If a Bear Market Is Coming, History Says the Smartest Investors Are All Making This 1 Move Right Now

A Motley Fool article by Neil Patel argues that despite S&P 500's 86% total return over the past five years and growing concerns about high valuations, the single best move investors can make is to maintain a long-term time horizon focused on the next decade rather than short-term market timing. The article notes that the S&P 500 has experienced 20%+ drawdowns numerous times historically and always recovered, citing a 7% decline in early 2026 as another example of the market bouncing back.

Why it matters: Key advice includes ignoring bear market predictions from pundits, avoiding frequent trading, and continuing to buy high-quality stocks and build a diversified portfolio regardless of near-term uncertainty.