting for “the right time” to get back in.

But if you’ve been working with a disciplined strategy—or better yet, with an advisory team that focuses on long-term growth—you already know:

This is why you stay invested.

The Trigger: Tariffs Delayed

Markets soared on news that former President Trump would pause newly proposed tariffs for 90 days, calming inflation concerns and sparking optimism in a market that’s been shaky for weeks.

While politics can often rattle the market in the short term, this type of reprieve shows how fast markets can react—and how quickly investors can fall behind if they’re not positioned properly.

Market Rallies Don’t Announce Themselves

The Dow jumped nearly 3,000 points today. And here’s the problem:

Most people who tried to “time the bottom” missed it.
Most people who thought, “I’ll wait until things calm down,” are still waiting.
Most of the biggest up days come during uncertainty—not after it.

The Cost of Missing the Best Days

Here’s a real-world example of what missing just a few key days can do to your long-term return:

$1mm starting in just the S&P 500

Growth from 1999 to 2023:

• Fully Invested: $7,731,616

• Missed 10 Best Days: $3,542,121

• Missed 25 Best Days: $1,654,515

Let that sink in.

Trying to time the market feels logical. But time in the market—not timing it—is what builds wealth.

History Is On the Side of Those Who Stay In

And we’ve got the data to back it up.

Take a look at the 10 biggest two-day drops in S&P 500 history, as shown in this chart:

Each of these declines felt intense in the moment—whether it was Black Monday in 1987, the depths of the 2008 financial crisis, or the COVID crash in 2020.

But look at what happened next:

• After the 1987 crash (down -24.6% in two days), the S&P gained +28% in 1 year and +119% in 5 years

• After the March 2020 COVID drop, the S&P was up +44% in 1 year and +127% in 5 years

• After the October 2008 panic, returns over 5 years exceeded +100% in every case

What does that tell us?
Panic selling almost always leads to regret.
Rallies come fast, and recoveries are often stronger than expected.
Volatility is not your enemy—it’s your opportunity.

April 2025: A New Entry on the List

The chart you see now includes a new name: April 4, 2025.

The S&P dropped -10.5% in just two days—now ranked #5 all-time.

We don’t know yet what the 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year returns will be. But based on the historical record, we wouldn’t bet against them.

If history is any guide, staying invested today will likely look wise tomorrow.

Retired Clients at Compound: Calm, Unaffected, and Covered

At Compound Advisory, our retired clients aren’t worried about what happens next.

Why? Because they’re invested with our Compound Cultivator™ framework, which holds 12–36 months of cash or cash-like assets, providing:

• Stable income during downturns

• Protection against forced selling

• Flexibility to let long-term investments recover

These clients are shielded from the stress of market swings. They don’t have to make emotional decisions—because their plan already accounts for volatility.

Wealth Builders: This Is Your Moment

For clients still in the accumulation phase, we use the Compound Combine™ and Compound Cultivation™ methods to position for opportunity.

A -10.5% drop followed by a 3,000-point rally?

That’s not chaos. That’s the moment you’ve been preparing for.

We help clients:

• Rebalance intelligently

• Harvest and reinvest when the market is down

• Avoid emotional decision-making

• Build positions when others are fearful

Today’s bounce was dramatic. But more may come. If you’re not positioned for it, you’re already behind.

Belief in the Builders: Why We Stay Invested

At Compound, we don’t just believe in indexes.
We believe in the people behind them.

We believe in American grit, intelligence, and perseverance.
In the men and women who rebuild, reinvent, and rise again.
In the business owners, professionals, and retirees who continue to push forward no matter the obstacles.

Markets reflect that resilience over time.
You just have to stay in long enough to see it.

What You Should Do Now

If you’re invested – Stay the course. This is the reason you stayed disciplined.

If you’re not invested – Ask yourself: what are you waiting for? Markets don’t wait for comfort.

If you don’t have a plan – Now’s the time to build one. One that protects in downturns and positions for growth in rebounds.

At Compound, that’s what we do. We build intelligent, durable strategies that thrive through uncertainty—not avoid it.

Final Word

You don’t need to predict the next 90 days.
You just need to stop trying to time it—and start building a strategy that can weather anything.

Because the people who win in this game aren’t the ones who guess the right headline.

They’re the ones who keep showing up.
Who believe in long-term growth.
Who stay invested when it matters most.

That’s what we help our clients do.
And that’s what we’re doing—right now.

Let’s talk. If you’re ready to build a strategy that works in the real world—not just in theory—schedule a 15-minute clarity call. We’ll walk you through it, no pressure. Click here to book a call or start your plan, with or without us.

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