Tremendous Gains Since 2009, Presented by Mark K. Lund, Financial Planner

A look at where stocks were in 2009 and how they have performed since.

Where were you on March 9, 2009? Do you remember the headwinds hitting Wall Street then? When the closing bell rang at the New York Stock Exchange that Monday afternoon, it marked the end of another down day for equities. Just hours earlier, the Wall Street Journal had asked: “How Low Can Stocks Go?”1

The Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index answered that question by sinking to 676.53, even with mergers and acquisitions making headlines. The index was under 700 for the first time since 1996. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled to a closing low of 6,547.05.2

To quote Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” It was the bottom of the bear market – and it was also the best time, in a generation, to buy stocks.2

The next day, a rally began. Buoyed by news of one major bank announcing a return to profitability and another stating it would refrain from further government bailouts, the Dow rose 597 points for the week ending on March 16, 2009. On March 26, the Dow settled at 7,924.56, more than 20% above its March 9 settlement. The bull market was back.3

When markets turn around, they turn around fast. There is a history of a weaker market during an election year and there always seems to be a virus during an election year. SARS 2004, AVIAN 2008, SWINE 2010, MERS 2012, EBOLA 2014, ZIKA 2016, EBOLA 2018, CORONA 2020. Just a coincidence? A crash or a correction is not necessarily the end of the bull market. In fact, such a correction would not be the first for this specific bull market.4,5

The gains of the current bull market did not come without turbulence, and stocks in no way turned into a “sure thing.” The lesson this long bull market has taught is simply that the bad times in the stock market are worth enduring. Good times historically replace those bad times more swiftly than anyone can anticipate.

If you ever have any questions about your investments or retirement plans, please feel free to give me a call at 801-545-0696.

Citations.
1 – forbes.com/2010/03/06/march-bear-market-low-personal-finance-march-2009.html [3/6/10]
2 – thestreet.com/investing/stocks/bull-market-10th-anniversary-14891697 [3/10/19]
3 – tinyurl.com/yyhbtfw8 [4/2/19]
4 – marketwatch.com/story/theres-plenty-of-life-left-in-this-bull-market-for-stocks-2020-01-08 [1/8/20]
5 – investopedia.com/market-milestones-as-the-bull-market-turns-10-4588903 [10/16/19]

This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. Market indices discussed are unmanaged. Investors cannot invest in unmanaged indices. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary, Inc., for Mark Lund, Mark is known as a Wealth Advisor, The 401k Advisor, Investor Coach, Financial Advisor, Financial Planner, Investment Advisor and author of The Effective Investor. Mark offers investment advisory services through Stonecreek Wealth Advisors, Inc. a fiduciary, independent, fee-only, Registered Investment Advisor firm providing investment and retirement planning for individuals and 401k consulting for small businesses. Mark’s newsletter is called The Fiduciary Report. Cities served in Utah are: Salt Lake County, Park City, Salt Lake City, Murray, West Jordan, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, Provo, Orem, Lehi, Highland, Alpine, American Fork, and Utah County.

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