• From 1926 through 2020, the S&P 500 Index experienced 17 bear markets, or a fall of at least 20% from a previous peak. The declines ranged from —21% to —80% across an average length of around 10 months.

• On the upside, there were 18 bull markets, or gains of at least 20% from a previous trough. They averaged 54 months in length, and advances ranged from 21% to 936%.

Stock returns are volatile, but nearly a century of bull and bear markets shows that the good times have outshined the bad times.

Have questions about your investment strategy? Contact your Skyline Financial NW advisor.

For further reading long-term investing:

• Revisit our January 2020 Field Note 
• Read this piece from Dimensional on handling short-term market chaos
• Head to page 16 of our Q4 2021 Market Report