History Says This 1 Bear Market Move Is the Costliest Mistake Investors Can Make

The article argues that selling stocks during bear markets is a costly mistake for long-term investors. Historical data shows that missing just the five best trading days over 36 years could reduce portfolio returns by 37%. Instead of selling during downturns, investors should continue buying through dollar-cost averaging, as bear markets present opportunities to purchase stocks at discounts. The S&P 500 has historically recovered from all bear markets and delivered ~10% average annual returns since 1928.